It has become apparent that, in the mid-size pickup truck segment, American manufacturers are falling behind. The Toyota Tacoma has been a favorite of truck enthusiasts for as long as it has been around. This trend continues today, with it being the best-selling mid-size pickup in 2024 by far.
As of the end of November 2024, Toyota has sold a whopping 211,625 Tacomas, outpacing the sales volume of any of its rivals in this segment. This is only the first of a string of wins for the nameplate over the decades that it has been around. There are plenty of reasons why it continues to dominate its competition.
Exploring the key factors that have come to define the Tacoma pickup truck, we find out how the new model aims to continue its reign against the few other mid-size pickups on offer. We explore how Toyota undercuts its competition with high-value models, how the Tacoma performs, and whether or not it will continue to be as reliable as people expect it to be.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
2025 Toyota Tacoma
9 / 10
9.5/10
Your Rating
close
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star
Rate Now
0/10
Your comment has not been saved
Engine 2.7-L Turbo I-4
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic or 6-Speed Manual
Horsepower 278 HP @ 6000 RPM or 228 HP @ 6000 RPM
Torque 317 LB-FT @ 1600 RPM or 243 LB-FT @ 1600 RPM
Driveline 4x2, 4x4
Fuel Economy 22 MPG Combined
Towing Capacity 6,500 Pounds (max)
Expand
Related
2024 Toyota Tacoma i-Force Max First Drive: Taking Reliability Risks
i-Force Max turbo hybrid power created the most powerful Tacoma in history, but will this setup stay true to Toyota's reputation for reliability?
Posts
Value Has Always Defined The Toyota Tacoma
Close
The Tacoma first rolled around in 1995, with big shoes to fill, replacing the Toyota Pickup. Ever since, one of the most important things that has helped it stand out is value. As the Tacoma settles into its fourth generation, it continues to be one of the best value-for-money mid-size trucks on the market, with the lowest starting price of any mainstream option and tons of standard features.
2025 Trims And Pricing
Model
Starting MSRP
SR
$31,590
SR5
$36,220
TRD PreRunner
$38,120
TRD Sport
$39,400
TRD Off-Road
$41,800
Limited
$52,555
The Tacoma comes in a number of different forms, with good offerings for every pickup driver. It has the most affordable starting price of any mid-size pickup, undercutting all of its rivals. The base SR model is a little spartan for most people, but it is great that there is the option of a basic truck. TRD tuned models offer improved performance, with suspension tuning and other equipment, and the Limited provides a luxurious option for those who want their truck to be extra comfortable.
While every model has its own pros, the best value option, in our opinion, is the SR5. The Tacoma doesn't need to be anything fancy, instead, it just needs to offer rugged capability. Going with the SR5 grants you access to a more powerful engine as well as other equipment like 17-inch wheels, fog lights, blind-spot monitoring, and integrated tie-down clamps in the bed.
Versus The Competition
No matter what kind of truck you're looking for, the Tacoma is always in the conversation as the best option. If you're looking for a simple work truck, the SR is the cheapest option you have. If you're looking for something comfortable, the Limited has tons of luxury features without breaking the bank. If you're looking for something that can tackle tricky terrain, the TRD Off-Road is a simple solution that can easily go head-to-head with any of its rivals.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Add TopSpeed to your Google News feed.
Follow On
Google News
If you go off of price alone, there are few trucks that even come close to the Tacoma. The Nissan Frontier and the Chevrolet Colorado are probably the closest. Add on its new platform, rugged styling, and a plethora of modern tech features, it really is hard to find any real fault with Toyota's offering in this segment. It is this value proposition that has always made the Tacoma popular.
Related
10 Best Work Trucks You Can Buy For Under $50,000 In 2024
Trucks have gotten more expensive than ever, but these ten prove you can still buy good work trucks for under $50,000 to help you get the job done.
Posts
Rugged Capability Is Part Of The Tacoma's Recipe For Success
One of the most important things that has drawn people to the Tacoma nameplate over the years is just how resilient of a truck it is. Beyond their stalwart durability, they are also super capable. This hasn't changed with the newest generation of the Toyota pickup truck. While things have certainly changed, from the engine to the platform, it is still as strong as ever.
Performance Specifications
Engine
2.4-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic or 6-Speed Manual
Horsepower
228-278 HP
Torque
243-317 LB-FT
Driveline
RWD or 4WD
Max Towing
6,500 LBS
Max Payload
1,705 LBS
While old-school pickup owners might kick up a fuss about the fact that the Tacoma only has a four-cylinder engine, Toyota's powertrain is much mightier than it may seem. Only the base SR trim comes with the downrated 228 horsepower engine, with every other model coming fitted with a pretty impressive 278 horsepower unit. If you'd like more power, the hybrid i-Force MAX models are capable of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It is also the last Japanese pickup truck to offer a manual transmission.
Towing power is perhaps the only place where the Tacoma really falls behind its competitors. Non-hybrid models are rated to tow a max of 6,500 pounds, which is about 1,000 pounds less than most competitors. However, we believe that this is enough for a mid-sized truck. If you're trying to tow anything heavier, you should probably be considering a bigger truck anyway.
Fuel Economy
Model
City
Highway
Combined
Auto 2WD
21 MPG
26 MPG
23 MPG
Auto 4WD
20 MPG
23 MPG
21 MPG
If efficiency is something that is important to you, this is another area where the Tacoma beats the competition. It is the most efficient non-hybrid mid-size pickup truck currently not on sale. It also holds the mantle of most efficient mid-size hybrid truck, too. The EPA has done testing on just about every model, with the above being a good representation of how those go. Models with rear-wheel drive are the most efficient, especially in highway driving, meaning that you do sacrifice some of the Tacoma's fuel economy by opting for four-wheel drive.
The Tacoma Has A Fantastic Reputation For Reliability
When buying a truck that is going to take a beating, whether at work or on the trails, it is important to know that it can hold up against said beating. The Tacoma has possibly one of the best reputations for reliability of any truck in America. While the redesign has caused some concern, Toyota's engineers ensure that the new Tacoma will live up to its legacy.
Reliability
First new vehicle I've ever bought, and 47,500 miles and 9 years into owning it I've had an offer to sell my 4wd Base model for a higher price than I paid for it. It's had zero issues and rides like a Cadillac compared to my 1994.
- Cars.com
The above testimonial for a 2014 model year is a pretty good example of the sentiment of owners. The new Tacoma has some pretty big shoes to fill, a task that we've been assured it is up to. Since it has been around since 2023, we're starting to get an idea of its reliability, with the 2023 model year scoring an 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability on J.D. Power. While this doesn't make it the highest-ranked mid-size pickup when it comes to reliability, it does put it among the best models currently on the market.
Maintenance Costs
In terms of maintenance, the Tacoma is easily considered one of the most inexpensive trucks you can buy. While we're yet to see what maintenance costs on this new model look like, if it lives up to its name they should be pretty low. CarEdge estimates the maintenance costs on the Tacoma over ten years to be $3,373 lower than the average for popular pickup trucks. RepairPal estimates your annual costs for maintenance to be $478. It's this kind of cost savings that have helped the Tacoma thrive against its rivals.
Regardless, new models come with a pretty good warranty and maintenance plan. Toyota offers a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is pretty standard for the segment. However, their complimentary maintenance plan blows rivals out of the water. When you purchase a new Tacoma, scheduled maintenance visits are covered for the first two years or 25,000 miles. This at least gives you some peace of mind for the first couple of years of owning a new Tacoma.