Overview & Reviews

Since its introduction in 1995, the Toyota Tacoma has been a mainstay of the compact and midsize pickup segments. The original Tacoma fell into the compact category, while the second-generation truck's 2005 debut marked the transition to midsize dimensions. Typical advantages to a new or used Tacoma include a variety of body styles to choose from, useful off-road abilities, strong resale value and a better than average reputation for reliability.

Downsides are few. Even when modestly appointed, this Toyota often costs more than competing trucks and prices are high on the used market as well. In addition, taller drivers might feel cramped inside the first-generation Tacoma's compact cab. Otherwise, the Toyota Tacoma is a very capable pickup that's highly recommended for nearly all truck shoppers.

User Reviews:

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  Nice truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By mike - February 8 - 2:26 am

  Have had no problems with truck other than the average wear and tear of use. No rust and its now 3/1/08. Have owned 3 toyotas and this is the best. Recommend and will purchase another. 4WD works great.

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  Love it - 1999 Toyota Tacoma
  By dpauley - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I love it, it good off road and it is only the 2 wheel drive. also good on road.. feels alot of bumps but i dont mind that

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  Not all I expected - Gone - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dennis - January 31 - 7:40 am

  This is my first Taco. I had fairly high expectations given what I had read. I tested both the four and six engines, decided on the six because 1 mpg was worth it to get power. After having owned it for six months (4,500 miles) I would probably not buy it again. The first issue was a rattle in the door. Five trips to the dealer eventually fixed it (along with replacing a door panel and some additional foam going in the A pillar). A couple of more rattles have made themselves known, but not yet annoying, or I am just dreading the trips to fix them, not sure. The second issue is the engine/transmission. I have three issues. 1. the MPG is OK in the city and lousy on the freeway. My most recent trip was about 800 miles, pulled 22 mpg. Not loaded or towing and stayed pretty much within speed limits and I have a tonneau cover on the bed. This brings me to problem 2., the transmission. I have had the TSB performed to deal with hesitation between park and drive (works), the transmission was also down about 20 ounces of fluid. The transmission still downshifts very poorly, with a very untotyota like "clunk" when coming to stop and going from third to second or second to first. The transmission can best be described as nervous and unsettled as it hunts to find gears going up and down small grades, hills, etc. In the previously mentioned trip, it was continually downshifting one to two gears going up hills and grades, with the tach going from just under two thousand rpm to over 3,000. This brings me to 3., the engine. It is very smooth, but mileage is just awful. The engine feels very under powered going up hills and grades unless it drops all the way down to third or fourth gear. Some one likened it to shifting up in an manual gear too soon, it "lugs" and that is a great way to describe it. Even on a flat road, you are going to have to mash it to keep with traffic. I am going to take it back to the dealer regarding the poor mpg, maybe a different one, and see if they can correct it. But again, would probably not but it again, and would certainly not recommend to anyone. What a complete disappointment. I traded the Tacoma in. The unhappy power train was just too much in a daily driver. It was very useful, and I miss that every day, but that old saying about never buying a vehicle in its first year (and 2016 was the first year for the V 6 power train in the Taco), stay away from it. When Toyota works the bugs out, I will look at it again, if I can afford it.

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  Awesome!! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Nick - January 29 - 8:33 am

  Great Truck!! I got the V6 w/ the 6 speed manual transmission and the sport package. It is a little smaller than a late model F-150 but it is not afraid to be a truck. I took it to San Diego for a week and got tons of looks.

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  Shes a keeper! 4 cyl, pre-run, access - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Big John - January 29 - 12:30 am

  My first Truck. Researched for 6 months. This truck has been really fun. I dont need 4WD or a V6. I wanted a truck to haul things with but also to get good highway mpg so I went with the 4cyl. The power has been fine since the engine is 2.7L, but only 20mpg. Sticker said Id get 27hwy. I really wanted the Desert Sand but most dealers only had silver. Then I found a store which ordered up the Gold for me, and the build date was 2 days after I ordered! Im 63", 250 and have a ton of room. My anti-truck friends admit they are impressed

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  2015 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 Off Road - 2015 Toyota Tacoma
  By subarudavis - January 27 - 1:34 am

  I purchased this vehicle about a month ago and really enjoy it. The 4.0L v6 isnt going to win any races but gets you moving at a good pace and will last forever. The four wheel drive system works very well and has helped me conquer quite a few steep hills, wet grass, and light mud. As for fuel economy my first tank was 16.8 miles to the gallon with 50/50 non aggressive driving but every tank since has been between 18-19 with 60 percent highway but also with me taking it off road and doing quick starts which is pretty remarkable. It is comfortable and drives like a truck. I dont feel that the seat is too low nor are the breaks sponge like as some have claimed.

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  Its been great - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By JDWOITON - January 26 - 10:53 am

  Ive had this truck for 6 years and its held up very well. Ive added a matching color camper shell on it. It well serves my two biggest hobbies, music and camping. I can pack a bunch of equipment in it and keep it secure wherever I go. Its been wrecked twice and the value of the truck was always too high to total it.

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  Hate needing to sell this baby - 1995 Toyota Tacoma
  By Rakman - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Needed to replace 2nd clutch (first clutch replaced at 50,000) at 125,000 miles. Regular maintenace for everything else......I never have needed to replace the brakes!!! Had them checked for replacement at 110,000 and they still looked good. Oil every 3k and air filter occasionally....did have to fill in some rock chips on the hood.

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  Excellent truck - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Joey - January 21 - 7:26 pm

  This is an awesome truck and very stylish. My truck the 4 door, "limited", leather, TRD, 4WD, and the color is metallic black, with black luggage rack and black nerf bars... all stock. I get so many compliments on this vehicle - even though the body style is smaller than the new Tacomas that are out at the dealerships today. To me, this is the perfect size truck for off-road and run around the town.

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  05 Taco 4x4 - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Cboels84 - January 20 - 3:30 am

  I have been nothing but impressed by this truck so far. It is very well built and thought out, Toyota got all the details right. It has an ample amount of power, the 6-speed shifts smoothly, it sticks to the road like its on rails, Heat/AC works very well, the stereo sounds great, and the 4-wheel capability is unmatched. Im getting 17 mpg city and 20 mpg Hwy. After comparing it to the other trucks on the market, the Tacoma is easily the best buy.