2023 Toyota Tacoma Review:
- 2023 Tacoma – $27,250 – $46,685
- Truck Best Buy Award Winner – Kelley Blue Book
- Pros – Solid to operate, extremely capable off-road, excellent resale value
- Disadvantages – around the edges, limited passenger space, outdated technology
- MotorBiscuit score: 8.1 out of 10
It’s easy to see why the midsize truck is still a bestseller, even though it’s starting to show its age. It’s a solid, reliable, and well-equipped option for work and play. The Taco doesn’t disappoint while riding or driving off-road but could have better manners on the sidewalk.
Comfortable enough. Enhanced door seals, a multi-layer acoustic windshield, and a sound-absorbing headliner reduce wind and road noise. The Tacoma isn’t much laden with your average SUV. It’s definitely quieter than the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco on the highway.
It may be tough to ride compared to the competition, but that’s a fair trade-off for its improved capabilities. You might notice some impact on rough pavement sections, but the bumps dampen and set in quickly. The cabin does not vibrate or rattle.
The front seats are large and well padded for hours of comfort. They have a lot of reinforcement to keep people in place. However, after a few hours on the road, the back cushion may start to feel flat.
Also, the Tacoma is more comfortable for shorter people. The seats are low to the ground, letting your knees rest in an elevated position. The seats slide back and forth quite far, but height adjustment controls are limited, and the roofline is low.
The passenger seat can only move forward and backward, keeping the passenger close to the ground. The rear seats are comfortable and well padded, but cramped. People over 5’1″ will want more legroom.
But the dual-zone climate control is powerful and efficient. Heated seats and steering wheel are quick and powerful on cold days.
Does the Tacoma have a nice interior?
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma may not be the most luxurious option available, but the interior has a design to match made with high-quality, durable materials. Everything is easy to access and keep clean. Some critics call the interior outdated, but only the outdated steering wheel feels retro.
You’ll notice the combination of soft-touch leather-covered surfaces with attractive stitching and eye-catching hardware. Fabric upholstery features an embossed weave for a durable and luxurious feel with plush SofTex seating.
There are a few plastics in the cabin, but it’s a little jazzy. Plus, all-weather rubber flooring stands up to mud, sand, dirt, snow, and whatever else you’re tracking down.
The sunroof is a little narrow, but it allows natural light and fresh air into the cabin. Visibility is excellent thanks to the huge windshield and large rear window. The side mirrors are also deep and wide.
The highest entry level isn’t too high, but the running boards are comfortable. Also, the rear doors don’t open wide, which can make installing car seats a hassle.
How is the technology in the 2023 Toyota Tacoma?
2023 has some modern features but looks basic. A 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard on the SR model, but the other edges get an 8.0-inch unit. The system is easy and works quickly.
Some people may enjoy the straightforward layout with large physical buttons. Menus are limited and simple, so you can click and go. It’s perfect for drivers who just want to boot up instead of fiddling with screen settings.
In addition, the program is smart and detailed. You can easily find the information you are looking for. The screen is rather small, and the camera sights are blurry. But it is useful in narrow areas. You can choose a wireless phone charging pad, but wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto is not available.
Our built-in navigation lost service in areas without mobile coverage, which was surprising and a bit disappointing. Also, the premium JBL sound system covers wind and road noise with ease.
Most modern trucks allow you to change off-road driving modes with the touch of a dial. But the Tacoma is a little complicated. You can put the truck in neutral, select drive mode, and then power it up to get your desired off-road settings.
Is the Tacoma good for towing and hauling?
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds, while the class leaders can tow up to 7,700 pounds. It lags a little behind the rest of the pack. It can also carry a load of up to 1,685 lbs.
The sheet-molded composite bed provides a permanent feature, and plenty of cleats are available. You can choose a 120V outlet in the bed as well.
Interior storage is another area where the 2023 Tacoma shines. There are tons of trays and cups to take advantage of along with the generous glove box. Our model had a locking center console, which was surprising. Not many trucks offer lockable interior storage anymore.
You can access storage under the rear seats and the small compartments behind them. The seats fold flat to create a flat loading floor, but you have to push the front seats forward first. There isn’t much space to work with in the back, which makes things tricky.
How safe is the 2023 Tacoma?
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is a very safe truck, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It got a “Good” rating in most crash tests, but it did get some “Fair” and “Marginal” ratings for passenger-side tests.
It didn’t perform well on a recently updated side test, but it hasn’t been since 2016. It also gets a “poor” rating for seatbelt reminders because it’s too short. When installing child seats, the ropes and anchors are very deep in the seat and easy to confuse with other devices.
The standard pre-collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection detects collisions at speeds of 12 and 25 mpg. At 37 mph, the speed was reduced by 14 mph, and a warning was issued 1.1 seconds before impact.
Standard security features include:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
How reliable is the 2023 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma has an above average reliability rating. It is expected to be more reliable than other new vehicles. JDPower gave it a score of 83 out of 100. While scores between 91-100 are the best, ratings between 81-90 are still great.
You can expect the average Tacoma to exceed 300,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. Even poorly maintained Tacoma trucks easily exceed 200,000 miles, and some options last after 400,000 miles are reached.
The average annual Toyota Tacoma maintenance cost is about $441. This is excellent compared to the average maintenance cost of about $650 for other vehicles. Typically, the cost of Tacoma repairs is below average.
MotorBiscuit gives the 2023 Toyota Tacoma a score of 8.1
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was awarded by experts with a score of 8.1 out of 10. The Tacoma is rugged, rugged, durable and capable. It has wild off-road capabilities and can take a beating.
It does exactly what it was designed to do. It is the perfect truck for off-road driving, work or pleasure trips. But it struggles compared to competitors and may lack polish. Its competitors, such as the Nissan Frontier and Chevy Colorado, have recent comfort and convenience updates.
The 2023 Tacoma could benefit from updated technology, a new transmission for smoother performance, and more passenger space. But the most important drawbacks do not prevent it from being the best-selling option.
It’s no secret that the Tacoma is getting old, but updates are coming. We can’t wait to see how the completely redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma compares.
