The Toyota Tacoma is well known for its reliability, quality, and toughness, all of which give rise to its excellent resale value. The Tacoma’s durability and tough construction have been tested and exceeded the expectations of its owners. If you are one of those, who wonder, “what makes the Toyota Tacoma so popular,” read on!
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Five Reasons Tacoma Is Popular
It’s dependable – For decades, Tacoma has been performing well in terms of reliability, high-quality, and dependability. Many owners swear by their Tacoma trucks having several hundreds of thousands of miles yet still going strong.
It’s tough – It lives up to what they’ve shown in commercials. In fact, a Tacoma was still able to start right up even after it got swept off the ground by a Tornado
It’s capable of towing and hauling what you need – Most Tacomas are available with either a 2.7-L four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-L V6 engine. The four-cylinder engine can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the V6 engine can haul up to 6,800 lbs. It’s ideal for snow plowing, towing boats, and trailers, and for hauling equipment in your truck bed.
It has great resale value – The 2019 Tacoma ranked first in kbb.com’s list of 2019 Highest Resale Value vehicles across all makes and models. Resale value mainly depends on how few maintenance problems they have, how well they hold up over time, and how popular they are with vehicle owners. Tacoma did well in all these which is a large reason for what makes the Toyota Tacoma so popular.
It’s ideal for customization – Tacoma trucks give you lots of room to add accessories to protect them, enhance performance, and make them look better and cooler.
Why does the Tacoma hold its value?
The Toyota Tacoma is recognized to be one of the finest off-roaders in the compact pickup truck class. It has a well-deserved reputation for being reliable and has a high payload capacity.
Note: It has a predicted resale value of 60.6% after five years of ownership.
The Tacoma is a Toyota midsize truck that has participated in off-road racing for a couple of decades now, an arena where trucks’ endurance is continuously tested. This Toyota’s ability to withstand damage, wear, and pressure, as well as its tough construction, have been proven to survive whatever you ask of it. That can mean anything from family needs and daily work to towing a maximum weight of 6,800 pounds or recreational off-roading. From mainly staying on the road to roving to extreme off-road areas, there are more than 30 distinct combinations of trim levels, engines—a powerful and efficient V6 or a four-cylinder engine, and a wide range of options.
The Tacoma offers three TRD models that come in different off-road capability levels, capped off by their top trim, the TRD Pro. Trail-useful features include a Multi-Terrain monitor, plus a Panoramic view monitor, for a close-to-360-view of your surroundings, as well as a five-second front projected video playback, which can help you discover possible stumps and rocks. Off-road lovers can also get a two-speed transfer case, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control.
For 2021, a limited-run Tacoma Trail Edition will be offered, but Toyota said there will only be 7,000 copies available. This version offers a rear- or four-wheel drive and is based on the SR5 crew cab. It features distinctive 16-inch TRD-style wheels with all-terrain tires. The Trail Edition comes with a 120V outlet in its cargo bed and a lockable storage unit, as well as black exterior badges and a different grille. As for the interior, the cabin offers all-weather floor mats and black upholstery with tan contrast stitching. This group of features is another reason for what makes the Toyota Tacoma so popular
Is a Toyota Tacoma a good investment?
Not yet sure whether to buy a Toyota Tacoma or not? Here are three main reasons why you should buy one. They are listed in no particular order.
TRD Lineup
If you are interested in getting a Tacoma TRD configuration, you will have three options to choose from, the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro. Each model features unique performance and off-road advantages such as higher ground clearance, FOX shocks, and the TRD Pro Desert Air Intake snorkel that prevents the dust and debris from entering the engine.
Standard Active Safety
Toyota is in the lead when it comes to active safety. The award-winning Toyota Safety Sense active safety bundle comes standard in most new models, depending on the model year. What makes the Toyota Tacoma so popular in the safety department comes from it's active safety features. Toyota Safety Sense includes the following features: Lane Departure Alert with Sway warning, Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection, Automatic High Beams, and Dynamic Cruise Control, which helps Tacoma drivers to find confidence on and off of smooth pavement.
High Resale Value
The resale value of the Toyota Tacoma stays strong, making it an excellent investment for drivers who want to be wise about such a substantial purchase, thanks to its popularity and high-reliability scores. Thanks also to a class-leading on-road lifespan. Tacoma owners who’d rather hang onto their truck until the very end instead of buying a new one will also reap savings.
Should I buy a new Tacoma or used?
You may be wondering if it is better to purchase a new 2021 Tacoma Truck or should you consider buying a used one. Here are some things that you should consider when making your decision.
The best-selling midsize truck in America is the 2019 model of the Toyota Tacoma. As a matter of fact, for over a decade, the Tacoma has outsold all others in its segment.
New 2019 or 2020 Tacoma trucks are just plain new
According to experts, a new 2019 or 2020 Tacoma should be a good choice for those truck buyers who want to start their new purchase as the first owner with virtually no miles on it. Nothing can compare to the scent of a new car and that satisfying feeling of driving away from the dealership behind the wheel of a brand new truck, especially if you are like the majority of people who buy a new vehicle. Even if it certainly has its benefits, a pre-owned Tacoma might have difficulty competing in this particular category.
It’s easier to look for the perfect truck when it is a new 2019 or 2020 Tacoma
If you are trying to find a brand new 2019 or 2020 Tacoma, you might as well work with your sales consultant to find the exact truck you have your heart set on. You will most probably have your choice of at least a few different colors in an SR5, TRD Off-Road, or any other
Tacoma model. It is important to get what you want, but you also have to be wise and flexible with color choices, options, and miles on the trucks you are contemplating to buy.
You may only have one choice available, and that is a black Tacoma Double SR5 4×4 that has 45,700 miles on it with a few scratches on the passenger door panel. Either take more than one or keep searching.
With a pre-owned vehicle, regardless of the brand and model, the more specific you are, the lesser the possibility of finding what you exactly are looking for.
Pre-Owned Tacoma trucks last longer
One excellent news for Tacoma shoppers is that no matter how old the pre-owned truck you are looking at, your “newly purchased” Tacoma will more than likely be very good to you over time. Tacoma trucks have created an excellent reputation for reliability, dependability, and long-term quality because they are well-built and tough which is what makes the Toyota Tacoma so popular.
It is more than likely that the pre-owned Toyota Tacoma you purchase will be more capable of transporting you for hundreds of thousands of miles with less maintenance and repairs required than most other vehicles in the market.
With Pre-owned Tacoma, the pricing might be a bit lower
Most of the time, a slightly used equivalent model will be priced lower than new, even with the discounts and pricing incentives that buyers can get on a brand new vehicle. This is usually the case with a one-year-old Toyota Tacoma.
According to experts, Tacoma trucks hold their value better compared to any other vehicle in America. It is beneficial to Tacoma truck shoppers because it means you are buying a quality vehicle. The only downside is that since Tacoma trucks hold their value so much, this prices a one-year-old Tacoma with 15k-30k miles on it right at the prices of a new Tacoma, if not sometimes slightly higher. This is where things get somewhat complicated.
Tacoma trucks are a good investment whether new or used
Whether you choose a brand new 2019 or 2020 Tacoma, or if you opted to get a used one regardless of the age, you are getting an excellent truck with a solid reputation and history. It may sound unbelievable, but some Tacoma owners have reported that they sold their used trucks at a higher price than what they paid to get them.
Which is better, Tacoma or Colorado?
It’s undeniable that there are a lot of new contenders in the midsize truck, but the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado have remained on top over the past several years. In 2017, the Tacoma sold two times more than Colorado, with the Nissan Frontier, GMC Canyon, and Honda Ridgeline trailing further behind.
INTERIOR
Both trucks come with a nice and comfortable cabin, but the Colorado edges the Tacoma especially on the entry-level trim. The base Colorado has a nice interior considering the price. The Colorado being less expensive than the Tacoma makes this even more special. The Tacoma, which costs a few thousand dollars more than the Colorado, fails to provide the luxury that you’d expect at its price point. The Colorado’s cabin is also more spacious with more front legroom and headroom.
If you prioritize a truck's capabilities and purpose over its interior, then you’d better go with a Tacoma. But if the interior matters to you more, then go with a Colorado. As you go up in trim levels, the interior of the Tacoma will get more comfortable and will come with higher quality materials.
Though Colorado’s entry-level model is relatively simple, it already comes with some advanced tech features such as the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming.
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma has all the 2020 Colorado’s interior features, but it has standard in-car Wi-Fi that the Colorado doesn’t have. The more expensive Tacoma also comes with more standard safety features such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, hill-start assist, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and automatic high-beam headlights.
ENGINE
The 2020 Colorado’s optional engine is a 3.6-L V6 mated with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and rear- or four-wheel drive. At the top of the Chevy Colorado lineup is 2.8L four-cylinder turbo diesel engine producing 186 hp and 369 lb-ft torque. This engine is powered with a six-speed automatic gearbox and rear- or four-wheel drive.
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma has fewer engine options. It begins with a 2.7-L four-cylinder engine that generates 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated with a six-speed automatic gearbox and rear- or four-wheel drive.
The 2020 Tacoma’s optional engine is a 3.5-L V6 producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. All Tacoma models with a V6 engine, other than the TRD Pro, come standard with off-road-ready four-wheel drive.
Why do Toyota Tacomas last so long?
Toyota Trucks like a Tacoma last long because Toyota focuses on finding ways to improve how they manufacture their vehicles. What makes the Toyota Tacoma so popular in longevity stems from the manufacturing of Toyota trucks that are likely to use a simpler design. They don’t get changed or updated as often as the competition. Toyota figures out what works well and it sticks with it. On top of that, their basic design requires fewer repairs.
Conclusion
What makes the Toyota Tacoma so popular is a combination of dependability, quality, and toughness. It is hard not to like a Tacoma. It’s also a very capable truck especially when it comes to hauling and towing.