2012 Toyota Tacoma vs. Its Competition

2012 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Double I4 AT (Natl) Angular Front Exterior View

Meta Rating 6.4 out of 10

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Bengt Halvorson

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Feb 29, 2012

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma hasn't been updated significantly in many years, and this year is no exception.

But the Tacoma's improved connectivity and audio systems are a significant leap, and more advanced than what's been offered in other compact trucks.

GM's mid-size pickups, the Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon, offer an available V-8, but their interiors feel particularly chintzy.

The Nissan Frontier is a strong alternative; it's not quite as strong a contender with its base four-cylinder engine but has a substantial, strong feel in V-6 forms, as well as some innovative storage solutions.

The Frontier handles a bit better, too, and has better seats.

Otherwise, the Ford Ranger is gone for 2012, replaced by base models of the F-150 that, if you ask us, don't really have the same basic, frugal appeal.

All considered, Toyota has an enviable, long-standing reputation for reliability and durability that makes it well worth considering for business owners who want strong resale value a few years from now.

2012 Toyota Tacoma Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Chevrolet Colorado Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Ford F-150 Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Nissan Frontier Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Suzuki Equator Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
6.4 The 2012 Toyota Tacoma's affordable price, fuel-efficiency, and simplicity make it a good, capable alternative for those who don't need a full-size truck.	6.6 The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado soldiers on as the only truly compact truck on the market (with its Canyon twin), but are you sure you don't really want a mid-size truck instead?	8.2 Efficient and burly, the 2012 Ford F-150 shares the lead in full-size trucks thanks to extreme capability and extreme high-tech features.	7.6 You may not need to go full-size--the 2012 Nissan Frontier pickup truck can cover a lot of the same ground a bigger pickup can.	7.6 The 2012 Suzuki Equator is a great choice for the weekend warrior, with useful and intelligent cargo solutions and solid off-road capability.
MSRP From
$17,125	$17,475	$23,500	$19,260	$17,999
Gas Mileage
15 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy	14 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy	11 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy	14 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy	15 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I4	Gas 4-Cyl	Gas/Ethanol V6	Gas 4-cyl	Gas I4
EPA Class
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Style Name
2WD Reg Cab I4 MT (Natl)	2WD Reg Cab Work Truck	2WD Reg Cab 126" XL	2WD King Cab I4 Manual S	2WD Ext Cab I4 Man
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear wheel drive
Passenger Capacity
3	3	3	4	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
Regular Cab	Regular Cab	Regular Cab Pickup	King Cab	Pickup
Transmission
Manual	Manual	Automatic	Manual	Manual