As of 2015, the Tacoma was sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica,[1] Bolivia, Bermuda, and the French overseas collectivity of New Caledonia.

When comparing with the Hilux, the Tacoma receives engineering with greater priority on ride quality, handling, comfort, and safety over ruggedness and payload capacity.

The design intends to better suit the needs of the US and Canadian market, where pickup trucks are used as personal vehicles rather than for commercial, agricultural, and off-road purposes.

[7] The first-generation Tacoma underwent its first minor update in October 1996, switching from recessed sealed beam headlamps to a flush design on 2WD models.

[7] The PreRunner is a 2WD that shares the same taller suspension, six-lug wheel bolt pattern, and 2.7 L base engine as the four-wheel drive.

[19] In October 2000, along with the front facelift, Toyota also unveiled the S-Runner trim package for the 2WD Xtracab that was available exclusively with the 3.4-liter V6 engine coupled to a five-speed manual transmission.

Visually, the S-Runner carried a monochrome finish,[21][22] with a grille and other trim pieces colored to match the exterior in either Black Sand Pearl or Radiant Red.

[17] On November 21, 2012, Toyota recalled about 150,000 Tacoma midsize pickup trucks from the model years 2001 to 2004 that were sold primarily in 20 cold-weather U.S. states.

Launched on October 18, 2004, as a 2005 model, this new Tacoma was available in eighteen different combinations of three cab configurations, four transmissions, two engines, and two bed lengths.

The 2012 model year refresh featured a restyled front bumper, headlights, grille, hood, new interior and a shark fin antenna for the SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2013 model year comes with a touch screen audio system and removes the shark fin antenna and SiriusXM radio capability unless the optional Entune package is installed.

The X-Runner features the 1GR-FE paired to a six-speed manual transmission, 18 in (457 mm) alloy wheels, is lowered two inches from the factory and included an X-Brace suspension package.

Every Tacoma was manufactured with a composite inner bed that includes a deck rail system with four tie down cleats, hook-pins, and storage boxes.

The second level includes the above and adds a towing package (oil and transmission coolers, fan clutch) and heavy-duty high output alternator and battery.

Progressive-rate springs are included, and smaller-diameter sway bars compared to the Sport package, which gives the Off-Road more wheel articulation and a smoother ride, but allows for more body roll.

[41] Based on the TRD Off Road, the Pro package added a 2" front lift with Bilstein 2.5-inch front shocks and 2.0-inch rear shocks with remote reservoirs for extra wheel travel, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires on 16-inch black and silver bead-lock-style wheels, and TRD cat-back exhaust system.

[42] Cosmetic upgrades included the scooped Sport hood, black badges, blackout lighting elements, a TRD Pro matte-black grille with TOYOTA lettering, and various TRD-badged interior parts.

The new Tacoma was officially unveiled at the January 2015 North American International Auto Show, with sales in the United States beginning on September 10, 2015.

Changes include a larger grille, new projector-beam headlamps, and a redesigned tailgate and bed with an integrated spoiler and debossed Tacoma logo.

Unlike the second-generation models, the 2016 and 2017 Tacoma steering wheel controls had reduced functionality, limiting convenience when browsing phone contacts or selecting songs.

The steering wheel D-pad controls were no longer linked to the Entune system for browsing and selecting contacts or scrolling through music lists.

The 2017 model year TRD Pro was only available in the double cab short bed configuration, with either a manual or automatic gearbox in Barcelona Red Metallic, Super White, or Cement.

[84] The TNGA-F platform uses laser-welded high-strength steel frame members to increase rigidity, and aluminum body components to reduce weight.

Unlike prior generations, the XtraCab will not be equipped with rear jump seats, instead having an interior lockable cargo storage area.

[90] The XtraCab body will only be available with the SR, SR5, and TRD PreRunner trim levels and will only use the longer 6 ft (1.8 m) bed with a leaf-sprung rear axle.

i-Force Max has a single electric traction assist motor/generator between the engine and transmission, but otherwise shares the same basic transfer case and mechanical driveshaft running gear with non-hybrid Tacomas.

[84] Four-wheel-drive models have a two-speed (high and low range), electronically-controlled transfer case; TRD (PreRunner, Off-Road, and Pro) and Trailhunter trims upgrade the rear differential to an electronically-locking version, and the Limited trim includes full-time all-wheel-drive with a center locking differential when equipped with the optional i-Force Max hybrid engine.

The Hilux has been modified with extra lights, tubular bumpers, and aftermarket wheels and tires; the popularity of the film has led to numerous recreations of the original concept.

[102] The original concept from 1985 was destroyed in a crash, and the studio recreated it for the sequels; after filming was complete, most of the modifications were stripped and the truck was sold to a private owner.

[105] The 2016 Tacoma BTTF concept is featured in the launch campaign for the Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, which includes some of the original actors from the film.