Other Midsize Trucks Simply Can't Keep Up With the Toyota Tacoma
Lisa Steuer McArdle
· 3 min read
According to figures from
GoodCarBadCar
that included all major pickup truck models sold in the U.S., the Toyota Tacoma sold more than twice as many vehicles in the first quarter of 2021 as the Ford Ranger, the closest midsize truck sales-wise. This gives a pretty good indication of where the Tacoma stands and that it will continue to grow in popularity.
The Toyota Tacoma is straight-up dominating midsize truck sales
What’s also interesting to note is that Toyota Tacoma sales were at 53,636 during the first quarter of 2020, which means that the pickup truck’s popularity is growing.
Looking at the figures month by month 2021, the Toyota Tacoma sold:
- 18,878 vehicles in January
- 20,578 vehicles in February
- 26,993 vehicles in March
These numbers are pretty impressive, especially when you consider that sales for the Toyota Tacoma have been increasing with each month. Even more so, when once again compared to the Ford Ranger, which sold under 12,000 vehicles during each of those months.
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What safety features does the Toyota Tacoma have?
One reason the Tacoma is probably so popular is because of its safety scores. Its crew cab received a ‘Good’ rating in five out of the six of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s crash-test results. It also received an ‘Acceptable’ rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. In front crash prevention, the Toyota Tacoma won a ‘Superior’ rating.
The pickup features the Toyota Safety Sense as standard equipment, which includes adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian detection.
Other safety features on the Tacoma include blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. These two systems perform different functions but work together using the same sensors.
The blind-spot warning alerts the driver with an icon in the appropriate outside mirror if a vehicle is in the truck’s blind spot. This is a very helpful feature, especially when merging into traffic or changing lanes.
The rear cross-traffic warning works when the truck is in reverse, sending a noise alert and lighting up the blind spot icon if it senses a hazard. It’s perfect for busy parking lots or backing out of a driveway onto a busy street.
The controls on the Toyota Tacoma are reportedly easy to read and straightforward to use—something that usually appeals to consumers.
Toyota’s reputation for reliability
According to
Consumer Reports
, the Toyota Tacoma is the perfect truck for landscapers and contractors. It has a "tough-as-nails" chassis and a durable composite plastic bed. It can also tow up to 6,700 pounds when equipped with the V6 engine and automatic transmission.
In addition, the bedsides on the Toyota Tacoma are low enough to be easily reached over the sides to retrieve or load items. Tie-down loops on each corner of the bed make storing and securing items in the truck bed fairly easy.
All in all, the simple, reliable features of the Toyota Tacoma make it very popular among midsize truck drivers.
