Used 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Don't buy!!
Tim S, Atlanta, GA, 08/13/2018
2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Do not buy this truck until Toyota fixes the auto transmission. Bought a new 2018 TRD Offroad in April. From day one had issues with the trans. Really hard shifts for no reason, roar and vibration in 5th gear, and just a full blown slipping feeling while at steady speeds and accelerating. This is the third year for this trans and Toyota is still trying to fix it with software updates. … Also the rear drum brakes were out of round and had to be resurfaced, on a new truck! Lets also not forget fit and finish. The gap between the rear bumper and body was noticeably different between the left and right side. Very disappointed in this truck so I sold in July. It was my third new Tacoma and my last until Toyota fixes the transmission and gets control of the quality issues.
software update
Jerry, Minneapolis, MN, 10/17/2018
2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Every 2016 - 2018 Tacoma owner need to go to the Dealership and ask for a software update on their truck. TSB 0062-18. Tell the Dealership the transmission is hunting for gears or it doesn't know what gear to go in. DO NOT let this go! They will or some will act like they have no idea what your talking about. Warranty is cover for this update. Please go sign up on Tacomaworld.com. … Search for "Finally a fix from Toyota for Stumble Condition (TSB 0062-18). This problem will definitly fix the Transmission. Gears will hold better. Also the Truck will b more enjoyable to drive.
Love the Tacoma. Hate the transmission!
Steven Piejak, Acworth, GA, 09/11/2018
2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
Love the truck! Hate the transmission. It's constantly downshifting. Feels like I fight the transmission to find the right gear. This seems to be a problem for many. The dealer was aware of the issue and installed a new transmission software program but I've been driving on it for a month and don't see any improvement.
Unimpressive from the start
Ben, Valencia, CA, 02/08/2018
2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4dr Double Cab 5.0 ft. SB (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
When I purchased the 2018 Tacoma, I was excited to buy a reputable truck from a reputable company. What I discovered was basic truck with a big price tag. To cut through the BS, here's the scoop: It idles rough and seems to sputter as the AC kicks on and off. When accelerating, the whole truck vibrates from the steering wheel to the floor to the seats. The transmission shift logic … has the truck constantly seeking a high gear to increase fuel efficiency, but it just means you are constantly downshifting and upshifting is there is the slightest load forced on the truck, such as when climbing a hill and then the truck loses momentum easily, so you have to downshift to regain speed! The ride when it is empty is beyond rough. On a typical concrete freeway, you are bouncing between the seams of the concrete. Now the infotainment. They provide a JBL system that integrates radio, nav, bluetooth and a couple of other features in a touch screen. The volume knobs and tuning knobs are small, flat and smooth so that you can't really get a good grip on them without inadvertently pushing them in...which when you are trying to turn up the volume and you end up turning the radio off, is a annoying. Next, if you barely skim the screen, you end up inadvertently hitting a random function, like autodialing your contacts that are on the home screen. If you had one, you'd know what I mean. Then as you use the navigation system, it is extremely difficult to navigate through the features to simply enter in a destination. The voice recognition system is only slightly better than calling customer service line where the operator on the other end barely speaks english and you find yourself repeating the same command time after time till you just give up and hand jam in all the address info. Again, frustrating! Further frustrating is that when you’re moving, not even your passenger is able to type in an address, so if the voice function fails, you have to stop the vehicle! Finally, the durability is marginal. After only 700 miles on the truck, I had to have the brakes (front and rear pads, drums and rotors) replaced our to a manufacturing defect! Then at 10,000 miles, the differential had to be replaced. Summary: Every time I am idling at a stop light or accelerating up a hill, I regret the day I bought this truck! (Update 8/18/2020: Since I bought this truck, I replaced the differential after only 8000 miles, the wheels never truly feel balanced despite 12 weights in a couple of the tires, all of a sudden, the seat belt lock would not disengage without excessive pulling and pushing and just the other day, while driving, the driver's side sun visor simply came out of it's housing. This truck is a some low quality piece of equipment. Still regret not getting a 4-Runner)
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road Double Cab
What’s new
- Newly standard advanced driver safety aids (Toyota Safety Sense P)
- Four-cylinder engine's five-speed manual transmission no longer offered
- Part of the third Tacoma generation introduced for 2016
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Rugged off-pavement capability
- Pro:Easily understood controls inside
- Pro:Composite truck bed has movable tie-down cleats and power outlet
- Pro:Top-level V6 can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission
- Con:Economy-oriented shift programming makes it feel sluggish
- Con:Driving position not ideally suited for taller drivers
- Con:Off-road emphasis produces tall step-up height
Which Tacoma does Edmunds recommend?
If we were putting down our own money for an off-road-capable small truck, we'd opt for the TRD Off-Road V6 4WD. It provides an impressive amount of capability without the sticker shock. The cabin is equipped with enough creature comforts (heated seats, a 7-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a sunroof) to make it an acceptable companion for a daily commute.
Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
Driving
7.5The Tacoma steers and handles with quiet confidence on the road, but the V6 engine and its automatic transmission don't always respond quickly to inputs. All 4WD Tacomas benefit from Toyota's off-road design emphasis, but the TRD Off-Road is particularly capable when the pavement ends.
Comfort
8.0The Tacoma has an agreeable ride quality, and the seats are accommodating. But the high floor tends to make tall drivers wish for more adjustability.
Interior
8.5The interior is nicely laid out, with easily understood and effective controls. The cabin has plenty of space up front, but tall folks might disagree. The biggest shortcomings are the relatively tall step up to the cab and an odd driving position.
Utility
9.5The Tacoma's composite bed has lots of smart cargo management features, and there's a decent number of places for items in and around the cab. Its tow rating isn't quite class-leading, but it isn't far off the mark. Child seat fitment in the crew cab favors forward-facing seats and boosters.
Technology
We generally like the touchscreen audio system because it has large virtual buttons and employs knobs for volume and tuning chores. Supports smartphones with a proprietary Entune app instead of the more universal Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lags behind Honda Ridgeline in advanced driver aids.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Toyota Tacoma in Ohio is:
not availableLegal