Toyota Tacoma Is Our Midsize Truck Best Buy of 2026

Lyn Woodward 01/20/2026 6:17pm

Powerful engines, including a hybrid
Refined cabin and road manners
High-tech haven
Excellent resale history
Numerous trims and configurations
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Toyota Tacoma Is Our Midsize Truck Best Buy of 2026 — Image courtesy of Adobe Stock

We love trucks as much as America does, so when we test them, it can sometimes get contentious. Everyone has their favorites. But when it comes to the midsize truck segment, this year, like the last, it wasn’t much of a contest. The Toyota Tacoma is no stranger to this award, and it continues to prove itself year over year.

The Tacoma has taken the top step of the midsize truck podium many times over the past decades and still reigns supreme when it comes to resale value on the open market. Toyota’s recent ground-up redesign of the Tacoma needed to be stellar to maintain that status, and they didn’t disappoint — so much so that we still color ourselves bowled over by the capability, durability, customization, and comfort of this newest generation.

A rear left-side front 3/4 view of a 2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro against a red canyon backdrop under cloudy skies. — Image courtesy of Alan Davis

Power Trip

Gone are the previous generation’s V6 and base model 4-cylinder engines. Instead, Toyota has upped the ante with a turbocharged 4-cylinder unit that’s more refined, more powerful, and more fuel efficient. Absolutely no one in their right mind can argue with any of those attributes. With an optional hybrid powertrain that makes 326 horsepower — making the Tacoma the most powerful truck in its segment — we’d like to say, as in baseball, there is no whining in trucks.

Spring Thing

While some of the lower Tacoma variants still utilize the stalwart leaf spring suspension, the remainder of the herd now use a coilover setup. That not only makes for more control but also increased comfort, especially when driving on uneven pavement or off-road. Speaking of comfort, Toyota has finally exorcised those previous seating position demons. Now drivers have ample leg- and headroom. And when it comes to brakes, steering, transmission, and power all working in concert? Well, the Tacoma makes an epic symphony.

A tight detail view of the steering wheel and infotainment screen on a 2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. — Photo: Alan Davis

Software Meets Hardware

Tech hasn’t always been Toyota’s strong suit, but even that sees improvements by leaps and bounds with a new available 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, an excellent Trailer Back-Up Guidance feature that will help everyone avoid those embarrassing viral boat ramp videos, a 360-degree camera system, and a wireless trailer camera. A comprehensive standard safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition, makes the Tacoma a safe place to get you to and from work or play. The Proactive Driving Assist feature brakes gently when approaching a curve and keeps a virtual eye out for hazards. You’ll get no complaints from us with any of these systems.

Truck Stuff

Buyers can customize their Tacoma in either XtraCab or Double Cab configurations. Myriad trim levels, from basic work trucks to luxury cruise liners to off-road animals, help folks get exactly the tool they need for whatever job they’ve got. Both cabs are full of thoughtful storage options. You can get the lighter, damped tailgate with a power operation option, which not only opens on its own but closes with the slightest nudge from a knee – handy if you’ve got your hands full when unloading. You get a 2,400-watt AC inverter in hybrid models to run anything from power tools to air fryers, and can even get a bed-view camera.

With this latest-gen Tacoma, Toyota continues to deliver. Everyone on the KBB testing team remains impressed. So, we don’t just tip our hat, but we’ll hand out hardware yet again. Once, again, Toyota’s given everyone one delicious Taco.

New 2026 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Prices

	Retail Price	Fair Purchase Price (92620)
SR	$35,400	TBD
SR5	$38,900	TBD
TRD Sport	$41,610	TBD
TRD Off-Road	$44,010	TBD
Limited	$54,765	TBD

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