Driving Experience
Includes acceleration and handling
What Owners Say
"slow acceleration"
Richard B., TX (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Turning radius too wide"
Anonymous, CA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"The engine in this truck accelerates and comes to speed, way better than the new one I test drove. For a 4x4 truck to turn as sharp with big tires as this does make my truck an envy of the bigger trucks when we offroad."
Donald T., OH (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Very good for type of vehicle."
Mike H., WI (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"reliable and steady."
James W., WA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"It handles fantastic and accelerates very well"
William B., WA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Sloppy steering. Bouncy, punishing ride."
Anonymous, CA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Good acceleration, fair handling"
Anonymous, TX (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Reliable four wheel drive vehicle - the Taco can do more than the drivewr wants to do., Not a luxurious or quiet ride, but it is a 4X4 truck, not a limo."
Anonymous, CA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Handling with all types of loads and trailering similarly is fantastic. Moved from PA to Kansas 1600 miles with fully loaded pick up and 1500 pounds in trailer of items I didn’t want going on the moving van. Acceleration from on ramps into traffic a non issue. Got 20 mpg whole trip."
Walter R., KS (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"The Tacoma sits high and is underpowered compared to today’s models. Acceleration is tepid, and there is a fair amount of body roll when taking turns quickly. But this is a 15 year old truck, so it’s not really fair to compare it to something new"
Anonymous, TX (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"nice ride"
Anonymous, LA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Acceleration and handles rough roads well."
Anonymous, CT (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"If I had to do it all over again would have bought the six cylinder model. Towing with a four cylinder can be a challenge."
Roger M., SC (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Acceleration is sluggish and power is marginal, often requiring 2nd gear and going well under the speed limit when driving mountain passes. Large gap between 1st and 2nd gear contributes to this problem."
Adam D., CO (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"4WD gets me out just about anywhere. Works great in weather plus offroad. tires make a big difference on handling."
Anonymous, OH (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"It's a pig. Takes a while to get up to speed even on a 55MPH road, and have to keep the peddle to the metal on an Interstate (where I can't pass even a trailer truck). Extended body (this is the little Tacoma crew cab) requires a very big turning radius."
Charles N., AZ (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Acceleration is good, handles well."
John W., NC (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Acceleration is good, and road handling is good for a truck."
Rick S., CA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Excellent handling. Short turn radius. Excellent dependability."
Herb T., LA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"It lacks enough power at times going up hill. But I get good gas mileage , so I assume the lack of power is connected to that"
Thaddeus C., VT (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"V-6 power in a small pick up."
Anonymous, TX (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"The V6 motor in the Tacoma shows good acceleration. The high clearance under the vehicle and narrow width make it a great platform for driving off-road."
Anonymous, AZ (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"I purchased this vehicle with a 4 cylinder. Truck is way under powered to have a four wheel drive package."
Natalie T., WI (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"the V-6 engine has great acceleration. It handles well in corners and at high speed."
Ben A., VA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Handling is fine - acceleration is fine for normal driving circumstances."
Gary L., CA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Because of the size of the truck especially the tire size and my truck being a 4-cyl, the pickup lacks, towing is slow. I would purchase a Tacoma again only a 6-cyl next time."
NATALIE T., WI (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"I bought it to tow a trailer and it does quite well."
Anonymous, CA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"acceleration sometimes sluggish"
BARRY S., NC (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Poor acceleration - somewhat under-powered with the 2.4L engine."
GRANVILLE H., FL (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"It is a 2003 and it does drive like a truck. Acceleration if poor compared to the Rav 4 as is handling."
Anonymous, BC (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"A little underpowered for towing, but otherwise good. I'd like to see better gas mileage."
Anonymous, VA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"Acceleration is fine. Traction isn't so great. But I understand that Toyota improved it i subsequent Tacoma models."
JOSEPH P., SC (2003 Toyota Tacoma)"On dry pavement this vehicle is a joy to drive. It's acceleration and handling are thrilling and all you need for the street and highway. I also use it for utilitarian purposes,hauling wood and stone, and it pulls its weight. Nevertheless, the concentration of the vehicle's weight is up front which makes wet weather handling relatively poor even with the stock wide tires. Especially in hilly areas this vehicle cannot be safely driven in snow or ice."
GEORGE W., TN (2003 Toyota Tacoma)
"This little truck drives great. There is a little fall off on power when AC is in operation. Noise and comfort are as expected for a small, light truck. Overall it's a sweet little truck."
Stan B., GA (2003 Toyota Tacoma)