The 2005 Toyota Tacoma is an old school work truck. The seating is a bit stiff, the cabins a bit tight, but it’s a trooper that can handle anything you throw at it, and it’s built to last. The only real problem with the truck is that the owners know how badly you want one, and it’s a seller’s market out there.
Is the 2005 Toyota Tacoma a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – One of the best work trucks ever made, and probably the best overall mid-size pickup for its model year.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – The bed is nice and spacious, the cabs are tight and uncomfortable.
- Reliability 8/10 – Longevity and easy maintenance are two of the key ingredients that keep Taco fans coming back again and again.
- Safety 7/10 – Features like anti-lock brakes are standard, and the truck is built like a miniature tank.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – At 20/27 miles to the gallon, city/highway, it’s one of the more efficient used pickups out there.
- Value 6/10 – The Tacoma comes with a low price of ownership, but sticker prices come in at up to ten grand, which is a bit high for mid-size truck with 150,000 miles already on the odometer.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
Consumer Reports praised the improvements made to the Tacoma’s powertrain, steering, and interior trim, with the 2005 model leaning away from being a strict work truck and into daily-driver comfort and convenience. They found the results a bit too compromised, though, with the ride too stiff, and the payload capacity too light.
Kelley Blue Books users, unsurprisingly, give the 2005 Tacoma a glowing 93% recommendation. The beloved “Taco” has always drawn a devoted fanbase, and the 2005 earned high marks from users for its powerful engines, low maintenance needs, and value-friendly pricing.
Edmunds were impressed with the Tacoma’s off-road performance and wide range of body configurations. They liked the stability control, solid build quality, long-lasting powertrain and “well-trimmed interior.” They found the manual gearbox a bit vague-feeling and the e-brake awkwardly placed.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Have?
By far, the 2005 Tacoma’s biggest issue has been with premature corrosion in the frame. 248 of the truck’s 693 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints are for structural issues, with a majority of these being for rusted frames. The issue is easy to prevent with anti-rust coating, but nearly impossible to fix.
There are 93 complaints on file for vehicle speed control, with the most worrying complaints pointing to issues with sudden unintended acceleration, usually occurring at low speeds. There was a recall in 2009 for pedals getting trapped in the floor mat, but complaints persist years later.
Airbags have been recalled three times, most recently in 2012 for faulty clockspring spiral cables, but complaints for airbag warning lights have been registered as recently as 2022.
In total, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma has 10 recalls on file with the NHTSA. That sounds like a lot, but when you consider that the truck has fewer than 700 complaints registered, this means that most of these recalls have been successful in addressing potential issues before they become the driver’s problem.
How Long Will the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Last?
The 2005 Tacoma should last a minimum of 200,000 miles, with some models passing 300,000. If you want to join the high-mileage club you’re best off buying brand new so that you can ensure the truck receives excellent maintenance. Buying used, expect to hit around 250,000 miles on the original powertrain.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $478, which is fairly low for a pickup. The most expensive common fix: New steering knuckles, starting at around $827.
It is very reliable. It has lasted almost 15 years for me and it has required work but it is still a vehicle that I can trust.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology onboard the 2005 Tacoma is pretty basic, even for 2005. At this point, Toyota were playing catch-up with pickups like the F-150 packing more and more SUV-like creature comforts into the cabin. The Tacoma, still essentially a work truck, doesn’t get any fancier than a 6-disc CD player.
Safety technology is decent for a 2005 work truck. Anti-lock brakes are standard on all models, and the same goes for dual stage airbags with occupant sensors. Basic by modern standards, but not every car came with ABS back in 2005.
Is the 2005 Toyota Tacoma a Good Value?
2005 Toyota Tacoma prices may seem a bit high, as Taco owners don’t really want to let them go. A base model lists at around $7,981, while a PreRunner lists in the area of $9,114. At those prices you could buy a comparable F-150 or Silverado, or a pair of his-and-hers Ford Rangers.
When you consider the relatively low cost of ownership, with refueling and maintenance costs both being pretty low, this really isn’t so bad. But, on principle, not everyone is willing to spend close to ten thousand dollars on a mid-size truck that’s almost twenty years old.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma is available in two trim levels, the Base, and the PreRunner.
With the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- CD player with 6 speakers
- Power windows and door locks
- Anti-lock brakes
The high-end PreRunner adds:
- Two extra speakers
- Manual air conditioning
Other features will be available based on cab size. The larger Double cab features fold-flat seating, more cupholders, and a center console.
What Engines Come In the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
- The Base model is available with a 4.0 V6 engine delivering 245 horsepower and 282 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and configured in four wheel drive, it averages 17/21 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and can tow up to 6,500 pounds with the trailer-tow package.
- Available in the PreRunner is a 2.7L inline-four delivering 164 horsepower and 183 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2.7L can tow up to 3,500 pounds, it’s paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission, it’s configured in rear wheel drive, and it averages 20/27 miles to the gallon.
What Colors Does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma isn’t incredibly comfortable. Even the Double Cab model is a bit tight. You’ve got 53 inches of hip room in the back, which should be adequate, but your leg and head room are limited and seating is pretty rigid.
Toyota made some concessions to the SUV-ification of the work truck in 2005, but not enough to make that much of a difference. It’s still a work truck at its heart.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Have?
The 2005 Tacoma is offered with a Short bed at 61.2 inches, and a Long bed at 74.4 inches. Both are 57.9 inches across, and 19.1 inches deep. While the Tacoma’s cabs may be a bit tight, the spacious bed options remind us of what we’re missing with the shrinking back-ends of modern full-size pickups..
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma was the first model year for the 2nd Generation, and the first of the mid-size models.
2002: No big changes for 2002, as Toyota were already gearing up the relaunch at this point.
2003: Other than anti-locks being added as a standard feature, there were no big changes for 2003 either.
2004: 2004 was another no-big-changes year for the Tacoma.
2005: The new mid-size Tacoma launched with a longer wheelbase and three cabs, being Regular, Access, and Double.
2006: No big changes for 2006.
2007: Some cockpit revisions were made for 2007. The Tacoma got new audio systems, new dashboards, and more comfortable front seats.
How Does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Compare to the Competition?
The 2005 Ford Ranger sells for barely more than half the price of a 2005 Tacoma, and tows up to 5,980, just a few pounds shy of the Tacoma. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Ranger wins hands down. It’s also a bit more comfortable than the Tacoma.
A 2005 Chevrolet Colorado doesn’t boast the same reliability record as a Tacoma, and it only tows up to 4,000 pounds, but it sells in the $5,000 range.
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma might just be the best non-full-size work truck for its model year. The problem is, the sellers know it, and they’ve priced it accordingly.
Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
Yes. Very reliable. The Toyota Tacoma has over 250,000 miles and is still going strong. It is roomy enough for me to transport my family and as a truck, it is very useful for me to get a lot of jobs done. The Toyota Tacoma is very dependable so long as it is maintained properly.
