The first Toyota Tacoma was introduced in 1995 and produced for three versions, ending in 2005. While the tough truck has never exactly been recognized for being quiet or smooth, its value has held through the years.
The 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004 Tacomas from the first generation received the highest ratings. However, 2004 received less praise overall.
There are many models available if the second generation is of interest to you. 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 all received flawless dependability verdict ratings from MotorBiscuit.
For purchasers looking for an all-purpose vehicle that can handle tough terrain, the 2012–2015 series is ideal. These Tacomas had a significant renovation and now have a stylish interior.
This second generation is more expensive than other used trucks on the market, even with higher mileage.
A 2005 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Access Cab PreRunner with 200,000 miles was posted on Autotrader for $9,000, as were a Tacoma 4WD Double Cab with 75,000 miles and a 2015 Tacoma with the TRD package and 6,000 miles.
With a 4 out of 5 rating from Consumer Reports, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma has the greatest satisfaction rating out of the group.
Even the 2016 model of Toyota’s current generation costs between $20,000 and $32,675. But if you’d prefer a more recent design, the Toyota Tacoma from 2019 is your best alternative. The 2019 model received a 4 out of 5 rating for dependability and owner satisfaction.
In This Article...
What Tacomas should I avoid?
The Toyota Tacoma models from the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017 have a lot of faults, therefore we advise staying away from them. The body, paint, and engine issues on the 2006, 2007, and 2008 models are major difficulties.
Along with several light, body, and engine flaws, the interior accessories of the 2009 model have a tendency to be defective and frequently malfunction.
There are several issues with the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, and complaints have been made concerning almost every part. The drivetrain and engine are primarily flawed in the 2012 model, whereas unreliable transmissions are also present in the 2016 and 2017 vehicles.
These two Toyota Tacomas are among the worst you can buy because their transmissions have so many flaws that driving them might be dangerous. However, the 2007 is as unwise to purchase due to its extraordinarily high repair expenses.
The average automobile spends 1-2 weeks on the lot, but the greatest offers are typically scooped up in less than 48 hours. Get notified right away when the price of a saved car reduces or when a great new Tacoma listing appears by downloading the CoPilot app.
Which is preferable, TRD or SR5?
The Toyota Tacoma offers a multitude of model options, like many other pickup trucks on the market, to ensure that there is a truck to suit everyone’s demands. The TRD Off-road and the SR5 are two well-liked variants. The key distinctions between the SR5 and the TRD Off-road may be of interest to you if you intend to buy or trade in your Toyota Tacoma. We looked at both models to find the solution for you.
It is simple to compare the Toyota SR5 and the Toyota TRD Off-road for possible purchases because of their many similarities. There are, however, a few distinctions as well. The following are the primary distinctions between the SR5 and the TRD Off-road:
- The TRD is broader and has more inside room, although the SR5 has a longer bed.
- The TRD is more expensive than the SR5.
- Weight and carrying capacity: The TRD can carry more weight, but the SR5 can tow more weight.
- There is one package option available for the SR5. The TRD has four different packages.
- Features: The TRD provides features that the SR5 does not.
Before you choose which model is best for you, let’s look at each of these variations in more detail and discuss how they impact the driving experience. Let’s get started without further ado!
What Tacoma model is the best?
The most expensive model in the lineup and the best off-roader is the top-of-the-line Tacoma TRD Pro. It has a locking rear differential, Bilstein shocks, four-wheel drive, a TRD-tuned suspension and exhaust, a multi-terrain monitor, a front skid plate, and trim-specific appearance.
What Tacoma motor is the best?
The V6 is the superior engine choice, despite neither being particularly outstanding. It enables the Tacoma’s highest towing capacity and helps the car accelerate a little more quickly.
Is purchasing a Tacoma new or used preferable?
Purchase advice: Because of the Toyota Tacoma’s high resale value, there aren’t much savings to be obtained on 1- to 2-year-old versions. The average savings for a model even three years old is less than $4,000. Your experience owning a Tacoma can be enhanced by purchasing a brand-new one.
How far can a Tacoma travel?
How important is mileage? That really relies on how well the car has been maintained.
A properly-kept Toyota Tacoma will run far over 300,000 miles, although standard automobiles are known to endure up to 200,000 miles. According to some sources, Toyota Tacomas have traveled more than 400,000 miles. The equivalent Chevy Colorado has an around 200,000-mile lifespan.
What distinguishes and distinguishes the Toyota Tacoma as the best is its capacity to last hundreds of thousands of miles longer than its rivals. Your brand-new Tacoma today might endure until your kids get their driver’s license in 15 years, provided you take good care of your car.
What issues are there with Toyota Tacoma?
High-Mileage Toyota Tacomas with a Defective Automatic Transmission There are reported transmission issues with the Toyota Tacoma, which affect vehicles with anywhere between 125,000 and 150,000 miles on the odometer. These problems, which hinder the car from shifting properly, have been documented in Tacoma models made between 1995 and 2015.
Which Toyota Tacoma has the most fuel efficiency?
MPG for a Toyota Tacoma by trim level
- 18/22 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma SR
- 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway* for the Toyota Tacoma SR5.
- 19/24 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport
- 19/24 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
- 19/24 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma Limited
Which Tacoma has the best ride quality?
Prior to discussing the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, let’s take a look at the problems with earlier models. The ride quality of the 2020 Tacoma has reportedly improved thanks to upgrades, according to Edmunds.
Wind noise in the cabin was lessened by the use of side windows with thicker cut-glass. However, rivals like the Honda Ridgeline and Chevrolet Colorado still have an advantage. Compared to the Tacoma, they ride more comfortably.
According to Car and Driver, the Toyota Tacoma Limited features a quieter and more comfortable ride than the off-road models. The TRD Pro sacrifices pavement comfort in favor of a raised suspension, powerful shock absorbers, and aggressive tires.
Additionally, according to U.S. News, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma has a rougher ride than its competitors. Some drivers found it unpleasant in most driving scenarios and it can be forceful over bumps. You see what I mean? It’s a bumpy ride.
What does Tacoma SR5 mean?
The SR5 was the top trim level on numerous Toyotas in the 1980s. When a truck had a five-speed manual transmission, it was considered a luxury. SR stood for Sport Rally, and SR5 was the Sport Rally Five Speed. However, that was back when Toyota’s compact pickup was simply known as the Toyota Pickup. Tacoma didn’t become popular until 1995. What does a Tacoma’s SR package entail? What makes SR and SR5 different from one another?
What does SR5 refer to?
Sport Rally 5 speed is referred to as SR5. Sport, RE (EFI) engine family, and 5 refers to the five-speed transmission in the acronym SR5. The aforementioned response is not entirely accurate, but it is mostly accurate. The term “SR5” typically refers to a specific Toyota trim level with a more aggressive appearance, stronger suspension, and a large range of available options.
Which truck should you purchase?
The Top Pickups to Purchase in 2022
- Ford Maverick is the best compact pickup.
- Chevrolet Colorado is the top midsize pickup truck.
- Ram 1500 is the top full-size pickup truck.
- Ram 2500 HD is the top heavy-duty pickup truck.
- Ram 3500 HD is the top heavy-duty dually pickup truck.
What exactly does TRD mean?
Describe TRD. Toyota Racing Development, or TRD, is the company’s own tuning facility. Its primary duty is to create performance accessories and parts for Toyota vehicles all around the world.
Can Tacoma be used as an everyday driver?
If you’re considering buying a truck for the first time, this is a great option for daily driving. However, even devoted truck owners like the Toyota Tacoma for its toughness and longevity in almost any driving situation.
Which Tacoma, the 4 or the 6, is better?
A 2.7 liter, four-cylinder engine is offered as standard in the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Drivers can get up to 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque from this engine. Both the Toyota Tacoma SR and SR5 models come standard with the base engine.
The four-cylinder alternative “can get the job done,” according to Kelley Blue Book. On the highway, though, it won’t provide the best passing ability. Additionally, drivers’ ability to ascend steep gradients will be reduced. The Toyota Tacoma with a four-cylinder engine does, however, earn better gas mileage than the V6 model.
The four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma with a rear-wheel-drive motor achieves 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the interstate, according to EPA estimations. The standard engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the interstate with four-wheel drive.
When were Tacomas’ frames problematic?
As a more portable alternative to larger half-ton trucks like the Ford F-150, the Toyota Tacoma made its début in 1995. There have been several setbacks along the way, with certain years experiencing problems with rusted frames, failing leaf springs, and defective transmissions. Despite this, it is now among Toyota’s most well-liked vehicles.
Since the later models of the Tacoma are more likely to be for sale online or on dealer lots, we’ll focus on them in our study.
The Tacoma experienced double-digit annual recall counts from 2005 to 2010 along with thousands of combined complaints, many of which are related to premature rusting problems that might eat through the frame or break leaf springs.
Faulty Frames Could Leave the Pickup with Severe Rust that May Eat Holes Through the Frame
Numerous complaints from Tacoma owners between 2005 and 2010 claimed their frames had excessive rust, rot, and corrosion. Some truck owners claimed that substantial frame damage from rust that had spread to other parts of the truck’s frame prevented their vehicles from passing inspection.
In the end, Toyota handled the recall properly and provided the information in a fairly open manner. More significantly, the company paid drivers $3,000,000,000 to resolve the rusted-frame issue. Tacomas were once again the most impacted vehicles from 2004 through 2010.
Corroded Leaf Springs Can Brake and Puncture the Fuel Tank, Possibly Causing Leak or Fire Risk
The leaf springs above the back axle are subject to one NHTSA recall. Due to a potential hazard where the springs could break and increase the risk of a fire, over 710,000 trucks had to be recalled. If a leaf spring were to break under stress or from corrosion while being driven, it may move, come into touch with the fuel tank and possibly puncture it, releasing petrol. All damaged vehicles receive replacement rear leaf spring assemblies from Toyota, and the frame-corrosion warranty has been increased to 15 years.