Maybe it’s not the most comfortable or upscale midsize truck available. But the Toyota Tacoma is still the go-to midsize truck for many fans out there. For 2020, it’s gotten an update that will make many of those fans plenty happy. And that’s good considering there’s some new competition in the class.

What standard features are offered for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?

New offerings

Tacoma got an upgrade for 2020 which is good since it’s been largely unchanged since 2016. 

There are new headlights, taillights, wheels, and a new grille for the upper trim levels. You get a power-adjustable driver’s seat if you go with the SR5 trims equipped with a V6 engine. And that’s good because the awkward seat position of Tacoma has always been one of its drawbacks.

All models get Amazon Alexa (which is new to Tacoma), Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay integration. There’s a new 8-inch touchscreen for upper trim levels along with new panoramic and multi-terrain views. Passive keyless entry has been extended now to unlock both the driver and front passenger doors.

The TRD Pro trim gets army green and magnetic gray metallic as new colors with the former being very popular. The voodoo blue unique to TRD Pro last year is no longer available with the popular off-road model. You can now get it with the lower trim levels.

The basics

There’s a basic 7-inch touchscreen in the base model of Tacoma which is up from the 6.1-inch screen of the past. The other trim levels get the 8-inch screen. With the new smartphone integration, using the system is easier.

A 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine comes standard and gets 159 horsepower with 180 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s an optional 3.5-liter V6 engine that gets 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. You can choose either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission if your Tacoma is four-wheel-drive.

Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds when properly equipped. 

Even more features

For 2020 there are six trim levels available for Tacoma. They offer what they call their Access Cab and Double Cab which amounts to extended and crew cabs. You can only get the Double Cab with the Limited and TRD Pro models.

There are two bed lengths available for Tacoma. You get the 6-foot bed with the Access Cab models. You get a 5-foot bed with Double Cabs though there is an option for the 6-foot bed at lower trim levels.

The base truck is the SR trim and it has standard 16-inch steel wheels, a composite bed that doesn’t need a liner, and tie-down points in it. There’s also air conditioning, auto high beams, adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a rearview camera. For technology, Tacoma offers Bluetooth audio and phone connectivity, a GoPro mount, a 7-inch touchscreen, and three USB ports. It starts at $27,145.

The next level is the SR5. It’s a good upgrade that comes with rear tinted windows, fog lights, keyless entry, and a more upscale exterior. Inside you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel that offers audio and phone controls, a power driver’s seat, a much better 8-inch infotainment screen, and satellite radio. It starts at $29,810.

If you want a better road experience, you might consider the TRD Sport trim. It has an on-road sport suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors, and an auto-dimming mirror. You’ll also get proximity entry, push-button start, and wireless phone charging. The V6 engine comes standard with this model and the Crew Cabs have a power rear window. It starts at $33,840.

The Limited Tacoma only offers the Double Cab and offers a lot of creature comforts. The upholstery is nice leather with heated front seats, a power sunroof, and dual-zone climate control. There’s also 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alert system. It starts at $39,885.

The Tacoma Off-Road trim has 16-inch wheels, a Bilstein off-road suspension, skid plates, all-terrain tires, a locking rear differential, Toyota’s Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select systems. It got some unique new styling elements and lost the front air dam which helps get a better approach angle. It costs less than Limited and it’s a better deal. It starts at $35,095 and when you add the TRD Premium Off-Road package you get everything offered there for around $45,000.

TRD Pro is only available with the 5-foot bed and the Double Cab. It starts with the TRD Off-Road trim level and adds Fox shock absorbers to give a life of about an inch. It also adds a TRD cat-back exhaust, a hood scoop, leather seats, all-terrain tires, Rigid Industries fog lights, and unique wheels. There are a few other cosmetic details to distinguish it too.

If you get the automatic transmission, you get the JBL audio system. There’s also an available top-mounted air intake that looks like a black snorkel you can get as an accessory for any Tacoma not just this model. It’s advertised with TRD Pro which is confusing. It starts at $45,055.