2023 Toyota Tacoma

Durability, reliability and trustworthiness are all adjectives earned over decades by Toyota's Tacoma mid-size truck, and the current (third-generation) model is no different. Nothing lasts forever, though, and with 2023 being its eighth year in production, the pundits are already speculating about the next, fourth-generation model. But none of this matters to the current Tacoma, which soldiers on for yet another year with some new option packages but no real changes, secure in the knowledge that it will continue to rake in strong sales thanks to its reputation.

The body-on-frame Tacoma is available in a bewildering 34 variants for 2023, with access cab or double cab body styles on the menu, various trim levels, a choice between two engines, either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and with manual- or automatic transmissions. The two gas engine options are well-known, with the four-cylinder engine being the trusty old 2TR-FE 2.7-liter unit, while the six-cylinder is the equally trusty (and equally old) 2GR-FKS 3.5-liter V6.

Outputs for the 2.7-liter amount to an under-stressed 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque with a six-speed automatic as the only transmission, while the 3.5-liter produces 278 hp and 265 lb-ft and can be had with either the six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual in some trims. It fights in a competitive market, as Toyota Tacoma competitors include the Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, and the new Nissan Frontier.

With eight trim levels to choose from and a variety of configurations within each, the price of the Toyota Tacoma changes depending on your needs. The entry-level SR starts things off at $27,250, with the SR5 increasing this to $29,930. The 2023 Trail Special Edition costs $40,470, while the TRD Sport comes in a lot cheaper at $34,160. The TRD Off-Road is a bit more rugged and will cost you $35,440. Moving more towards the luxury side of things, the price jumps to $40,005 for the Limited, with an extra $1,000 if you want the Nightshade Special Edition. The most expensive model is the TRD Pro, which has a 2023 base price of $46,685. This trim gets 4-wheel-drive as standard, while adding it to any of the others costs extra; for example the 4x4 Limited ups the price to $43,080. Similarly, upgrading to the V6 engine increases the price of the SR and SR5 to $29,510 and $32,485, respectively. There are no packages available at the top level except for the Nightshade Special Edition Package for $1,000 on the Limited ($1,650 if you add a tonneau cover too), but if you option on the few available accessories, the total cost of the Toyota Tacoma maxes out at over $50k. These are MSRP prices and do not include tax, registration, licensing, or Toyota's $1,335 destination charge.

It's fine if a midsize truck rides and handles like a truck, but the Tacoma takes it to a different level. When unladen, the rear end is bouncy and skittish, and only settles down when it has a few hundred pounds in the load bed. That can be forgiven if you constantly carry heavy loads, but in other use cases, it's just plain uncomfortable.

The front suspension, by comparison, feels underdamped but oversprung, giving it the dual disadvantages of being both harsh over sharp disturbances and floaty over large undulations. The same applies to the steering, which has decent weighting but feels indirect and slow to respond. Consequently, cornering abilities are questionable at best, and give the impression that it's mostly the stability control keeping things under control when trying to push on.

Performance varies from slow to acceptable, depending on the chosen engine. This may, however, be forgiven in view of the Tacoma's role as a workhorse because, while the engines aren't the greatest out there, they have proven to be extremely reliable. Versions equipped with the 2.7-liter engine will run forever with only prescribed maintenance, but its acceleration is slothful, especially when loaded. The V6 is much stronger, if not up to the standards of the class leaders, and it doesn't drink all that much more than the four-cylinder either, so that's probably the engine option to go for.

If your definition of a good midsize truck depends on how long it will run without major mechanical issues, the Toyota Tacoma is an excellent truck. The Tacoma is also very off-road capable in some trims, and its resale value will reflect its reputation for durability. However, if you also want to use the truck for on-road duties, the Tacoma probably won't make you very happy. It's fairly miserable to drive, thirsty, cramped, and uncomfortable to ride in, and its in-cabin technology also lags behind the opposition. Compared to its newer opponents, the Tacoma can really only sell on its reliability and good resale value, and that's not enough these days. The game has moved on, and a new Taco is needed to face the competition head-on again.

You certainly aren't lacking in options in this area. Those with the budget for it won't regret going for the TRD Pro, but it certainly isn't necessary to get the job done. If you want all the capability without the big price tag, though, the TRD Off-Road is the route to go. It can play in the mud with the best of them. You don't even need to tack on any packages either, since these are just luxury items that the Tacoma can do without. But if you do plan to use it as a daily driver, the leather seats and upgraded infotainment suite might be desirable. Or you can opt for the Trail Edition for $5k more and get your off-road Tacoma with a dash of extra style and a sense of exclusivity.