If you seek an affordable, used truck, it can be difficult to know your best options. Reliability is key, but how do you know which one is worth the investment? Toyota is known for making dependable, durable vehicles, with the Tacoma being no exception. But, out of all the used Tacomas you could purchase, one model year outshines the rest.

Experts consider the used Toyota Tacoma

Car Complaints compared all of the reported problems from every Tacoma model year, and it’s clear that you should avoid the 2007 Tacoma. Even though the 2014 Tacoma receives fewer complaints, the 2015 Tacoma tops the list of best used Tacomas.

As Car Complaints research indicates, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma received few complaints and low issue rankings for most categories. The most commonly reported problems with the model year are with the brakes, which often require routine maintenance and quality care to begin with.

Even Consumer Reports gives the 2015 Toyota Tacoma an overall reliability rating of five out of five — impressive for any used truck. Even the owner satisfaction rating is average but competitive given the Tacoma’s affordability. In the road test, the 2015 Tacoma rates a four out of five in acceleration and quality of transmission.

Mirrored by Car Complaints, Consumer Reports finds the Tacoma’s only real issue to be braking and handling. But when it comes to used trucks, you need reliability. And Consumer Reports is here to tell you that the 2015 Tacoma is reliable overall, with minimal reported trouble spots.

All you need to know about the 2015 Toyota Tacoma

The 2015 Tacoma was the last of the second-generation Tacomas to come off the production line. Consumer Reports says the “Tacoma pickup truck has traditionally been a reliable, but hard-riding workhorse.” Not only does it maintain value well, but Tacomas have also been both affordable and reliable.

You can find it in three body styles: regular cab, crew cab, and extended cab, with choices between both manual and automatic transmissions. The 2015 Tacoma also featured two options for an engine: a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine with 159 hp or a 4-liter, six-cylinder with 236 hp. It won’t save you a ton at the pump, earning an average of 17 MPG overall. 

The 2015 Tacoma even received U.S. News’ No. 1 pick for compact pickup trucks, receiving an overall score of 8.7 (out of 10). While it has “enough grunt for everyday driving,” it’s also more than capable of hauling when you need it. Consumer Reports found that the Tacoma was easy to drive, but also performed well off-road.

How much will the Tacoma’s reliability cost you?

Consumer Reports finds the average retail price of a 2015 Tacoma to be between roughly $16,000 and $25,000. But according to AutoTrader, finding a used 2015 Tacoma for $15,000 or under is not only possible but also your best option when it comes to a used Toyota truck.

While the newest generation would be too pricey, you want to stay away from the first generation of Tacomas. The 2015 Tacoma is the closest to the new generation you can get, while also providing you with all the reliability you need in an affordable used truck.