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VERDICT · SIMPLE, DEPENDABLE — SHARES THE V6'S CONSERVATIVE DESIGN

Toyota Tacoma 2.7L
is it a safe used buy?

The base four-cylinder on this Tacoma generation — less power than the 4.0L V6, same conservative Toyota engineering philosophy.

GENERATION2nd gen base (2005–2015)
ENGINE2.7L
POWER159 hp
USED PRICE$11,500–18,500

How the engine fits this car

The base four-cylinder on this Tacoma generation — less power than the 4.0L V6, same conservative Toyota engineering philosophy.

A genuinely sensible choice for buyers who mostly need a capable, efficient daily truck rather than maximum towing capacity.

Toyota Tacoma-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

  • Lower purchase price than the V6 option
  • No chronic issue of significant scale documented
  • Better fuel economy than the V6
  • Strong resale value consistent with the Tacoma nameplate generally

WHAT TO WATCH

  • Noticeably less power and towing capacity than the 4.0L V6
  • Can feel strained with a full load or heavy off-road use
  • Less common on the used market than the V6
  • Valve cover gasket seep is a common, low-severity issue at high mileage

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 100,000 mi
$16,000–18,500
Lower-mileage, well-kept examples
100,000–180,000 mi
$13,000–16,000
Sweet spot, minimal additional risk
180,000+ mi
$11,500–13,000
Still a confident buy with documented maintenance

The engine itself

This Tacoma shares its 2.7L four-cylinder with the related Highlander. Full detail lives on the dedicated engine page.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNToyota 2.7L Four-Cylinder — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Beyond general maintenance history, there's little engine-specific risk to flag.

If towing or off-road capability matters most, compare directly against the 4.0L V6 page.

Check for frame rust, particularly on examples from regions that salt roads in winter.