Toyota Tacoma Review

2008 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab

New Models

Used Models

  • 2009 Toyota Tacoma V6 Extended Cab View photos
    2011 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Used TMV unavailable Find Used Inventory
  • 2009 Toyota Tacoma V6 Crew Cab View photos
    2011 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV unavailable Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab View photos
    2011 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV unavailable Find Used Inventory
  • 2010 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2010 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Used TMV from $18,011 Find Used Inventory
  • 2010 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2010 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $21,836 Find Used Inventory
  • 2010 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2010 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $14,477 Find Used Inventory
  • 2009 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2009 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Used TMV from $17,142 Find Used Inventory
  • 2009 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2009 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $20,364 Find Used Inventory
  • 2009 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2009 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $13,662 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 Extended Cab View photos
    2008 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Used TMV from $15,351 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 Crew Cab View photos
    2008 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $19,045 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2008 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $12,386 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 Extended Cab View photos
    2007 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Used TMV from $13,678 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 Toyota Tacoma V6 Crew Cab View photos
    2007 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $16,721 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab View photos
    2007 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $11,084 Find Used Inventory
  • 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4dr Access Cab SB View photos
    2006 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Used TMV from $11,568 Find Used Inventory
  • 2006 Toyota Tacoma V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB View photos
    2006 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $14,707 Find Used Inventory
  • 2006 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2006 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $9,220 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Access Cab V6 4WD SB View photos
    2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab Used TMV from $10,783 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4dr Double Cab V6 4WD SB View photos
    2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $13,755 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 Toyota Tacoma Exterior View photos
    2005 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $8,466 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4dr Double Cab V6 4WD SB View photos
    2004 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $12,067 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Regular Cab Rwd SB View photos
    2004 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $7,718 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Xtracab V6 4WD SB View photos
    2004 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Used TMV from $9,325 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4dr Double Cab PreRunner V6 2WD SB View photos
    2003 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $9,951 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB View photos
    2003 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $6,618 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Xtracab V6 4WD SB View photos
    2003 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Used TMV from $7,912 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4dr Double Cab PreRunner V6 2WD SB View photos
    2002 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $9,032 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB Shown View photos
    2002 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $5,799 Find Used Inventory
  • 2002 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Xtracab V6 4WD SB View photos
    2002 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Used TMV from $7,352 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 Toyota Tacoma 4dr Double Cab PreRunner V6 2WD SB View photos
    2001 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Used TMV from $7,561 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB View photos
    2001 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $4,897 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 Toyota Tacoma 2dr Xtracab 2WD SB View photos
    2001 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab Used TMV from $6,012 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Extended Cab SB View photos
    2000 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab Used TMV from $5,541 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB View photos
    2000 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,910 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr SR5 Extended Cab SB View photos
    1999 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab Used TMV from $4,580 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB View photos
    1999 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,540 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr Limited 4WD Extended Cab SB View photos
    1998 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab Used TMV from $3,584 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB View photos
    1998 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,031 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Extended Cab SB View photos
    1997 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab Used TMV from $2,808 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB View photos
    1997 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $2,448 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr V6 Extended Cab SB View photos
    1996 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab Used TMV from $2,157 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB View photos
    1996 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,641 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr SR5 V6 Extended Cab SB View photos
    1995 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,842 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD Standard Cab SB View photos
    1995 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,481 Find Used Inventory

Since its introduction more than a decade ago, the Toyota Tacoma has been a mainstay of the compact-pickup segment. Typical advantages to a new or used Tacoma include a variety of body styles to choose from, useful off-road abilities, solid build quality and a better-than-average reputation for reliability and durability.

Downsides are few. Even without many options added, Toyota's compact pickup usually costs more than competing trucks from domestic manufacturers, and taller drivers might find the cabin of the first-generation Tacoma to be somewhat uncomfortable. But overall, the Toyota Tacoma is a very capable pickup and comes recommended for nearly all truck shoppers.

Current Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck available in a variety of body styles and trim levels. There is almost certainly a version that suits your needs, but some time will likely be required to sort through them all. Three cab styles -- regular, extended cab (Toyota calls it an Access Cab) and crew cab (Double Cab) -- are offered on the Tacoma, as well as cargo beds in short and long lengths.

With a body style selected, one must choose a trim. In addition to the base version, there are the PreRunner and X-Runner. The PreRunner provides the look and suspension of the four-wheel-drive trucks sans the actual four-wheel-drive running gear, while the X-Runner features modifications that enhance on-street performance without giving up much utility. Of course, there's also a true off-road package for 4WD trucks aimed at buyers who plan to do serious off-highway work with their Tacomas.

For power, the Tacoma comes with either a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine or a 4.0-liter V6. Owners planning on frequent hauling or towing will certainly want to choose the V6. Available transmissions for the four-cylinder are either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. V6 buyers can choose between a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic.

In Toyota Tacoma reviews, our editors have found the truck's roomy interior, powerful V6 option and excellent off-road capability to be its best attributes. Additionally, the Double Cab version is only the compact/midsize crew cab on the market available in both short- and long-bed configurations. Frequently noted dislikes in our consumer reviews include an occasionally rough ride quality, poor seat comfort and the inability to order leather seating as an option.

Used Toyota Tacoma Models

There have been very few changes to the second-generation Tacoma since its 2005 debut. It's important to note that in this first year, the Tacoma featured higher output numbers from its engine -- however, this was due to a change in testing procedure, not actual horsepower. Among notable changes, stability/traction control, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags were optional items prior to 2009 and may not be present on a used model. Power windows and door locks were also optional during its first four years in production.

The Tacoma nameplate dates back to 1995. It debuted in that year as a replacement for Toyota's long-running, and more simply named, "Pickup." This first-generation Tacoma is smaller than the one currently on sale but is still very capable and a fine choice for a used truck.

All first-generation Toyota Tacoma trucks came with one of two available four-cylinder engines or a 190-horsepower V6. Just like today, buyers could choose two- or four-wheel drive, along with either a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic transmission. Tacomas from the 1990s came in either regular-cab or extended-cab (Xtracab) body styles. Unlike some competing trucks of this period, Tacoma Xtracabs lacked a third door to aid in rear-seat access.

This issue was solved for the 2001 model year when Toyota came out with the crew-cab (Double Cab) body style for the Tacoma. The Double Cab had the most interior room in the Tacoma range and four standard-opening doors. In order to keep overall length reasonable for on- and off-road maneuverability, however, Toyota reduced the Double Cab's bed length. This setup proved problematic for certain Tacoma buyers, which is why Toyota added a long-bed option for the second-generation Double Cab.

The Toyota Tacoma's reputation for better-than-average reliability is certainly a big bonus in the used compact truck segment. From a buying perspective, no one year of the first-generation Tacoma stands out. Continual improvements were made throughout its run but none of them were drastic enough to limit the appeal of earlier years. From a safety standpoint, trucks built after 1997 would be preferable, as these will have a passenger-side airbag. In the first-generation truck's last model year, 2004, stability control became available as an option.

For more on Past Toyota Tacoma models, view our Toyota Tacoma History page

Read the most recent review for 2011 Toyota Tacoma

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