The 2020 Toyota Tacoma Promises Big Changes and You Will Like Them

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Traditionally when an established vehicle introduces a model year “refresh,” consumers might expect only a few minor updates. Not with 2020 Tacoma. Toyota promises many important updates and you are going to like them.

When a vehicle dominates their market segment for the last 14 years, some might feel they can rest on their past successes. The Toyota Tacoma has seen an increase in sales for 18 consecutive months, but that did not stop Toyota from teasing many huge improvements customers have been demanding.

Standard Across All Grades

Congratulations 2020 Toyota Tacoma – you are the first lucky Toyota winner to receive Android Auto. Multimedia enthusiasts have demanded this application in their Toyota’s for years, and finally they will be rewarded. Other 2020 Toyota models expecting Android Auto are Tundra, 4Runner and Sequoia.

All 2020 Tacoma trim levels will have standard SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa capabilities. Every grade will also come equipped with a standard 7” or larger touch screen, with an 8” touch screen on SR5 grades and above.

SR - entry level in name only

Most Tacoma grade levels will receive a new grille and taillight design, including the entry level SR. An available LED bed lamp option should be popular. With a 7” standard multimedia screen and the important Android Auto and CarPlay additions, buyers should not feel as though they are in an entry level vehicle in the least.

Popular SR5 got a whole lot better

Viewers on my “Toyotajeff” Toyota reviews YouTube channel (feel free to subscribe – you might like it) leave comments consistently wondering why Tacoma does not offer a power driver’s seat for everyone. Starting with SR5 grade, drivers will now have standard 10-way power driver’s seat. Life just got a whole lot more comfortable.

Refreshed 2020 Toyota Tacoma Updates by Grade Level and Subscribe to Torque News Youtube for Daily Automotive Videos

Expect a host of new practical updates, including new grille and taillight designs, along with 16” dark satin wheel colors and LED bed lamps.

Toyota Racing Development – What do you have in store for us?

Many of the upgrades for the 2020 Tacoma TRD Sport will also be seen on TRD Off-Road. They will both have smart key push button start with auto open function on both front doors, chrome taillight inserts, LED fog lights, and an available LED headlight with LED daytime running lights option.

TRD Sport will have new 17” alloy wheels, and I suspect TRD Off-Road will have new 16” alloys (this Off-Road part is unconfirmed (updates to follow).

For getting in and out of tight situations and difficult terrain, Toyota will equip 2020 Tacoma TRD Sport with a new Panoramic View Monitor. This allows drivers to see different views around the truck as it encounters new and exciting obstacles in its path.

TRD Off-Road is designed for going places other trucks do not wish to go. The 2020 TRD Off-Road will feature Multi-Terrain monitor, which displays the view under your truck. No longer will you need be as fearful of difficult terrain and obstacles from below. Brush, stumps, and previously-unseen holes beware – we are not afraid of you anymore.

As expected, look for standard Off-Road features multi-terrain select, crawl control, locking rear differential, hill start assist and Bilstein shocks.

TRD Pro – in a class of its own

First off let’s talk colors. The 2020 Tacoma TRD Pro is available in this year’s exclusive color Army Green, as well as Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic.

TRD Pro is an ideal blend of off-road capabilities combined with rugged looks and charm. Like its other TRD counterparts, Panoramic View and Multi-Terrain Monitors will help guide you around and underneath your 2020 Tacoma TRD Pro. For improved performance in more challenging terrain, Toyota updated the tuning of TRD Pro’s Fox shocks. You will also find a new, lighter 16-inch wheel with Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Kevlar-reinforced tires.

Exterior changes will include sequential LED/DRL headlamps, along with black-insert taillamps, new to the Tacoma lineup.

Read More: 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: Here's What You Can Expect

“Take it, to the Limit(ed)…one more time”

Limited equals luxury in most cases, and that certainly applies to the 2020 Toyota Tacoma Limited. In addition to a new grille and chrome taillight inserts, Limited is equipped with standard LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED fog lights. Ride along in 18” alloy wheels as well.

Also expect standard smart key push button start, Panoramic View Monitor, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

So there you have it. Based on this breakdown, which of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma grade levels do you have your eye on? Which changes, updates and improvements are you most excited about?

Thanks everyone for reading my Toyota news and review stories. See you next story…

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Sneak Preview

Jeff Teague is a Toyota news reporter at Torque News. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and follow his Instagram for his popular "Toyotajeff Minute" quick Toyota reviews.

Twitter at @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at ToyotaJeff1.

Submitted by PartyUpLive (not verified) on May 18, 2019 - 8:27PM

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Great info Jeff. I'm hoping a lot of this caries over too the 2020 4runner. I can't wait to get one later this year.

Dude, where is a refresh on the four cylinder engine for more hp and higher mileage? Where is the hybrid? Independent rear suspension? Six manual transmission on four banger?
Why the focus on four doors when the access cab with bigger box is a real truck? Access means opening front and suicide doors to for private business on side of road.
Come on man. I call bullshit.

Submitted by RODNEY MOORE (not verified) on May 18, 2019 - 9:39PM

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What it needs is a new and suitably powerful engine. I bought a 2019 TRD PRO and I am NOT liking the shifty transmission, the weak new engine that only gets 17.6 mpg highway and revs wayyyy too high. I should have never traded in my 4.0L 2013. I'll never buy another Toyota until they improve the engine .

I couldn't agree with more ,they ruined the truck with that toy engine , i traded my 2013 tacoma for the 2017 tacoma, , biggest mistake i have done.even if you think you not gonna need more power than what it has , believe me you gonna regret it , i just sold it .

This. While I'm glad to hear about Android auto integration the only thing that I dislike about my 2018 TRD sport is the POS transmission. Love the truck otherwise. So the upgrades for 2020 don't interest me much without an improvement on drivability via power train improvement.

Thank you for saying this out loud!!! This is a deal breaker for me. I had the same scenario with another brand vehicle. Didn't keep it. Putting a weak engine in a "performance" vehicle? Why?

At this point I think the 3.5 will be the last petrol motor for the taco. The trend at Toyota is to make everything a hybrid. So that's probably going to be the next setup. I'm like you and like the old school setups of the Toy 4runner with 4.0 and 5 speed and the Nissan frontier with the 4.0 and 5 speed. Ended up buying a new Frontier pro 4X. Just the test drive of the new taco was a torture. Can't imagine driving that gutless, early shifting, gear searching gas sucking mess as a daily. Not even remotely so.

I'm glad I came here today.
I have a 2007 Taco that I use for work, it's a hot rod!!
I was thinking how great it would be to have drivetrain like that in a handsome new model.
Now I see the new engine isn't as powerful as the 2007, even though the HP rating is up.
Is it a gearing issue? tranny? I'm really disappointed.

I agree with you 100% I have a 2018 TRD off road and the transmission totally sucks on this thing constantly shifting and bogs down on any little Hill at 3500 RPM that's where the powers at and then I'm only getting 16 miles to the gallon on the highway towing a trailer it only gets 12 wish I would have never trade it in my 05 Tundra which averaged 19 miles to a gallon on Highway can't wait till my lease is up to get rid of this damn thing

Agree, I am a big Toyota fan with 2 gen 5 4Runners and an old LC but I couldn't get past the test drive of the 3.5L with either the auto or 6spd manual. I don't believe it is transmission it is the 3.5L motor. Take a look at the HP/Torque curves this little motor just makes no power in the RPM band that is usable, south of 2500 rpm. This forces the transmission to hunt for a gear with the slightest change in load.

Beyond the lack of power or torque the gas mileage is simply terrible and not competitive in this market segment or in the full size segment for that matter.

Instead, I bought a GMC 1/2 ton which is a bigger truck than I wanted and it cost $5K more than a Tacoma but............ 430HP and 460 ft*lbs, tows nearly 5 tons and I get 23 MPG highway and have averaged 22 MPG over the first 20,000 miles. Why can't Toyota build a better engine? They need to import to the USA the HiLix turbo diesel and tune it to about 330 ft*lbs and then they would dominate this mid-size truck market

I agree with you I am a big fan of the 2nd gen I bought one new in early 2006, 4x4 OR and its been a very servicable rig both on road and lots of offroad use in remote Nevada. The 4.0 engine has a very usable power torque curve, 5 spd is great even towing my 17 ft casita travel trailer, or rhino/trailer. Mine is getting up there its over 178,000 miles now, only solution I can see is buy a new tundra full size TRD Pro, or a lightly used 2014-2015 OR TRD, not many good new trucks out there, lots of negatives, seems engineers taking leave of their senses now days, and trying to charge huge bucks for junk.

I’m with you here. I still have 1990 22re / 5 spd
I bought a 2017 Tacoma the eng and trans are weak trash. I traded the truck after 3 months of it shitting the Hwy trying to hold 70 mph on flat ground. Truck looks great. It needs a trans n eng. also make manual trans available in all models or I m done with Toyota’s

My thoughts were when Toyota came out with the new 3.5 engine with a 6-speed transmission it was going to be awesome fuel mileage at least 25 miles to gallon and the 4.0 5-speed was awesome good power average 23 miles to gallon on Highway the new 3.5 6 speed is a pure joke it gets worse mileage in the 4.0 5 speed did and it's just annoying on the highway constantly shifting from 4th 5th to 6th Gear on the highway I got to have it above 3000 RPM just to get power out of it and then I'm getting 18 to 19 miles to a gallon what a huge disappointment from Toyota can't believe I took it back to the dealer and they reprogram the transmission and it didn't do a bit of good what a bunch of overpriced new technology junk

I think if you love Tacoma its best to buy a pre 2016 model with low miles and enjoy. Or a new 4runner while they still have the 4.0L/5spd combo. Newer is not necessarily better these days, forums are full of disappointment.

Submitted by Playhard (not verified) on May 18, 2019 - 10:31PM

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A lot of new gadgets, that's not what made the Tacoma the Tacoma. They need to add to it's capabilities.

Oh well that's something I cannot complain about (durability) I've done nothing but brake pads to my tundra after 200,000 miles and as for the Tacoma, That has 300,000 and runs even better than the Tundra. I swear it gets to 60 mph in the low 7's.

Submitted by Michael S Kubovcik (not verified) on May 18, 2019 - 10:38PM

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Any idea what the new sport rims will look like? I never liked the current sport rims and might consider if they looked more to my liking. I am one for keeping my truck stock too.

Submitted by John Evans (not verified) on May 19, 2019 - 12:14AM

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I own 2016 tacoma limited would like price estimate of all tacomas but don’t know where to look and can you get options u want or package only is all I found in past?

Submitted by juxtos (not verified) on May 19, 2019 - 12:18AM

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sigh,
I was hoping for some sanity,, the smaller trucks from 10 years ago are ideal for most folks. Toyota doesn't seem to be listening,, too much profit to be made on everything being high end. I'm hoping some truck company will provide a decent truck to to grossly overlooked market small truck segment,,