What is the Best Year for a Toyota Tacoma?
One thing we love about the Toyota Tacoma is that older models hold up. But what’s the best model to buy if you’re looking for a reliable midsize pickup?
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The
Toyota
Tacoma is a light-duty compact truck and dare we say it, a legend. The Tacoma has been a flagship for the company, with exceptional resale value, reliability, and overall owner satisfaction. But not all models are evenly-matched. If you’re looking for a workhorse, you need a capable truck that you can count on. Check out the best years for
buying
an affordable used Toyota Tacoma.Three generations of the Tacoma
Spanning three generations, the first Toyota Tacoma was released in 1995 and continued until 2005. It’s never been known as a quiet or smooth ride by any means, but the durable truck retains its value as the years go on.
The best-rated Tacomas from the first generation include 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004. But 2004 is rated lower in satisfaction ratings.
If you’re interested in the second generation, there are plenty of models to choose from. According to
MotorBiscuit
, “2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 all have perfect reliability verdict ratings.” The 2012-2015 range is optimal for buyers who are seeking an all-purpose vehicle that can handle rough terrain. These Tacomas went through a major upgrade and feature a classy interior and superior styling.
Even with higher mileage, this second generation has a higher price tag than other used pickups on the market.
According to
Autotrader
, “a 2005 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Access Cab PreRunner with 200,000 miles listed for $9,000, a Tacoma 4WD Double Cab with 75,000 miles listed for $23,000, and a 2015 Tacoma
with the TRD package and 6,000 miles listed for nearly $30,000.”Out of the bunch, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma boasts the highest satisfaction rating in the entire generation, with a 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports.
Toyota’s current generation is still pretty pricey, as even the 2016 model goes from $20,000 to $32,675. But if you’d prefer a newer model, your best bet is the Toyota Tacoma from 2019. In reliability and owner satisfaction, the 2019 model scored a 4 out of 5.
MORE: The 2014 Toyota Tacoma Is the Best Used Truck for Under $15,000
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The 2015 Toyota Tacoma is a steal
Overall, the model from 2015 outshines the rest, and it's even been priced higher as a used car than new Tacomas seen in the showrooms. Though it shares a 5 out of 5 reliability rating with the 2013 and 2014 models, its performance is outmatched.
The 2015 Toyota Tacoma impressed the
National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA)
, garnering an admirable 4 on the safety parameters. And HotCars
tells us that U.S. News “rates the ‘15 model at 8.4 out of 10, on the basis of its front, rear and side-impact, and safety features.” Built for the outdoors, the agile truck sports a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. Drivers will get about 21 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city.
However, many drivers opt for the V6 engine with 236 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. We recommend this upgrade if you’ll be doing more hauling and towing.
The ‘15 is perfect for off-roading and its suspension is built with that in mind. It’s not difficult to raise or lower the truck, depending on the surfaces below. According to HotCars, the “optional 4WD system works well to drive on light mud, hills, slant surfaces, or, wet grass.”
Surprisingly, this midsize truck is easy to park in crowded lots (thanks to its responsive steering) and handles like a champ. The brakes are strong, whether you’re slowing down rapidly, or need to come to an abrupt stop.
“Some ‘15 4-wheel drive models don’t handle very well, with their somewhat higher center of gravity, so make sure you test drive before finalizing the deal,” HotCars notes. Without much maintenance and repairs, you can expect it to last over 500,000 miles.
What to look for when buying a used Toyota Tacoma
Consider how much you need to tow and haul. With the four-cylinder engine, the first- and second-generation Tacoma models can tow about 3,500 pounds and carry payloads up to 1,600 pounds,” Autotrader notes. The trailer rating increases to 5,000 pounds with a V6 engine and depending on the model, the payload can increase up to 2,000 pounds.
It’s also important to take a look at the safety ratings. As far as crash-test results, we wouldn’t recommend first-generation Tacomas. However, most pickup trucks from this era had less than impressive front and side-impact protection.
Opt for Tacomas after the 2005 model year, as you’ll find five-star ratings from the NHTSA. “They also earn Good ratings in the moderate-overlap front crash and side-impact tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety,” Autotrader tells us.
Tacoma’s early years were plagued by rust and corrosion. According to Autotrader, “Trucks made between 1995 and 2004 suffered from frame and bed rust, but many were covered under Toyota’s extended warranty. The warranty would either fix or replace the vehicle’s frame.”
Trucks from the second generation also had issues with corrosion and issued a recall of 680,000 vehicles. And models from 2016 and 2017 struggled with delayed or slow transmission shifts, stalling issues with a wide-open throttle, and faulty camshaft sensors.
Luckily, Toyota was able to use simple software upgrades to address these problems.
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