Toyota · 1995–present

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota since 1995. The first-generation Tacoma (model years 1995 through 2004) 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. As of 2015, the Tacoma was sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Bermuda, and the French overseas collectivity of New Caledonia. Most markets across the world receive the Toyota Hilux in lieu of the Tacoma. The name "Tacoma" was derived from the Coast Salish peoples' name for Mount Rainier in the U.S. state of Washington.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Toyota Hilux

All Toyota Tacoma data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (N140/N150/N160/N170/N190; 1995)

The Tacoma was introduced in the US in February 1995 (with a market launch in March 1995) as a replacement for the Toyota Truck (which was the name used for the Hilux in the North American market since 1984). When comparing with the Hilux, the Tacoma receives engineering with greater priority on ride quality, handling, comfort, and safety over ruggedness and payload capacity. The design intends to better suit the needs of the US and Canadian market, where pickup trucks are used as personal vehicles rather than for commercial, agricultural, and off-road purposes. Development. Development began in 1989, following the launch of the fifth-generation Toyota Truck in late 1988 and concluded in 1994. Design work was done at Calty Design Research in California from 1990 to 1992, when Kevin Hunter's exterior design proposal was chosen in the autumn of 1991 and in final form, frozen for production in 1992. Patents for the production design were filed in Japan in April 1993 and October 28, 1993, in the United States. Technical. Three engines were available for the Tacoma: Notes Two-wheel drive (2WD) Tacomas (excluding PreRunner models) had five-stud wheel-lug patterns and either the 2.4- or 3.4-liter engine. Four-wheel drive (4WD) and PreRunner Tacomas had six-stud wheel-lug patterns and were available with either the 2.7-L or 3.4-L engine. Initially, the 2.4 L was limited to the 2WD models (both regular and Xtracab), while the 2.7-liter the standard engine for 4WD models, and the 3.4-liter V6, shared with the larger T100 truck, was an option for the 2WD (Xtracab only) and 4WD (regular and Xtracab). The top-of-the-line SR5 trim was available for the 4WD Xtracab V6. From 1997 on, the 3.4 L V6 was dropped as an option for the regular cab models, which were available only with a 2.

Second generation (N220/N240/N250/N260/N270; 2004)

In 2000, Toyota began development of the second generation Tacoma under chief engineer Chikuo Kubota. The majority of development work was handled by Hino in Japan. Designers Shigeya Hattori and Hideo Karikomi of Hino won the internal design competition in 2001. Final designs were frozen for production in 2002 and patents filed on July 3, 2003, with test mules being tested from early 2003. Prototypes were built later in 2003, with development ending in the second quarter of 2004. On February 4, 2004, at the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota unveiled a bigger and more powerful Tacoma. Launched on October 18, 2004, as a 2005 model, this new Tacoma was available in eighteen different combinations of three cab configurations, four transmissions, two engines, and two bed lengths. Updates. The 2006 model Tacoma had only minor changes from the 2005 model, with some options now standard. Toyota added two new interior colors for the 2007 model year; 2008 models carried over. A minor facelift came for 2009, including a slightly revised grille on some models, new LED taillamps, and on the X-Runner, TRD off-road and TRD Sport models includes a smoked headlamp trim. Auxiliary audio input now comes standard. The Access/Double Cab trucks have two new ceiling mounted speakers and an available backup monitor. Four new exterior colors are also added to the Tacoma. Safety features were added, and the mechanical limited-slip differential was no longer available. TRD off-road models continue to come equipped with a locking rear differential. The 2012 model year refresh featured a restyled front bumper, headlights, grille, hood, new interior and a shark fin antenna for the SiriusXM satellite radio. The 2013 model year comes with a touch screen audio system and removes the shark fin antenna and Siriu

Third generation (N240/N260/N300/N310/N320/N330; 2015)

The new Tacoma was officially unveiled at the January 2015 North American International Auto Show, with sales in the United States beginning on September 10, 2015. Dimensionally and mechanically, the third generation Tacoma is similar to the preceding generation. While the four-cylinder models retained their N240/260 series codes, the V6 variants were reassigned to the new N300 series. Styling. The truck features a revised exterior design inspired by the 2014 model year 4Runner SUV and Tundra pickup. Changes include a larger grille, new projector-beam headlamps, and a redesigned tailgate and bed with an integrated spoiler and debossed Tacoma logo. The N300 Tacoma is available in Access Cab and Double Cab configurations, offering long or short bed sizes. The Regular Cab model was discontinued for the new generation. The Access Cab comes with a single bed option measuring 73.7 inches (187 cm), while the Double Cab has a standard bed length of 60.5 inches (154 cm), with the 73.7-inch (187 cm) bed available as an option. For the interior of the Tacoma, Toyota incorporated a handlebar theme and introduced a larger touchscreen display and a new instrument panel. The previous generation's hard plastics were replaced with soft-touch materials, and a leather option was introduced. Toyota improved sound insulation with an acoustic windshield, better insulated doors, and additional weather stripping to reduce road and wind noise. Dual climate control was introduced for the first time in the Tacoma. Unlike the second-generation models, the 2016 and 2017 Tacoma steering wheel controls had reduced functionality, limiting convenience when browsing phone contacts or selecting songs. The steering wheel D-pad controls were no longer linked to the Entune system for browsing and selecting

Fourth generation (N400; 2023)

The fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma was revealed on May 19, 2023. It is built on Toyota's TNGA-F global body-on-frame vehicle platform, shared with the larger Toyota Tundra (XK70). The Tacoma was designed by teams at Toyota's Calty Design Research facilities in California and Michigan with the intention "to be authentic to the way our customers use their trucks for rugged outdoor fun", according to Calty president Kevin Hunter, who explained the truck was styled with "the iconic Tacoma look, referred to as 'Tacoma-ness'", including "high lift, big tires, slim body, and a powerful athletic stance" as inspired by prior Toyota Baja trophy racing trucks. Trims. The fourth-generation Tacoma is available in eight trim levels, six of which are carried over from the previous generation: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro, along with a newly added Trailhunter with overlanding-specific equipment and the return of the TRD PreRunner, an off-road oriented two-wheel drive trim, last offered in the second-generation Tacoma. Toyota considers the TRD Pro and Trailhunter to be the halo model of the line. The TRD Pro trim level includes IsoDynamic seats for the driver and front passenger which control motion through a series of four adjustable shock absorbers, Fox Factory racing shocks, and is 1+1⁄2–2 in (38–51 mm) taller and 3 in (76 mm) wider than the SR5. The Trailhunter grade includes a suspension designed by ARB using Old Man Emu components. Externally, it can be distinguished by a standard snorkel engine air intake and bronze-colored accents. The TRD PreRunner is available exclusively with the XtraCab body and rear-wheel-drive. Chassis and body. The TNGA-F platform uses laser-welded high-strength steel frame members to increase rigidity, and aluminum body compone

Toyota Racing Development

In 1998, Toyota added a new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) off-road package. The package includes off-road tires, 16-inch alloy wheels, TRD dampers, a locking rear differential and the TRD graphics. In 2001, Toyota introduced a TRD sport package on the Tundra full-size pickup. This package was introduced in 2005 for the Tacoma at the same time as the release of the newly redesigned Tacoma. TRD supercharger. Toyota Racing Development offered a TRD supercharger for the FJ Cruiser and Tacoma equipped with 4.0-liter V6 engine, available through Toyota dealerships. This supercharger was co-developed with Magnuson Superchargers. When installed by a professional dealer, it would not void any warranties on a vehicle. The supercharger increases the Tacoma's power output to 304 hp (227 kW) from the original 236 hp (176 kW), and the torque output to 334 lb⋅ft (453 N⋅m) and is now out of production. The TRD supercharger is compatible on all 2005 through 2015 model year Tacoma trucks, and 2007 through 2009 model year FJ Cruiser SUV. This supercharger system features Eaton roots-type rotating components in a one-piece integral manifold, iridium spark plugs, and a five-rib serpentine drive belt system. It produces about 6 psi (0.41 atm; 41,000 Pa) of boost pressure. The supercharger, when installed by an authorized Scion or Toyota dealer, has the same warranty as powertrain, five years or 60,000 miles (97,000 km), or the balance of the new car warranty, whichever is greater. When not installed by an authorized dealer, the supercharger is covered by a 12-month, 12,000-mile (19,000 km) parts-only warranty. The manufacturer's suggested retail price of the TRD supercharger is $4500, not including installation. The TRD supercharger program was discontinued for all vehicles, including Taco

Sales

== Use by the military == Many Tacoma vehicles were used by the US armed forces during the Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom. Typically, these were double-cab versions with SR5 or TRD trim. Although the Hilux, on which the Tacoma is based, is very common in the Middle East, the US military purchased Tacomas from American dealers, modified them accordingly, and sent them to Iraq. The Tacoma and Hilux share the same body, but the Tacoma's suspension differs significantly from the Hilux and is considered much weaker. Its gasoline engine runs much smoother than the diesel engine of the HMMWV (Hummer). The standard radio and almost all exterior lighting were removed from these acquired civilian vehicles. Instead, the vehicles were equipped with infrared spotlights so they could be used with night vision devices. Engines remained unchanged, but the vehicles were fitted with mud flaps, winches, and roll bars for machine guns.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Toyota Tacoma

Manufacturer

Toyota

Production

January 1995 – present

Model years

1995–present

Class

Compact pickup truck (1995–2004), Mid-size pickup truck (2004–present)

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel drive/four-wheel drive

Predecessor

Toyota Truck (1995)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1581540CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_TacomaCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371175931 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2024_Toyota_Tacoma_TRD_Off-Road.jpgCC BY 4.0 · Photo: Clock38030 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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