Toyota Tacoma: 33 Facts To Consider (Explained)


toyota-tacoma-facts-trends

The Toyota Tacoma is easily one of the most popular trucks in the United States. There are a variety of different reasons for this, some of which are going to be covered on this page.

Due to the huge popularity of the Toyota Tacoma, we have no doubt that you really want to learn more about the vehicle. As a result, we have decided to put together a list of some awesome facts that you should know about the vehicle.

Everything from the potential cost of insuring your vehicle to the average mileage that you can get from the Toyota Tacoma is going to be covered on this page.

Basically, this is a complete guide that you can jump into in order to learn more about this amazing vehicle before you decide to purchase it.

1. Where are Toyota Tacoma built? 

Where are Toyota Tacoma built?  The Toyota Tacoma is manufactured in a variety of locations. If you buy the vehicle in the United States, then it is highly likely that the vehicle you are purchasing will have been manufactured in San Antonio, Texas.

There is a small chance that your vehicle may also have been manufactured in Mexico, though. This is because Toyota operates two factories there.

There is one in Guanajuato and another one in Tijuana. If you purchase a used Toyota Tacoma, then it may have been manufactured in Fremont, California. However, Toyota has not produced the Tacoma there for several years now.

So, unless something changes in the near future, no new Toyota Tacoma models will be built there. To be honest, it does not matter where the vehicle is built, it is still going to be the same Toyota Tacoma built to the high standards that Toyota has set itself.

2. Why is Tacoma so popular? 

Why is Tacoma so popular? The Toyota Tacoma has been around for an incredibly long time. When vehicles have been around for a long time, people start to talk about them. As a result, they gain even more popularity. 

Of course, a vehicle couldn’t be popular purely based on people talking about it. It exists because people talk about it being great. One of the wonderful things about the Toyota Tacoma is that it is an incredibly affordable vehicle that really packs a punch.

It is a versatile vehicle that can be used for towing, commuting (albeit with a slightly high MPG), and a whole host of other jobs.

Since it is made by Toyota, you can expect it to last an incredibly long time too, and you even have a huge amount of customization options available when you are looking to buy the Toyota Tacoma.

Top 5 BAD Things to Know Before Buying a TOYOTA TACOMA >> Check out the video below:

3. Is the Toyota Tacoma a good truck?

Is the Toyota Tacoma a good truck? Absolutely! There is a reason why Toyota has been producing the Tacoma for so long. It is a brilliant vehicle. It is rugged, it is easy to buy spare parts for, and you should be able to get a decent MPG on it.

Well, at least for a truck. If you buy it brand new, then you will also be able to enjoy a wealth of different customization options to really help make that vehicle your own.

While there are better trucks on the market, you are simply not going to be able to find anything better than the Toyota Tacoma at this price point.

Toyota certainly doesn’t produce a better truck than the Toyota Tacoma. 

4. What Is the Toyota Tacoma price? 

What Is the Toyota Tacoma price?  In 2021, the price of the Toyota Tacoma is between $30,000 and $40,000. This is dependent on the model of Toyota Tacoma that you purchase. This is the manufacturer’s recommended selling price.

Obviously, you will likely be able to get better deals that can bring this price down a little bit. Do bear in mind, however, that this is only going to be the base model price.

If you want to have any customization to your Toyota Tacoma, then you will likely need to pay several thousand dollars extra.

If you head to a local dealer for Toyota vehicles, they will be able to walk you through all of the options that you have available to you when it comes to customization.

5. What is the cheapest Tacoma?

What is the cheapest Tacoma? The Toyota Tacoma SR is the cheapest model in the Tacoma range of products. The current manufacturer’s suggested selling price is $30,000.

It is likely that you will be able to find the vehicle a little bit cheaper than this. if you do wish to add any extras to the vehicle e.g. towing kits, then you will likely need to pay a couple of thousand dollars extra.

However, if you do not have anything extra added to the vehicle, then expect to be paying between $28,000 and $30,000. This is if you are buying the vehicle brand new.

toyota-tacoma-sr
Toyota Tacoma SR

6. How much is insurance on a 2020 Tacoma? 

It is going to be impossible for us to tell you exactly how much you will be paying for insurance on a 2020 Tacoma.

This is because there are a variety of factors that can influence insurance costs. Remember, it isn’t just about the vehicle that you drive.

It is also about the deductible on your insurance, the age of the driver, where you live, whether you have a prior car accident record, etc.

How much is insurance on a 2020 Tacoma?  For the average driver, with an average deductible, you can expect the insurance costs for a Toyota Tacoma to be somewhere in the region of $1,300 per year.

Of course, the best way to find out exactly how much you will be paying for the insurance on a Toyota Tacoma is to speak to an insurance company or, better yet, use one of the many insurance comparison search engines that you are able to find online. 

7. Are used Tacomas worth the money? 

Are used Tacomas worth the money?  Yes, since the Toyota Tacoma is such a fantastic vehicle, you will find a lot of used options on the market. This is because there are some people that love their Toyota Tacoma so much that they give it a nice upgrade every single year.

As a result, you will often find some fantastic deals on used vehicles. So, is it worth it? Mostly, yes. This is a vehicle that is well-supported by Toyota.

This means that you should have absolutely no issues finding spare parts or somebody that can repair your vehicle if something goes wrong.

Your only real issue with buying a used Toyota Tacoma is that, sometimes, you may find that the vehicle does not have a towing package. Yes. The Tacoma is able to tow trailers.

There are no issues with that. However, without a tow package, the vehicle may not be covered by Toyota if it is damaged while towing. However, to be honest with you, this probably won’t matter too much if you are buying used anyway.

The tow package is more like an ‘extended warranty’, and those warranties do not actually transfer.

8. Should I buy a new or used Tacoma? 

Should I buy a new or used Tacoma?  Yes, if you can afford it, then you should always purchase a new Toyota Tacoma. After all, if you buy a new Toyota Tacoma, you will be able to customize it to your liking.

You will also be able to enjoy a full warranty on the vehicle from Toyota. You can also enjoy the fact that your vehicle has come fresh from the factory. This means that you will be able to get the maximum amount of life from it.

That being said, it isn’t really a huge deal if you can’t afford a brand new Toyota Tacoma. There are plenty of good used models out there too. However, you will want to check the used vehicle over before you buy it.

This is because the previous owner may have pushed their Toyota Tacoma to the limit, and this means that there may be a few issues that are tough to repair.

If you do not have knowledge about vehicles, then feel free to bring a mechanic along so they can check over the vehicle for you.

9. Do Toyota Tacomas come in V8?

Do Toyota Tacomas come in V8? Yes and no. The Toyota Tacoma does not come with a V8 engine as standard. However, plenty of custom vehicle manufacturers have customized the Toyota Tacoma to include a V8 engine.

However, it seems that a lot of the time, this hasn’t really gone beyond the concept stage. Since these are customized vehicles, they are not really going to be Toyota vehicles any more either.

The warranty with Toyota would have been voided. It is unlikely that Toyota will introduce a V8 model in the future.

There was some discussion that it may have happened in 2020. However, most people agree that the V8 wouldn’t really work in the base Toyota Tacoma, and Toyota would have to make far too many modifications to the vehicle to get everything working properly with a new engine loaded into it.

10. Why are Tacomas so expensive? 

Of course, the fact that the Toyota Tacoma is such a reputable vehicle is going to contribute to the fact that it is a bit pricier than some other vehicles on the market.

You also have to remember that Toyota has some pretty huge marketing expenses. They are one of the largest car brands in the world, after all.

Why are Tacomas so expensive? The bulk of the cost is due to the quality components that have been loaded into the Toyota Tacoma. To be honest with you, the Toyota Tacoma is an engineering marvel.

While some may look at the vehicle and think it is a bit too much on the expensive side, we believe that the vehicle is highly affordable for what you get loaded into the package.

11. Are Chevys better than Toyotas? 

Are Chevys better than Toyotas? It depends on what you are planning on doing with the vehicle. Toyotas are known for being fantastic, reliable vehicles. However, Chevys are known for the larger engines and the larger pulling power.

So, if you want a versatile vehicle, then go with the Toyota. If you want sheer power, and you plan on pulling heavy loads each and every day, then the Chevy is probably going to be your safest bet.

12. What problems do Toyota Tacoma have?

What problems do Toyota Tacoma have? In the past, the Toyota Tacoma was known for having rust problems. In fact, this resulted in the vehicle being recalled. Nowadays, the main problems that people focus on are the low MPG in comparison to some other vehicles, the lower towing capacity in comparison to some trucks, and the smaller cab sizes.

In fact, the cab sizes don’t really play well with larger or taller people.

Some also claim that the Toyota Tacoma isn’t as reliable as it was in the past. However, this is something that does seem to be a problem that has a limited number of complaints.

13. Is Toyota discontinuing the Tacoma? 

Is Toyota discontinuing the Tacoma?  No. Toyota does not have any plans to discontinue the Toyota Tacoma. It is one of their best-selling vehicles. In recent years, trucks of this nature have become even more popular too!

Rest assured, even if Toyota did somehow discontinue the Toyota Tacoma, you would still be able to purchase spare parts for it for years. It will also remain a vehicle that is highly in demand.

14. How long do Toyota Tacomas last? 

This is going to be highly dependent on what you are doing with it.

So, how long do Toyota Tacomas last? As long as you ensure that you carry out regular maintenance on your vehicle, then we see no reason why it wouldn’t be able to provide you with at least 300,000 miles of use.

For most standard drivers, this should be over 10-years of use. You may even be able to squeeze a little bit of extra life out of it on top of this.

15. Which is Better Colorado or Tacoma?

Which is Better Colorado or Tacoma? It is highly dependent on what you are planning to do with the vehicle. If your main aim is to have the most powerful truck possible to tow the biggest loads, then the Colorado is probably the best option for you.

If you want a rugged, well-supported vehicle for towing lighter loads, then the Tacoma is going to be perfectly fine. 

16. Which is better SR5 or TRD? SR5 vs TRD 

Which is better SR5 or TRD? Both SR5 and TRD are going to be fantastic models. However, if you are planning to travel off-road with your Toyota Tacoma, then you will need to purchase the TRD model.

This model has been designed for off-road use. If you have absolutely no plans to drive off-road with your Tacoma, then it is fine sticking with the SR5. They are both the same base unit!

17. What is the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro package?

What is the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro package? The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro package adds a 1/4″ aluminum skid plate to the front of the vehicle. It upgrades the suspension system to make the vehicle a little bit better for traveling off-road.

It also upgrades the exhaust system of the vehicle to make it a little bit quieter. You also have a few extra features built into the vehicle that will provide you with more control over the wheels when you are traveling off-road.

Of course, to show everybody that you are driving the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, you will also have some extra decals put on the side of the vehicle to show that you own the top-of-the-line model.

Read also: What Is A Trailer or Tow Package? (Explained)

18. What does SR5 mean on Toyota Tacoma? 

What does SR5 mean on Toyota Tacoma? The SR5 is actually a term used with a multitude of different Toyota vehicles. It means ‘Sport Rally 5-Speed’. What it means will be dependent on the model year of your Toyota Tacoma.

However, it is essentially an upgrade from the standard version of the Toyota Tacoma. It adds a couple of extra features.

It doesn’t really add anything that makes the vehicle better to drive. It is more an added luxury. For example, for some model years, it has meant the inclusion of cruise control or keyless entry. 

19. Do all TRD Tacomas have locking diff?

Do all TRD Tacomas have locking diff? It depends on the model year. Most recent TRD Tacomas have come with a locking diff.

However, if you are buying used, it is important that you do your research into the model year to know whether there is locking diff in place on that particular model. You can also check the dashboard.

There will be a button that says RR Diff Lock if it has a locking diff built into it.

20. What is the most reliable truck?

While the Toyota Tacoma is a reliable vehicle in itself, most people claim that the Ram trucks are the most reliable trucks on the market.

However, do bear in mind that you will need to pay a lot extra if you want to pick up one of those. With proper maintenance, the Toyota Tacoma is still going to last years.

21. Do Toyota Tacomas hold their value?

Do Toyota Tacomas hold their value? Yes, they should hold the value fairly well. Obviously, cares do lose a considerable amount of value the very first time that you drive it. However, the Toyota Tacoma is a vehicle that is in high demand.

This means that if you do plan on selling it on, you should be able to get a decent amount of value back on it.

Although, if your vehicle is more than 5-years old, don’t expect to get huge sums of cash. Toyota are always introducing brand new models of this truck, and so anything more than a few years old probably isn’t going to sell for that much cash.

Read also: RV Depreciation // How Much Do Campers Really Depreciate?

22. Are Toyota Tacomas expensive to repair? 

Toyota vehicles are known for being some of the more expensive vehicles to repair. However, do bear in mind that the Toyota Tacoma is incredibly durable.

As long as you regularly maintain it, you won’t ever have to worry about spending huge sums of cash on repairs.

So, are Toyota Tacomas expensive to repair?  Most people estimate that you may be spending between $6,000 and $10,000 over the lifetime of the Toyota Tacoma in repairs and maintenance. This is barely anything in the grand scheme of things.

23. Is the Toyota Tacoma good in snow?

Is the Toyota Tacoma good in snow? With the right tires fitted, the Toyota Tacoma should be good in snow. However, if you are planning on doing a lot of driving in the snow, then we recommend that you upgrade to the TRD version of the Toyota Tacoma.

It has been designed to deal with harsher conditions such as snow and ice. Although, the base model of the Toyota Tacoma should be fine for occasional snow too.

24. Can a Toyota Tacoma plow snow? 

Can a Toyota Tacoma plow snow?  Yes. You can attach a snowplow to the Toyota Tacoma if you really want. Of course, if you are planning on doing this, then make sure that you do your research beforehand.

Some snowplows may be a little bit too heavy for the Toyota Tacoma. Any accessories that you attached to your Toyota Tacoma, whether it is a snow plow or a trailer, need to be below the weight limit for the vehicle.

The TRD version of the Toyota Tacoma will do a far better job at plowing snow than the base unit.

25. Is a Toyota Tacoma a good daily driver? 

Is a Toyota Tacoma a good daily driver? The Toyota Tacoma is a good vehicle. It is incredibly versatile. However, a lot of people may find that the gas requirements for the Toyota Tacoma can be a little bit too expensive to make it a good daily driver.

It isn’t the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the world. It may also be a little bit too big to take some places. Although, if gas prices are not an issue for you then, yes, the Toyota Tacoma will make a good daily driver.

However, do bear in mind that it is a (mostly) a towing truck.

26. Is Toyota Hilux the same as Tacoma? 

Is Toyota Hilux the same as Tacoma? No. Toyota Hilux is not the same as Tacoma. While the Toyota Hilux and the Toyota Tacoma may look very similar, they are not the same.

The Toyota Hilux is a slightly less powerful Toyota truck. It is nowhere near as popular as the Toyota Tacoma, and Toyota do not release new Hilux models all that regularly. 

27. What is the top-of-the-line Toyota truck? 

While Toyota does have several different trucks in their range, most people agree that the Toyota Tacoma TRD is the best truck that they have available.

Although, the other versions of the Toyota Tacoma and the Highlander do come pretty close here. 

28. How many miles can a Toyota Tacoma go on a full tank?

Obviously, the range of the Toyota Tacoma is going to be highly dependent on what you are doing with it.

This can make it tough for us to give you accurate figures. The more weight the Toyota Tacoma is carrying, the more fuel will be spent per mile.

The harsher the conditions, the more fuel you will be burning off.

So, how many miles can a Toyota Tacoma go on a full tank? The estimate (in ideal conditions) will be between 400 and 500 miles range on a completely full tank of gas. This is assuming that you have the 21.1 gallon tank, which most modern versions of the Toyota Tacoma come equipped with.

29. Which Toyota Tacoma has the best gas mileage?

The Toyota Tacoma SR has the best mileage out of all of the Toyota Tacoma models. However, it is only an extra mile per gallon on both Highway and City driving.

It isn’t a vast improvement on the other modes of the Toyota Tacoma. 

30. Are there any trucks that get 30 mpg?

The Chevy Colorado 2WD is able to achieve 30mpg on the highway, and 27mpg in the city. There are very few trucks that come close.

Although, do bear in mind that because this is a 2WD model, sacrifices have been made to allow it to become this fuel-efficient. 

31. What is the difference between Tacoma SR5 and TRD sport? 

What is the difference between Tacoma SR5 and TRD sport? The Toyota TRD Sport has been built for off-road trucking. This means that it has a more powerful engine than the Tacoma SR5.

It also has a wealth of features designed specifically for those that are planning to take their vehicle off-road. 

SR5 vs TRD Sport? The SR5 is ever so slightly more fuel-efficient, though. Because of the larger engine, the Tacoma TRD Sport is able to pull slightly heavier weights than the SR5.

32. What kind of gas does a Tacoma use? 

What kind of gas does a Tacoma use? All models of the Toyota Tacoma will run on regular unleaded gas. This should be available at any gas station, of course.

Remember, you should always try to ensure that you buy the highest quality gas that you can afford. There are different versions of regular unleaded gas, after all. Using high-quality gas will ensure that your vehicle lasts as long as possible.

You may even be able to get ever so slightly better gas mileage if you use higher quality gas. This is due to the different formulations of gas that are available.

33. What is the best Tacoma trim? 

What is the best Tacoma trim? The Toyota Tacoma TRD is the best trim. It is the most feature-packed of all of the Toyota Tacoma models. It is also the only model in their range that has been designed specifically to travel off-road.

It has the largest engine, which means that it is also able to cope with towing far heftier weights than any of the other models in the Toyota Tacoma range. 

So, there you have it. Absolutely everything that you really need to know about the Toyota Tacoma. If we didn’t answer all of the questions that you had, don’t fret.

There are enough Toyota dealers in the United States that we have no doubt that you will be able to find one in your local area. They will be more than happy to answer any questions that you do have.

Remember, if you do decide to pick up one of these vehicles, you can be sure that you are going to be enjoying one of the best trucks on the market.

Whether you are planning on hauling large goods or touring the country with an RV, you can be sure that the Toyota Tacoma is going to be one of the best kicks that you can possibly make.

References

https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/tacoma/

https://www.trucks.com/

https://www.baierltoyota.com/

Mike Gilmour

Hi, I'm Mike, co-founder, and editor of RV and Playa. My passion is traveling (with my RV) and enjoying the day at the beach (Playa)! Well, I originally created this blog as a way to share what I've learned by experimenting with the RV lifestyle, and I want to help others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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