Tacoma
All Tacoma models now have more muscular look, a longer wheelbase, and a wider track thanks to a makeover that took place in 2005. Even though Toyota kept referring to it as a tiny truck, it actually had mid-size measurements. The standard four-cylinder engine and an optional V-6 were bigger and more potent as the regular cab, Access Cab, and Double Cab body types of the car continued to be produced. When properly outfitted, the maximum towing capacity was 6,500 pounds. For 2009, standard equipment included stability control, front side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags. The vehicle received a minor exterior and interior redesign in 2012, and in 2014, the regular-cab body variant was no longer available.
In This Article...
What are the different Toyota Tacoma generations?
List of Toyota Tacoma iterations
- 2020: Facelift for the Third Gen (N300).
- 2016 – 2019 3rd Gen (N300)
- 2nd Gen (N220/N240/N250/N260/N270) Facelift 2. 2012–2015
- 2nd Gen (N220/N240/N250/N260/N270) Facelift, 2009–2011
- 2nd Gen (N220/N240/N250/N260/N270) from 2005 to 2008
- Facelift 2. 1st Gen (N140/N150/N160/N170/N190) 2001-2004.
Which Tacoma model year should be avoided?
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.
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A third-generation Toyota Tacoma is what year?
The 2016 model year marked the introduction of the third generation Toyota Tacoma. We are still in the third generation since Taco generations last so long. In fact, it won’t likely happen again until at least 2024. Despite this, there are still updates.
For the new model year, for instance, we received the upgraded 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Moreover, a new Taco trail edition is also available. Toyota just recently unveiled a factory TRD lift kit. This truck receives insults such as “dated,” “old school,” and worse. But its simplicity is what we know and appreciate about it. The third generation of the Toyota Tacoma maintains the ferocious off-roading capability of its predecessors.
What year did Toyota make its greatest Tacoma?
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.
When did Tacomas start getting bigger?
At the Chicago Auto Show on February 4, 2004, Toyota debuted a larger and more potent Tacoma. This redesigned Tacoma, which was introduced on October 18, 2004, was offered in 18 various combinations, including three cab designs, four transmissions, two engines, and two bed lengths.
Which Tacoma generation is the most dependable?
The good news is that there are many used Toyota Tacomas available if you’re wanting to purchase one. The bad news is that they continue to sell well and have a high resale value, making them more expensive than comparable previously bought compact vehicles. If you’re trying to buy one, a high resale value is a positive thing.
From model years 2005 through 2021 of the Tacoma, we compared reliability, customer satisfaction, and road test characteristics. We also took a look at the total amount of complaints made about the model, and some years stand out.
Our recommendation and a decent model year to take into account for an older Tacoma is the 2006. Consumer Reports gave the 2006 Tacoma a dependability rating of 5 out of 5 and a customer satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5. Additionally, it did well in the road test sections of Consumer Reports, receiving a 4 out of 5 for its performance in the areas of acceleration, transmission, and brakes. It received few complaints, most of them were about paint and body problems. The 2006 model year scored the same in all categories as the 2005 model year, with the exception of reliability, which was the deciding factor. Overall reliability for the 2005 model year scored a 4, which was slightly less reliable.
In comparison to the second generation, the most recent Tacomas don’t perform as well overall, but they are still good trucks. The 2020 model year is the one we recommend if you want a newer design. It received a 4 for customer satisfaction and a 5 for dependability. Since 2006, only this model year has received a 4 for customer satisfaction. It also received 4s for its acceleration and gearbox on the road test, but just a 2 for brakes.
Unfortunately, the 2020 models are still fairly expensive given that the year has only begun; the suggested retail price ranges from $26,000 to $45,000.
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.
What distinguishes the Toyota Tacoma SR5 from the TRD model?
Their suspension systems, which give the TRD Sport its added off-road boost, are what set the Tacoma SR5 and TRD Sport apart from one another. Both trucks have a leaf spring rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar, as well as a coil-spring double-wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar.
How far can a Toyota Tacoma travel?
According to a recent study, the Toyota Tacoma is the third-longest-lasting vehicle overall, trailing only the Honda Ridgeline and the first-place Toyota Tundra.
According to the report, 2.8% of all Tundras that are still in use today have an odometer reading of over 200,000 kilometers. Furthermore, Toyota is the automaker with the longest lifespan, with 2% of all active, registered vehicles reaching the 200k-mile threshold.
Only 1.6% separates Honda from first, while 1.5% separates Chevy from Cadillac in third place.
On the high end, Mike Neal, a Tacoma driver, is renowned for having logged an astounding 1.5 million miles and counting. If you see Mike in traffic, you’ll recognize him because he updates the number on the rear of his truck every 10,000 miles and posts it there.
Realistically, the majority of us won’t travel 1.5 million miles. For the majority of us, the maintenance necessary to reach that number is simply too onerous.
Even if you manage to keep the engine and transmission operating for that long, many other components will start to fail.
Drivers can typically expect their trucks to travel between 250,000 and 300,000 miles before repairs start to cost more than the price of a new truck.
Even though it seems impossible, 1.5 million tacos might possibly exist. This should delight enthusiasts of tacos.
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.
Tacoma versus Ford Ranger: which is superior?
When compared to the Tacoma’s V6, the Ranger’s EcoBoost is by far the superior engine. The Ranger’s EcoBoost engine outperforms the Tacoma’s V-6 in terms of towing capacity, torque, and fuel efficiency.
The Ranger has established itself as the best-in-class for towing because to its 7,500lbs of towing capacity on each model (XL, XLT, and Lariat). The ordinary Tacoma SR package can only tow 3,500 pounds, which is more than 50% less than what the base model of the Ranger can tow, but the Tacoma TRD Off-Road can tow 6,400 pounds.
The Ford Ranger benefits from the Ford EcoBoost engine’s fuel efficiency, which is 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined in RWD. Only a small drop in fuel economy is seen in the 4WD Ranger model, which gets 20 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg overall. The Tacoma only achieves 18 city, 22 highway, and 20 combined mpg in the V6 variant. This drops to 18 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the interstate, and 20 mpg overall in the 4WD variant.
With 278 horsepower and 270 horsepower, respectively, the Tacoma’s 3.5L V-6 engine marginally exceeds the Ranger’s 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The Ranger offers 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the Tacoma’s 265 lb-ft of torque, making up for the Ranger’s lack of horsepower.
Are third-generation Tacomas durable?
Many individuals have the tendency to believe that buying a used truck with 90,000 miles on the odometer and all of its original parts is significantly riskier than buying the same truck with 150,00 miles on the odometer but with all of its dangling parts replaced. Components of wear and tear include, but are not limited to:
- Starters
- Alternators
- Brake kits
- Battery
- The AC compressor
More so than the mileage on these trucks, frame rot and body rust are likely to be problems. Obviously, some people will be more susceptible to rust than others who live closer to the coast depending on where they live. Compared to cars living on land, the salt air there attacks and corrodes the metal much more quickly.
There are numerous instances in real life when folks found precisely what they were looking for after extensive searching, bought a Tacoma with less than 100K miles, and continued to drive it with little to no trouble for well over 250K miles. In general, most people consider 90K miles on a car to be high, yet the Tacoma can go well into 200K miles without experiencing any significant problems.
Look out for these things when acquiring a secondhand Tacoma with less than 100K miles:
- frame decay
- Body rust
- after 30–40K miles, plugs
- paint flake
- Driveline tremor
- difficulties with the clutch pedal in manual transmissions
- Off-road abuse
A careful check will quickly reveal the body rust and frame rot, which will cost you much more to repair.