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 Trends 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.
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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:
+ Engine Model Type Power Torque 2WD 4WD Consumption 2.4 L 2RZ-FE I4 2.7 L 3RZ-FE I4 3.4 L 5VZ-FE V6
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 2.4-L or a 2.7-L four-cylinder engine.
An aftermarket Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger kit was available for the 3.4-liter V6, raising output to and . The V6 supercharger kit was specified for model years 1997 and later, as the earlier engine control units (ECUs) had limitations. A kit to add a 7th fuel injector was available, including a replacement ECU, boosting performance further to and . In addition, TRD supercharger kits were available for the 4-cylinder engines (2.4 L and 2.7 L) as well.
A five-speed manual transmission was standard for all models initially, with a four-speed automatic transmission available as an option except for the 4WD V6 regular cab. The PreRunner (MY98–04) and Double Cab (01–04) models were available only with an automatic transmission for the first generation. The 3.4 L V6 was paired with the R150F manual transmission or the A340F (4WD) or A340E (2WD) Aisin automatic transmission; the A340F code is 30-40LE.
The first-generation Tacoma has a fully-boxed frame (meaning the main frame rails have a closed rectangular cross-section) until immediately after the rear leaf spring mounting bracket, where the frame transitions into a C-shaped cross-section. The TRD Off-Road package was introduced in 1998. This package added a locking rear differential and was only available to PreRunner and four-wheel drive models that were equipped with the 3.4-L V6. Anti-lock brakes were made standard across the Tacoma line for the 2003 model year.
Updates The first-generation Tacoma underwent its first minor update in October 1996, switching from recessed sealed beam headlamps to a flush design on 2WD models. There were two more cosmetic facelifts: the first in July 1997 and the second in October 2000. The most visible changes were in the modified front grilles (both facelifts, for model years 1998 and 2001) and tailgate badging and emblems (first facelift, MY1998). The MY1998 facelift included distinct grilles for the 2WD and 4WD models; 2WD models featured a prominent horizontal bar splitting the grille. A StepSide bed was added as an option for MY2000.
Variants At its introduction as a model year 1995, Tacoma 4WD and 2WD models could be distinguished externally by the front grilles. The 4WD model had two heavy chrome bars flanking a trapezoidal opening, tapering toward the top, while the 2WD model had thinner bars (optionally chrome) with a trapezoidal shape tapering toward the bottom. Both the regular cab and extended Xtracab share the same bed, which has an interior length of ; the wheelbase and overall length of the Xtracab is extended by approximately compared to the regular cab.
The PreRunner model was introduced for the 1998 model year. The PreRunner is a 2WD that shares the same taller suspension, six-lug wheel bolt pattern, and 2.7 L base engine as the four-wheel drive. Along with the four-wheel drive model, it was also available with the TRD Off-Road Package that included a locking rear differential, also introduced in 1998. A Regular Cab PreRunner was introduced in 1999.
Designed through 1998 (by Yusuke Fukushima) as part of the MY2001 facelift (patented on September 22, 1998, at Japan Patent Office under #0890798) was a new crew cab (four-door) model added to the lineup in October 2000. The crew cab, officially dubbed as the Double Cab model, featured four doors and Tokico gas shocks, while the extended cabs still opened with two doors and used Bilstein shocks. The extended cab featured a bed, while the crew cab featured a bed. Many customers were upset with small crew cab beds, but most competitors shared this shortcoming.
In October 2000, along with the front facelift, Toyota also unveiled the S-Runner trim package for the 2WD Xtracab that was available exclusively with the 3.4-liter V6 engine coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. The final drive ratio is 3.15:1. Visually, the S-Runner carried a monochrome finish, with a grille and other trim pieces colored to match the exterior in either Black Sand Pearl or Radiant Red. The overall height is reduced by approximately through the use of low-profile P235/55R16 tires on alloy wheels; additional suspension tuning features include Tokico gas shocks and front and rear anti-sway bars. Only 800 were produced each month from September 2000 to August 2004.
+Toyota Tacoma (1st generation) exterior color availability Production Colors Model years 1990s 2000s 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 Black Metallic (204) Black Sand Pearl (209) Cardinal Red (3H7) Cobalt Blue Pearl (8K6) Cool Steel Metallic (926) Copper Canyon Mica (3M1) Evergreen Pearl (751) Horizon Blue Metallic (8N1) Imperial Jade Mica (6Q7) Impulse Red Pearl (3P1) Lavender Steel Metallic (926) Lunar Mist Metallic (1C8) Mystic Bronze (M10) Mystic Gold Metallic (4P7) Mystic Purple Mica (938) Natural White (056) Paradise Blue Metallic (754) Pewter Pearl (196) Radiant Red (3L5) Satin Black Metallic (205) Sierra Beige Metallic (4M4) Sunfire Red Pearl (3K4) Super White (040) Surfside Green Mica (6P4) White/Super White (045)
Recalls In 2008, Toyota proactively announced a 15-year, unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty for 1995–2000 model years due to inadequate rustproofing and frame corrosion issues affecting over 800,000 Tacomas. Toyota will either repair the frame or buy back the truck for 1.5 times its KBB retail value. This was later extended to include 2001–2004 model years, but in these cases when a frame was found to be rusty to the point of perforation, the frame is replaced with a new one instead of a buy back. It is suspected that inadequate drainage in the fully boxed frame may have trapped moisture, leading to corrosion. The second-generation Tacoma moved to a frame with open C-section rails instead.
On November 21, 2012, Toyota recalled about 150,000 Tacoma midsize pickup trucks from the model years 2001 to 2004 that were sold primarily in 20 cold-weather U.S. states. The recall involves the spare tire and how it could fall off.
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 SiriusXM radio capability unless the optional Entune package is installed. 2014 models came with a new SR trim and for 2015 models the regular cab model was discontinued.
In November 2016, Toyota USA settled a class action suit over frame rust, agreeing to inspect and if necessary replace rusted frames on 2005–2010 model year Tacomas, 2007–2008 MY Tundras, and 2005–2008 MY Sequoias in the US and its territories.
Technical The three cab configurations consist of regular cab, access cab, and double cab. The transmissions come in 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic, 5-speed manual, and 6-speed manual. The Double Cab model is available with either the short bed, , or the long bed, ; other models exclusively use the long bed.
The Tacoma's 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 took the place of the original 3.4-liter 5VZ-FE V6. The new V6 had many enhancements, such as a tow rating of , and a payload capacity of . The smaller, but all-new 2.7-liter 2TR-FE four-cylinder alternative in less expensive models is not as powerful, but also consumes fuel at a lower rate.
+Toyota Tacoma (N2x0) drivetrain Engine Type Maximum Transmission Fuel consumption (EPA) Power Torque 5-sp man 6-sp man 4-sp auto 5-sp auto City Hwy 2.7 L 2TR-FE I4 @ 5200 @ 3800 4.0 L 1GR-FE V6 @ 5200 @ 3800
Notes
Models and trims