carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $27,720–$33,664 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.7/10, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma earns a Recommended rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.8/10, while Technology at 6.8/10 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. We rate the Toyota Tacoma's reliability at 8.8/10 — among the strongest in our truck database, reflecting the nameplate's track record and recall history. On safety it earns 7.7/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance lands mid-pack at 7.3/10: enough power and composure for everyday needs, without the dynamics that distinguish the segment's driver-focused options. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $27,720–$33,664, 19 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tacoma sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Value lands at 7.5/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: Think of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in technology are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
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 2020 Toyota Tacoma ranks #97 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 81% of the segment. Its 7.7/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,720 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 21%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Toyota Tacoma scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 7.7 — 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 (this review) | 7.7/10 | $27,720 | |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $26,775 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $25,830 | Read review → |
| 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 campaign has 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… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
