Which year model of Toyota Tacoma is the best to buy used?
We break down reliability vs. savings
Folding Truck Bed Cover on Red Toyota Tacoma by DiamondBack Truck Covers — CC BY-SA 2.0
Pickups are one of the fastest-growing segments in the auto industry right now, but one truck that’s been around through the peaks and valleys of the market is the Toyota Tacoma. The ever-reliable, ever-capable pickup truck can handle almost anything life throws at it.
It may not have the most towing capacity in its class, but its 6,800 pound capacity is nothing to sneeze at, and there’s probably no truck that can rival its off-road driving.
Tacomas hold their value remarkably well, so you probably won’t find a cheap pickup out there. But with CoPilot, you can rest assured that you have found the best deal possible on a pre-owned Toyota Tacoma.
How much are you saving buying a used Toyota Tacoma vs. new?
The last five model years of Tacoma have all been well reviewed and held their value remarkably well. The only downside to this is that none of them come at a big discount compared to a new model. But the best model year is probably the 2017. You can save over $4,000 on that year, and it only has about 45,000 miles on it; just over two thirds of the mileage of the 2016 Tacoma. But since they all retain their value, you can’t go too wrong with any of these models.
FIND NEARLY-NEW & OFF-LEASE CARS
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2015 [2] Toyota Tacoma: Used vs. New
Average Used Listing Price: $26,431
Average Used Mileage: 77,602
Savings vs. buying new: $8,991
The average 2015 Tacoma is still valued at $26,431 even with 77,602 miles on the odometer. That means it has retained 82% of its original value, and costs $8,991 less than a brand new 2020 Tacoma.
Newer Features the [3] 2015 Toyota Tacoma lacks
● Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
● Wi-Fi hotspot
● Heated mirrors
● Leather seats
● Lane departure warning
● Blind spot monitor
● Cross-traffic alert
● Multi-zone A/C
● Adaptive cruise control
Is buying a used 2015 Toyota Tacoma a good idea?
Considering the long list of features absent from the 2015 model and the fact that the savings still aren’t huge, this is a year you might want to look past.
2016 Toyota Tacoma: Used vs. New
Average Used Listing Price: $29,354
Average Used Mileage: 64,977
Savings vs. buying new: $6,068
With only 64,977 miles on the odometer, the average 2016 Toyota Tacoma costs $29,354. That is $6,068 less than a new model.
Newer Features the 2016 Toyota Tacoma lacks
● Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
● Wi-Fi hotspot
● Heated mirrors
● Lane departure warning
● Adaptive cruise control
Is buying a used 2016 Toyota Tacoma a good idea?
The 2016 Tacoma did receive some needed upgrades in 2016, with the addition of leather seats, a blind spot monitor, and cross-traffic alert. If you don’t want to spend more than $30,000 on a used truck, then the 2016 Tacoma should be a good option for you.
2017 Toyota Tacoma: Used vs. New
Average Used Listing Price: $31,298
Average Used Mileage: 45,736
Savings vs. buying new: $4,124
The 2017 Tacoma does pass the thirty grand mark with an average listing of $31,298, $4,124 below MSRP on a 2020 Tacoma. It does, however, stay below 50,000 miles, with an average reading of 45,736 miles.
Newer Features the 2017 Toyota Tacoma lacks
● Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
● Wi-Fi hotspot
● Heated mirrors
● Lane departure warning
● Adaptive cruise control
Is buying a used 2017 Toyota Tacoma a good idea?
The 2017 Tacoma does come in a little pricier than the 2016 model with the same features. But the 2017 does have mileage on its side; for less than $2,000 extra, you get a car with almost 20,000 fewer miles. It may be a bit expensive, but that is a lot less mileage on a car that does not depreciate very quickly. If you are ever thinking of reselling, that could be an important factor to consider.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
2018 Toyota Tacoma: Used vs. New
Average Used Listing Price: $32,856
Average Used Mileage: 33,647
Savings vs. buying new: $2,566
The average 2018 Tacoma costs $32,856 and has been driven 33,647 miles. Compared to buying a 2020 Tacoma, you can save $2,566.
Newer Features the 2018 Toyota Tacoma lacks
● Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
● Wi-Fi hotspot
● Heated mirrors
Is buying a used 2018 Toyota Tacoma a good idea?
The 2018 does finally have lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control for safety and convenience. The mileage is pretty low; you just won’t get huge savings over a brand new Tacoma.
2019 Toyota Tacoma: Used vs. New
Average Used Listing Price: $34,344
Average Used Mileage: 22,877
Savings vs. buying new: $1,078
Pre-owned Tacomas from the 2019 model year are listed at an average price of $34,344 and have 22,877 miles on them. These nearly new pickups will save you an average of $1,078 over the 2020 models.
Newer Features the 2019 Toyota Tacoma lacks
● Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
● Wi-Fi hotspot
● Heated mirrors
Is buying a used 2019 Toyota Tacoma a good idea?
Considering the average 2019 Tacoma has 22,877 miles on it, saving only $1,078 doesn’t really seem like a great deal. At that price, you should look to older models with lower prices, or maybe even spring for a new model with next to no miles.
THE BEST USED PICKUPS UNDER 15K
Used trucks that are worth a damn and cost less than $15K are getting hard to find. Here’s the best used trucks under $15K on the market, and how to find them.
The easiest way to find reliable Toyota Tacomas in your area
The free CoPIlot car shopping app is a great way to find reliable Tacomas for sale. If you tell us what truck you want, we’ll use dealerships’ software to find you great pre-owned pickups in your area. It’s the smartest and easiest way to look for your next car.
Only interested in newer, off-lease vehicles? Try CoPilot Compare, the search engine for nearly-new cars. We’ll only show you models that are 5 years or newer with low mileage, most with CPO availability. We’ll break down how much you save buying used vs. new and show you the best nearly-new listings in your area.
The best part? CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no ‘promoted’ or ‘sponsored’ listings - just the best cars in your area. Learn more about how CoPilot works on our About Us page.
