2020 Toyota Tacoma Test Drive Review: Truck With A Lot Of Attitude
In its off-road configurations, the Toyota Tacoma truck has developed a cult following in the US. It's a mid-size truck; making it highly maneuverable in tight spots; it's light and nimble for going cross country, and has plenty of room in its truck bed for anything an adventurer might need to carry with them. On top of that, the Tacoma's reliability and durability are approaching legendary status.
But while the Tacoma is rugged and capable, it's found lacking in the refinement stakes. The adage that if it's complicated and can go wrong, it likely will when you're hundreds of miles outside of civilization is key to Toyota's insistence on keeping things simple at a time when rivals like the Honda Ridgeline are taking things upmarket. Still, Toyota has updated the Taco's interior, making sure that the improvements allow the midsize pickup to retain its ruggedness, but with a renewed sense of sophistication and daily drivability.
What’s the Price of 2020 Toyota Tacoma?
In the USA, the Tacoma's starting MSRP of $26,050 on the SR short-bed access cab model makes it one of the slightly pricier mid-size pickups on the market. But for your money, you get a decent number of features. For those wanting a bit more, you will have to move up the trim levels, with the SR5 costing $27,825, while the mid-range TRD Sport will set you back $32,725. If off-roading is your passion, you will want to consider the $34,000 TRD Off-Road. The well-appointed Limited trim asks for $38,790, while the most capable driver, the TRD Pro, will require a substantial $43,960 investment in manual guise. Opting for four-wheel-drive will add $3,000 to any bill, aside from the TRD Pro, which has four-wheel-drive as standard. These prices of the Toyota Tacoma exclude tax, licensing, registration, and destination charge.
2020 Tacoma Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 212.3 in | 127.4 in | 70.6 in | 74.4 in |
2020 Tacoma Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
While the Tacoma is a smaller truck, it still doesn't offer anything resembling a car-like driving experience on the road. It likes to wander on the freeway when keeping pace with traffic and requires constant correction to stay in your lane. Cruising on the road in off-road spec is also a bouncier experience than standard in less extreme trims, and the steering is on the sluggish side. On the positive side, the road noise isn't too bad with the more aggressive tires and the TRD model's exhaust note has a little meat to it without being overbearing or droning.
However, once you've reached a suitably rugged destination with the TRD Off-Road or Pro, then you understand the compromise you're making. Despite a light back end and raised suspension, the Toyota Tacoma 4x4 is sure-footed and agile through tight tracks. Over rocky ground, it's an absolute blast to drive and the electronic Crawl Control mode lets you concentrate on maneuvering while the electronics control the speed. In off-road spec, the Tacoma is equally unfazed by long deep puddles and thick mud, the chunky tires and electronic aids being more than happy to help when you start to get in trouble.
2020 Tacoma Interior
2020 Tacoma Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 2 Years / Unlimited Miles | 2 Years / 25,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Rollover Rating |
|---|
| 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma A Good Truck?
Despite its age and self-imposed faults, the Tacoma is incredibly popular for a reason. It delivers rough and ready ruggedness and reliability for the right price. It would be a mistake to buy a Tacoma as a daily driver unless you were going to do truck things with it; it's uncomfortable on-road, feels incredibly dated, and the rear of the cabin is immensely cramped. However, for doing truck things, it's an excellent tool. In off-road trims, it's not just a great performer out in the wild, but wickedly good fun to drive. For the path less traveled, the Tacoma hits the sweet spot.
What Toyota Tacoma Model Should I Buy?
The TRD Pro brings extra style and an upgrade in suspension and accessories, but the price starts to get a little too stiff for our liking. However, if you're in the cult of Tacoma and that's what you want, we'll tip our hat to you in the safe knowledge that you'll enjoy the hell out of it.
We were sold on the TRD Off-Road model though and would stick with the hardwearing fabric seats. For the money, it's a great package and will suit the needs of most people with an adventurous spirit, and the aftermarket is enormous if you want to add skid plates or similar accessories.
2020 Toyota Tacoma Comparisons
2020 Toyota Tacoma vs Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevy Colorado is a highly customizable pickup, lending itself to a variety of configurations to suit just about any need. It also doesn't shy away from adventures off the beaten path, with its well-designed off-road variant. When you consider that it also offers a segment-leading towing capacity of 7,700 lbs, it's hard to discount it. The Chevrolet also offers a choice of three engines, including a potent 308-hp V6 and a torquey 369-lb-ft diesel engine. Still, the recent upgrades to the Toyota's infotainment and safety systems lend it quite a bit of credence as one of the best midsize pickups for sale at present. But in terms of pure value for money, the Colorado looks to be the better investment, with comparable performance at a much lower starting price of $21,300 and an optional diesel engine that delivers better gas mileage than gasoline variant. The two trucks are quite evenly matched, all things considered, so we wouldn't fault you for sticking with the Tacoma.
2020 Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger
The base-model Ford Ranger is $2,000 cheaper than the entry-level Tacoma, and the top-tier is quite a bit cheaper than the loaded TRD Pro, up to $6,000, but the Ranger is still not among the cheapest trucks on the market. But, in return, you get a decent number of standard safety and tech features, and even more are available with optional packages. The Ranger's powerful turbocharged engine is also nothing to sniff at, giving the truck significantly better performance values than the Tacoma, but its handling and ride comfort are not much different; in fact, they are arguably worse. And when it comes to off-roading, the Ranger can't hold a candle to the capable Toyota pickup. And while the Ford may be better suited to town driving, it's subpar ride comfort certainly detracts from its appeal as a daily driver. It may be able to tow an impressive 7,500 lbs, but that just doesn't seem like enough to warrant choosing it over the Toyota Tacoma.