- It is the most powerful Tacoma yet
- Refined cabin and road manners
- High-tech haven
- Excellent resale history
- Available hybrid powertrain
- Numerous trims and configurations
- Pricing starts at $33,085 | Price yours
- On sale now | See listings near you
When testing vehicles, we strive to remain as objective as humanly possible. But occasionally, something comes along that blows us away and reminds us of why we love what we do. The latest example surfaced during testing for our Best Buy Award in the midsize truck segment, when the 2025 Toyota Tacoma completely won us over.
We’re no strangers to the Tacoma. It has won this award numerous times in the past and has a 20-year record of holding its resale values better than any other competitor in its class. So, when we climbed inside the latest iteration last year, we knew Toyota would build on the Tacoma’s success. But we were unprepared for just how much better this generation is than all others before it, improving on every aspect from capability and comfort to durability and configuration.
Power Trip
One area where Toyota has raised the bar is in the engine bay. The previous generation’s V6 and base 4-cylinder engines have left the building, replaced by a turbocharged 4-cylinder unit. We’re already impressed by its refinement, responsive power delivery, and muscle. What’s even more remarkable is the optional hybrid drivetrain, where an electric motor joins that engine to create 326 horsepower, making the Tacoma one of the most powerful vehicles in its class.
Spring Thing
A few Tacoma variants (the base SR, SR5 XtraCab, and the TRD PreRunner) have those old-school leaf springs in their rear suspension, but the rest of the range employs a more sophisticated coil-spring setup. The result is a noticeably comfortable and controlled ride. And while we’re on the subject of comfort, the driving position (one of our few gripes regarding the previous generation) is absolutely fine now. There’s plenty of legroom and headroom up front, and it feels natural. The actual driving experience fits the same description — with the steering, brakes, and transmission all easy to operate and inspiring confidence.
Software Meets Hardware
Toyota also manages to blend tough-truck capability with new-vehicle technology. A generously sized 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 360-degree camera system, Trailer Back-Up Guidance, Straight Path Assist, and a wireless trailer camera are available. On the safety front, standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, full-speed adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and an emergency stop function. The Proactive Driving Assist feature helps the driver in many ways, like braking gently when approaching a curve and keeping a virtual eye out for hazards. We’ve found it works well.
Truck Stuff
The Tacoma comes in XtraCab or Double Cab formats, with variants ranging from basic work truck to luxury conveyance to off-road warrior. Both cabs have clever stowage areas throughout. The aluminum tailgate offers powered operation, including an auto-close function that is activated just by giving it a nudge with your knee. The hybrid model offers a 2,400-watt AC inverter to run various appliances. A bed-view camera is also available.
We’ll conclude with a few quotes from our testing team: “Toyota nailed it…I’m looking forward to getting into it for longer.” And, “It’s a major leap forward from the previous generation, but it doesn’t lose that baked-in Toyota feel.” Yes, the latest Tacoma is a winner on many fronts.