Have you ever looked at a used Toyota Tacoma and thought it was too expensive? Why do people buy these trucks when they can spend a little extra for a brand new one? It’s because the Tacoma provides much more than rivals. 

Updated on 07/04/2025

Why are used Toyota Tacoma models so expensive? 

TikTok user @carsrme explains why used Toyota Tacoma models are popular despite having a high price tag. He starts with an example of a 2023 TRD Off-Road model that’s listed for $37,998. 

It has 35,000 miles on it, and the 2025 version of this trim has an MSRP of $42,200. Plus, the 2023 model had an MSRP of $36,790 when it was new. So, these trucks don’t depreciate. 

He shared that the old 3.5-liter V6 engine is much better than the new four-cylinder options. This engine ran from 2011 to 2023. The Tacoma has a massive amount of spare parts that are cheap and easy to get. 

I reached out to carsrme to inquire about the hybrid engine. The increased power and improved fuel economy are attracting tons of buyers. 

He got back to me almost immediately! He shared that the Toyota Tacoma makes him hesitant because people have shared that it’s not getting a better fuel economy than their older trucks.

Plus, the old V6 has proven to be reliable. It’s unclear how reliable the hybrid engine is at the moment. It might not hold its value as well.

Also, he mentioned the five-speed manual transmission for being bulletproof. He says the new model is only available with a manual transmission on the entry-level trim, but that’s false. Although, the latest generation has a six-speed manual transmission. 

Last but not least, the Tacoma provides peace of mind. It may seem outdated with fewer bells and whistles, but you know it will start right up every morning. 

How fast does the Tacoma depreciate? 

According to CarEdge, the Toyota Tacoma depreciates by about 28% after five years of ownership. It could have a resale value of $34,289. 

This estimation is based on the truck starting at $47,630 while new, with an average of 13,400 miles per year. The quality of the truck also makes a difference. 

An average truck is expected to depreciate by about 40% after five years. The average car loses about 38% of its value over five years. 

Also, the Tacoma has the best depreciation value. It beats the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra, and they aren’t even in its class. 

Does the Tacoma have a declining reliability rate? 

The reliability rating of the Toyota Tacoma has been slowly decreasing since the current generation launched.

According to J.D.power, the 2023 Tacoma has a reliability ranking of 83 out of 100. The 2025 Tacoma earned a 79. 

Scores between 70 and 80 are average, anything between 81 and 90 is above average, and rankings between 91 and 100 are best. 

While it only dipped by five points, the Tacoma went from having an above-average score to just being average.