- It’s the strongest Tacoma but
- Refined cabin and street manners
- Excessive-tech haven
- Wonderful resale historical past
- Obtainable hybrid powertrain
- Quite a few trims and configurations
- Pricing begins at $33,085 | Value yours
- On sale now | See listings close to you
When testing autos, we try to stay as goal as humanly attainable. However sometimes, one thing comes alongside that blows us away and reminds us of why we love what we do. The newest instance surfaced throughout testing for our Finest Purchase Award within the midsize truck section, when the 2025 Toyota Tacoma utterly gained us over.
We’re no strangers to the Tacoma. It has gained this award quite a few occasions previously and has a 20-year file of holding its resale values higher than another competitor in its class. So, after we climbed inside the most recent iteration final yr, we knew Toyota would construct on the Tacoma’s success. However we had been unprepared for simply how significantly better this era is than all others earlier than it, enhancing on each facet from functionality and luxury to sturdiness and configuration.
Energy Journey
One space the place Toyota has raised the bar is within the engine bay. The earlier era’s V6 and base 4-cylinder engines have left the constructing, changed by a turbocharged 4-cylinder unit. We’re already impressed by its refinement, responsive energy supply, and muscle. What’s much more exceptional is the non-compulsory hybrid drivetrain, the place an electrical motor joins that engine to create 326 horsepower, making the Tacoma one of the vital highly effective autos in its class.
Spring Factor
Just a few Tacoma variants (the bottom SR, SR5 XtraCab, and the TRD PreRunner) have these old-school leaf springs of their rear suspension, however the remainder of the vary employs a extra subtle coil-spring setup. The result’s a noticeably snug and managed journey. And whereas we’re with regards to consolation, the driving place (considered one of our few gripes relating to the earlier era) is completely nice now. There’s loads of legroom and headroom up entrance, and it feels pure. The precise driving expertise matches the identical description — with the steering, brakes, and transmission all simple to function and provoking confidence.
Software program Meets {Hardware}
Toyota additionally manages to mix tough-truck functionality with new-vehicle know-how. A generously sized 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 360-degree digital camera system, Trailer Again-Up Steerage, Straight Path Help, and a wi-fi trailer digital camera can be found. On the protection entrance, commonplace gear contains computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, full-speed adaptive cruise management, street signal recognition, and an emergency cease operate. The Proactive Driving Help function helps the motive force in some ways, like braking gently when approaching a curve and conserving a digital eye out for hazards. We’ve discovered it really works properly.
Truck Stuff
The Tacoma is available in XtraCab or Double Cab codecs, with variants starting from fundamental work truck to luxurious conveyance to off-road warrior. Each cabs have intelligent stowage areas all through. The aluminum tailgate affords powered operation, together with an auto-close operate that’s activated simply by giving it a nudge along with your knee. The hybrid mannequin affords a 2,400-watt AC inverter to run varied home equipment. A bed-view digital camera can be out there.
We’ll conclude with a number of quotes from our testing group: “Toyota nailed it…I’m trying ahead to moving into it for longer.” And, “It’s a serious leap ahead from the earlier era, however it doesn’t lose that baked-in Toyota really feel.” Sure, the most recent Tacoma is a winner on many fronts.
