Used Toyota Tacoma Quick Facts
- The best years for buying a used Toyota Tacoma are 2020 through the current model.
- The Tacoma has been in production since 1995.
- The latest Tacoma is the first to offer a hybrid powertrain.
- Toyota offers a dizzying number of trim levels and configuration options.
Many buyers gravitate toward the largest, most capable pickup trucks they can afford. Still, the midsize truck market is packed with a range of functional, powerful models at a more reasonable price point than their full-size counterparts. The Toyota Tacoma has been the top-selling model in the class for several years now. The automaker recently redesigned the truck, introducing new powertrains, updated styling, improved tech features, and fresh trim options, including a new Trailhunter configuration.
Despite having been on sale for more than 30 years, the Tacoma only entered its fourth generation for the 2024 model year. The good news is that Toyota has consistently updated the truck over the years, and most model years come with a staggering number of trim and configuration options, including multiple cab and bed setups. That said, some variants might serve your needs better than others, so let’s get rolling to look at everything you need to know before buying a used Toyota Tacoma.
See used Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks for sale near you.
Toyota Tacoma by Generation: Which Should I Buy?
It’s extremely difficult to find a “bad” Tacoma, but some of the earlier model years are prone to frame rust and other underbody issues, making it essential to perform a pre-purchase inspection. As it did with other vehicles, Toyota was slow to offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the Tacoma, so you’ll need to shop for a truck from the 2020 model year or newer to get the latest smartphone mirroring technologies. The tables below provide an overview of trims, powertrain options, and annual updates for each of the Tacoma’s four generations.
Fourth Generation (2024-Present)
ENGINE: 2.4L Turbo I4 (i-FORCE)
| Engine Size | Horsepower | Torque | Transmission Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L I4 | 228–278 hp | 243–317 lb-ft | 8-speed automatic, 6-speed manual (select trims) |
ENGINE: 2.4L Turbo I4 Hybrid (i-FORCE MAX)
| Engine Size | Horsepower | Torque | Transmission Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L I4 Hybrid | 326 hp | 465 lb-ft | 8-speed automatic |
| Fourth-Generation Tacoma Quick Facts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🛞 | Suspension: Coil-spring multi-link rear suspension standard on TRD Sport and SR5 Double Cab. Elevated seats improve driving position without sacrificing headroom. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 🖥️ | Infotainment: 12.3″ programmable driver display (TRD PreRunner+); 14″ infotainment touchscreen (TRD Sport+). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 🔊 | Audio: JBL 10-speaker system with removable Bluetooth speaker; USB-C ports standard on all trims. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 🚚 | Towing: Max 6,500 lbs (XtraCab with i-FORCE 4-cyl); Trailer Backup Guidance
See 2024 to current Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks for sale near you. Third Generation (2016-2023)
ENGINE: 2.7L I4 (2TR-FE)
ENGINE: 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS)
Third-Generation Toyota Tacoma Annual Updates
See 2016 to 2023 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks for sale near you. Second Generation (2005-2015)
ENGINE: 2.7L I4 (2TR-FE)
ENGINE: 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE)
Second-Generation Toyota Tacoma Annual Updates
See 2005 to 2015 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks for sale near you. First Generation (1995-2004)
ENGINE: 2.4L I4 (2RZ-FE)
ENGINE: 2.7L I4 (3RZ-FE)
ENGINE: 3.4L V6 (5VZ-FE)
First-Generation Toyota Tacoma Annual Updates
See classic 1995-2000 and 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma models for sale near you. Is the Tacoma Really as Good as Everyone Says?Toyota has built its reputation on strong reliability ratings and high-quality manufacturing practices, and the Tacoma is one of the vehicles that helped establish that reputation brick by brick. It is consistently rated as one of the longest-lasting pickups in its segment, and the TRD trims offer legitimate off-road capability out of the box. That said, the truck is so popular and has been around for so long that it’s backed by one of the most robust and diverse aftermarket product offerings in the automotive industry. Why Does the Toyota Tacoma Cost More Than Other Midsize Pickups?Unlike domestic manufacturers such as Ford and General Motors, Toyota doesn’t offer a wide range of a la carte options, which can quickly turn an affordable truck into a pricey pickup. Instead, each Tacoma trim level comes well-equipped with a generous and compelling list of options that make some configurations more expensive than competing models. Additionally, Toyota’s laser-like focus on quality contributes to its manufacturing costs being higher than its rivals in some cases.
What Is the Tacoma Safety Record?Pickup trucks aren’t typically known for stellar safety records, and the Tacoma is no exception. The only trucks to earn a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were the 2024 and 2025 models, which followed the Tacoma’s first redesign in almost eight years. Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Joe Tralongo contributed to the report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
