2004 Toyota Tacoma Base review from North America

I was in an accident within the first month of ownership where I was rear-ended at about 30MPH and pushed into a car in front. Front and back of the Tacoma crumpled, but there was no damage to the car in front even though my hood, grill, bumper, and radiator were smashed in. Airbags failed to deploy as the bumper of the car in front when right above the frame sensors and below the grille sensor. They should have gone off over 5 MPH I was told.

Very base model, but this was expected. I just wish it had a clock (can add one for about $100)

Great on gas (20mpg city, 28 highway by my own calculations).

2.4L I4 isn't very powerful, and acceleration is meager, especially merging on a highway.

Suspension isn't stiff at all, and any weight (200lbs) will make the bed sag.

Car is light enough to pick up with 4 people. I haven't used in winter yet, but it's going to need some serious weight back there.

Overall a good little pick-up that is more of a transporter than a hauler. Saves gas over any other comparable model. However, I'd rather have gotten either a car for nimbleness and passenger carrying, or a full size pick-up for carrying cargo, as this tries to do both but excels at neither.