2015 Toyota Tacoma Review
2015 Toyota Tacoma Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Choice of four-cylinder or V6 power
- good four-cylinder fuel economy
- serious off-road prowess
- standard touchscreen
- convenient size
- strong resale value.
Cons
- Flat, low-mounted seats aren't ideal for comfort
- engines get raucous when pushed
- overly soft brake pedal feel.
What’s new
For 2015, the Toyota Tacoma drops the regular cab body style -- now it's just the extended cab (Access Cab) and the crew cab (Double Cab). Also, the off-road-equipped TRD TX Baja version of the Tacoma has been replaced by the TRD Pro package.
Edmunds says
Thanks to its strong engines, variety of configurations and versatile interior, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma remains a class leader. However, it's an older design, so we'd certainly recommend checking out GM's brand-new trucks if you're shopping for a midsize pickup.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2015 Toyota Tacoma V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A) 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 $3.76 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$258/mo
Tacoma V6
vs
$271/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
If you're in the market for a new pickup truck, most of your options today are pretty large. Still, there are a handful of midsize pickup trucks like the 2015 Toyota Tacoma that have stood the test of time and provide a considerable measure of utility for buyers who don't need the towing and hauling abilities of the goliaths.
Although the 2015 Tacoma is largely the same truck that debuted back in 2005, there's a lot to recommend it after all these years, and it has earned an Edmunds.com "B" rating. To start, both of its available engines are viable choices. The standard four-cylinder engine provides decent performance and impressive fuel economy, while the available V6 turns the Tacoma into one of the quicker trucks in this class and offers ample grunt for towing. Beyond that, the Tacoma is relatively easy to maneuver and park for its size, and if you opt for its available off-road packages, it's one of the most capable vehicles on the road. Indeed, the available TRD Pro model is likely the most dirt-friendly pickup on the planet. Inside, all Toyota Tacomas come standard with Bluetooth and a 6.1-inch touchscreen, and tech features like mobile app integration and a rearview camera are available.
In spite of these strengths, the current Tacoma is beginning to show its age. The cabin feels cheap in places with lots of hard plastic surfaces, and although there's plenty of room, the seats have flat cushioning and are mounted low to the floor, which doesn't help road-trip comfort. And while the available engines provide decent fuel economy and power, they're pretty noisy when pushed for acceleration. Go to slow down and you'll find the braking performance satisfactory, but the pedal is squishy and difficult to apply smoothly, which doesn't inspire confidence. We're also a little sorry to see the Tacoma's regular cab body style go this year. Toyota was the last automaker to offer a midsize pickup with a regular cab, and while the extended and crew cab configurations are far more practical, the regular cab provided an affordable entry point to truck ownership.
On the whole, though, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma is a pretty solid bet for a midsize pickup truck. The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon make their debuts this year. They have slightly higher towing capacities, civilized ride quality and much more modern interiors. The 2015 Nissan Frontier is your other option in this class. It's just as old as the Tacoma and offers much of the same versatility and similar off-road capability. However, its four-cylinder engine is weaker and less fuel-efficient, and its crew cab's backseat is not as roomy. Although GM's brand-new trucks certainly hold the edge, within the small class of midsize trucks, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma still has plenty of appeal.
Performance & mpg
The 2015 Toyota Tacoma is available with rear- or four-wheel drive and a choice of two engines: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 4.0-liter V6.
The Tacoma comes standard with a four-cylinder engine rated at 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on Access Cab models, while the rear-drive-only PreRunner Access and Double Cabs get a standard four-speed automatic that's optional on the others.
A rear-wheel-drive Tacoma with the four-cylinder and five-speed manual returns an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined (21 city/25 highway), dropping to 21 mpg combined (19/24) with the automatic. Pair the four-cylinder engine with four-wheel drive and the EPA estimates 19 mpg combined with either transmission.
The V6 is rated at 236 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 comes with either a five-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual.
With the V6 and the automatic transmission, the EPA estimates 19 mpg combined (17/21) with rear-wheel drive and 18 mpg combined (16/21) with four-wheel drive. The V6 paired with the six-speed manual returns 18 mpg combined (16/21) with rear-wheel drive and 17 mpg combined (15/19) with 4WD.
In Edmunds performance testing, a 4WD Tacoma Double Cab V6 with the automatic covered zero to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, which is suitably quick for a midsize truck. Properly equipped, a Tacoma V6 can tow up to 6,500 pounds.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2015 Toyota Tacoma includes antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum) with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. A rearview camera is optional.
In Edmunds brake testing, a Double Cab 4WD V6 Tacoma stopped from 60 mph in 132 feet, an average distance for the segment.
In government crash testing, the Toyota Tacoma received an overall rating of four stars out of five. Crew cabs received three out of five stars for frontal crash impact protection, while extended-cab Tacomas received four stars. All Tacomas received five stars for side crash protection.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Tacoma its top rating of "Good" in the moderate-overlap frontal offset and side crash tests, but its second-to-worst rating of "Marginal" in the roof strength test. Its seat/head restraint design was rated "Good" for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Driving
The four-cylinder Tacoma can seem overly noisy, and its performance certainly isn't going to blow anyone's doors off, but thanks to a healthy 180 lb-ft of torque, it actually packs a decent punch. This engine is a smart choice for small-business types, as it gets respectable fuel economy without being entirely gutless. The V6 engine is considerably brawnier, of course, and it's a no-brainer if you plan to do any serious towing.
On paved surfaces, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma rides firmly, particularly with one of the TRD suspension setups. It's not objectionable, and the new TRD Pro suspension is much more comfortable than the TX it replaces. The Tacoma's soft brake pedal feel fails to inspire confidence, even though the brakes' actual performance is just fine. Off-road, however, the Tacoma 4WD is a star, providing serious capability in an unassuming package. The comprehensive TRD Off-Road package is tempting (especially if you like loud exhaust pipes), but it's largely meant for serious off-roaders. Meanwhile, the four-cylinder 4WD Access Cab is one of the best go-anywhere bargains you'll find.
Interior
Although it's not especially modern or attractive, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma's cabin features a straightforward dashboard layout that puts practicality first, including simple three-dial climate knobs that are easily turned by gloved hands. Most panels are made of hard plastic, but build quality is perennially strong. Feature content is generally impressive, headlined by the standard touchscreen display with iPod/USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
The front bucket seats offer firm support, but the cushioning is pretty flat, and many drivers will find that their low mounting points relative to the floor hamper comfort. While the Access Cab's rear jump seats are fit only for small children or cargo, the Double Cab's backseat is surprisingly adult-friendly, especially compared with the cramped Frontier crew cab. In both cab styles, the rear seats flip up or fold down to provide an enclosed storage space.
The Tacoma's utility is enhanced by the standard composite bedliner, which guards against the dents and dings that typically accumulate in a truck bed. The optional bed-mounted 115-volt power outlet can be a real asset when you're on the job, and it'll also win you friends and admirers when you're camping or tailgating.
2015 Toyota Tacoma models
The 2015 Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck offered in two cab configurations: Access Cab (an extended cab with small rear-hinged doors) and Double Cab (crew cab). Access Cabs feature a standard 6-foot, 1-inch bed, while Double Cab models offer either a 5-foot short bed or the standard 6-foot1-inch bed.
Standard features on the rear-drive (two-wheel-drive) Tacoma Access Cab include 15-inch steel wheels, a limited-slip rear differential, power locks and windows, air-conditioning, a composite bedliner, a bed utility rail system, cloth upholstery, fold-up rear seats with underseat storage, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 6.1-inch Entune touchscreen display and an audio system with a CD player, iPod/USB connectivity and an auxiliary audio jack. A sliding rear window is optional.
The 2WD Double Cab adds black fenders, power mirrors, adjustable driver lumbar, a 60/40-split rear bench seat with adjustable headrests and rear bulkhead storage.
Specifying four-wheel drive on any base Tacoma brings an increased ride height, 16-inch steel wheels, black fenders (already standard on Double Cab), an engine skid plate and front mud guards. The PreRunner, offered in both Access and Double Cab configurations, is a rear-wheel-drive Tacoma that otherwise shares the standard features found on the 4WD Tacoma.
The Access Cab is eligible for the Convenience package (called the Convenience Extra Value package on the Double Cab), which adds keyless entry, power mirrors (Access Cab only), cruise control, a tinted sliding rear window and steering-wheel audio controls. The SR5 package includes those items plus chrome grille and rear bumper trim, color-keyed front bumper and fenders, foglights (V6 only), adjustable driver lumbar support (already standard on Double Cab), unique seat fabric, variable intermittent wipers, metallic-look instrument panel trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and (automatic-only) shift knob, dual sun visors with mirrors and extenders and a rearview camera.
Separately available, the SR package (available only with the PreRunner package or 4WD Tacomas) adds extended color-keyed exterior trim, exclusive black 16-inch alloy wheels, mirror-mounted turn signals, smoked headlights and (on V6 models) foglights.
V6-powered PreRunners and 4WD Tacomas are additionally eligible for the TRD Off-Road package, which includes the SR5 package plus a heavy-duty suspension with Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, Hill-Start Assist and Downhill Assist (4WD automatic models only), 16-inch alloy wheels, TRD graphics, a 115-volt power point in the bed and sport seats. Alternatively, the TRD Sport package features a sport-tuned suspension (also with Bilsteins), 17-inch alloy wheels, a hood scoop, extended color-keyed exterior trim, the bed-mounted power outlet and essentially the same interior features as the TRD Off-Road package.
The TRD Pro offers the same off-road flair as the TRD Off-Road package, with much of the same equipment, plus a more aggressive look, unique paint, cat-back exhaust, an increased front ride height and side graphics.
Finally, the Limited package (V6 Double Cabs only) includes the SR5 package's items plus 18-inch chrome wheels, extended chrome exterior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an outside temperature gauge and Home Link, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, a seven-speaker JBL audio system and a higher-resolution touchscreen with HD radio, satellite radio, a navigation system and the Entune mobile-app suite.
Tacoma V6 Double Cabs can also be equipped with the JBL audio system as a stand-alone option, while the upgraded touchscreen is available separately on both Access and Double Cabs, with or without navigation and Entune mobile apps.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma.
5 star(72%)
4 star(12%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(2%)
43 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
great little truck
patrick leary,08/12/2015
V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
I've been driving both ford and chevy trucks and both have been ok except for gas mileage.So I decided to look at a new toyota tacoma and went for a test drive.The vehicle handed well with plenty of acceleration,has 4liter v6.And plenty options.So I purchased the vehicle the price was equal to both ford and chevy.So not long after the purchase we put the little truck on the highway,for … 2500 hundred miles pulling an 18 foot travel trailer.This was an excellent trip,the vehicle was great ,no problems,flat land,hills ,mountains just great. The fuel economy was good I didn't expect it to be,but it was good. I'm very pleased.
5 out of 5 stars
You won't find a better mid-sized truck
Dr Livingstone,12/08/2016
TRD PRO V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
First of all - this is a truck, not a car, and certainly not a sports car. Capability, dependability, reliability, are all paramount in buying a truck. This truck excels in each category. Re-sale value far exceeds everything else in the class. Some buyers want the most electronic gadgets they can get, others want a bare bones no-nonsense "less stuff to break" type trucks. This truck … falls in the middle somewhere. It's neither the most tech, nor the least. It rides great, shifts smoothly, provides a "go anywhere - do anything" driving experience. I don't find the seats to be low nor uncomfortable, YMMV. Drawbacks? I do get some noise from the passenger side door seal in high cross winds, I'll have the dealer look at it. That's about it. In summary, I'd buy the same truck again no questions asked. I think that speaks volumes of my recommendation.
5 out of 5 stars
What a truck
skylinepro,09/22/2014
V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
2015 TRD Sport -
This is my first ever brand new vehicle. I looked at several vehicles and this truck was the best bang for the buck. It was the most expensive out of all the trucks I looked at, but I felt that this will last me as Toyotas have always been dependable and the resale is great.
3.88 out of 5 stars
2015 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 Off Road
subarudavis,04/01/2015
V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
I purchased this vehicle about a month ago and really enjoy it. The 4.0L v6 isnt going to win any races but gets you moving at a good pace and will last forever. The four wheel drive system works very well and has helped me conquer quite a few steep hills, wet grass, and light mud. As for fuel economy my first tank was 16.8 miles to the gallon with 50/50 non aggressive driving but every … tank since has been between 18-19 with 60 percent highway but also with me taking it off road and doing quick starts which is pretty remarkable. It is comfortable and drives like a truck. I don't feel that the seat is too low nor are the breaks sponge like as some have claimed.
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall4 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat3 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover14.7%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
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More about the 2015 Toyota Tacoma
Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma Overview
The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma is offered in the following submodels: Tacoma Access Cab, Tacoma Double Cab. Available styles include V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), PreRunner V6 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), V6 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), PreRunner 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), PreRunner V6 4dr Double Cab 6.1 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), PreRunner V6 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), PreRunner 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 6M), V6 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 6M), 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 5M), 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 4A), 4dr Access Cab 6.1 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl 5M), TRD PRO V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 6M), TRD PRO V6 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 6M), TRD PRO V6 4dr Access Cab 4WD 6.1 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A), and TRD PRO V6 4dr Double Cab 4WD 5.0 ft. SB (4.0L 6cyl 5A). Pre-owned Toyota Tacoma models are available with a 4.0 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 236 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma comes with four wheel drive, and rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed automatic. The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma comes with a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. basic warranty, a 2 yr./ unlimited mi. roadside warranty, and a 5 yr./ 60000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma?
Price comparisons for Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma trim styles:
- The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma V6 is priced between $20,990 and$34,499 with odometer readings between 27938 and152499 miles.
- The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma Base is priced between $15,950 and$28,998 with odometer readings between 21882 and120268 miles.
- The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 is priced between $24,998 and$33,998 with odometer readings between 16545 and111108 miles.
- The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner is priced between $26,590 and$29,990 with odometer readings between 27997 and82276 miles.
- The Used 2015 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO is priced between $32,990 and$32,990 with odometer readings between 61221 and61221 miles.
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 2015 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) 2015 Toyota Tacoma for sale near. There are currently 63 used and CPO 2015 Tacomas listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $15,950 and mileage as low as 16545 miles. 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 2015 Toyota Tacoma.
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Should I lease or buy a 2015 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.
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