Body Styles

The Tacoma was available in two cab styles: Access Cab (2+2) and Double Cab (full 4-door), both offered with a 5-foot or 6-foot composite bed. The exterior design emphasizes angularity and off-road posture, with a hexagonal grille, high ground clearance, and pronounced wheel arches. Each trim (SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited) has distinct grille textures, wheel finishes, and fog light designs. Even standard models include steel skid plates and black fender flares for a rugged, upright appearance.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The name Toyota Tacoma is derived from the native name for Mount Rainier, a prominent and sacred mountain in the Pacific Northwest, originally called “Tacoma” or “Tahoma” by local Indigenous peoples such as the Puyallup and Nisqually tribes. Toyota selected the name to reflect a strong sense of rugged geography, natural power, and regional heritage, perfectly aligning with the midsize pickup’s identity as a durable, versatile, and adventure-ready truck.

From the manufacturer’s perspective, “Tacoma” was chosen to project authenticity, outdoor strength, and connection to the American landscape — particularly appealing to buyers in the western U.S., where outdoor lifestyles and off-road performance are core purchase drivers. The name continues Toyota’s long-standing practice of naming trucks after iconic places or natural features (e.g., Tundra, Sequoia), reinforcing the Tacoma’s status as a truck built for terrain, freedom, and exploration.

Unlike alphanumeric names, "Tacoma" carries a memorable and emotional resonance, helping to establish the truck as not just a vehicle, but a lifestyle symbol. It emphasizes capability and regional pride, especially as the Tacoma became the best-selling midsize pickup in North America during this era.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

“Tacoma” has Native American linguistic roots, traditionally associated with "snow-covered mountain" or "mother of waters" (referring to Mount Rainier). In automotive terms, it has become synonymous with mid-size pickup durability and off-road heritage, especially in the North American market.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

Exterior colors include Super White, Magnetic Gray, Cement, Voodoo Blue, Lunar Rock, Barcelona Red, and Midnight Black. TRD Sport and Off-Road trims introduce exclusive hues like Army Green or Solar Octane. Two-tone grille surrounds, hood scoops, black-out packages, and TRD graphics define upper trims.

Interior options span hard-wearing cloth (SR, SR5) to leather with red stitching (Limited, TRD Sport Premium). Interior color schemes include Cement Gray, Black/Red, and Hickory. The dashboard is functional and upright, with physical knobs for climate and drive modes. A 7” or 8” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is standard in later models. TRD trims feature aluminum pedals, contrast stitching, and unique gauge clusters with off-road telemetry.

Wheels range from 16” to 18”, with off-road or highway-focused tires. TRD Off-Road gets gray alloy wheels with all-terrain tread, while TRD Sport and Limited feature machined alloys with performance all-seasons. Fender gaps and upright suspension geometry maintain high approach and departure angles even on base trims.

Top Expensive Options

• JBL Premium Audio with Subwoofer & Amplifier: $1,250
• TRD Sport Premium Package (leather, sunroof, heated seats): $2,900
• Technology Package (parking sensors, blind spot, rear cross traffic): $1,200
• Power Moonroof and Sliding Rear Window: $950
• LED Headlights and Fog Lamps: $750
• Bed-Mounted 120V Power Outlet: $400
• Tow Package with Trailer Sway Control: $800
• Off-Road Tuned Suspension with Bilstein Shocks (TRD Off-Road): Included
• Smart Key with Push-Button Start: $400
• All-Weather Floor Liners + Bed Mat Combo: $250

vs Competitors

The Tacoma competes with the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, and Jeep Gladiator. Compared to the Ranger or Colorado, the Tacoma offers greater long-term reliability and off-road presence, though it lags in cabin refinement and straight-line power. Against the Ridgeline, the Tacoma delivers superior ruggedness and trail capability, but sacrifices ride comfort. The Gladiator edges it in 4x4 articulation but is heavier and more expensive. The Tacoma remains the segment’s most iconic model thanks to its resale value, mechanical simplicity, and heritage—but newer rivals now offer more modern powertrains and interiors.

Fun Fact

One of the most impressive facts about the Toyota Tacoma is that it became the best-selling midsize pickup truck in the United States for over 15 consecutive years, dominating its segment thanks to its legendary reliability, off-road capability, and strong resale value. What’s even more remarkable is that this generation of Tacoma retained its body-on-frame construction and remained one of the last trucks in its class to offer a manual transmission — a rare nod to purists and off-road enthusiasts.

Another unique highlight: the TRD Pro version was designed and tested by Toyota’s racing engineers in the same facilities that support its Baja 1000 efforts. The truck features FOX off-road shocks, a desert-tuned suspension, and factory-installed skid plates, making it one of the few pickups with serious off-road credentials straight from the showroom floor. And true to its name, many Tacomas have been known to run for over 300,000 miles, earning it cult-like status among overlanders and adventure travelers around the world.