The latest version of one of the world’s most reliable vehicles.
Review and photos by Tom Sedens. There are always more photos at the end of my reviews.
Pricing: 2026 Toyota Tacoma
Base price (base trim Double Cab Automatic Transmission): $48,895
Options: $7,893 TRD Off-Road+ package
Freight: $1,930
Price as tested: $58,718
Exterior
While the chunkier new styling cues take things into a decidedly tougher and more modern direction, the Tacoma remains instantly recognizable – and that’s a good thing. It’s a good looking truck, with no offensive styling traits and should age nicely just like all the Tacomas before it. I really enjoyed my sample’s Heritage Blue paint.
All exterior lighting is LED, including the fog lights.
The 17-inch alloy wheels look ready for off-road racing, and the whole package comes together nicely.
Interior/Tech/Convenience
Stepping up into the cabin, and it is quite a step up, you are greeted by a modern chunky aesthetic and a sea of hard plastic. At first, that seems disappointing and somewhat cheap. I guess in Toyota’s defence, hard plastic areas are easy to wipe down and clean, but I would have preferred some more high-end-feeling plastics throughout the cockpit.
Behind the leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel sits a 12.3″ digital gauge cluster. It is highly programmable to provide the driver with the information they want, and after a bit of a learning curve, it becomes easy to adjust.
The front seats are upholstered in a comfortable fabric and provide excellent bolstering for when the truck hits the trails. They are heated and power-adjustable. I found them reasonably comfortable, although I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to get on the highway for long, so I can’t speak to their long-term comfort.
Front and centre is the 8-inch touchscreen – it essentially envelops nearly all functions inside the vehicle, and the only manual control is a volume knob. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and this truck had the optional and excellent 10-speaker JBL audio system which includes a super-cool portable bluetooth speaker that is embedded into the dash – you can just pop it out and take it outside. Thankfully the automatic climate control is still managed with hard knobs and buttons.
There is a wealth of Toyota driver assistance technology provided, including blind spot monitoring, backup camera with moving trajectory lines and intuitive parking assist, dynamic cruise control, lane tracing assist and lane departure alert, pre-collision system, road sign assist and automatic high beams.
Rear Seats
Tacoma back seats have never been famous for being spacious or particularly comfortable, and not much has changed. At 5’9″ and sitting behind my own driving position, I did have plenty of headroom and enough knee room, although I would have appreciated more space for my feet under the front seats. It wouldn’t be as torturous as some previous generations of Tacoma rear seats and the comfortable level is fine, but it still wouldn’t be a treat to be back there for a road trip.
There are a couple of cupholders at the back of the centre console, along with 400W household and 12V charging plugs. You will find no USB plugs, which is weird for a new modern vehicle. As an added bonus, the little centre rear window slides over to allow for some fresh air flow – but of course it needs to be controlled from the front seats.
Storage
There are some open storage spaces in front of the passenger and a large glove box. In the centre console are two large square cupholders and a small, carpeted armrest bin. On the right side of the console, to the left of a meaty grab handle, are two USB-C charging ports as well as a 12 V charging port. There is also a wireless charging mat on a rubberized angled portion at the front.
The rear seats split 60/40 and can be flipped up and out of the way. Oddly, the seats don’t stay up and out of the way, they require you to snap them into place with a strap. That exposes handy organizers and storage bins under the rear seats.
Under the Hood
The Tacoma’s guts come from a 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder putting out 278 HP and 317 lb.ft of torque. This all heads to an 8-speed automatic and a part-time 4-wheel drive system, allowing you to choose from 2 High, 4 High and 4 Low modes.
Fuel economy is rated at 12.5/9.6 L/100 km. We averaged 12.9 L/100 km over a week of driving, filled with mostly urban warfare and commuting but also putting in a concerted effort to drive economically.
The Drive
There is plenty of power off the line, and it even sounds great, although I realize the sounds are fake and coming through the stereo. The driver can select between driving modes – there are Eco, Normal and Sport. Keeping up with or getting into moving traffic is not an issue.
Gears can be shifted manually using the gear selector, which also has its own Sport Mode.
The Tacoma is a true truck, and it rides accordingly. The ride is compliant and outstanding over bumps and any road imperfections, as long as you know to expect the jiggliness and slight nervousness of a truck’s suspension. I like it as it feels substantial and I know it can handle any abuse sent its way. The Tacoma also handles surprisingly well for a truck, and does not shy away from sporty driving.
Of course, its real forte is off the pavement where it happily soaks up the biggest, most brutal hits without missing a beat. When you take it slow, it can crawl up, over and down the most insane of obstacles with an ease and competence you will rarely find in any other factory vehicle. Approach and departure angles of 19 and 20 degrees respectively make easy work of getting over and off of anything in your way.
As expected, the turning circle is huge and the Tacoma is no joy to park. The brakes are excellent in all driving situations.
Visibility is mostly decent with the exception of looking out of the back window because of the rear headrests.
Truck Stuff
While it’s certainly not cheap, the Tacoma’s TRD Off-Road+ package adds a lot and plenty of it makes sense. When it comes to making the Tacoma an even more capable vehicle, the option package adds a locking rear differential, upgraded underbody protection for the engine, fuel tank and transfer case, front recovery hooks, a full-size spare tire and Bilstein shock absorbers. The tires are the real thing – BFGoodrich Trail Terrains, sized at 265/70.
Electronics keeping you out of trouble include Multi-Terrain Select, Downhill Assist Control (DAC) and Crawl Control.
The 6-foot box contains super-tough tie down points in the bed and rails around the perimeter to add adjustable tie down cleats. You will also find a lidded charging port with 12V and two USB-C plugs and another lidded panel with a 400W/120V household plug. Illuminating the box is a cinch, as there are bright LED lights above it and on the sides, allowing you to see anything in the back with ease.
The towing package is complete and includes a hitch receiver, both standard size pinned plugs and a trailer brake in the cabin. To the left of the steering wheel are three auxiliary controls, which allow you to add a number of accessories to the truck and control them from there. Towing capacity is 6400 pounds (2903 kg).
The Verdict
WAF (Wife Approval Factor) was middling. She’s just not a truck girl, and the big step up, the chunky interior and matching ride… it all conspired against her and she was not the biggest fan.
Of course it is exactly these details, amongst others, that make the Tacoma so endearing to its fans. Toyota’s legendary reliability and this particular model’s durability allow me to predict that this should be a long-lasting purchase, and an ownership experience with few, if any, troubles.
Of note, Tacomas are also available with an upgrade in the powertrain department, employing a hybrid system that generates a substantial increase in power to 326 HP and 465 lb.ft of torque.
If a medium-sized truck is what you’re after and it checks all the boxes for you, the Tacoma really should be at the top of your shopping list. I think there are very, very few people that have bought a Tacoma and regretted it – the ownership club is one of the most loyal across the entire globe and for good reason.
Disclosure: Vehicle was provided by Toyota Canada.
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