Toyota thought it best to make all of its Tacomas, regardless of trim level, with the same clearance level so all of its customers would have the same off-roading capabilities. This is a big difference over previous model years, which featured different ground clearance levels for different trims.

Toyota Tacoma ground clearance over the years

Toyota only standardized the Tacoma’s ground clearance in 2016, but the Tacoma has been around much longer than that. If your Tacoma rolled off the assembly line earlier than 2016, there’s no telling what the ground clearance is. It could be lower or higher depending on the year and the trim.

The lowest ground clearance is from the first generation of Tacomas, but it varies widely through the years. Here’s a breakdown of how the Tacoma’s ground clearance changed over time:

1st generation (1995-2003): 6.3 to 10.8 inches

2nd generation (2004-2015): 7.5 to 9.5 inches

3rd generation (2016-present): 9.4 inches

Exact clearance will vary based on the trim level and the model year. For example, a second-generation Tacoma with a two-door regular cab had a clearance of 8.1 inches, but if you got a two-door regular cab with four-wheel drive, the clearance rose to 9.3 inches.

MORE: Nissan Frontier vs. Toyota Tacoma

What is ground clearance—and why does it matter?

Does it matter what the ground clearance is? Ground clearance is the measurement of the distance between a the chassis’ lowest point and the ground. To put it simply, it’s the space between your truck and the ground.

Having a higher ground clearance means you can confidently drive over rougher terrain without the fear of damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage. Most experts recommend having at least 8.5 inches of clearance before doing any off-roading. That means you’d better double-check your Tacoma’s ground clearance if it was made before 2016.

MORE: Toyota vs. Ford: who makes the better truck?

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Is the Toyota Tacoma a good off-road vehicle?

As long as you have a 2016 or newer model, or an older model with clearance greater than 8.5 inches, the Toyota Tacoma is one of the best off-road trucks there is.

There are various trim levels available for the Toyota Tacoma to make it more off-road friendly, especially the TRD Off-Road trim. All Tacomas are ready for off-roading, though—some features come standard like skid plates and suspension lifts.

You can add other options to up your off-roading capabilities, too, like crawl control and hill-start assist control.

The best part is the Toyota Tacoma base starts at $28,365, making it a more affordable option than the

Ford F150

or a

Chevrolet Silverado

Best of all, the XLE Premium (the lowest trim with adequate ground clearance for off-roading) starts at just $32,100, making it an affordable alternative to off-roading greats like the

Jeep Wrangler

or the

Ford Bronco

MORE:

The top 10 cheapest trucks to insure

Guard against accidents with the best Tacoma insurance

If you’re checking out your Tacoma’s ground clearance to prepare for your next off-road adventure, or if you’re just trying to learn a little more about your vehicle, you’re going to need great

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