The third-generation Tacoma lives up to its expectation of durability, thanks to its simplicity. Many automakers are ecstatic to unveil innovative features or drivetrains while Toyota tends to stick to the tried and true.

The Tacoma offers enough tech and safety features to keep up with the modern consumer, such as a backup camera, blind spot monitoring, radar cruise control/smart brake (standard in 2018 and newer models), and (CarPlay (in 2020 and newer models). However, under the hood, the four-cylinder’s engine dates back to 2004 while the V6 was an updated version of the original 2GR engine that debuted in 2005. Thankfully, R&D is on our side and keeps things running smoothly for at least several hundred thousand miles.

When recommending the Tacoma to others, the 3.5L V6 is the engine of choice as the I4’s measly 159 hp isn’t enough to power a hatchback, nonetheless a pickup. Of course, a more powerful engine also translates to a higher towing capacity (albeit not impressive), which ultimately renders the truck more useful. The only reason to choose a four-cylinder Tacoma would be the price point as the fuel efficiency of both engine options is nothing to write home about.

Surprisingly enough, the Tacoma is available with a six-speed manual transmission. This quirky option will satisfy any manual purist but it’ll also cost you an extra mile per gallon in the city and on the highway. This may be well worth it as Tacoma owners describe the automatic transmission’s shifting as lackadaisical and “confused.” If you need an automatic and this truly bothers you, this issue can be solved with an ECU tune.

Complaints surrounding the Tacoma are more gripes than reliability concerns. Owners groan about cramped cabin space and interior ergonomics, which ultimately depend on individual needs and preferences. The four-cylinder carried over from the past generation and the 2GR V6 used in a myraid of other vehicles offer generous support in both forums and among mechanics if you do encounter an issue. The most major issue reported with this generation of the Tacoma is squeaking, often due to leaf springs and brackets wearing prematurely. This issue was prevalent in earlier model years, and I personally never recommend buying the first model year of a particular generation of vehicle.

The widespread support and community for these vehicles also extends to modifications. Not only are there countless modifications available for the Tacoma, but there are owners who have installed the same mods and can offer advice. The following for these trucks is a huge plus and an indicator that they’re trustworthy.

In terms of truck capabilities, the Tacoma performs impressively off-road. This is redeeming, as owners across forums and consumer reviews complain about its towing and payload capacities. However, if you’re in the market for a mid-size pickup, you likely understand that these two weight capacities will not be a strong suit for any option. Towing capacity tops out at 6,800 lbs while payload capacity is capped at 1,680 lbs.

The Tacoma offers peace of mind, but it comes at a price. As most Toyota products, Tacomas hold their value remarkably well. This can be a double-edged sword as resale value can be your friend. But why would you ever get rid of such a bulletproof truck?