Oldie but Goodey.. Built for it's year
PHJTEXAN on 07/25/2016
Performance: 0
Comfort: 0
Fuel Economy: 0
Fun To Drive: 0
Interior Design: 0
Exterior Design: 0
Build Quality: 0
Reliability: 0
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 4
Safety Rating: 4
Technology Rating: 3
Value Rating: 4
I just purchased this beauty (been searching for a Tacoma for 3 1/2 weeks) and have read up alot on reviews, Pros/Cons. This truck was built for it's year '12, of course fuel economy wasn't great back in the year but fuel at that time was cheap as well. This style reminds me of my time, when I was younger, so it brings back alot of memories. It's not the High tech/push the button on warm seats/easy smooth turns, etc etc plz people it's a truck that will do the job when needed. To save gas on long distance hwy (put the gear in 4-D drive, it will save you gas (around 22-24 mph). In the city well that's different (can put you at 16-18, all depends on how you drive, right). As for metal to the pedal, me personally it picked up quick and felt the power/jerk on this baby. Long bed vs Short bed: long bed you get a better smoother ride when accelerating compare to the short bed. Long Bed you have a better balance and you can put more items in the back. I'm an old school kind of guy and this truck fits the year it was built.. people these days want old school trucks to be like luxury and well, they should either sell it and get a more of there style truck. I had the option to get a '17 or '16, but body style was different, remember (for those who knows) '12 was the beginning of a new body style change for Tacoma and it was also a change of technology as well. So... it comes down to this: great truck, it has the power (long bed) I have the TDR sport and so far at 80k now.. i havent had any issues...
2012 Tacoma
paul anderson on 04/24/2016
Performance: 0
Comfort: 0
Fuel Economy: 0
Fun To Drive: 0
Interior Design: 0
Exterior Design: 0
Build Quality: 0
Reliability: 0
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating:
Safety Rating: 4
Technology Rating:
Value Rating:
Excellent lite duty truck.
2012 Tacoma @ 76,000 miles
Bill Wilkinson on 01/26/2016
Performance: 0
Comfort: 0
Fuel Economy: 0
Fun To Drive: 0
Interior Design: 0
Exterior Design: 0
Build Quality: 0
Reliability: 0
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
Safety Rating: 5
Technology Rating: 5
Value Rating: 5
This is a fantastic truck. I plan to keep it for another 76,000 miles at least. I have used the four wheel drive in heavy snow in upstate NY and on Florida Beaches and it performs flawlessly. I would have no hesitation in hopping in and driving to the Florida Keys or Alaska. The two options I wish that it had would be heated mirrors and a remote starter. I replaced the tires at just over 50,000 miles. This has been my 13th truck and the best. If you are looking for a mid size truck, give the Tacoma a test drive.
Cheap Built
tuckerp on 09/14/2013
Performance: 2
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 3
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 3
Build Quality: 1
Reliability: 1
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 2
Interior Rating: 3
Reliability Rating: 1
My 2012 reg cab
4x4 gets very poor fuel milage . And forget trying to pass another car .
The build is very poor . Right front inside fender Well keeps falling out . It is put together with snaps . After twice in the shop . I am putting screws in it .
The manual stick leather boot fell through when I dropped my phone on it . Once again it is snapped in. Now falls out easy . Worst truck I have owned . I have owned at least 20 new trucks . I had a Tundra the first year they came out . It was a great truck .And had a 85 toyota 4x4 that was indestructible .
This truck should be nick named the lego truck . I can't believe how much Toyota has moved toward such poor quality .
Extremely POOR Gas Mileage & Extremely UNSAFE Trk
johnd38 on 04/03/2013
Performance: 3
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 2
Interior Design: 3
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 2
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 1
Interior Rating: 2
Reliability Rating: 1
Safety Rating: 1
Technology Rating: 2
Value Rating: 2
Truck has unpredictable hesitation / stall. This is not a good thing with oncoming traffic & is Extremely Unsafe. Toyota has been notified, but their response is to drive more aggressively (Unsafe). When you pull out into traffic & their is no response to the gas pedal, it is a very unsafe feeling.
I've had Tacomas in the past with marginal gas mileage of 25 mpg, but this is terrible - less than 20 mpg.
Toyota has gotten worse & does not live up to the high standards that it once had.
Very tinny when closing doors & Poor Dealer Maintenance.
Probably will not buy again unless they improve much more.
They are relying on past reputation instead of making a better vehicle.
Finally found a good Tacoma - 2007 Base model: Good gas mileage, reliable, better than the newer ones. Toyota lost a new car sale, but don't produce the vehicles customers want. Too bad, so sad. Guess they don't listen to customers.
Seems like there is No Engineering; only Sales & Marketing today.
Put some Engineering effort into this:
Improve Gas Mileage -30 mpg+ can be done & quit all the electronic giz wiz "features".
Get back to basics & make a good, fuel efficient vehicle again.
Top of the line it's not
kmann51 on 01/31/2013
Performance: 2
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 1
Interior Design: 1
Exterior Design: 3
Build Quality: 3
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 2
Interior Rating: 1
Reliability Rating: 5
I've had this about 10 months now and get more aggravated with it each time I drive it.
First, you get neither power or fuel economy.
Traded an FJ for this which had gobs of power to this that seems woefully underpowered and it gets 15-17 mpg while driving it like miss Daisy is my passenger. Mine is the TRD crew cab, and it has no heated mirrors, many of the interior switches are not back-lit so driving at night or in cold weather the truck is a pain in the neck.
The most recent insult was the ENTUNE update they sent on a USB drive.
Now none of the functions are working even though my phone shows a good bluetooth connection.
The Best Vehicle on the Road... today
joro05 on 01/08/2013
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I only wish it got 35mpg... maybe they will put a turbo diesel in it eventually.
but for what it is, this is the best truck out there.
Tows my boat, hauls 2 motorcycles, and carries 4 passengers comfortably at the same time... What more could one ask for? except 35mpg (it gets 24...when not towing).
if you want a practical truck this is it. best in quality and value. I love my toy taco... any time i pass a job site, everyone turns and says "that's a nice truck".
Great looking, fun to drive, and very reliable
sellisd77 on 10/23/2012
Performance: 5
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I purchased my '12 Tacoma in December of '11 with the Sports upgrade package and ETune system.
With 24k miles to date, I haven't had even the slightest of issues and I've put it through quite a bit.
Blue Tooth hooks up to my iPhone in seconds.
The stereo and sub are awesome.
4x4 cuts through mud and snow without hesitation.
Gas mileage is average if you don't have a lead foot.
Still enjoy driving it.
Handles exceptionally well for a pick-up and acceleration is surprising.
Everything feels tight and well placed for easy adjustments and/or after market additions.
The bed liner is great and storage will surprise you.
I've had GM's all my life and I won't go back.
Supercharged, 2012 Tacoma Sport 4x4
cansa on 09/15/2012
Performance: 4
Comfort: 3
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 3
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I purchased a Blue 2012 Tacoma Sport 4x4 with the Sport upgrade package that gives you Bilstein shocks, and 18in chrome wheels. After 4k miles I added the supercharger and TRD exhaust.
As warned the supercharger does whine on acceleration but settles out on the highway.
Dead stop
0-60 times are 6.4 but the real performance enhancement is the 60-80 MPH response. Prior to the supercharger and exhaust being installed I got at best 19.5 -21.1 MPG on the Highway and 14-16 combined. Now I get 21.5 to 22 highway and 18 combined. I strongly suggest getting both the supercharger and exhaust as they really up the performance and gas mileage. The truck rides nice and manuevers in town well.
Great for the casual truck user.
jrliegl on 08/08/2012
Performance: 4
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 5
I am a casual truck user, meaning I do haul trailers, dirt bikes, quads, mulch, and the occasional camper. It stands up to every task I ask of it, and it takes me to and from work daily as well. The camper shell on the back smoothes out the truck feel of the empty bed. It's just enough weight to make it go down the road very comfortably full or empty.
Major Driveline Problems, won't buy another, Toyota offering arbitration
12tacoowner on 05/20/2012
Performance: 3
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 3
Fun To Drive: 2
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 4
Build Quality: 2
Reliability: 2
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 3
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 2
I have a 2012 double cab v6 TRD Off-Road, 100% stock. Lemon??
My first Toyota. Bought new from dealer out of state, arrived by transporter and immediately had major drive line vibration. Been to local dealer 3x; in contact with Toyota USA because the dealers can't fix.
Read up on this at TacomaWorld, there are many 2012's with this prob, sad.
If you must buy, test drive from a dead stop through 30mph, up hill if possible. Putting a load on it makes the prob especially noticeable if it's there at all.
Toyota modern day quality is sub-par, unfortunately they're the only mid-size truck with a v6, 4x4, double cab w/ manual trans option.
btw, manual trans is made by Aisin = not goo
12 Tacoma 4wd, DBl Cab, 4WD, Sport, L/B
lagunasecam on 01/03/2012
Performance: 2
Comfort: 4
Fuel Economy: 2
Fun To Drive: 4
Interior Design: 4
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 4
Comfort Rating: 4
Performance Rating: 2
Interior Rating: 4
Reliability Rating: 4
I had a 2010 GMC Sierra 1500, but really wanted something smaller to drive around town.
Overall a nice truck, but it has some significant cost cutting that shows through.
With an MSRP of almost $35k, it is hard to believe that the 4WD selector, outside mirror, fog light, and door switches are not back-lit.
Drove the truck the second day I owned it at night in a snowstorm.
Had to pull over to find the 4wd switch.
Just plain cheap!
What could it cost to back light the switches, $10?
A hood prop rod?
What, another $20 for struts?
No heated mirrors or rear defroster available at any price? I guess it never snows.
Auto-door locks?
Entune does not work wirelessly (BT) with an iPhone!
Great Midsized Truck
truklvr on 12/11/2011
Performance: 4
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 4
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 4
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I traded my 2003 Tacoma regular cab at 210000 miles with no problems and still running strong. I always like the styling of the 2005's and was glad that the restyling of the new 2012 was suttle. It has a nice smooth ride, handles very well and is more spacious than my previous truck. It has adequate power, easy to handle and a nice turning radius for easy parking. I checked out the Nissan Frontier, also a nice truck but the turning radius was very wide and not available in a regular cab. The new gauge cluster lighting on my new Tacoma is very cool. I never did care for the all orange lighting on the previous models but that's a matter of personal opinion. I plan on keeping it for many years.
Rookie Truck Owner
truckrookie on 11/16/2011
Performance: 5
Comfort: 5
Fuel Economy: 5
Fun To Drive: 5
Interior Design: 5
Exterior Design: 5
Build Quality: 5
Reliability: 5
Comfort Rating: 5
Performance Rating: 5
Interior Rating: 5
Reliability Rating: 5
I bought (and reviewed on here) my 2009 Audi TT Convertible which has been and continues to be a blast. At 85K miles, I decided to let it be my weekend car and get a truck for the first time. I had always been in love with Tacomas.
This October I got a 2012 Pre-Runner Xtra Cab and couldn't be happier. The interior has been upgraded and has a stylish, sporty feel. There is plenty of storage and plenty of room without feeling like you are driving in the middle of a cavern. The 4 CYL engine definitely provides enough power, and the Pre-Runner look gives the appearance of a 4x4 without the drawbacks on MPG.
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