carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $32,350–$39,266 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma SL is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.4/10, 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.0/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $32,350–$39,266, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tacoma SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. At 7.0/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2017 Toyota Tacoma SL will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good truck should — quietly and competently.
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 2017 Toyota Tacoma SL ranks #186 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 64% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $32,350 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 8%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →
Across the Tacoma SL model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $42,178 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $40,950 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $39,721 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $38,493 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $37,264 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $36,036 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $34,807 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $33,579 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $32,350 | |
| 2016 | 7.6/10 | $31,122 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $29,893 | Read review → |
We rate the 2017 Toyota Tacoma SL's reliability 8.4/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #186 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 64% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma SL starts at $32,350 and ranges up to $39,266 across trims (MSRP when new). At 16 MPG, expect roughly $3,281/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
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.
