Fans were already asking if Toyota would be changing the Tacoma for 2023 long before the new Tacoma hit the dealerships last autumn. A Tacoma redesign is overdue, judging by Toyota’s typical six-year redesign cycles. Sadly, we aren’t seeing a Tacoma redesign this year. To answer the question of if the 2023 Tacoma will get a new engine, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma retained the running gear and powertrains of the 2022 model, comprising 2.7-liter I4 and 3.5-liter V6 engines.
It also carried over the trim levels of the 2022 model, which means the SR, SR5, Trail Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-road, Limited, and TRD Pro all staged a comeback for 2023. Notably, the SR5 variants get a new SX and Chrome appearance package. So, the biggest change for the 2023 model year Tacoma is the introduction of a new trim level, with the Nightshade edition shoving forward towards the top of the line to benefit from most of the features available in the midsize pickup truck.
Assembled in Mexico in either Tijuana or Guanajuato, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma is a reasonably priced truck that's extremely off-road-capable. Durability, capability, and reliability are Tacoma's core strengths, allowing it to once again emerge as the best-selling midsize truck in America. It moved 237,323 units in 2022 and 252,520 the year before. Below are 10 things that make the 2023 Tacoma so tough and reliable.
10 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Has A 6,800-LB Towing Capacity And Trailer-Sway Control
With a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 lbs when properly equipped with the towing package, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma is the toughest beast of burden among its compact truck competitors. This means mid-sizers like the Ford Maverick, Honda Ridgeline, and Hyundai Santa Cruz are babies compared to the Tacoma's tow capacity.
The Maverick can manage a 4,000-lb towing capacity, while the Ridgeline has a 5,000-lb max towing capacity, as does the Santa Cruz. The Nissan Frontier came close with a 6,720-lb towing capacity, but the Tacoma appears to be gunning for the GMC Hummer EV and Jeep Gladiator with 7,500 lbs and 7,650 lbs of towing capacities, respectively.
The Tacoma pairs its 6,800 lbs worth of muscle with a Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) technology that applies brake pressure at individual wheels and manages engine torque to help maintain control of the trailer during instances of adverse wind or load shifts causing the trailer to sway.
9 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Features A Composite Bed With A Deck Rail System
The 2023 Tacoma uses a composite bed material that Toyota says is more than just a bed liner. The automaker claims to have made the new Tacoma’s bed surface with ultra-durable, fiber-reinforced Sheet-Molded Composite (SMC), improving its toughness better than steel beds as well as maintaining the rugged finish for longer.
Just as important as the toughness and appearance of the bed is the cargo the bed is transporting. So, Toyota adds an innovative deck rail system with four heavy-duty adjustable tie-down cleats to ensure your precious cargo is securely strapped down while plowing through off-road terrains. The deck rail system is standard.
8 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Features Suspension Lift And Multi-Terrain Monitor
Why do you need a taller suspension? To increase the vehicle’s ground clearance and enhance its off-roading performance. SUVs often get modified with a suspension kit to raise the height for this same reason. The 2023 Tacoma TRD Pro version comes with a suspension lift providing a 1.5-inch front lift, 0.5-inch in the rear, and machine-forged upper control arms to make it sure-footed through the harshest bumps in the woods – or sidewalk fence.
If the harsh trails get too demanding, Toyota recommends the Tacoma's available Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system that lets you check your immediate surroundings for potential obstacles by simply pressing a button to display front-, rear- and side-camera views on the 8-inch navigation screen.
Edmunds recommends the TRD Off-Road trim (not the same as the TRD Pro) even if you don’t plan to go off-roading because it has several amenities not found in lower trims, such as keyless entry and ignition, heated mirrors, and enhanced off-road capability.
7 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Comes With Rigid Industries LED Fog Lights
Rigid Industries is an industry leader in high-performance LED lights. The Arizona-based LED lighting company says its mission is to always design and manufacture the world's best forward projecting and auxiliary LED lighting products.
With the 2023 Tacoma, TRD (Toyota Racing Development) manages to pack the power and brightness of the Rigid Industries LED fog lights into a compact package, complete with a wide-angle beam configuration and protectively rugged aluminum housing with the Rigid Industries logo.
6 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Features TRD-Tuned FOX® Internal Bypass Shocks And Crawl Control
Like Rigid Industries, Fox Factory Holding Corporation is popular for its Fox Racing Shox brand of off-road racing suspension components. The difference between standard and Fox shock absorbers is that the latter is purpose-built for off-roading. In other words, Fox shocks get designed from top to bottom to withstand higher frequency and larger magnitude forces associated with driving faster off-road.
The 2023 Tacoma features TRD-tuned Fox Internal Bypass shocks engineered for optimum performance and controls thanks to increased ground clearance, enhanced damping, and more travel. The TRD Off-Road trim features an advanced Crawl Control technology that “automatically modulates the throttle and brakes on five low-speed settings, so you can keep your focus on navigating across difficult terrain.”
5 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Features A TRD Pro Skid Plate And Bilstein Shocks
The TRD Pro trim of the 2023 Tacoma features a unique TRD Pro skid plate that comes standard on the model. It's made of aluminum 1/4-inch thick to provide crucial protection for the mechanical components underneath the truck's front end.
The 2023 TRD Off-Road trim pairs the Crawl Control with Bilstein shocks to “help soak up the impacts of the trail, thanks to high-performance components and valving tuned specifically for off-road driving.” Produced in state-of-the-art facilities in Germany and the USA, Bilstein shocks and struts are globally renowned for the best performance both for cars, trucks, and motor homes.
4 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Rides On 16-Inch TRD Pro Wheels And An Electronically Locking Rear Differential
The TRD Pro's 16-inch wheels are more than just a tough-looking pair of shoes. They're TRD-special black alloy wheels “with flow-formed aluminum alloy to provide an ideal balance of strength and weight savings,” wrapped with Goodyear AT (all-terrain) tires for optimal traction on- and off-road.
To maximize the Tacoma's grip on the road, Toyota offers an available electronically controlled locking rear differential that evenly distributes engine power to both rear wheels, allowing them to move at the same speed for better grip in low-traction conditions.
3 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Supports The 3.5-Liter V6 Direct-Injection Engine With Hill Start Assist Control
You’d be right to wave off the Tacoma’s engine choices as unimpressive, including the standard 159-horsepower four-cylinder engine and optional 278-horsepower V6 that offers more oomph but still lags with acceleration.
But with Tacoma’s Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), the grunt needed to climb hills safely is not left to the engine. Toyota designed the HAC system to minimize the chance of the Tacoma rolling backward when you move your foot from the brake to the gas pedal. Unfortunately, the TRD Off-Road 4WD trim doesn’t get the HAC system.
2 The 2023 Toyota Tacoma Has An Available Six-Speed Manual Transmission And Multi-Terrain Select
With the 2023 Tacoma’s available six-speed manual gearbox, Toyota ensured gearheads and enthusiasts who love to swing through gears like Tarzan swings through trees have control of the road and the driving experience they seek.
This comes with a Multi-Terrain Select system on the TRD Off-Road trim, comprising five selectable modes designed to “regulate wheelspin by automatically adjusting the engine throttle and traction control.” The automaker says the multi-terrain system especially works wonders when paired with the standard Goodyear Wrangler tires with tough Kevlar construction.
1 The 2023 Toyota Features A Retouched Aggressive Front Fascia
Toyota understands the importance of looking the part, even though the Tacoma remains without a redesign since the mild exterior and interior refresh in 2012. That's why the TRD Pro model got some subtle – and not-so-subtle – details like the LED headlight housing, the iconic heritage grille, and the TRD Pro logo to imbue the front fascia with an aggressive profile that confidently betrays its improved toughness and reliability.
Sources: Toyota