2002 Toyota Tacoma Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review
- Flexible and refined drivetrains, competent off-road capabilities, multiple body configurations.
- High price, most convenience features are optional, no third or fourth door on Xtracabs.
What’s new
A moonroof is available now on PreRunners and S-Runners have color-keyed side badging.
Edmunds says
The 2002 Toyota Tacoma is a capable compact pickup with a variety of body styles to suit most buyers. Has a reputation for reliability, but value in question due to high asking prices.
Vehicle overview
Tacoma. Toyota says it's supposed to suggest the rugged outdoors, as well as strength and adventure, but a friend of ours once quipped, "Obviously, nobody from Toyota has actually been to Tacoma."
There are three body styles from which to choose: Regular Cab, Xtracab and Double Cab. Each is available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. Toyota also offers Tacomas with a "PreRunner" designation. PreRunners are 2WD trucks that have the looks and heavy-duty suspension of 4WD models.
Toyota expanded the Tacoma lineup last year with the Double Cab. This compact crew cab offers four full-size doors and a longer passenger compartment in the hopes of appealing to people who want a pickup and an SUV but can't afford both. In order to keep overall length reasonable for on- and off-road maneuverability, the Double Cab's bed length is shortened to 61.5 inches.
For all Tacomas, any of three engines go under the hood. Two-wheel-drive Tacomas get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder base engine, rated at 142 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque. Tacoma 4WDs and 2WD PreRunners earn a 2.7-liter four with 150 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Standard on Double Cab and optional on Xtracab models is a 3.4-liter V6 that whips out 190 horses and 220 lb-ft of torque. Toyota also offers a special 2WD S-Runner Xtracab sport truck equipped with the V6, a five-speed manual transmission and a sport-tuned suspension. A supercharger is also available from Toyota Racing Development (TRD) for the V6, boosting output to 260 horsepower. Ask your dealer for details.
Interiors are industrial in design, failing to appear modern, but are constructed of high-quality materials. Switchgear is logically placed and easy to use. Larger drivers might find the front seats to be uncomfortable, but the cabin in general is pretty roomy, especially in the Double Cab. Standard features are few and far between, however. Items like air conditioning, cruise control, bucket seats and power windows and locks are all optional. Toyota does offer two optional packages -- SR5 and Limited -- that bundle the most desired features. A TRD off-road package is also available that includes an upgraded suspension, 16-inch tires and a locking rear differential.
In terms of safety equipment, all pickups contain dual front airbags with a shut-off switch for the passenger side. Four-wheel antilock brakes are optional. In government crash tests, the Tacoma has not faired as well as other compact pickups.
Driving a Tacoma is easy enough thanks to its compact dimensions. Both four-cylinder engines offer adequate acceleration, though you'll want the V6 if you plan on towing. Ride quality can suffer if the TRD off-road package is ordered, but the payoff in terms of enhanced off-road ability is well worth it.
Toyota hopes to attract buyers with the handsome styling and rugged image of its Tacoma as well as its reputation for quality and reliability. Generally, we like the Tacoma, but question the value it represents. Most of these Toyota trucks don't come cheap. Guess that's the price you pay for the peace of mind a Toyota provides.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Toyota Tacoma.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Safety
- Side Impact TestNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestAcceptable
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Used 2002 Toyota Tacoma Overview
The Used 2002 Toyota Tacoma is offered in the following submodels: Tacoma Xtracab, Tacoma Regular Cab, Tacoma Double Cab. Available styles include 4dr Double Cab PreRunner V6 2WD SB (3.4L 6cyl 4A), 2dr Xtracab V6 4WD SB (3.4L 6cyl 4A), 4dr Double Cab V6 4WD SB (3.4L 6cyl 4A), 4dr Double Cab PreRunner 2WD SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), 2dr Xtracab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), 2dr Regular Cab 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 4A), 2dr Xtracab 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 4A), 2dr Xtracab PreRunner V6 2WD SB (3.4L 6cyl 4A), 2dr Xtracab PreRunner 2WD SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), 2dr Xtracab V6 4WD SB (3.4L 6cyl 5M), 2dr Xtracab S-Runner V6 2WD SB (3.4L 6cyl 5M), 2dr Xtracab 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M), 2dr Regular Cab 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M), 2dr Regular Cab PreRunner 2WD SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), 2dr Xtracab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl 5M), and 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl 5M). Pre-owned Toyota Tacoma models are available with a 3.4 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 190 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2002 Toyota Tacoma comes with rear wheel drive, and four wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 4-speed automatic.
What's a good price on a Used 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2002 Toyota Tacomas are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2002 Toyota Tacoma for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2002 Toyota Tacoma.
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Should I lease or buy a 2002 Toyota Tacoma?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Toyota lease specials
Check out Toyota Tacoma lease specials
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