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Compact pickup truck; Built in USA
  • crew cab long bed
  • crew cab short bed
  • ext. cab
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $NA – $NA*


2017 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Access Cab


2017 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Access Cab


2017 Toyota Tacoma SR5


2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab

Pros:
  • Acceleration (V6)
  • Control layout
Cons:
  • Interior materials
  • Ride

Tacoma had been about the best entry in a segment that had been almost completely ignored for far too long. That changed for 2015 when the Chevrolet Colorado and similar GMC Canyon were redesigned, plus the Ford Ranger returned in 2019, leapfrogging the Tacoma with far more modern designs. Tacoma’s 2016 redesign was more a very heavy refresh than a clean-sheet-of-paper re-envisioning. Still, it brought a number of worthwhile improvements and technology features. Plus, it gained a new V6 engine option and a higher level of refinement that kept it a solid contender in compact pickup field.

Overview

Tacoma dropped its regular-cab models after 2014, leaving Access Cab (extended cab) and Double Cab (crew cab) versions. Those returned for 2016. Access Cab came with a 6-foot bed, Double Cab with a choice of 5- or 6-foot bed. All beds had a composite inner lining with rails holding adjustable tie-down cleats, along with a new damped tailgate that “eased” itself down.

Two engines were offered: a 159-horsepower 2.7-liter 4-cylinder, and a 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 that replaced a 236-horsepower 4.0 V6. Both engines came standard with a 6-speed automatic in two-wheel-drive form, though a 6-speed manual was also available in V6 four-wheel-drive versions and a 5-speed manual with 4-cylinder four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive retained a part-time 4×4 system that should not be left engaged on dry pavement. Those who venture off road would appreciate Tacoma’s available Crawl Control, which maintained a set speed regardless of grade or conditions; all the driver had to do was steer.

Tacoma offered six models: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, TRD Pro, and Limited, the last adding previously unheard-of luxury to the line.

Yearly Updates

2017
Toyota Tacoma is little changed for 2017, except for the return of the off-road-ready TRD Pro. The TRD Pro has standard four-wheel drive, limited-slip differential, off-road tires and suspension, blind-spot monitor, and leather upholstery.
2018
The 2018 Toyota Tacoma got standard Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) that included autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. A 5-speed manual transmission was no longer offered with the 4-cylinder engine. There were also revised grilles.
2019
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma line added an SX appearance package and the off-road-oriented TRD Pro model gained standard JBL audio system and power sunroof. A new option for the TRD Pro was a Desert Air Intake—an externally mounted snorkel air intake that ran from the right front fender to the top of the right windshield pillar.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

The base engine was a 159-horsepower 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that was paired with a 6-speed automatic and 5-speed manual was available with 4-wheel drive. The 5-speed manual was dropped after 2017. A 278-hp 3.5-liter V6 was mated to a 6-speed automatic transmissions and a 6-speed manual was available with 4-wheel drive.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.7/163
Engine HP 159
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 180
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
6-speed automatic 		19/21
19/22
dohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.5/211
Engine HP 278
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 265
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic 		17/21
19/24 		19

Road Test

The new engine, a 3.5-liter powerplant that made 278 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at 4600 rpm, was in the four-wheel-drive TRD Sport Double Cab that Consumer Guide® sampled. (We have not had an opportunity to drive a 4-cylinder Tacoma.) As the replacement for a larger but less powerful V6, the new mill delivered solid, if not racy, acceleration from a standstill. On the highway, it responded well to demands for added pace, and when the driver really wanted to get away in a hurry, the six-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual was also offered with 4-wheel drive) kicked down quickly into the right gear for purposeful scoot. Meanwhile, possessed of Atkinson-cycle valve actuation, the 3.5 V6 was EPA-rated for better mileage than its 4.0-liter forebear at 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 20 combined. When this driver put 178.1 miles on the test truck, 67 percent of them in city-style operation, it returned a commendable 20.05 mpg.

Ride was pretty good for an unladen pickup. With standard 17-inch wheels, a solid-axle/leaf-spring rear suspension, and sport-tuned shock absorbers, the ride was a little “busy” over pavement irregularities, but rear-end motion didn’t get too exaggerated, and the suspension recovered promptly. Braking was very good as well.

The Double Cab had good head- and legroom in front, even with the moonroof taking up some overhead space. Reviewers who’ve been in a Tacoma with the extended-length Access Cab said its rear seat was tight. The Double Cab clearly had more rear-seat room but the wide-open spaces it was not. With feet tucked under the seat ahead, this tester’s knees were up against the seatback with no room to spare. Headroom was not a problem, though. There was width (and seat-cushion comfort) for three adults across the back, but not really the foot room for an adult middle passenger, and the rear seatback was a bit too upright and firm for long-distance ride comfort. The rear seatback was split 60/40 and folded flat to offer cargo-storage options.

The ride height of 4×4 Tacomas challenge shorter passengers when getting in or out of the truck. Grab handles came in handy for assisting entry. Drivers enjoyed a commanding view of the road, though the hood scoop that was unique to the TRD Sport obstructed vision just beyond the hood. Otherwise it was easy to see out of the cab in all directions.

Interior presentation in the TRD Sport was short on flair, with sturdy cloth on the seats, and black plastic on the dash, doors, and instrument cluster. Soft-touch surfaces were reserved for door panels and armrests. Instruments and controls were easy to read and use.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4×4 Double Cab

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 5
50%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 5
50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 6
60%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 4
40%

Other

Value - 7
70%

Total: 52

Specifications

crew cab long bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
140.6 225.5 74.4 70.6 4220
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1370 21.1 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.7 38.3 42.9 32.6
crew cab short bed
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
127.4 212.3 74.4 70.6 4180
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1420 21.1 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.7 38.3 42.9 32.6
ext. cab
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
127.4 212.3 74.4 70.6 3980
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
– 1405 21.1 4
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.7 34.9 42.9 24.6
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2016 Tacoma crew cab short bed crew cab short bed

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4
80%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Trouble Spots

Brakes
Description: Some aftermarket accessories can interfere with the precollision braking system and cause inadvertent braking or deactivate the precollision system. (2018-19)
Suspension problems
Description: Frame may prematurely corrode with perforation. (2016-17)
Water leak
Description: The third brake light seal may leak resulting in a stained headliner. (2016-17)
None
Description: At low parking speeds the V6 engine idle may surge when the steering wheel is turned. (2016-17)
Transmission problems
Description: Vehicles with 6-speed manual transmission may be difficult to shift out of any gear after driving for an extended period of time. (2016)
Transmission problems
Description: Faulty transfer case actuator may cause transfer case to be stuck in 4HI or 4LO. (2016)
Heated/Cooled seats
Description: The connector in the wiring for the heated seats may burn out and render a seat heater inoperable. (2016-18)

Recall History

2016 Taqcoma
Description: Certain 2016 model Tacoma vehicles may have accessory hood scoops that were incorrectly installed by Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, (SET). The hood scoops may detach.
2016 Tacoma
Description: The driver knee airbag bolts may loosen and result in an increased risk injury during airbag deployment.
2016-17 Tacoma V6
Description: The crank-position monitor on the V6 engine may malfunction and cause a stall.
2016-17 Tacoma
Description: A differential leak may cause the differential to seize from lack of oil and result in a loss of control.
2017 Tacoma
Description: A faulty brake booster vacuum pump may fail resulting in sudden loss of brake assist.
2017 Tacoma
Description: An incorrect load information label could result in overloading the vehicle.
2018-19 Tacoma
Description: The fuel pump can fail causing the engine to stall.
2018-19 Tacoma
Description: A faulty brake master cylinder may cause increased stopping distances.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 13, 2020.
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