Looking to purchase a 3rd gen - what is the best year?

I'm looking to purchase a 3rd gen 4x4 Tacoma (likely a 2017-2021) within the next 6-8 months. Knowing that no vehicle is perfect and will eventually need repairs, what seems to be the year/model that is the most reliable and what are the major issues I need to be on the lookout for or to prepare for?

 

2021 will be the most reliable year of those listed.

 

12-15

But in seriousness, I'd try to get 18+. It's only one truck I'm basing this on, but my old man's '17 has been kind of a turd since day one (front diff failed, headlight and wiring issues, poor shifting by the trans, and the actual shifter itself has gotten stuck or hard to move several times. Also has been hard starting recently). You'll want to avoid them in white as well due to poor quality paint, there's several places with rust bleeding and chipped / flaking paint on his truck

 

The newer the better (generally speaking). 2 things to consider.

1) when a new generation comes out e.g. 2016, there will be problems that will eventually be fixed in later generations.

2) when viewing the number of issues on consumer reports, later year vehicles may look better because they don't have enough of a history yet to show their problems.

 

Not sure reliability wise, but feature wise 2020 was the first year power drivers seat and apple carplay / android auto were standard features.

 

2020 and up cause Carplay.

 

Some features were added over the years and some taken away. Depends on what you want. I would love Carplay, but wouldn't want to give up my bed cubbies.

 

If 4 cylinder, any year.
If V6..2019/2020

 

They’re all reliable overall. ‘18 (safety) and ‘20 (CarPlay LED’s power seats) are step-up years for features.

‘16-‘17 had some well documented early build teething issues, but even a well maintained ‘17 likely had those issues corrected and will serve you well moving forward.

Regardless of year just make sure you have outstanding service records and check underneath & everywhere in between. A lot of trucks in general will get beat to hell & traded off at the first signs of trouble. That has nothing to do with the inherent reliability so even a newer one could potentially be your next big headache.

Good luck!

 

Most notable differences, of the years you specified:
2017 doesn't have all the nanny stuff (TSS). 2018+ does.
2020/2021 has the automatic transmission fix applied.
2017 and early 2020 automatics have the external transmission cooler.

 

2020+ is how I’d do it. 2020+ facelifted with excellent headlights (leds)
19+ No 3rd brake light leak
20+ Better auto shifting due to new software
A few coolant leaks happened in the 16s and 17s

 

Like my 4 banger 2016, not any open issues. 85k. The battery was replaced

 

2021 SR-5 has been proven to be the top of the food chain when it comes to Tacomas. Read up on it.

 

2020 built before March....

 

2017, no TSS nanny's.

 

I think I'm starting to understand this CarPlay things...thx!

 

2020+ are Mexitaco? 2019 and older were made in Texas.

 

I think it was split between Texas and Mexico until 2020, then 2021 and after they're only made in Mexico.

 

My 2020 was out of TX.

As others stated I'd look at a 2020+ for power driver seat, android auto/carplay, and LED headlight option. 2021 also got dual zone climate control standard in the TRD models.

 

I can add to this by saying my ‘21 SR5 has been perfect since the day I bought it. 0 issues and I drive it a lot.