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Toyota Tacoma

22 model years from 2005 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Toyota Tacoma
Pictured: Toyota Tacoma (N300) TRD 1X7A2438. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2005–2026
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Latest engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Best MPG
21–24 combined, by year
Latest rating
★★★★★ (2025)
Recalls
42 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2016 (324)
Fewest problems
2021
Interest
24,041 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2026 Tacoma in brief

The 2026 Toyota Tacoma is a small pickup truck offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive, part-time 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 213 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 132-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,104 lb (Double Cab Hybrid).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (22 city / 26 highway), 13% worse than the 2026 small pickup truck average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

The Toyota Tacoma has 22 model years in our data, from 2005 to 2026, classed as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD.

Its most efficient year was 2024 at 24 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 21 to 24 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the suspension (664), unknown or other (502), power train (483).

Buying used? 2021 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2016 is the year to avoid.

2010 has the most recalls (12); all years together count 42 campaigns and 3,719 owner complaints.

How the 2005 Tacoma compares

The 2005 Toyota Tacoma is a standard pickup truck offered with 2 engines (2.7L 4-cyl and 4.0L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 208 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 128-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,949 lb (Access P/U Ext Cab S/Box 4WD/V6).

About the Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota since 1995. The first-generation Tacoma was classified as a compact pickup truck; subsequent models are classified as mid-size pickup trucks. The Tacoma was Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for 2005.

From the Wikipedia article "Toyota Tacoma", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2026 Tacoma pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 13% below the 2026 small pickup truck average of 26.4 MPG.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Tacoma changes by model year

  1. 2025
    • New body dimensions: 13.4 in shorter, wheelbase −13.4 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
  2. 2024
    • New body dimensions: 14.2 in longer, wheelbase +17.7 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • New hybrid version
    • Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
    • Engines dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl and 2.7L 4-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 21 to 24
  3. 2021
    • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 4 stars overall
  4. 2020
    • Lightest version 381 lb heavier
  5. 2016
    • New body dimensions: 3.9 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
    • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
    • Engine dropped: 4.0L 6-cyl
  6. 2015
    • New body dimensions: 13.0 in shorter, wheelbase −13.0 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  7. 2011
    • New body dimensions: 13.0 in longer, wheelbase +12.6 in — most likely a redesign or new generation

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 22 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20262.4L 4-cyl turbo23 MPG213 in5,104 lbNot rated012
20252.4L 4-cyl turbo23 MPG213 in5,104 lb★★★★★5114
20242.4L 4-cyl turbo24 MPG226.4 in4,365 lbNot rated6154
20233.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,295 lb★★★★★454
20223.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,295 lb★★★★★359
20213.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,295 lb★★★★★081
20203.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,295 lbNot rated190
20193.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,129 lbNot rated4219
20183.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,129 lbNot rated3209
20173.5L 6-cyl, 2.7L 4-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,129 lbNot rated5243
20162.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl21 MPG212.2 in4,129 lbNot rated4324
20152.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG208.3 in3,999 lbNot rated4100
20142.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG221.3 in4,220 lbNot rated479
20132.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl23 MPG221.3 in4,220 lbNot rated687
20122.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG221.3 in4,189 lbNot rated7259
20112.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG221.3 in4,189 lbNot rated9149
20102.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG208.3 in3,949 lbNot rated12173
20092.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG208.3 in3,949 lbNot rated11234
20082.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG208.3 in3,949 lbNot rated9253
20072.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl22 MPG208.3 in3,949 lbNot rated7256
20062.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl21 MPG208.3 in3,949 lbNot rated7314
20052.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl21 MPG208.3 in3,949 lbNot rated5256
Best combined MPG by model year — Toyota Tacoma
2005: 21 MPG2006: 21 MPG2007: 22 MPG2008: 22 MPG2009: 22 MPG2010: 22 MPG2011: 22 MPG2012: 22 MPG2013: 23 MPG2014: 22 MPG2015: 22 MPG2016: 21 MPG2017: 21 MPG2018: 21 MPG2019: 21 MPG2020: 21 MPG2021: 21 MPG2022: 21 MPG2023: 21 MPG2024: 24 MPG2025: 23 MPG2026: 23 MPG20052008201120142017202020232026max 24 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 Tacoma

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Chevrolet Colorado21 MPGNot rated1
2026 GMC Canyon20 MPGNot rated2
2026 Ford Ranger23 MPGNot rated8
2026 Honda Ridgeline21 MPGNot rated0
2026 Jeep Gladiator19 MPGNot rated2
2026 Rivian R1T420 miNot rated2

Most common owner-reported problems

Suspension664
Unknown Or Other502
Power Train483
Structure › Body477
Engine328
Service Brakes269
Steering220
Fuel/Propulsion System215
Owner complaints by model year — Toyota Tacoma
2005: 2562006: 3142007: 2562008: 2532009: 2342010: 1732011: 1492012: 2592013: 872014: 792015: 1002016: 3242017: 2432018: 2092019: 2192020: 902021: 812022: 592023: 542024: 1542025: 1142026: 1220052008201120142017202020232026max 324
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →