A used truck provides a great way to save money while still offering your preferred features. And you can enjoy the same performance, quality, and comfort with a pre-owned pickup as you would with a brand-new one. So if you’re looking for a great used truck, consider a Toyota Tacoma.

Read on to learn how a used 2012 model could be the perfect pickup for you. 

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma comes in a wide range of configurations

Toyota is known for its high-quality trucks, and the 2012 Tacoma is no exception. It even won U.S. News‘ Best Pickup Truck for the Money award in 2012. It also ranks second in compact pickups for that model year.

You can find a 2012 Tacoma anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000, according to U.S. News. On the high side of the price spectrum, the truck should be in excellent condition and offer plenty of features and amenities. The price also reflects other factors, such as the transmission and trim level.

For instance, you can find models in Regular Cab, Access Cab, X-Runner, PreRunner, and Double Cab configurations with a six-speed manual, five-speed manual, five-speed automatic, or four-speed automatic transmission, MotorTrend reports.

The 2012 model comes with either a base 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 159 hp or a 4.0-liter, 236-hp V6. It can tow up to 3,500 pounds depending on the engine.

So although the 2012 Tacoma isn’t as powerful as a full-size heavy-duty pickup, it’s relatively fuel-efficient. It gets 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The 2012 model is even more fuel-efficient than the 2020 Tacoma, which gets 20/23 mpg city/highway. 

And if you can find a sporty X-Runner model, you’ll enjoy “agile handling,” U.S. News reports, thanks to its lower ground clearance.

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma offers attractive styling and features

The 2012 Tacoma boasts rugged good looks. According to MotorTrend, the 2012 model sports an updated “front grille, headlights, fog lamps, and bumpers.” And if you can get your hands on one with the TRD Sport Package, you’ll enjoy 18-inch wheels and turn signal lamps on the side mirrors.

On the inside, the Tacoma features “first-rate cabin quality,” U.S. News says. Upgraded models come with modern tech features such as a rearview camera, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a navigation system, a USB port, and Toyota’s Entune infotainment system.

The 2012 model is safe

In addition to being durable, reliable, and attractive, the 2012 Toyota Tacoma is also safe. In fact, it earned a stellar safety rating of 9.4 out of 10 from U.S. News.

Plus, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2012 Tacoma the highest overall rating. And the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the two 2012 models it tested 4 out of 5 stars.

Overall, a used 2012 Toyota Tacoma offers incredible value for under $20,000.