carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $25,830–$31,329 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2018 Toyota Tacoma at 7.6/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.7/10, while Technology at 7.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 8.7/10, reliability is one of this truck's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 7.6/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.1/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Tech rates a reasonable 7.0/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $25,830–$31,329, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tacoma sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The 7.4/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2018 Toyota Tacoma is a solid, well-rounded truck that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Toyota Tacoma ranks #127 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 76% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $25,830 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 26%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Toyota Tacoma scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.6 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.0/10 | $32,445 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $32,445 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $31,500 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.0/10 | $30,555 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $29,610 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $28,665 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $27,720 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $26,775 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $25,830 | |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $24,885 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $23,940 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $22,995 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 04/11/2020 · 20V682000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020… |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 13/01/2020 · 20V012000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota… |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Master cylinder 13/12/2018 · 18V888000 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Other trucks at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
