Do Tacomas Hold Their Value?

When people are considering the different choices for a midsize pickup truck, the question is often asked if the Tacoma holds its value and whether it really is worth spending the money on an older Toyota. The Toyota Tacoma has been manufactured since 1995 and was awarded the prize for the best compact pickup truck in 2020 for the sixth year in a row.

Toyota Tacomas hold their value extremely well because they are built for low maintenance and extended durability. Tacomas are reliable vehicles that continue to hold their value within the car market because they have a significant history of being one of the most reliable pickup trucks ever manufactured.

According to research and scoring practices in vehicle reliability, the older Tacomas rank even higher than the new ones. If I were searching for a new vehicle, and its reliability rating was considerably lower than its predecessor, I know my choice would be to purchase an older, used model. 

Read on to find out how and why the Toyota Tacoma holds its value so well in today’s car market.

Why And How Does The Tacoma Hold Its Value?

Most Tacoma models, including the newest 2022 Tacoma model, rate highly in safety, reliability, and performance. But the older, favorable, Tacoma models have multiple other reasons for holding their value.

Research shows that the resale value for most Tacoma’s will only depreciate approximately 28% or less, even after 5 years of use, and are ranked as one of the best vehicles for holding its value on our roads today. 

Whereas most vehicles lose up to 60% of their value within a five-year time frame Tacomas are much better. 

For example, a 2021 Toyota Tacoma valued at $35,524 in 2022 could still hold a trade-in value of up to $30,259 five years later in 2026. This will of course also depend on the condition of the car.

Here are a few reasons why you might find the Tacoma is the pickup truck you’ve always needed:

Tacoma’s Ground Clearance

9-12 inches of ground clearance means the Tacoma is more suitable for off-road adventures than other newer vehicles on today’s market that might only provide up to 10 inches or less.

Ground clearance like this makes the Tacoma one of the best pickup trucks for off-road capabilities

Tacoma’s Off-Road Abilities

Speaking of off-road capabilities, I have checked numerous websites and research articles on which vehicles are best for their off-road abilities for those weekend camping trips in the outback or wilderness. 

The Toyota Tacoma makes it on to every list.

Tacoma’sFewer Maintenance Issues

If ever there was a vehicle that rarely had any maintenance and mechanical issues, it’s the Toyota Tacoma.

Although there have been issues with some Tacoma models since their manufactured release dates, the majority of Toyota Tacoma’s have been listed with 5-star reviews in safety and have also been reported as having fewer maintenance issues than other reviewed vehicles.

Tacoma’s Towing Capacity

Depending on the model in question, Tacoma’s have a typical towing capacity of around 3500 (1587kg) to 6400 (2902kg) pounds. This means Tacoma’s can tow small to medium-sized trailers, campers, and caravans.

Tacoma’s Durability

Business Insider rates the Toyota Tacoma at number 3 for durability in regards to miles. The Tacoma is one of the most likely pickup trucks to last over 200,000 miles in its lifetime if it’s well taken care of.

Tacoma’s Simple Vehicle Model

Simply speaking, the Toyota Tacoma isn’t too fancy.

Although Toyota improves on its models every year, the Tacoma model has stayed true to most of its original features that are popular with pickup truck lovers throughout the US.

The interior remains uncomplicated, while the exterior remains “old-school” with its traditional hexagonal grille.

Tacoma’s Popularity

When things are more popular, they can either get more expensive or much cheaper. In the case of this value-holding camping, hard-working, and 4-wheel-drive machine, the price has kept its value rather than depreciating, because it’s still so popular.

Modern-day pickups are changing to become more like regular SUV’s and apparently it’s not what pick-up loving truck people want. The simplicity of the Tacoma is popular and as such, this vehicle holds its value well.

Which Tacoma Model Holds The Most Value?

For the last 16 years, the Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling, mid-size pick-up truck in America but it’s the third generation 2018 Toyota Tacoma model which holds the title for holding its value the best.

• The 2018 Toyota Tacoma is the front-runner for the Tacoma mid-sized pick-up truck that holds its value the best.
  
• Toyota Tacoma also holds the award from Kelley Blue Book on the best resale value for a mid-size pick-up truck from 2010-2020.
  
• Kelley Blue Book also awarded the Toyota Tacoma 2019 vehicle the best vehicle resale value.
  
• Toyota of Fort Worth named and awarded the 2018 Tacoma the number one vehicle for its resale value. The award recognizes that the 2018 design still holds up to 61.1% of its resale value at the 60 (5 years) month mark.
  

You can find further information on the awards and vehicle resale value through the Kelley Blue Book website.

Why Are Used Tacomas So Expensive?

Used Toyota Tacoma’s have been known to sell at higher prices and can even be more expensive than the newer models (in rare cases), and it’s because the newer models just don’t rate as good as the old.

You’ve heard of the saying in with the new and out with the old? Well in the case of the Tacoma, it’s quite the opposite.

The fact that a used car, with miles under its hood, wear and tear from weather and use, and possibly a couple of food stains on the seat, might be more expensive or similar in price to a newer, cleaner model, might not seem right.

Here is a list of some of Toyota’s Tacoma models from 2005 – 2021 and their average retail and used price ranges:

2005

Average Retail Price: $13,870 – $23,990

Average Trade-in Price: $5,600 – $11,325

2010

Average Retail Price: $9,925 – $18,475

Average Trade-in Price: $6,175 – $14,265

2015

Average Retail Price: $18,000 – $27,975

Average Trade-in Price: $13,870 – $23,990

2016

Average Retail Price: $22,425 – $35,125

Average Trade-in Price: $18,405 – $30,950

As you can see, you can purchase used models for slightly cheaper prices than retail priced vehicles but not by much. You can trade-in your 2015 Toyota Tacoma for almost the same amount it costs to purchase a 2021 model.

So why are Tacomas so expensive?

Used Tacoma’s are expensive on today’s market because they’re highly sought-after vehicles for their reliability, durability, low maintenance requirements, long mileage capabilities, and generally because they last.

Although used, Tacoma’s are still customizable and have numerous add-on opportunities for car lovers, traders, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

But one of the main reasons the used Tacoma’s, pre-2016, are so expensive is because they simply rate higher in reliability than the newer designed Tacoma models.

When the 2016 Tacoma was designed and manufactured, it only scored a 1 out of 5 in reliability compared to 2015 which scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for its reliability rating. Which one would you rather buy?

Final Thoughts 

Toyota is a well-known, trusted, and world-renowned brand of motor vehicles that have been manufactured since 1937. They haven’t disappointed with their mid-size pick-up truck range of durable and reliable Tacoma’s and the Tacoma is a leading pick-up truck among its mid-sized competitors.

Selling or trading in your old Tacoma could earn you some serious investment cash but we highly recommend using it to purchase another Tacoma which will be a worthwhile investment in itself due to how well these beasts hold their value.