The Toyota Tacoma has been a mainstay in the midsize truck segment for a long time. The current generation remains a very popular choice for buyers in this market.

From the base model on up, the Tacoma is mostly off-road focused. It has good capabilities for general truck use, but aims largely at the occasional or serious off-pavement crowd. In that regard, the Tacoma can be difficult to justify if one’s needs are not leaning in that direction.

Our experiences with the Tacoma over the years have shown it to be a strong contender in the mid-size segment, however, and a very enjoyable truck for its more rugged focus. Although the Tacoma’s powertrain setup is a bit dated for today’s market, it’s focused on power delivery at all points and feels confident most of the time.

We like the Tacoma’s off-road appeal and its general truck capabilities for towing and hauling. The base model SR5 isn’t quite the budget option it used to be, comparatively. But we are fans of the overall appeal of the truck and its high scores for reliability.

The Colorado is a more truck-focused pickup than the Tacoma, aiming for more on-road capability and rugged appeal. The off-road-focused ZR2 package does give the Tacoma’s TRD options a run for their money, however, but falls short in some off-road activities against the Toyota. Pricing is similar between the two trucks.

The Gladiator, while offering many good truck capabilities, is even more off-road focused than the Tacoma. The choice between the two, however, largely comes down to style. The Jeep has an interior very similar to the iconic Wrangler SUV and includes removable doors and roof options that the Tacoma does not.

The longest-running competitor to the Tacoma, the Frontier saw a complete overhaul in design for 2022. It is comparatively a more generic pickup in that it’s aimed towards general use with some off-road capability. The Frontier is rougher around the edges than the Tacoma, but has a better warranty by comparison.

The turbocharged Ford Ranger is a more recent re-entry into the midsize pickup truck market and aims to be both truck and comfortable crossover-SUV. It is less truck-like than the Tacoma and has less off-road prowess as well. The Ranger has few high points compared to the Toyota Tacoma.

The starting price for the Toyota Tacoma is about $29,195 plus delivery for a double cab model. Most buyers look at the SR5 model as their entry point, however, which starts at $31,045 plus destination.

The new additions for the 2022 Tacoma includes updated suspension components and wheels for the Trail Edition and TRD Pro models.

The Trail Edition package is an option on most of the V6 models. This package was previously just a cosmetic upgrade with few actual off-road components added. This year, however, it’s upgraded to include a locking rear differential and a 1.1-inch front suspension lift complemented by a 0.5 inch rear suspension lift. Plus bronze-colored wheels and the TRD Pro model’s heritage-inspired grille.

The TRD Pro sees a similar upgrade with its suspension lifting about 1.5 inches in front and 0.5 inches in the rear. Wheels and tires from TRD are changed out for newer designs as well.

Toyota fans are loyal and the Tacoma is a favorite among both everyday truck owners and off-road enthusiasts. There’s good reason for that, given its capabilities and record for reliability. It’s not all roses with the Tacoma, though.

It can be difficult for truck lovers to get used to the interior of the Tacoma. Especially the driver’s seat and the more car-like seating position and lack of a solid dead pedal to brace with. The interior of the Tacoma overall is a bit dated and is generally less technologically up to date compared to many of its competitors. Additionally, the Tacoma’s off-road focus makes it less maneuverable, fuel efficient, and comfortable on the road doing everyday truck tasks.

If none of those issues are a problem, the Tacoma is an enjoyable and hard-working little truck. Its base model 2.7-liter four-cylinder is underpowered for the truck in general and doesn’t offer much in the way of fuel economy over the V6. We prefer the 3.5-liter V6 with its smooth 278 horsepower delivery and added capability.

The Tacoma received 4 out of 5 stars for frontal and rollover crash ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Similarly, it received Acceptable (second-best) ratings for small overlap frontal crash tests and Marginal in the updated side crash testing from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The reliability expectation for the Toyota Tacoma is higher than average from almost all rating sources. The Toyota company itself receives some of the highest reliability ratings of all automakers.

These two things lead us to believe that the Tacoma will be much better than average for reliability.

Most buyers of the Tacoma go after the SR5 model, but we recommend the TRD Sport trim instead. This one comes with the V6 engine upgrade plus several safety and driver aid systems as standard equipment. It also upgrades the look of the Tacoma with body-colored fender flares, a 120-volt outlet in the bed, a sport suspension and hood scoop, and more. It can be had with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.

The TRD Sport is well-priced and well-outfitted for value-oriented buyers who want a good pickup truck with light-duty off-road capabilities. It’s livable as a daily driver as well. This is the best general-use package for the Tacoma and it won’t break the bank. We’d also opt for the larger Double Cab configuration with the 6-foot bed and four-wheel drive. This ensures the best resale value for the truck down the line.

If going off the road and into the hinterlands is your preference, however, you’ll need to spring for the Tacoma TRD Pro package. This is the most expensive Tacoma model, but it includes several focused hardware additions for off-roading that make it one of the best options on the market.

The Tacoma’s warranty is average for the class, but includes two years of complimentary maintenance from Toyota.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• PowerTrain: 5 years / 60k miles
• Maintenance: 2 years / 25k miles
• Roadside Assistance: 2 years
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

Now that the new-generation Tacoma has been on the market for some time, used options are much easier to find. Comparing pricing between newer used options and a new purchase, however, is important as depreciation may not be as much as expected in today’s market. In general, a new vehicle purchase will have lower interest rates and includes the full manufacturer’s warranty, which may make paying a few more dollars worth stepping up.

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