The 2020 Toyota Tacoma lasts over 300,000 miles with relatively minor braking and microphone issues reported. At $25,499 to $48,000, it’s expensive, but worth the money for one of the most reliable trucks in the world.
Is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a great year for the Toyota Tacoma since it’s an extremely reliable truck with great off-road capabilities. Owner reviews praise the towing capacity, smooth suspension, along with the stereo system technology.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are more durable than luxurious, the front seats are reasonably comfortable, there are also two bed lengths available.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no widespread mechanical problems on the 2020 Tacoma. There were transmission problems on trucks from 2016–2017, while 2018–2022 are all extremely reliable choices.
- Performance 8/10 – The base four-cylinder engine is slow, while the V6 offers good power for a compact truck with a decent towing capacity.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2020 Tacoma is a safe small truck earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. Standard features include automatic emergency braking along with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include blind spot monitoring.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 21 MPG, giving 443 miles of range out of the 21.1 gallon tank. Gas costs are $22 cheaper than average at $224 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Toyota Tacoma is more expensive than other trucks, although slow depreciation paired with low ownership costs gives it a high value score.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota Tacoma?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is tough as nails with durable materials and high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Tacoma at 4.3/5, praising the strong V6 engine, but doesn’t like the high entry height.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Tacoma a 4/5, enjoying the excellent off-road capabilities, but owners don’t like the outdated technology.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Toyota Tacoma Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Toyota Tacoma include vibrations while braking, the Bluetooth microphone not working, along with a rare fuel pump failure. Overall, these problems are similar to some other trucks on the market, but repair costs are lower due to the affordable parts.
Vibrations while braking are the most widespread complaint from 2020 Tacoma owners at around 18,000 miles. When the brake pads and rotors get worn out, they will vibrate as you slow down. Replacing the brake pads costs around $450, while a new set of rotors is an additional $700.
The Bluetooth microphone not working is another issue reported by some Tacoma owners in the first 10,000 miles. Usually the problem is caused by a damaged connection at the microphone in the upper front console. Repairing the connection costs around $100, depending on local labor rates.
Rare fuel pump failures have also been reported on the 2020 Tacoma. There’s a large recall for a lot of Toyota and Lexus models for the fuel pump which may fail. Toyota will replace the pump in affected models for free.
There’s only one recall on the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, which is better than many other trucks. The recall is for the fuel pump failure that is an issue on most new Toyota vehicles. Toyota is replacing the fuel pump in all models for free since it covers over 1 million cars, trucks, and SUVs.
How Long Will the 2020 Toyota Tacoma Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Toyota Tacoma can last over 300,000 miles, which is over 50,000 miles longer than other small trucks like the Jeep Gladiator. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than other trucks, according to data provided by Repair Pal at $438 per year.
As a used 2020 Toyota Tacoma reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the serpentine belt for $120, the thermostat costing $355, along with the A/C compressor which costs $700.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great with a standard 7-inch touchscreen which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen along with a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology is excellent with:
- Lane departure warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Rearview camera
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Rear parking sensors
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic alert
Is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a great value since it’s one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $25,499 to $48,000, making it more than a Nissan Frontier or Chevrolet Colorado. When new, the price range was $26,050 to $46,665. Depreciation is better than other trucks, only losing about 2% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota Tacoma?
There are six models of the Toyota Tacoma offered for the 2020 model year from the base work-truck SR all the way through to the TRD Pro, which is built for off-road performance. The Tacoma comes standard with rear wheel drive, while four-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.
SR is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- Sliding Rear Window
- Power-Adjustable Side Mirrors
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Six-Speaker Audio System
- Composite Bed
SR5 is a step up, adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
TRD Sport adds features such as:
- Standard V6 Engine
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Power Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Body-Colored Fender Flares
- Heated mirrors
- Hood Scoop
- 120-Volt Outlet IN Bed
- Keyless Entry and Ignition
- Wireless Smartphone Charging Pad
TRD Off-Road offers upgrades including:
- Chrome Rear Bumper
- Textured Black Fender Flares
- 16-Inch Wheels
- Lockable Rear Differential
- Bilstein Monotube Shocks
- Off-Road Traction Control System
- Multiple Terrain Select
- Crawl Control
Limited is a more luxurious model with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Low-Profile Tires
- Body Colored Rear Bumper and Flares
- Leather Seating
TRD Pro is the flagship model which has:
- Standard Four-Wheel Drive
- Black Grille
- LED Headlights
- Fox Internal Bypass Shocks
- All-Terrain Tires
- Thicker Front Skid Plates
- Upgraded Exhaust
- Raised Suspension
What Engines Come In the Toyota Tacoma?
- The standard engine is a weak 2.7-liter four-cylinder that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque while getting 21 MPG. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and comes standard on the SR and SR5 models.
- The other available engine is a stronger 3.5-liter V6 that generates 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, which also gets 21 MPG. This engine comes paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. It is standard on the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trims. When properly equipped it can tow up to 6,800 pounds.
What Colors Does the Toyota Tacoma Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Toyota Tacoma?
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma offers a comfortable interior with a variety of features designed to enhance your driving experience. The front seats are supportive and offer plenty of headroom and legroom, even for taller passengers, while the rear seats have limited legroom, making them best suited to children.
On the road, the Tacoma provides a smooth and comfortable ride, thanks to its high ground clearance and suspension system. The vehicle’s body is also designed to reduce wind and road noise, providing a quiet and peaceful ride. Overall, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is a comfortable and well-equipped vehicle that is sure to provide a pleasant driving experience for all passengers.
How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota Tacoma Have?
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma has a variety of storage options, including a bed and various interior compartments. The bed measures 60.5 inches in length for the short bed or 73.7 inches for the long bed. It also has a width of 41.5 inches between the wheel wells, allowing for easy transport of larger items. The cargo bed also features a composite inner bed with a built-in storage compartment and adjustable tie-down cleats to secure your cargo.
Inside the cabin, the Tacoma has a center console storage compartment with a sliding armrest and a 12V auxiliary power outlet. There are also storage pockets and cup holders in the front and rear doors, as well as a rear storage compartment behind the seats on Access Cab models. The Double Cab models have additional storage space with a fold-flat rear seat that provides extra cargo room when needed.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Toyota Tacoma came out for the 2016 model year.
2015: TRD Pro package added, two-door model discontinued.
2016: Fully redesigned for the third generation with new exterior, interior, and technology.
2017: TRD Pro model added to the lineup, new power-sliding rear window.
2018: Toyota Safety Sense standard on all models, manual transmission removed from four-cylinder engine models.
2019: TRD Pro model upgraded, additional USB ports added to all models.
2020: Improved driver’s seat, surround-view camera with underbody view, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added to all models.
2021: Trail and Nightshade models introduced, upgraded stereo available in TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road models.
How Does the Toyota Tacoma Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma is the best compact truck on the market since it’s much more reliable than any of the competition, leading to lower ownership costs as it ages.
The Ford Ranger is another small truck which is available for around $2,500 less. Towing performance is better in the Ford Ranger, while the Toyota Tacoma is more capable off-road. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since there are fewer problems reported by owners.
The Nissan Frontier is another popular compact truck which costs around $3,000 less. Passenger room is better in the back seats of the Nissan Frontier, while the Toyota Tacoma offers more standard safety technology. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since ownership and repair costs are lower.