2023 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab

　　

2023 Toyota Tacoma Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　The Tacoma is one of Toyota's success stories. Not only does it outsell the Tundra and 4Runner, it's also the best-selling pickup in the midsize truck segment. Over the years it has built a fiercely loyal following, and the Tacoma can be uniquely customized thanks to what seems like an infinite number of aftermarket products. This is a tough truck with impressive off-road capability and is a manageable size if you don't want a full-size truck.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$179/mo  for Tacoma SR

　　Tacoma SR

　　SR 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $28,600 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $29,430 MSRPSR 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $30,860 MSRPSR 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $31,675 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $33,535 MSRPSR 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,325 MSRPSR 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,865 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $30,390 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $31,280 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 6A) - $33,465 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $33,835 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $34,980 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $35,480 MSRPSR5 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $37,175 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,055 MSRPSR5 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,555 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $35,510 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $36,765 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $37,265 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $37,285 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $37,900 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,795 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $39,730 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $40,340 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $36,790 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $37,925 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $38,820 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $39,755 MSRPTRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $40,365 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $41,355 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $44,430 MSRPLimited 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $44,930 MSRPTrail 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $41,820 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6M) - $48,035 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A) - $50,740 MSRP

　　vs

　　$219/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　Rumors of a fully redesigned Tacoma for 2023 have proven untrue, so it continues in much the same form as last year. The only additions include two appearance packages that dress up the SR5 trim with either black or chrome embellishments. Other changes amount to increased availability of a few minor features. These include a larger touchscreen, keyless entry and a power driver's seat. 

　　Unlike the Tacoma, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks will be redesigned for 2023, and the Nissan Frontier was just overhauled for 2022. To stay competitive there will be a new Tacoma soon, but we'll have to keep waiting. That said, if you're in the market for a midsize truck and can't wait for the next one, the current highly rated Tacoma is still a compelling choice. For a thorough review, check out our test team's evaluation of the Tacoma in the zzdcar' Expert Rating below.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We bought a 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road and lived with it in our long-term fleet for nearly two years, racking up more than 40,000 miles on the odometer. The Tacoma has received some updates since its redesign in 2016, but it's the same generation truck and most of our observations apply. Find out what we thought of everything from its all-around capability to the tech in our long-term Tacoma test.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Tacoma drive? The Tacoma steers and handles smoothly and is generally easy to drive. The main exception is the brakes, which feel grabby and can induce nosedive in hard stops. We do wish the 3.5-liter V6 felt a bit more willing, but there is enough power for daily use. The transmission shifts predictably and is able to get the most out of the engine.

　　Off-road is where the Tacoma truly shines and stands above all others except the Gladiator. The Tacoma has the clearance, gearing and traction to tackle serious terrain, and the brakes and throttle prove brilliantly precise and controllable in low-range crawling situations.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Tacoma? The Tacoma was never a disagreeable truck to ride in, but changes introduced in 2020 made it a little bit more pleasant. A fully adjustable 10-way driver's seat comes standard in V6 trucks, and this seat promotes long-range comfort for drivers of almost all shapes and sizes.

　　The thicker side-window glass cuts down the wind noise compared to prior years, though the Colorado and the Ridgeline still have an edge here. The same is true for ride quality since the Tacoma is still truckier than its smoothest-riding competitors. As for the climate system, it has effective heating and cooling and is easy to adjust.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below