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The Toyota Tacoma is a fantastic all-around truck that has been with us since 1995. As I’ve covered in my post about the history of the Toyota Tacoma, there have been plenty of changes over the years, and that brings us to our current generation: the third-generation Toyota Tacoma (2016 - Present).

Development & 2016 Toyota Tacoma

The third generation started officially with its reveal at the January 2015 Detroit Auto Show, but sales would not start until September of that year.

Its design was heavily influenced by the styling of the 2014 4Runner and Tundra. Doing so brought over a more aggressive and chiseled look. With that look came a larger grille, projector-beam headlights, and a newly redesigned bed liner and tailgate featuring the name TACOMA tastefully presented.

However, the truck isn’t all about looks. Mike Sweers was chief engineer for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, and according to Auto Beat Online, he told his crew to “make it badass.” With wanting to continue the legacy of off-road power, Sweers went to Toyota’s headquarters in Japan to work with the “master driver” to basically drive up the side of a mountain in a prototype truck.

The target market was young, adventure-seeking males. This explains the “masculine” styling and unique features such as an offering for a GoPro mount on the windshield. It was estimated at 45% of Tacoma owners actually took their trucks off-roading.

Power-wise, Toyota ditched its old 4.0L V6 for a more powerful and fuel-efficient 3.5L V6. That brings the power up to 278 horsepower, which is 42 more horses, but it did drop one foot-pound of torque to 265. The 2.7L inline-four pretty much remained unchanged. A new six-speed transmission also was paired up with the engines.

The interior took on a new look as well. A clean, sleek styling dash and controls were implemented. The seats were changed as well. Altogether, there are 29 different configurations possible. 

2017 Toyota Tacoma

2017 didn’t bring too many changes to the very popular truck.  The biggest would be the addition of the TRD Pro. While Toyota kept up with its offering of different trim models, it did decide to drop the PreRunner, and out came the TRD Pro to replace it.

The TRD Pro was the most expensive model, and it was all about off-road. In addition to many cosmetic updates, you got Fox off-road suspension with front coilovers and remote reservoir rear shock absorbers, 1-inch suspension lift, TRD ¼ inch aluminum front skid plate, 16 inch Black TRD wheels offering a 1 inch wider track, a larger anti-sway bar, and exhaust. I go into more detail in my TRD difference post.

2018 Toyota Tacoma

A big grille update happened this year, especially for the lower trimmed SR and SR5. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road models got a darker mesh and an updated grille. There was also a new black leather-trimmed interior for the Tacoma Limited.

As for powertrain, the two engine options remained, but the five-speed manual transmission was discontinued.  However, some trim levels still offered a six-speed manual.

More safety features became standard across all trims which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with a sway warning system, automatic high beams, and high-speed dynamic radar cruise control. Prices did go up across the board as well, as one would expect with more standard features.

2019 Toyota Tacoma

Last year’s model jumped up to 32 different combination possibilities. Most of the design and performance elements are carried over from 2018 some notable updates include a new SX appearance package, a new TRD Pro desert air intake, available bilstein shocks, updated lane departure alert system, and an available multi-information display.

PickupTrucks.com reported that there are a lot of changes that you can’t see. They reported a much quieter and smoother ride compared to previous models. Thicker glass, an improved rear suspension, and thicker insulation cut down on vibration and noise.

2020 Toyota Tacoma

While still being announced, the 2020 model is going to have some much-needed upgrades. I’ve done a few articles on the Tacoma versus other trucks, and the Tacoma is starting to fall behind in terms of technology and features. With the truck being on top for so long, there was almost no competition. Toyota is realizing that there is now, and things are changing for the better.

To make it easier to read, here is a list of the changes courtesy of CJ Pony Parts based on updates from the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year.

• 8-inch touchscreen (except for SR trim, which gets an upgraded 7-inch)
• Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa Compatibility
• 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat (including power lumbar support)
• LED/DRL headlights (all trims besides SR)
• Surround-view camera system (standard on higher trims, optional on all trims)
• Revised grille
• New and updated wheel designs
• 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat (including power lumbar support)
• LED bed lamp
• Revised taillights with darker housings (SR and SR5 trims)
• Multi-Terrain Monitor (on TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro, used to view obstacles under the truck)
• Panoramic View Monitor (or PVM, which supplements backup camera with front, side, and rear angles)
• Toyota Smart Key passive entry now works on passenger side door as well
• The top-of-the-line off-roader TRD Pro adds lighter wheels, revised shocks, and a new Army Green color

The Toyota Tacoma has come so far since the early days of 1995. It’s a truck we know and love. It’s very reliable, customizable, and versatile. Here’s to another 25 years! 

Image Credits

2016 - Courtesy of IIHS

2017 - Courtesy of Toyota of Boerne

2018 - Courtesy of Gear Patrol

2019 - Courtesy of MotorTrend

2020 - Courtesy of CNET

The Toyota Tacoma is one of the best mid-sized trucks in America. Ford rereleased the Ranger, and it is a very good side by side competitor to the Tacoma. However, the Tacoma has the ability to run with the big dogs, and the F-150 is one of them.

How does Toyota’s best selling mid-sized truck stack up against Ford's flagship of the highest selling truck line for 40 years?  Let’s find out.

The Tacoma first came into the market in 1995. The F series trucks have been around since 1948, but the F-150 came about in 1976. Many things have changed for brands over the years so this focus will be on the newest 2020 models.

* Options not available on all models

** Up to, with applicable packages/options

Trims, Sizes, and Prices

The Tacoma offers six trim levels (SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro) and the F150 offers seven (XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Raptor). The Ford’s F150 trims are all much higher priced than the Tacoma, but there is a size difference between the two models that are notable.

Both trucks offer two rows of seating. Depending on the trim, each truck offers three different bed lengths. The F150 offers a much longer bed, coming in at two feet longer over the longest Tacoma offering. However, that does give the F150 a much bigger footprint. If you want a smaller overall truck, the Tacoma would be a better option.

Drivetrain

Toyota offers two well-proven engines that make respectable power and are known to be quite reliable. While the Ranger gives you an option of just one engine, the F150 offers six. That seems like a bit of an overkill, but I guess you get plenty of options, including a V8, turbo diesel, and two well-proven and versatile versions of the V6 Ecoboost.

The F150 offers substantially more horsepower, even with its smallest engine. The biggest power plant of the Tacoma (a 3.5L V6) makes 278 horsepower, while the 2.7L in the Ford makes 375. Granted, that is a turbo. The 3.0L turbo-diesel does only make 250 horsepower, but it’s in a different category than the Tacoma doesn’t have a direct competitor for. Torque is also a big difference all around with the Ford making more, aside from the 3.3L V6 making the same 265 as the 3.5L V6 in the Tacoma.

Tacoma offers a six-speed manual and automatic. The F150 also offers a six-speed manual, but only in very few configurations. Most of the time you’ll find it with its ten-speed automatic. That allows the Ford to crank out a couple more miles per gallon in its best configuration over the Toyota’s best configuration regardless of its size and weight.

Towing and Off-Road

The F150 offers a much greater towing and payload capacity. Again, the engine options for the Ford offer more power, and the truck is physically bigger, so that’s no surprise. What the Tacoma can offer is an industry-standard for its size.

Tacoma and off-road go hand in hand. The TRD Pro is built for it, and there are package options for the other trims. Not enough from the factory? The aftermarket for the Tacoma is extremely vast. Ford is no slouch with its Raptor. Built from the ground up to tackle the rugged terrain, and to do it at speed, the Raptor has been known for years as Ford’s off-road machine. That all comes with a price though: $10,000 over the cost of a TRD Pro. Both trucks handle off-roading well when properly equipped.

Colors and Interior

Colors and interior options are pretty equal. Both can offer a very luxurious feel, or a rugged and basic work appearance. Ford has been doing very well with its Sync system, but Toyota is rolling out plenty of electronic features for the 2020 year.

Conclusions

The Tacoma can hold its own very well against the full-sized F150. However, it is important to keep in mind that not everything can be directly comparable. Sizes and power options make both trucks handle and option out differently. Both are good trucks, but personal needs and brand loyalty will help you find the best truck for you.

2020 F-150 - Courtesy of Ford

2020 F-150 - Courtesy of Phil Long Ford

As we have talked about with seat covers before, keeping your ride protected is a great way to increase its longevity, keep maintenance costs down, and keep resale value high. Floor mats are no exception. Floor mats are an inexpensive accessory for your Tacoma that vastly changes the durability of your interior. From high style for the Pro owners to rugged and tough material for the Off-Road owners, there is an option for you. 

Why Floor Mats For Your Tacoma?

The carpet on your Toyota Tacoma is great for looks but also helps cut down on road noise as well as dissipate heat. Over time, the carpet in your truck will wear out. The heel of your foot under the gas pedal will be the major killer.

While a new carpet might be considered inexpensive at around $140 for a whole new floor, that’s your option: the whole new floor. You can’t effectively patch the carpet and have it look good. The installation means all of your seat and interior body panels need to come out. That’s not cheap.

Have you tried to clean the carpet? It’s not a quick experience. While a vacuum does wonders, anything it won’t pick up becomes a pain.

Floor mats take care of both of those situations. If you wear a mat out, you can just throw it out and get a new one. If you get one made for off-road and utilitarian use, it might not ever wear out. Cleaning a mat? Easy. Pull out, and clean it. It’s even easier if it’s a rubber one: just hose it off.

What Cut/Size Floor Mat Is Best For Your Tacoma?

Much like car seat covers, you have two big options: fitted/model specific, or universal. Fitted mats will be specific for your truck. They depend on the year, make, and model of your truck. They will conform to the interior floor pattern of your truck to cover up the most floor real estate possible. They are usually more pricey compared to universal mats.

Universal mats fit your vehicle’s general size. You generally find them listed as “fits most compact cars” or “fits most midsized trucks and SUVs.” They are usually cheaper compared to fitted mats, but might not fit as well. However, this all depends on material...

What Floor Mat Material Is Best For Your Tacoma?

Floor mats come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. The three biggest material options would be cloth top with a rubber bottom, solid rubber, or a hybrid of the two.

Cloth Floor Mats

Cloth floor mats are your cheapest option, and usually the least durable. While they do come with a studded rubber bottom to stop it from shifting around, the top section is just cloth. Right under the pedal (where your heels would be) don’t offer any added protection on the mat. If you need something fast, don’t drive it much, or perhaps just want to quickly dress up the inside of your truck for resale, they are a good option. 

Generally, they come in a set with two front mats and two small rear mats. In most cases, these are universally fitting mats. Black is the most common color, but sometimes depending on brand and cost, there are some other options.

Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber mats are usually solid rubber and are designed for ultimate protection and quick cleaning. They don’t wear out as fast (or at all) compared to cloth mats. You can usually find them with a raised lip around the edge. This is perfect for muddy or snowy feet. When the liquid garbage comes off your feet and onto the mat, it won’t slosh off the sides and onto your carpet. Same if you spill a drink on it. When you need to clean it, simply take them out, and spray them off with a hose.

These are usually found in sets of two (for the front), four (for the front and back), or three (two up front and one wide one for the back). It is common to find these both fitted and universal. Colors are generally black and tan, but you can probably find other options. While the cost is at least double to cost of cloth or hybrid mats, they are going to last much longer, if not the life of the truck. While they are not the most stylish option, they are hands down your best option for durability.

Hybrid Floor Mats

A good version of both that offers protection and conservative styling would one of the most common floor mats out there: a hybrid version. This is pretty much the same as a cloth mat, but there is a rubber reinforced area where your heels would go. This offers the carpet look for a factory style, but extra protection to help cut down on wear.

These are pretty inexpensive as well and come in both fitted and universal. Generally, these are sold in sets of four.

Best Tacoma Floor Mats

What would one of these posts be without providing you some options? As always, I source some of the popular ones from forums, Facebook groups, my own personal experience, and industry knowledge. 

OEM Tacoma Floor Mats

OEM will give you the best fit and they actually look really good too. If you need to replace them if they got worn out, or if you got your truck used and they didn’t have them, you can pick them up on Amazon for about $115. It comes in a set of three (two upfront and a large one piece for the back).

You can check them out and purchase them here.

WeatherTech Tacoma Floor Mats

WeatherTech offers some top-notch all-weather, rubber floor mats. I’m sure you’ve seen their ads on YouTube. While that may be annoying, they do make some popular mats. They make a few different models, but their FloorLiner is their most popular. They are around $190.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Husky Tacoma Floor Mats

Husky is quite popular on the forums and they are what I rock in my Tacoma. They are very similar in construction a design to the WeatherTechs. For around $120, they can be a tad cheaper compared to the WeatherTechs, and they come with a lifetime warranty.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Rugged Ridge Tacoma Floor Mats

Rugged Ridge offers a good, less expensive option for around $70. There are higher priced options available. They have multiple colors and style options. They also come with a lifetime warranty. 

You can check them out and purchase them here.

To close, I'm going to leave you with a little pro tip... All of your floor mats with the exception of the driver's side will move around. It's super annoying. To fix this, you can buy a set of Eagle Klaw floor mat clips. They install right into your mats and anchor to your floor to keep them from moving ever again. I have these in my Tacoma and absolutely love them.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Image Credits

WeatherTech - Courtesy of Tacoma World user BMunster

Husky - Courtesy of Tacoma World user skierd

Rugged Ridge - Courtesy of Auto Accessories Garage

OEM - Courtesy of See-Do

* Please note that some of these links are Amazon affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.

Last week, Toyota made the announcement that it will be moving the production of its Toyota Tacomas exclusively to Mexico. While it has also been making Tacomas in its Baja California, Mexico plant for years, the San Antonio, Texas plant will stop making Tacomas by 2021.

It is reported that no jobs will be lost, as the San Antonio plant will continue making the Tundra, but will also take over the production of the Sequoia in 2022. Toyota did invest $1.3 billion in its Indiana plant (which currently makes the Sequoia). That did end up also creating 550 new jobs.

Toyota will continue to make the great mid-sized truck that we know and love, but it will now be a Japanese truck made exclusively in Mexico.

You can read the full press release from Toyota here: Toyota Press Release

Image Credits

2020 Tacoma - Courtesy of Kelly Blue Book

When it comes to your Tacoma, your seats are one of the very first things you and your passengers see when the doors are opened. Next to the floor mats, they also are subject to the most abuse, this is why they are one of the most common interior Tacoma mods out there. Works belts, tools, pants, bags, wet clothes, and more all constantly slide into and out of these seats. Cloth or leather will degrade over time. Let’s not forget about what the sun can do.

Seat covers can be a great way to change the way your seats look, cover up damaged seats, or protect your seats from getting destroyed. Toyota Tacomas are built tough, but even the toughest of materials will get damaged over time. Let’s take a closer look at some types of covers and some examples to help find what is best for your ride. 

There are three main types of covers that we will be focusing on: throw, universal, and fitted. Each one can be made from a wide variety of materials such as vinyl, cloth, leather, and more.

Throw Seat Covers

Throw seat covers are basically seat-shaped bags that are designed to be thrown over your seats for quick and effective protection. Generally cheap, these are not fitted to any specific type of seat and therefore are not very attractive. They are ideal for when you know you’ll be going off-roading next weekend, and you don’t want mud on your seats. Throw them on, and when you get home, wash them or rinse them off (if the manufacturer allows), and tuck them away for the next time.

They are great for covering your back seats if you’re throwing things back there, or taking your dog for a ride and want to keep fur and muddy paws off the seats. These are utilitarian only, but do a good job at it, and won’t break the bank. You can get these from around $20 to $150 depending on how many, size, and material.

Universal Seat Covers

Universal seat covers are a tad more form-fitting compared to throw covers, but they won’t give you the snuggest of fits. These are generally purchased by vehicle size, such as “these will fit most small cars” or “these will fit most SUVs and mid-sized trucks.” These tend to have a more pleasing look to them and a wider range of materials, but they cost a bit more for that reason.

If you use your truck for work a lot and want to keep the seats looking good over time, these are a good option. Perhaps your truck is pretty beat up, but you just want it to look a bit nicer, these will take care of that as well. Washing a dirty seat cover, or replacing a ripped one is much cheaper and easier over an upholstery job on your actual seats.  You can find these for around $40 to $170, again depending on the material, size, and how many.

Fitted Seat Covers

Fitted seat covers are for when you want a total replacement or a total upgrade. While they do serve the same function of protecting your stock seats by covering them up, most people get fitted covers when their stock upholstery is really bad, or you want to upgrade to a better or more durable material. An example would be upgrading to leather from cloth seats.

While they take a bit more effort to get them over your seats, they look like they came from the factory. These are generally going to cost around $200 or more, and are usually of higher quality materials.

Popular Toyota Tacoma Seat Covers

Here are some popular options based on search results, forums, and reviews!

Clazzio Tacoma Seat Covers

Clazzio is probably the most popular brand of Tacoma seat covers on the market. They are in no way the cheapest options, but Tacoma owners absolutely love the look and durability of them. Clazzio definitely has the most options available to further customize the look of your interior, including different leather types (perforated leather is my favorite), body color and stitch color. These typically run around $649, but are about a hundred dollars cheaper on Amazon.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Coverking Tacoma Seat Covers

Another popular brand of Tacoma seat cover is Coverking. While these are also not the cheapest, many owners love the wide range of material options from suede to leather and more, and each material has a few colors to choose from. The lowest price is around $200, and the highest is around $630. They are fitted to your truck for  “guaranteed fit.”

You can get the bucket seat covers here and the rear bench cover here.

Carhartt Tacoma Seat Covers

If you want something for durability, Carhartt not only makes tough clothes, but it makes a popular tough seat cover for our trucks as well. While these are more of a baggy, universal fit, they offer serious protection. They even offer a set cover specifically to protect your seats from your puppy in the back. You don’t get as many options, but for around $250, you get all the protection you need.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Bartact Tacoma Seat Covers

For a more tactical version, Bartact offers a fitted seat cover with MOLLE attachment systems on the back of the seats. This can give you a great place to store some gear and a good storage option for overlanding when you need to make use of all the space you have. For $320, they are a tad pricey, but the company says it’s the same style they make for the US military, just with color options.

I want to throw you a cheap option, but there are tons out there. This isn’t really a brand, but a category of around $20. Amazon has a ton of Tacoma seat covers for around $20 to $30. They won’t have the best fit or feel, but they will get the job done. Take a look at the options and find what works for you.

Image Credits

Clazzio - Tacoma World User Jacked Burton

Coverking - Tacoma World User lachevron

Bartact - Tacoma World User Chris15sr5

Carhartt - Tacoma World User AntMan408

* Please note that some of these links are Amazon affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.