Base Price: $24,750
Price as Tested: $29,011
Why We Drove It: Top-ranked in our 2007 Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability studies, the Toyota Tacoma also ranks among the top 3 in its segment in our 2007 APEAL Study, which measures customer satisfaction with performance and design. With its standard engine, the Tacoma is among the most fuel-efficient pickups on the market according to the EPA, and it gets excellent crash-test scores from the NHTSA.


In surveys that J.D. Power and Associates has conducted with verified owners of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma, the people that actually own and drive one told us:


"The overall size of the vehicle is larger than most small trucks."


"The heating and AC system works incredibly fast [which is] nice for those frosty mornings or hot days."


"The off-pavement readiness is very good: clearance, skid plate protection, and suspension."


"Handles very well [off road] and [is] very hard to get stuck in mud or snow."


"[I appreciate the] ease of getting in and out of the vehicle. The doors open nice and wide for easy access."


"Very smooth riding [with an] excellent suspension and very comfortable front seats."


"I really like how it drives and accelerates. It's very smooth at highway speeds."


"The stability, handling, and suspension are great, which makes this truck fun to drive."


"The Tacoma has smooth acceleration and braking, [and] plenty of power."


"There are storage spaces under and in back of the rear seats, [which is] useful"


"Very good handling for a pickup. It is tight and responsive in corners."


"Storage compartments are abundant, especially in the truck bed."


"Everything is tight, aligned and fits like a glove."


Top 3 Things Owners Like About the Toyota Tacoma:
1. Effectiveness of headlights
2. Appearance of exterior paint
3. Ease of loading/unloading trunk/cargo area


Top 3 Owner-Reported Problems with the Toyota Tacoma:
1. Excessive wind noise
2. Fuel cap hard to open/close
3. Engine cranks too long before starting
