Driving Experience
Includes acceleration and handling
What Owners Say
"The 4 cylinder engine has enough horse power to give this truck sufficient acceleration when fully loaded."
Anonymous, CA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"The Tacoma turn circumference is too wide. It is awkward trying to park into a small spot or make a tight turn on the road."
BETH S., NM (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"The 4 cylinder engine is somewhat underpowered."
Anonymous, OH (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"wish I had gotten a 5 speed manual transmission"
GERALD G., KY (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"the good. lots of power, the bad. transmission is hard to service. and the gas milage is not great for the size of the vehicle"
Anonymous, NV (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"When I turn from a full stop like backing out of the driveway it is not a smooth ride. The truck seems to shimmy until it straightens out."
GEORGE S., VA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Acceleration is adequate. In spite of stiff suspension, the handling is poor, and I find that I have to drive a bit slower than I would in a different vehicle when negotiating twisting roads or sharp bends. The suspension feels mushy at these times. I have experienced sideways hop when going over rough bridge joints that are at an angle to the road. Overall, I drive this vehicle more cautiously than I might a car."
Anonymous, AB (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"After owning 4 Toyota trucks previously this one is a disappointment. It's size was increased for no good purpose and the engine was not made adequate to this new size. Steering is slow and balky. Parking is like driving a 40 mule team. Even a slight hill causes downshifting and on a long hill loss of speed is inevitable. "I should have bought the larger engine" said sales person. NO, I should have bought a different brand of truck. Gas mileage is abysmal. With a larger engine it would hav"
DAN D., OH (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Handles and drives easily"
ROBERT T., SC (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Great power, takes curves well."
STAR B., CA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Strong acceleration, good power for towing trailer. Solid handling."
Anonymous, CA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"I am not crazy about the Tacoma's gas consumption, but it is a joy to drive. The steering is exceptionally responsive. For a truck, it handles and feels more like the ride of a car. It rides smoothly on the road, even on rough surfaces. It accelerates without hesitation. I'm less happy with its stopping/slowing down: It always feels like I have to apply the brakes with a heavy foot, like I am forcing the truck to slow down and stop. I told the dealer that it felt like the engine was set too high and I was fighting it to make it slow down. Toyota said it was "supposed to feel like that." I told them I was going to have to replace my brakes more often because I have to forcefully use them to stop. Because I only have 3500 miles on the Tacoma in 8 years, I probably won't. So...acceleration is great; slowing down, not so great. Handling, terrific."
Anonymous, TN (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"The acceleration is excellent. I rarely need full power to accelerate but if required it's available. The handling is what one would expect of a higher vehicle so I drive accordingly. I've never had to do any emergency maneuvers so I am unable to offer an opinion on handling in such situations. I use the vehicle to pull a 23 foot trailer. While occasionally it would be nice to have more power when towing the trailer up steep hills, I generally don't miss the power that a larger vehicle such as a Tundra would have. The trade-off is that I have a vehicle that is small enough to drive comfortably in urban areas and one that has conservative fuel consumption. I find that this truck is truly an excellent choice for my driving."
Anonymous, AB (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Doesn't have good get-up and go. Apprehensive about passing other automobiles on a two lane road. Not easily parked, the rear camera built into the mirror is worthless-too small to see."
Anonymous, NM (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"At times from a stop it does not respond when I press the gas pedal."
Anonymous, CA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Accelerates well with no load. Just a bit sluggish with our camper loaded on. Always handles well"
Anonymous, VT (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"When transmission is warm it does not always want to shift back into overdrive when accelerating to cruising speed."
Bruce N., MO (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Very poor acceleration and the truck will not pull a 3500 lb. trailer as advertised."
Anonymous, VA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"It's incredibly powerful for it's size. I especially like driving it on the highway."
Suzanne M., VT (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"The brake pedal is to close to the gas pedal, sometimes when braking one also depresses the gas pedal causing the vehicle to accelerate. In my opinion, this is a safety hazard."
Clifford N., TN (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"For a truck it rides like a car"
Anonymous, RI (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"It is a car with all the functionality I need (4WD), towing capability and not just a computer on wheels."
Alfred W., AZ (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"CR's review of this truck was dead on. It's not that great nor efficient for a small truck, but it is also Toyota tough."
Lavera P., NC (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Hard ride. Rides like a truck. Hardly notice a full load. Will tow better than a full size."
Gerry M., ON (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"This truck is very touchy if road conditions are marginal. Loose stones/ wet pavement or winding roadways need to be taken carefully. Truck tends to "fishtail" way too easily."
Anonymous, PA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"gas mileage very poor"
Anonymous, NY (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"My partner uses this for commuting 50 miles a day and finds it to be very comfortable with good power."
Anonymous, CA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"4 cylinder is underpowered, manual transmission not geared properly. Handles well."
Andy S., ON (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"i wish I had purchased a V6 with 4 wheel drive"
David M., VA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Solid, truck performance for the intermediate size. Great for handling the occasional load of gardening material of for a daily comity to work."
Ralph L., CA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Having acceleration delays as spark plugs approach end of normal life"
William B., PA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"adequate acceleration but a stiff handling noted in pickups"
Anonymous, UT (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"It rides a bit rough."
Anonymous, TX (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"good acceleration and handling. turning radius is fair.very good towing capacity"
Seth N., FL (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Adequate acceleration handling feels safe"
Anonymous, MA (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Slow acceleration"
Anonymous, ME (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"It handles well."
Franklin R., AZ (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Excellent. All good."
Anonymous, OH (2010 Toyota Tacoma)"Solid as a sports car while comfortable as a sedan."
Anonymous, NH (2010 Toyota Tacoma)
"This truck gives a very bumpy, jolting ride."
Anonymous, UT (2010 Toyota Tacoma)