The 2020 Toyota Tacoma is the best-selling truck in its segment for a reason. Foremost, it enjoys a long-standing reputation for durability and go-anywhere capability. But it's also smooth, efficient, and easy to get along with on the road.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa smartphone integration introduced
Newly available surround-view and underbody cameras enhance off-road visibility
Power driver's seat includes seat height and thigh adjustments
Recalibrated transmission logic
Part of the third Tacoma generation introduced for 2016
What is it?
It's a bit early for a full redesign, so it's no surprise that the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is in large part a continuation of the third-generation truck that dates back to 2016. But it's still worth waiting for. Toyota's engineers have deployed several targeted improvements aimed at making it a better daily driver, and all of them move the needle.
The new power driver's seat is 10-way adjustable, which means that the driving position can be altered in terms of height, seat bottom angle and lumbar support. AppleCarPlay and Android Auto have been added to the touchscreen audio system, which also uses a larger screen and a more straightforward control layout. There are extra USB ports, brighter LED headlights (with cool sequential turn signals), a new grille, and thicker side windows to dampen wind noise better. The transmission's shift calibration has been tweaked to reduce gear hunting.
This truck's reputation rests on its off-road prowess, which is more than just marketing hype intended to lure those who like the idea of outdoor adventuring but never quite get around to it. Those types of buyers are certainly among those who are drawn to the Tacoma. And if they could bear to risk scratching their prized possession, they'd discover there's not much it can't do right off the showroom floor — especially the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models. But even here Toyota hasn't rested on its laurels. These models can now be equipped with a forward- and side-looking camera system to help the driver spot obstacles that are otherwise hidden from view by the truck itself.
Why does it matter?
This latest-generation Tacoma, which debuted in 2016, has been dogged by a few flaws that diminished its daily driving experience. That didn't seem to stop Toyota from selling all the Tacomas it could build. But the competition in the midsize truck competition is getting increasingly fierce. This year's changes enhance the Tacoma's appeal, especially if you're the type of truck buyer who has little interest in going off-road.
What does it compete with?
The Tacoma's closest competitors are the Chevrolet Colorado and the Ford Ranger. Both are more focused on general use and slightly better at towing and hauling than the Tacoma. Beyond them, the segment is bookended by the Jeep Gladiator and the Honda Ridgeline. The Gladiator excels off-road and is the only convertible pickup you can buy, but it is quite expensive. The Ridgeline, on the other hand, is the logical and comfortable choice for those who need a truck and aren't overly concerned about ultimate rock-crawling ability. Finally, there's the Nissan Frontier. It's quite dated but can appeal as a value-oriented choice.
How does it drive?
The Tacoma steers confidently and feels stable and composed in most circumstances. The ride is reasonably smooth, but it can feel unsettled and skittish on broken pavement. None of this is any different from the Tacomas that came before it.
What's new is the behavior of the powertrain, but the difference isn't earth-shattering. The 3.5-liter V6 engine doesn't make any more power and torque than last year, so it still feels sluggish in certain situations. But the shift points of the six-speed transmission have been recalibrated to hold lower gears longer, particularly when cruising the highway. The upshot is less gear hunting on gentle upgrades and when driving into headwinds.
What's the interior like?
We've never been huge fans of the Tacoma's driving position, which suffered from the truck's high floor and the seat's very basic fore-aft and recline adjustability. The new 10-way power driver's seat (standard on every V6-powered Tacoma) changes that dramatically. Tall drivers can drop the seat more than a half-inch lower than before, and shorter ones can raise it about 1.5 inches higher. What's more, it's also possible to tilt the seat bottom to optimize thigh support. Though this doesn't sound like much, this seat makes a big difference. Our main remaining wish is for more telescopic steering adjustment.
The other main enhancement this year is the introduction of a new touchscreen audio system. The screen itself is larger and clearer, and we like how the menu shortcuts are now physical buttons instead of indistinct touchpads. Best of all, it now supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Toyota has also designed the touchscreen so that you can mix and match smartphone audio and map sources with the factory built-in ones. In most vehicles, engaging Apple CarPlay or Android Auto locks out any other integrated system.
Other aspects of the interior carry over intact. The design and materials are pretty much the same. Getting in and out is still a bit more of a step up than it is with other trucks because of the Tacoma's off-road-oriented design philosophy.
We weren't able to confirm the effects of the brighter and broader LED headlight beams because we didn't drive at night. We also have to take Toyota's word on the noise-reduction effects of the thicker side glass because we didn't cruise at higher freeway speeds in windy conditions.
How is it off-road?
As ever, this truck's very design shows that Toyota is truly dedicated to making the Tacoma excel on rocky terrain. The basic approach, departure and breakover clearance angles are generous. And the lack of a front airdam on TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models gives them even better approach clearance ahead of their front tires. The lower eyes of the rear shock absorbers are tucked tight against the rear brakes where they're out of harm's way.
We drove the 2020 Tacoma on challenging trails in Moab, Utah, and in the high mountains outside of Ouray, Colorado. Even regular Tacomas can tackle obstacles that would surprise you. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models can get through especially challenging spots because they have a lockable rear differential, a configurable traction control system with multiple terrain modes, and a crawl control system. The four-wheel-drive system has low range, of course, and it is easy to tiptoe carefully over rocks because the powertrain's throttle response is precise and delicate in this mode.
None of that is different from last year. What's new is a trail camera system that consists of grille-mounted forward-looking and mirror-mounted downward-facing cameras. These can be activated in low range, and there's an Auto setting that makes them come on whenever your speed drops below 5 mph. We found them to be invaluable when cresting a rise or dropping over a ledge. The image also contains tire steerable guidelines that show where your front and rear tires will go among the obstacles presented on the screen. We got used to it so quickly that we missed the system immediately whenever we swapped into a 2020 Toyota 4Runner, which lacks this system.
How practical is it?
As before, the Tacoma's bed is made of a composite material that is its own bedliner. It comes with six fixed tie-down eyes, four tie-down cleats that can be repositioned along the rails, and two storage compartments. Some versions are equipped with a 120-volt, 400-watt power outlet. The bed sides are easy to reach over, and the tailgate is damped. But the Tacoma's actual payload rating does lag behind some of its competitors. Its maximum tow rating of 6,800 pounds does, too, but it's still an appropriate figure for a midsize pickup.
Inside, the Tacoma crew cab's rear seat folds forward to provide a flat and secure load surface that stands at a convenient height. The folding procedure is a bit fussy, but the result is superior to all but the Jeep Gladiator. The front seat area contains a few small cubbies and decent-size door pockets, but it's nothing special.
What else should I know?
We're big fans of the Tacoma TRD Pro, but it is considerably more expensive and can be hard to find on dealer lots. Those looking for off-road performance will find the TRD Off-Road the better value because it comes with the same locking rear differential and advanced traction and crawl control systems. Aside from comfort features and some special logos, the main items missing on the hardware side are the Pro's advanced Fox shock absorbers, heftier front skidplate and unique wheels. But it is possible to buy equivalent gear from the aftermarket to set it up the way you want it and still pay less than you would for a TRD Pro.
Edmunds says
We've always admired the Tacoma. But it missed out on our highest ranking because daily-driving factors such as its driving position, entertainment system, engine power, and transmission calibration weren't where they needed to be. The 2020 Toyota Tacoma doesn't have a more powerful engine, but it has been noticeably improved in the other areas. It may not be enough to climb into the top spot, but the refreshed Tacoma is now much easier to recommend.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota Tacoma from 2008-2022.
$451/yr
vs. $451/yr for Average Midsize Truck
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
0.64x/yr
vs. 0.79x/yr for Average Midsize Truck
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
13.9%
vs. 13.6% for Average Midsize Truck
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M)
New Toyota Tacoma 6 Speed Manual came home last week on 10/07/2019. As of today Tuesday 10/15/2019, I have 1,456 miles on it. So I feel qualified at this point, to do at least an initial experience review.
A week isn’t very long. But nearing 1,500 miles means I have acquired considerable seat time in a brief period.
I wanted a new mid size truck. I tried a Chevy Colorado ZR2 with the … Baby Duramax. I liked it but it stickered at $53k and some change. I also am not a fan of DEF And I wondered about the cost of shock replacements down the road. It rode well, and I liked it. Although the interior seemed a bit dated, as others have said. It is a very cool truck!
Next I tried the new Ford Ranger. I test drove this one as well. Although it was a rather short test run. The dealer rep turned me around about a mile from the dealership. I must say, I liked the Ranger too. At least as far as I drove it.
Lastly, I test drove a Tacoma. To be honest, I almost did not. The reviews piled on about this truck’s transmission constantly hunting and it not having enough power had me wondering why bother.
First I took a Tacoma Sport out with the auto tranny. In town and on the highway. I thought it did fine. It did shift once on the highway when I was on an on ramp. I thought that must be what everyone is talking about. Didn’t seem like a big deal to me.
The next day I went back to the dealership. They had a white TRD Off Road on the lot. A 2020 with the new 8 way driver’s seat and a six speed manual.
I expressed a desire for a longer test drive. The vehicle was filled with gas and I was handed the keys. 38 miles later the deal was sealed.
Some say it rides like a truck. I would say it has a solid planted feel. But it is after all a truck.
If you like manual transmissions. The six speed Coupled with the V-6 is a dream come true. With a low first and a close ratio set of five behind it it never seems to be out of place.
On posted 55MPH roads, I can leave it in 5th, set the cruise and relax. On my six hour commute home last Friday. I shifted into 6th in Pa. set the cruise at 70 mph and it pulled like a champ all the way to Watertown, NY. No need to downshift to keep it in the power band. Just smooth and easy.
It’s not a Vette, or even a Mustang for that matter. What it is, is a solid smaller working truck. My job requires a substantial amount of off pavement/dirt road work. I am in and out of rock quarries on a regular basis. Steep grades, big rocks and mud are the norm. So far so good.
I have owned two older Toyota trucks, an older Tacoma, and a Tundra. So I’m no stranger to the brand. But I’m not a fan boy either.
That being said. I have never had a Toyota require any maintenance other than oil changes and brakes. All were near or above 200K when traded out.
This truck came with middle of the road Do-Dads. Key fob to enter, key start. Decent but not great infotainment center. No heated seats, and not much of the crazy modern creature comforts we have come to expect today.
My 60 year old butt did just fine for 57 years with conventional seats. I think it will survive without them again. The seats are comfy though.
My Tacoma also came with a Factory hard folding Tonneau cover. Kind of cool. Dry/Lockable storage for customer goodies. Also with a a 2” receiver and 4/7 pin plugs.
Locking rear diff is also cool. But I haven’t had to engage it yet. I’m sure given my environment, that time will come.
When I turn off the road onto some rutted up two track in search of a new quarryman. None of the techno wizardry seems to matter much. As my new friend claws it’s way up the side of a mountain, all seems right with the world.
On the road, I’m more than happy with the ride quality. It soaks up bumps, it runs quiet, and it feels planted.
One cool gizmo I really like is the power sliding rear window. Just really nice to ventilate a hot truck. The Toyota cargo cleats and rails are another great feature. As is the 110 volt outlet in the box.
Of the three trucks I tested. The ZR2 looked the toughest/baddest/coolest. And the Ranger FX4 looked the most refined. Especially in the Lariat trim.
The Tacoma settled nicely in the middle. It looks like a tough capable truck. But not an over the top mud rig. The 16” rims and rubber means I have a lot of tire choices, very cool. Plenty of stock ground clearance too.
If you’re looking for a lifestyle enhancer, the Tacoma may not be your best choice. But if you want a serious work vehicle. Do yourself a big favor. Read the reviews. Then go test drive one anyway. You may be pleasantly surprised.
I’ll upstate this when I have more miles on it. But so far, I am. Happy camper.
Oh yes, one more thing. The Tacoma has been around long enough, that if you so choose. There is a myriad of aftermarket options to help keep your checking account looking trim and fit.
Pleased with my purchase.
All in one-does it all truck
5 out of 5 stars
Carlos, 01/25/2020
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
I am not an expert writer but I will highlight some interesting things on why I decided on the Tacoma double cab 4X4 auto off road. I looked around I was narrowing my choices to the 3 best selling midsize trucks(Ranger, Tacoma and Colorado). The Tacoma was the best selling midsize truck and the one with the best resale value. Also the Tacoma had the best pricing for what it offers, for … instance small things like the bed liner, the power outlet, the more tie downs for the bed, the rail system and the dampered tailgate. Inside the cabin the same thing, the rear seats are the only ones that can be accommodated completely flatfoot more space and you have extra storage behind the seats and beneath the seats. I also picked the Tacoma for its unique and leading technology of the Crawl control. I watched lots of videos and what got my attention is how this truck can unburied itself from mud or sand with the crawl control, you don't even have to touch the gas or brake pedal to do so. The truck is well loaded. I picked my truck with the 4X4 and the off road package which comes with BF Goodrich Wranlgler all terrain tires with kevlar side walls and Bilstein suspension , higher ride with stronger springs and you also get the heavy duty shields to protect the fuel tank, engine, etc. The one thing I hate about the truck is the engine response, this truck probably is very sluggish, you have to rev the engine to get it to respond, the power out put is on the top end but is not impressive, it is just adequate. The same thing can be said about the transmission, you are constantly hovering in the 1200-1500 rpm while driving in traffic, the trucks wants to grab the tallest possible gear and therefore when you are accelerating with traffic you have to press the gas pass the halfway otherwise you are rolling in 6th gear by 35 mph. Ironically the engine and the transmissions are one of the best, at least they are bullet proof with some components in the engine designed for high mileage maintenance intervals. The truck is remarkably quiet and comfortable, you don't hear absolutely nothing.It can go over bumps, potholes, bums and speed bumps like gliding and you can tell that they put a lot of effort in to that. The windows are more isolated to reduce the noise and that is why the truck is so quiet. The standard equipment is very nice, for 2020 you have stuff like push start, and electric seats. It also connects to apple play. I am your average guy(5'10') and I can fit perfectly in the back, you can seat 5 on this truck without a problem. I really wish the engine was peppier like on the Ford Ranger which uses the Ford Mustang 4 cylinder turbo engine(2.3 Ecooboost). If you are looking for speed then turn around and don't even look at the Tacoma,they are probably the slowest of the competitors but if you want a nice truck that will hold the value well and do incredibly well on/off road then get a Tacoma. I got mine for roughly $5000 off, there were lots of offers during the end year event. Toyota also covers the first 2 years of maintenance and it has a great warranty. They also offer a 7 year warranty for a few hundred dollars which I think is a killer deal. Please look around and take notes of prices, discounts, warranties and watch lots of videos. Do not be impulsive when buying a truck, get the most out of your money. Tacoma right now are the $hit, best selling midsize trucks for a few years in a row and is like that for a reason. 90000 Rangers sold last year vs 249000 Tacomas. Gas mileage is the other thing that I have to criticize a little bit, the truck is rated at 18/22 (4X4) while a Range does better and it has more torque and power. Just keep that in mind when you by your next truck. Lastly the aftermarket industry. Toyota has everything you can imagine.
1st new truck I've bought
3 out of 5 stars
surlyjason, 02/03/2020
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
I owned a small truck about 25 years ago but it wasn't a very good one and I didn't have it for long. But I've wanted a truck for a couple of years so I went shopping. Whatever I bought had to have a locking differential so that narrowed down my choices to the Tacoma (my 1st choice), the Frontier Pro4x4 and an F150. I test drove an eco boost 2.7 F150 and also a normally aspirated 3.3l … F150. I liked both trucks and was astonished at the drivetrain power and smoothness of the eco boost motor. I didn't drive the Frontier because I don't like the splashy, overwrought graphics of the Pro4x4. Anyway, I've owned Toyotas, I have friends who own Toyotas and I've always thought highly of them. I've owned 2 Fords and they both had expensive issues, plus I was rather off-put that the new $40-some thousand dollar F150s I was looking at were being offered for about $30k. So I bought my 4 door TRD Off Road. I haven't owned it but a few days and about 375 miles. There isn't anything I don't like about it ... just stuff to get used to. It feels very solid, looks terrific and everything inside looks and feels well made. I've heard about the shifty transmission but it seems fine to me. The motor certainly seems to have more than ample power. I don't plan to tow anything more than 2 motorcycles, if that, so my primary purpose is as a daily driver, hauling household stuff around and occasionally going off-pavement with my Jeep and Toyota buddies. My biggest concern is the mpg but I'm a conservative driver and do a lot of highway mileage. Edmunds is good because they ask you to update your review periodically and I plan to do just that. I'm looking forward to learning more about my truck, especially the off-pavement capabilities. I will say that it was a very difficult decision to trade in my beloved 2018 CRV but the deal was too good to pass up and I knew I wouldn't stop wanting a Tacoma if I did pass. Although I haven't owned the truck for long (about 5 days), I can honestly say that I've liked it more each time I've driven it so hopefully this continues.
UPDATE: Aug 2020. Ended up trading the Tacoma in for a 2020 Honda CRV. Yeah, I guess that shifty transmission seemed okay during my first week of ownership but eventually it just seemed like it was always in the wrong gear. Always. And it was jerky. There was a horrible rattle inside the dashboard which I traced to the hard plastic air cabin filter. Duct tape fixed that. Overall, the Tacoma seemed huge on the outside and tiny inside. The Tacoma was easily the most disappointing vehicle I ever owned. I track all my miles on Fuelly and I covered 4,169 miles and averaged 19.8mpg ... which isn’t terrible considering how large this vehicle is. But do some research because there are larger, more powerful trucks that are rated for and actually achieve better mpg.
Don't be tempted - the transmission is horrible
2 out of 5 stars
Richard M, 11/30/2020
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
This is a great midsize truck....for off roading, or truly being used as just a utility truck. It's nearly unbeatable off road. It's decent on the inside though needs some serious technology updates. The seats are...not comfortable. I could never get used to the seating. Lots of rattles, even brand new. The cabin feels cramped.
However, the item that finally drove me away to trade in my … Taco 4 short months after purchase was the transmission. It is absolutely horrible. Whoever designed it must have never taken it up any sort of incline. Constantly shifting, never in the right gear, good luck driving to the mountains, hope you enjoy revving at 5,000 rpm for an hour! Even small inclines the transmission would leap to a higher gear, accelerate, then immediately downshift to about 2,000rpm, lack the horsepower to continue to hold the current speed, slow down, shift up again, repeat this cycle about every 30 seconds until you're at the top of the hill. It didn't seem so bad at first but by the 2nd month I was looking at other cars. Ended up in a Rav4 Hybrid after realizing a.) Don't actually need a truck and b.) 18mpg really sucks even at $2 gallon gas and c.) The Rav4 doesn't sound like it's dying when it goes up a hill, nor does the transmission leap wildly all over the place, slowly driving you up the wall. Of course we're comparing a CVT to an automatic so that's a whole other discussion...
So yeah...test drive the Tacoma up the steepest hill in your area, and imagine how you will feel about it 6 months from now.
I would wait until Toyota redesigns this truck with a better interior and a transmission that knows what it is doing, or get the manual if you want it now.
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro vs. 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon - Truck Tug of War
Toyota Tacoma versus Jeep Gladiator: Which can pull the other? That's what we'll find out in this truck tug-of-war battle. The contenders are the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. Both pack extensive off-road hardware, but only one can claim ultimate bragging rights. In a purely scientific test, we attach both trucks to each other and let 'em rip. The… first test has them in 4-Hi. In the second, we put them in 2WD. Can one pull the other? Do either just dig holes? Will we hurt a transmission? Watch to find out.
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