Toyota Tacoma for 2018

The 2018 Toyota Tacoma comes in over 30 configurations and six trims. You can truly find one to fit your needs, whether it’s for your regular commute, your daily job, your weekend chores, or your adventures.

Leading its class, the Tacoma has an entire suite of standard crash avoidance systems. The lane departure alert is enhanced by a Sway Warning Alert, a feature not found on rivals. Pedestrian Detection may trigger an autobrake. A forward collision alert may also trigger automatic braking. The high beams can raise and lower the light with the help of electronic sensors. Other sensors help the Adaptive Cruise Control regulate speed safely. In addition to these standards, you can get a blind spot monitor, a rear cross-traffic alert and a rear parking assist.

Despite all of the new entries in the midsize class, Tacomas continue to hold their own. These trucks are outselling the others due to such aspects as durability and reliability. When Kelley Blue Book named the Best Resale Value for midsized trucks, it awarded the Tacoma. In fact, Kelley Blue Book cited Toyota as its Best Brand for 2017.

Toyota Tacoma Features

Among the best aspects of the Tacoma, shoppers will appreciate:

• Flat-folding rear seats
• High Quality Materials: Seats, Doors, Dashboard, and More
• Composite-lined bed with two useful storage bins
• High bed walls for more storage space
• Adjustable tie-down cleats
• New Six-speed Manual (Replaces Five-speed)
• Automatic Limited Slip Differential with rear-wheel drive
• Tilt/Telescoping Steering wheel
• Full-size Touchscreen with Entune™
• Heated leather seats (available)
• Qi Wireless Charger (available)

Few trucks can match the serious gear you’ll find on the TRD Pro. This trim is a “realistic off-road alternative to the Jeep Wrangler”, according the KBB reviewers. Significant features include crawl control, multi-terrain select, Fox shocks, and thick aluminum skidplates.

Toyota Tacoma vs. Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline was reintroduced last year to great fanfare. However, it comes in only one bed style and one cabin style. It doesn’t have a four-cylinder engine choice. When measured against the Tacoma V6, the Ridgeline has a two-horsepower advantage while the Tacoma has a slight advantage in torque output. This makes them somewhat comparable. However, the Tacoma has slightly higher payload figures and a significantly higher tow rating. Even with four-wheel drive, the Ridgeline is not recommended for off-roading. Honda offers crash avoidance features only on its RTE-L edition ($41,620 MSRP). Since you can get a Tacoma for around $24,000, this makes a big price difference. The Tacoma demonstrates these advantages:

• Two cabin sizes, two bed sizes vs. one size
• Six trim levels and over 30 configurations
• Manual transmission option
• Two engine choices, including a four-cylinder
• Better V6 Tow Ratings (6,900 vs. 5,000 lbs.)
• More airbags
• FCW with autobrake
• Standard Crash Avoidance Equipment
• Off-roading capability

Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier

Frontiers aren’t made with the same high quality materials as Tacomas. You cannot get any advanced safety equipment on the Nissan. The Tacoma has these advantages:

• Better Quality
• More Dash Tech
• Crash Avoidance Equipment
• Better Fuel Economy
• Better Engine Horsepower/Torque

Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevy Colorado

The Chevy Colorado has made a big effort to come out ahead with tow ratings and payload ratings. Reviewers complain that those advantages only come when you pay $6,000 extra for the turbodiesel engine. Colorados don’t have automated crash avoidance systems, but higher trim levels offer a forward collision warning (FCW) and lane departure warning (LDW). Tacoma advantages include:

• Better Basic Package
• More airbags
• Sharper Turning Circle
• Auto Assist for LDW
• Autobrake for FCW, Pedestrian Watch
• Adaptive Cruise Control

Toyota Tacoma vs. GMC Canyon

The Canyon is essentially a premium version of the Colorado. As such, it has the same basic features and qualities as its GM sibling, but it starts and finishes at a higher MSRP. Just like Colorado buyers, Canyon buyers will pay more to get fewer crash avoidance features than Tacoma buyers.