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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  Tess Tacoma - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By pacunas - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Great truck! Completely dependable.

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  Inexpensive Workhorse - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By euroeric - February 1 - 2:00 am

  This truck has done everything Ive asked of it- from towing over 4000 lbs to hauling engines to commuting to the hospital and back. An awesome truck all around, my next truck will be another Toyota (in about 15 years- at this rate this thing will last forever). It handled poorly on the stock tires in rain, but since I swapped them recently, it has improved greatly.

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  Heading Back to the Dealer After First Fue Fill Up - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Geoff Cheeseman - January 31 - 1:07 am

  I so much want to like and live with the 2016 Tacoma, but as other reviewers have mentioned the truck has a fatal flaw with its engine/transmission combination. As a result, Im returning the truck w/ only 400 miles as it almost couldnt make it to my office today with a full tank of gas! Granted I work at 6,200 and there was a 20 mph wind blowing. But seriously, this truck is a dog. I read on Edmunds that the new V6 (with supposedly 42 increased HP) combined with the Atkinson cycle and a 6-speed automatic transmission is a full second slower in speed tests from 0 to 60 than last years model, and I believe it. It sounds like a bad marriage. The transmission keeps the engine in the low RPM range, but w/ the Atkinson cycle, peak HP & torque is up around 5,000 rpm. Very hard to get the truck to its power band. It feels like the two systems were designed by engineers who didnt consult one another. The truck is always shifting. At times, it feels as though its in too high of a gear and the engine/transmission vibrate. When you step on the gas, theres a huge delay as the transmission may have to drop 2 or 3 gears to get going and then you have to wait for the engine to rev up. There is an extra power button, but that doesnt help all that much. Apparently, the Atkinson cycle works well in the Toyota Prius, where it saves gas, but not in this truck. Its because of its lack of power, and more importantly, snow accelerator response, that Im returning my 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

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  my truck performance - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By joelsb67 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  off-road is excellent, but comfort is little bit poor,suspension to hard.

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  Should have never traded it. - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jabberwocky - January 28 - 4:30 am

  This was a great first truck. These things can really take some punishment and are a blast to drive. Mileage was OK, at about 23 mpg. It did a lot better than expected in the winter. Always started and ran great. Never got stuck on me in the snow despite being RWD (200 lbs of bedrock fixed that). Really good ground clearance for a truck this size. Great handling and brakes. Responsive 4 cylinder with respectable torque. Easy to maintain. I really regret trading it in for a Camry 3 years later. The cons... well... hardly any. The interior is a little cramped but thats about it. I was dumb for trading it in.

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  Best Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Off Road Boy - January 26 - 2:16 pm

  This truck is very good. I am normally not a Toyota fan. The older models looked very cheap. But the newly modeled Tacoma changes my mind. The truck is powerful, quite, and very handsome. This truck is well worth buying. =)

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  Tacoma Tough Club - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By Paul71 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 1996 Tacoma in 1999. First owner really drove the truck hard, but still it is in great mechanical shape. Ive continued to drive the truck hard and have never had any problems with it. I wholeheartedly recommend this vehicle to anyone in the compact pickup market. You cant beat Toyota quality.

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  HIghly disappointed. - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By steve3003 - January 22 - 11:46 pm

  I WAS excited about my new truck. Then the following things happened, in no particular order: I realized JUST HOW SHORT the bed was. My Transmission slipped-- repeatedly. My radio turned off... and on... and off... I learned that the 4.0 V-6 power is a lightweight, and tediously boring to drive. (Even when the transmission does what its supposed to. I learned that a slow, boring engine can STILL only get 18 MPG. I learned that there actually are $30,000.00 vehicles today without intermittent wipers. I learned that there actually are $30,000.00 vehicles today without remote entry. I learned that I should have kept my Dakota. Toyota-- you can do better.

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  Great buy - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Joseph - January 19 - 5:40 pm

  Make it short and sweet. I bought my taco used with exactly 20000 miles on it. I was an All-American car buyer until this vehicle and still doubted the value when I got it (Great Deal on the buy). Since Ive gotten the truck Ive put 36,000+ on it and never done anything other then oil changes. I literally love this truck more and more everyday I drive it. I would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a 4dr truck. Gets great gas mileage for a truck; has plenty of power on the street and off roading. Ive only owned 4x4s(3 Jeeps, Explorer, F150 & 250, Blazer), and this is definitely one of the best Ive owned. All around great buy.

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  Second Review - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By CRJ Driver - January 19 - 1:43 pm

  My second review. Bought new in 08/06.TRD SPRT. 2300 miles later and still loving it! 1560 RPMs and youre doing 65 MPH. 1800 and you are at 75. I have never seen it go over 2500 RPM. I see no reason to. Quiet, stiff enough but not brutal, nothing but two oil changes so far, poster vehicle for reliability. Seats offer good suppport, tranny shifts silky smooth, no issues with harshness, so quiet its hard to tell what gear you are in. Be smooth on the gas pedal and you will be rewarded. 19 mpg city and 23 fwy. There is no possible way to destruct this truck if you have a head over your shoulders.