Toyota Tacoma Model Review
The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pickup truck available with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and room for up to five people. It’s known for its off-road capability and comes in a wide range of bed and cab configurations. The current Tacoma was redesigned for the 2016 model year, with recent models costing between $25,517 and $40,614.
Toyota Tacoma Pros
- Great off-road capability
- High predicted reliability ratings
- Easy-to-use infotainment
Toyota Tacoma
Cons
- Stiff ride
- Limited space for rear passengers in some configurations
- Lower-grade cabin materials than some competitors
How Much Can a Toyota Tacoma Tow?
Midsize trucks don’t tow as much as their full-size counterparts, but you can still get plenty of work done in the Tacoma. Towing varies depending on the exact configuration you choose and on which engine is under the hood. The current Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds while some older models, depending on their configuration, maxed out at only 3,500 pounds.
Where Are Toyota Tacomas Made?
Toyota is headquartered in Japan, but has factories located throughout the world. The Tacoma is currently assembled in San Antonio, Texas and in Baja California, Mexico.
How Many Miles do Toyota Tacomas Last?
If you’re looking to get a midsize pickup that can handle a lot of mileage, the Tacoma is a top contender. Our list of the
Longest-Lasting Cars to Reach 200,000 Miles and Beyond
included the Tacoma. Of the 16 cars that are at least 2.5 times more likely than average to reach 200,000 miles, the Tacoma ranked at 14 for being 2.8 times more likely than average to reach that milestone. So, it’s fair to say that the Toyota Tacoma lasts a lot of miles.
Can a Toyota Tacoma Pull a Camper?
You can absolutely tow a camper with the Tacoma, but you are limited as to how large a camper you can hitch up safely. Since tow ratings vary based on engine and configuration, it’s wise to check the exact tow rating of your Tacoma to verify that your camper does not exceed those weight limits.
Current Toyota Tacoma – 2016-Present:
The full redesign of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma included a new trim lineup, new powertrains, and a revised suspension system. There were also interior upgrades and a standard GoPro windshield mount. It is available with access or double cabs and either a five-foot or six-foot bed.
The base engine is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 horsepower paired to either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. It’s rated at 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive or 19 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (automatic) and 19 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (manual) with four-wheel drive. A 3.5-liter V6 engine with 278 horsepower is paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. It achieves 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive or 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (automatic) and 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (manual) with four-wheel drive. The four-wheel-drive double cab comes in with slightly lower ratings at 17 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
The base SR has access or double-cabs, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, and either a 5-foot or 6-foot bed. It comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, fabric seats, a urethane steering wheel, GoPro windshield mount, sliding rear glass, 6.1-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/CD, 6-speaker audio, Bluetooth, Star Safety System, and hill start assist when equipped with an automatic transmission only. The SR5 adds cruise control, sliding rear privacy glass, navigation, and SiriusXM. The TRD Sport adds 17-inch alloy wheels, Qi wireless charging, a leather-covered steering wheel and shift lever, driver’s side SmartKey, push-button start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The TRD Off-Road adds 16-inch alloy wheels and a 7-inch split-screen infotainment system with app suite. It also adds multi-terrain select, electronically locking rear differential, and crawl control when equipped with four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. The TRD Pro, introduced in 2017, adds 16-inch TRD Pro black alloy wheels, TRD Pro front skid plate, black TRD Pro leather-trimmed seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heritage-inspired front grille, black exterior trims, rear parking assist, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross traffic alert. The top trim is the Limited. It adds 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, leather seats, heated front seats, and a JBL audio system. Shop for the 2016-current Toyota Tacoma
2016-Current Toyota Tacoma Trim Levels:
Tacoma SR (Base):
access or double-cabs, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, 5-foot or 6-foot bed length, 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, fabric seats,
urethane steering wheel, GoPro windshield mount, sliding rear glass, 6.1-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/CD, 6-speakers, Bluetooth, Star Safety System, hill start assist (automatic only), 2.7-liter four-cylinder, 159 hp, 19/23 mpg city/highway (RWD), 19/22 mpg city/highway (automatic, 4WD), 19/21 mpg (manual, 4WD), 3.5-liter V6, 278 hp, 19/24 mpg city/highway (RWD), 18/23 mpg city/highway (automatic, 4WD), 17/21 mpg city/highway (manual 4WD), 17/20 mpg city/highway (4WD, double cab)
Tacoma SR5: adds cruise control, sliding rear privacy glass, navigation, SiriusXM
Tacoma TRD Sport: adds 17-inch alloy wheels, Qi wireless charging, leather-covered steering wheel and shift lever, driver’s side SmartKey, push-button start, auto-dimming rearview mirror
Tacoma TRD Off-Road: adds 16-inch alloy wheels, 7-inch split-screen infotainment system with app suite. Multi-terrain select, electronically locking rear differential, crawl control (4WD, automatic only)
Tacoma TRD Pro: (2017 model year) adds 16-inch TRD Pro black alloy wheels, TRD Pro front skid plate, black TRD Pro leather-trimmed seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heritage-inspired front grille, black exterior trims, rear parking assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert
Tacoma Limited: adds 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, leather seats, heated front seats, JBL audio system
Running Changes to the 2016-Current Toyota Tacoma
2016:
Fully redesigned with a new trim lineup, revised powertrains, and expanded features
2017: TRD Pro trim added
2018: Standard Toyota Safety Sense P with emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with sway warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights
2019: New TRD desert air intake available
2020: Standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, larger touchscreens, refreshed exterior design
2021: Trail and Nightshade Special Edition packages added
Toyota Tacoma – 2005-2015:
A complete redesign of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma included a longer wheelbase, wider track, and an increased tow rating of up to 6,500 pounds. It also received a powertrain upgrade with a larger, more powerful V6 engine and revisions to its four-cylinder for a smoother ride.
The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder had 164 horsepower paired to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy was 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (automatic) or 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (manual) on rear-wheel-drive Tacomas. Four-wheel-drive Tacomas deliver 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with the manual transmission. The available 4.0-liter V6 engine came in with 245 horsepower and was paired to either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. It achieved 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (automatic) and 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (manual) with rear-wheel drive, or 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway (automatic) and 14 mpg city and 18 mpg highway (manual) with four-wheel drive.
The Tacoma Base trim was available with regular, access, or double-cabs, a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, and either a 5-foot or 6-foot bed length. It had 15-inch steel wheels, AM/FM stereo with four speakers, in-dash CD player, cloth seats, manual air conditioning, rear step bumper, and manual windows. It also offered a choice of either the four-cylinder engine or V6 engine depending on the configuration. The PreRunner added 16-inch silver wheels, 6-speaker audio, interior air filter, rear map light, rear cupholders, mini overhead and full-floor storage consoles, hard tonneau cover, running boards, and fender flares. The X-Runner added 18-inch silver aluminum wheels, front and rear fog lights, driver lumbar support, remote keyless entry, a locking limited-slip differential, rear anti-roll bar, lighted glove box, driver vanity mirror, leather-covered steering wheel, deep-tinted windows, power windows, cruise control, and sport front seats. It was exclusively rear-wheel drive with the V6 engine. Shop for the 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma
2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma Trim Levels:
Tacoma (Base):
regular, access, or double-cab, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, 5-foot or 6-foot bed, 15-inch steel wheels, AM/FM stereo with four speakers, in-dash CD player, cloth seats, manual air conditioning, rear step bumper, manual windows, 2.7-liter four-cylinder, 164 hp, 18/24 city/highway (automatic, RWD), 18/25 city/highway (manual, RWD), 17/21 city/highway (manual, 4WD), 4.0-liter V6, 245 hp, 16/21 city/highway (automatic, RWD), 14/19 city/highway (manual, RWD), 16/20 city/highway (automatic, 4WD), 14/18 city/highway (manual, 4WD)
Tacoma PreRunner: added 16-inch silver wheels, 6-speaker audio, interior air filter, rear map light, rear cupholders, mini overhead and full-floor storage consoles, hard tonneau cover, running boards, and fender flares.
Tacoma X-Runner: added 18-inch silver aluminum wheels, front and rear fog lights, driver lumbar support, remote keyless entry, a locking limited-slip differential, rear anti-roll bar, lighted glove box, driver vanity mirror, leather-covered steering wheel, deep-tinted windows, power windows, cruise control, and sport front seats, rear-wheel drive only, V6 engine only.
Running Changes to the 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma
2005:
Fully redesigned with larger dimensions, improved powertrain options including a V6, and increased towing capacity
2006: Standard tire pressure monitoring system, advanced dual-stage airbags standard on all trims, four-wheel drive more widely available across trim range, downhill assist control and hill start assist available
2007: Access Cab seats now accommodate child seats and add walk-in feature for easier access, updated instrument panel, redesigned radio controls, larger seats
2008: New Rugged Trail Off-Road package available for V6 trims
2009: Standard stability and traction control, front-seat side and side-curtain airbags
2010: No major changes
2011: New grille design, new Convenience Extra Value Package for double cab, new T/X and T/X Pro appearance packages, new four-speed automatic transmission option for the 2.7-liter engine with four-wheel drive, 18 mpg city/21 mpg highway
2012: New grille, bumper, hood, and headlamps. Revised gauge cluster, climate controls, and audio controls, double cab gets CD stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and USB
2013: New daytime running lights, Entune multimedia available on all cab styles, new Limited Package
2014: X-Runner trim discontinued, new SR Package, Entune audio now standard
2015: TRD Pro trim added, regular cab discontinued
Toyota Tacoma versus the Competition
Toyota Tacoma versus Tundra
The Toyota Tacoma is a mid-size pickup truck while the Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck. While the Tacoma can handle smaller payloads and basic towing needs, if you tow heavy loads on a regular basis and/or have large payload demands you’ll want the Tundra for its higher towing and payload ratings.
Toyota Tacoma versus Ford Ranger
The Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger are both midsize pickups with comparable capabilities and features. However, the Tacoma is the only one to offer a manual transmission and it starts at a lower price, though expect used models to cost more than comparable Rangers. The Tacoma also has a standard 7-inch infotainment touchscreen while base trims of the Ranger have a smaller 4.2-inch display screen. One other consideration is that the Ranger was not sold for the 2012 through 2018 model years, so there aren’t as many used Rangers available for purchase.
Toyota Tacoma versus Chevrolet Colorado
Styling is quite different between these two mid-size trucks, with the Tacoma offering a bolder off-road look compared to the Colorado’s more refined styling. The Colorado has a steel bed where the Tacoma has a composite bed with additional features for securing cargo. While gas powertrains are comparable, the Colorado offers a diesel option, which isn’t available at all on the Tacoma.
Toyota Tacoma versus Nissan Frontier
The Tacoma and Frontier both come in a range of configurations with multiple powertrains, but only the Tacoma continues to offer a manual transmission. Engines and capabilities are comparable, but the Tacoma comes out ahead on features. It has more standard safety and more standard technology as well a wider range of options than what’s offered on the Frontier, though a long-overdue redesign of the 2022 Frontier addresses most of these issues.
