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2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

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Overview

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2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.6

The Toyota Tacoma is America's best-selling compact pickup and for several good reasons. It's a modern, capable, high-value vehicle with few real competitors. The Dodge Dakota and Ford Ranger are gone, and the Chevrolet Colorado (and GMC Canyon) is aging and feels cheap. (A modernized Colorado is a year or more away.) That leaves Nissan's Frontier (getting dated, and better as a rugged worker than a family transporter) and Honda's Ridgeline (just the opposite; a car-based platform that is comfy but limited in its hauling ability). Only the 2013 Toyota Tacoma delivers on all the work and play expectations that make Americans love their pickups, and does it in a more manageable, fuel-efficient form than a full-size pickup while offering a wide range of trims, powertrains and cab configurations.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're looking for a proven pickup that is as capable as it is stylish, the 2013 Toyota Tacoma deserves your attention. Nearly as capable as a full-size pickup but without the extra bulk and fuel consumption, the Tacoma fits a lot of needs.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The 2013 Toyota Tacoma pickup can't tow as much as a full-size V8-powered truck, and its narrower bed won't hold as much cargo. If you don't need to haul that much and you're looking for a smooth, comfortable ride, the Honda Ridgeline may be a more friendly choice.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.6
Driving Dynamics

6.9
Comfort & Convenience

7.1
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.9
Value

7.9
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#2

out of 6

MPG

#5

out of 6

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

9.2 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

The Toyota Tacoma rolls into 2013 without significant changes after it got a mild facelift, minor interior upgrades and some new audio systems just last year. As before, some top-line options, including the JBL-equipped audio system and Toyota's Entune infotainment system, are reserved for the V6/automatic Double Cab versions.

Driving the Tacoma Double Cab

2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions From behind the wheel, a 2013 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab pickup definitely handles more easily than a full-size truck, but don't expect miracles. Around town it can still seem a...

little bulky and clumsy. Controls feel refined and responsive, and ride quality is generally good though some payload in the bed helps, especially if you've specified one of the TRD (Toyota Racing Development) off-road suspension packages. Smoother and stronger than the standard 159-horsepower 4-cylinder – and without much penalty in fuel economy – the 236-horsepower V6 engine answers eagerly to the throttle. Both the standard 6-speed manual transmission and the optional 5-speed automatic work smoothly. Some people may feel the front seats place them oddly low to the floor but you get used to it.

Favorite Features

SUPERCHARGER KIT
A factory-provided supercharger! The accessory kit increases the V6's output to 304 horsepower and 334 lb-ft of torque (from 236 and 266). It has to be purchased after new-vehicle delivery, and be installed by a Toyota dealer to be warrantied (5-years/60,000-miles or whatever existing powertrain warranty remains).

FUNCTIONAL BED
All Tacomas feature a composite inner bed with built-in storage compartments and four rail-mounted sliding tie-down cleats. Very handy and functional.

2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Details

2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The 2013 Toyota Tacoma pickup's interior has a modern urban feel, with 2-tone gray or beige plastic panels highlighted with metal-look trim. The Tacoma's front seats are wide and supportive, but the rear seats in the Access Cab are useful only for short trips and smaller people. (Seating improves greatly in the Double Cab model, which has a full bench seat in back with adjustable head restraints and under-seat storage.) Steering-wheel-mounted controls for the audio and available Bluetooth are a welcome touch.

Exterior

A new grille and front-end treatment graced the Toyota Tacoma in 2012 and, for 2013, they continue to help make this compact pickup look as brawny and tough as the domestic full-sizers. Choose the base truck and you get a simple work vehicle with black bumpers and plain wheels. The Pre-Runner displays the look of a rugged off-roader in a less-expensive rear-drive-only package, while the X-Runner takes the pickup to a new urban-street place, with lowered suspension. Build quality and finish are above reproach.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2-wheel-drive 2013 Toyota Tacoma's base 4-cylinder engine displaces 2.7 liters and makes 159 horsepower. Other standard equipment includes air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD system, anti-lock brakes (ABS), front side-impact and side-curtain airbags, traction and stability control, tachometer, two instrument-panel powerpoints and rear mudguards. Regular Cab 4x4 models with the automatic transmission add standard bucket seats. Access Cab, X-Runner and Double Cab models include bucket seats with a center console, power mirrors, power windows and power door locks.

Optional Equipment

Many options for the 2013 Toyota Tacoma compact pickup are grouped in packages, and not all are available on every model. But the list includes a 4.0-liter V6, 4-wheel drive, JBL GreenEdge audio with Bluetooth connectivity, Entune infotainment system and the SR5 Package, which adds color-keyed over-fenders and front bumper, chrome grille surround and a chrome rear bumper. Double and Access Cabs can be fitted with a rearview camera while transmission upgrades from the base 5-speed manual include a 4-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic and 6-speed manual. Hill-start Assist (HAC) is available on V6 models with automatic transmissions.

Under the Hood

2013 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Engine photo

Both the 4-cylinder and the V6 Tacoma engines feature Toyota's VVT-i technology (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) that minimizes the compromise between low-end torque and peak horsepower. Combined with a choice of four available transmissions, 2- or 4-wheel drive, three cab styles and more, Toyota makes it easy to get exactly the pickup you want. Maximum towing and payload capacities are 6,500 pounds and 1,535 pounds, respectively.

2.7-liter inline-4
159 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
180 lb-ft of torque @ 3,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/25 mpg (2WD, manual), 19/24 mpg (2WD, automatic),
18/21 mpg (4WD, manual and automatic)

4.0-liter V6
236 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
266 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/21 mpg (2WD, manual), 17/21 mpg (2WD, automatic), 16/19 mpg (4WD, manual), 16/21 mpg (4WD, automatic)

Pricing Notes

The 2013 Toyota Tacoma compact pickup is available in 20 distinct configurations of cab, powertrain and trim. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starts at just over $18,000 for a base two-wheel-drive Regular Cab. A 4X4 Double Cab with V6 and automatic starts at about $29,000 and can top $36,000 with a couple of option packages. Although the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon cost less, neither offers as much power, space or refinement. The Nissan Frontier comes close on power but doesn't offer a regular-cab model. A look at our Fair Purchase Price will show you the typical transaction price paid for the Tacoma in your area. As for resale value, Kelley Blue Book expects the 4-cylinder base models to retain better-than-average residual values, and the V6 Access Cab and Double Cab models to do even better.

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2013 Toyota Tacoma Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.2

Out of 10

Based on 1267 Ratings for the 2005 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.3/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.5/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.0/10

Styling

9.3/10

great truck

By welly (CA) on Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 251,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"i have this truck for 7 years and it runs like new i love my truck never left me on the street 10 star !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

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Great truck

By jakep (TN) on Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 81,500

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "depenabiltiy, fun and easy to drive, gas millage,"

Cons: "price, interior feels a little cheap, plastic bed"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've owed this 08 tacoma double cab 6 speed for 3 months now. Its a great mid size truck. I did alot of research before buying and the biggest gripe that i read was in the hauling/towing department it was not so great. And no its not meant to be really its not a dually. I've had large trucks all my life and i really like this truck. where it lacks in hauling it's definatlly fun to drive and alot more manuverable. I've been checking the gas millage since i bought it and have about a 5000 mile history and my average with the manuel is 19.6mpg the best ive got is 23 and the worst is 17. for someone like me with two kids and a couple acers of land its a great truck. I love this truck."

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Not the best vehicle ever

By Giants (NC) on Monday, June 10, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 25,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Comfortable, reliable,great dealer service"

Cons: "Needs more grunt!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 7

"I like this little truck. My biggest gripe is that it is geared too high! I guess they do that to improve gas mileage but I would rather have a little (or a lot) lower gearing."

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absolutely nothing wrong with this truck

By Jimmy (GA) on Friday, June 07, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 118,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought it new & have taken Pride in the upkeep /w scheduled Mobil 1 oil changes plus a trans. fluid & filter change at 110,000, all recorded. I'm just used to a full-sized truck"

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Substandard frames on an otherwise great truck

By Rod&Ryl (PA) on Wednesday, May 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 182,000

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 1/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Great truck, nice handling."

Cons: "Frames rust out and become unsafe."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"We love this truck and expected to have it for another 7 years but the main support frame has rusted out from the inside of the box spring areas, places where the owner cannot apply rust preventatives. Toyota has had an ongoing issue with Tacoma frames since the mid-90s but still keeps using the same flawed design. Their frame rust proofing consists of only a layer of paint, to the exterior of the frame, that wears off and then you have to apply oil to the frame to prevent rusting. However you cannot apply oil to the interior of the box frame areas and this is where my frame has rusted through. At this point I have a truck that looks and runs great that can neither be traded in or ethically sold to someone other than the junk yard. Of course it should be noted that Toyota warrants the body against rusting for 5 years but only warrants the frame for 3 years. Toyota's response is only that it's not under warranty or recall so it's not their problem."

10 people out of 10 found this review helpful

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Best truck out there

By reb1 (VA) on Monday, May 20, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 8,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Comfort, style, tough and maintains great value."

Cons: "17 MPG city, approximately 21 MPG highway"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I've owned 3 Tacoma 4x4's and have loved each one of them. Each time I've purchased a new one for the upgrades. I've had my vehical off road and also on long trips and it performs superb in any environment. It drives very smooth on the road and open highway and yet it can keep up with the most rugged off road trucks and jeeps. I would definately recomend this vehical."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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See all 1267 reviews