The Toyota Tacoma has long been a favorite choice among pickup truck shoppers who don’t quite need the space or power of a full-size truck but do want a platform for their active lifestyles. The Tacoma has tremendous off-road capability, can support a myriad of racks and mounts for toys, and is still nimble enough to make a sensible daily driver. The Tacoma’s Achilles heel is its longevity: The generations last a long time and the trucks tend to be somewhat dated by the time they are redesigned. But that also breeds dependability and reliability. Tacomas hold their value incredibly well, which is a benefit for owners, but a challenge for shoppers.

Generations: Three

• Toyota Tacoma 1st Generation
• Toyota Tacoma 2nd Generation
• Toyota Tacoma 3rd Generation

Pros: Terrific off-road capability, Multiple bed, cab, and engine configurations, Modern infotainment and safety tech in later models
Cons: High costs for both new and used models, Worrying issues in certain model years, Base engine is underwhelming

Toyota Tacoma Third Generation (2016-Present)

The third-generation Tacoma offers two cab styles, the Access Cab and the Double Cab. The former is an extended cab with rear jump-seats and seating for four. The latter provides an actual rear bench with seating for five. Both cabs are offered with five-foot and six-foot beds.

The Tacoma comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. It makes 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque and has been derided for being painfully underpowered. Buyers would do well to check out the 3.5-liter V6 that is widely offered, which makes 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It still leaves many drivers wanting—especially when trying to get up to highway speeds—but it’s better than the alternative. Power is sent to the rear wheels or via available four-wheel drive (4WD) through a six-speed automatic transmission. In the first year of its redesign, the Tacoma offered a five-speed manual with the four-cylinder engine as well as a six-speed manual with the V6. This was quickly phased out, and by 2018, the only way to get a manual transmission was to opt for the six-speed with the V6 on 4x4 and Off-Road trim levels.

From the outset of the current generation, Toyota Tacoma trims have included SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, and Limited (Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro joined the lineup for the 2017 model year). The Toyota Tacoma SR featured a 6.1-inch audio touch screen in earlier model years. It also included a limited-slip differential, USB port, Bluetooth, and a backup camera. Moving up to the Toyota Tacoma SR5 adds satellite radio, remote keyless entry, navigation, and cruise control. Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport models get a JBL premium audio system and dual-zone automatic climate control. The TRD Off-Road trim adds Crawl Control, upgraded Bilstein shocks, multiple off-road traction control drive modes, and an electronically locking rear differential. The Toyota Tacoma Limited, meanwhile, is more about comfort and convenience features, such as leather upholstery, a panoramic view monitor, and heated front seats.

The modern Tacoma benefits from a full assortment of tech and safety features. Toyota Safety Sense P was made standard in 2018, and included forward-collision warning, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and more. Further options, such as blind-spot monitoring, were also available. In 2020, the Tacoma was refreshed. In addition to its updated exterior styling, the Tacoma gained a standard touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. New options for this year included a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 360-degree parking camera, and a multi-terrain monitor.

Toyota Tacoma Second Generation (2005-2014)

The second-generation Tacoma has been powered by the very same 2.7-liter four-cylinder and 4-liter V6 since its birth. The former puts out 159 horses and 180 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 engine offers 236 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque for a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. Originally just five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions were offered alongside these engine choices, but the following year brought six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions for the Crew-Cab-standard and otherwise optional V6.

With the addition of two rearward doors came the Access Cab name for the Extended Cab body style, replacing the tight two-door Xtracab, while the Double Cab finally offered a full six-foot bed, the first and only of any compact or midsize pickup truck. Stability and traction control became standard for '09, along with other safety considerations such as front, side, and side curtain airbags, but the current Tacoma is otherwise largely unchanged since its debut.

Several minor annoyances crop up in any ’08-or-older Tacoma, but, again, Toyota has offered retrofitted fixes for the majority of these issues. The 2008 model is not as quirky as the other years, and in any case, only one of the issues has anything to do with mechanicals—the check engine light may indicate a problem with the fuel pump that requires somewhat costly repairs.

Drivers looking for a four-cylinder will be in luck—these Tacoma models lose their value quickly, so a light-duty '09 Tacoma is very easily within reach. Those seeking more significant power will have to fork out a more significant sum, but the utter lack of significant changes after the '05 V6 transmission upgrade makes almost any used Tacoma one highly affordable modern truck.

Current drivers have no complaints about performance or utility, but the seats could be more comfortable and the squeaky, mushy brakes are a common complaint. Lead-footed drivers will not experience much improvement in the fuel economy over larger trucks, but drivers looking for a nimble big-toy shopping companion certainly don't mind sacrificing the unnecessary power for the Tacoma's improved maneuverability, despite the slight difference in mpgs.

Toyota Tacoma First Generation (1995-2004)

The Tacoma arrived for the 1995 model year, replacing the venerable (and creatively named) Toyota Pickup. Compared to its predecessor, the Tacoma was designed with daily drivability in mind, backed by stout capability when needed. The Tacoma offered at best 190 horses from its mighty V6, which was an optional upgrade, the default choices being one of two four-bangers. Although strictly two-door regular or Extended Cab (Xtracab) body styles were offered, buyers could choose rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

Passenger-side airbags debuted for '98, a year before they were mandated, and a PreRunner trim with RWD joined the Tacoma lineup. Six years into this generation, the new Tacoma finally gained a Crew Cab (Double Cab) body style, featuring four doors and a short bed length. It was named the most wanted truck of 2002 in the following year, and remained largely unchanged—and a wild success despite its unremarkable style—until the next generation debuted for 2005.

The first official generation of the Tacoma ran from 1995 to 2004, offering passenger-side airbags from '97 and the option of stability control in its final year. Again Toyota offered retrofitted fixes for the majority of the issues that cropped up, but the debut year is not worth paying twice the price of a no-name given its widespread annoyances.

The '96 is a decent buy, but the '97 and '98 suffered from a few unresolved engine issues. The tweaks for '99 improved on those somewhat, but the Tacoma engines were not perfected until 2002—and it's smooth sailing from there, without a significant problem in sight. Going for the '02 or later will mean digging up five figures, but these trucks hold their value so well for good reason.