

What draws you to Toyota? Do you appreciate the manufacturer’s rich history in the automotive industry? Do you value Toyota’s success and reputation for building long-lasting and reliable vehicles? There’s no right or wrong answer, and we should know as the most trusted Toyota dealer near Clarksville.
Buying a Toyota is a smart investment for Tennessee drivers, but what model should be at the top of your list? Local drivers looking for incredible value, capability, and versatility don’t have to shop beyond the best-selling and beloved Tacoma. As Toyota’s midsize workhorse, the beloved “Taco” is renowned for its go-anywhere capability and exceptional handling, performance, and packaging. We’re here with seven reasons why it’s time to consider the Tacoma as your truck of choice.
#1 - A Veteran in the Truck Segment
The Tacoma has been a staple in the Toyota lineup since 1995, when it debuted as a compact pickup truck with a heart for adventure. The Tacoma made a lasting first impression, garnering praise for its agility, responsiveness, and comfort. Toyota capitalized on the truck’s success, updating it and introducing new generations with more modern styling, innovative technologies, premium materials, and enhanced capabilities.
The Tacoma’s growth spurt in the new millennium earned it a place in the midsize truck segment, where it remains the top seller today. Why? Even with a slightly larger footprint, Clarksville drivers value the Tacoma’s responsive handling and agility on and off the pavement. Moreover, its long tenure in the Toyota lineup has earned it a stellar reputation as the most reliable truck in its class. It also means that the Tacoma has an extensive ownership community and plenty of aftermarket support, with “Taco” owners often turning to one another for tips, tricks, and insight into modifying the truck to their specific needs.
#2 - Legendary Capability
Whether you spend most of your time on Interstate 24 or navigating one of the many local thoroughfares like Route 41 or Route 79, the Tacoma is up for any challenge and can effortlessly handle every condition in Clarksville. The Tacoma’s capability is legendary, with the first-generation truck offering a choice of three powertrains that delivered up to 190 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque. Today, those numbers are even more impressive and showcase the Tacoma’s progression over the years.
Although Toyota streamlined the Tacoma’s powertrain lineup during its second and third generations, the fourth-generation 2024 Tacoma introduced more power and capability than ever before. The Tacoma’s i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain ushers the Tacoma into a new era of capability, producing 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of near-instant torque as its 2.4L turbocharged powerplant works seamlessly with an electric motor. Even the base i-FORCE gas engine is impressive, making up to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque to deliver the turbocharged power expected of a Toyota road warrior.

#3 - A Customizable and Configurable Lineup
The Tacoma is undeniably one of the most versatile midsize trucks in the industry today. Toyota caters to every driving, style, and performance need with the Tacoma’s diverse trim lineup, package options, and bed lengths. There’s genuinely a trim for every Clarksville driver, whether you’re shopping on a budget or looking for luxury.
The Tacoma lineup has consistently expanded over the years, with the SR and SR5 serving as a gateway into the fleet. Their budget-friendly price tags and value-oriented packaging add to their appeal and set the stage for mid-tier trims like the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road. At the top of the lineup sits the opulent Tacoma Limited with every luxury imaginable, from its upscale cabin to its expansive digital displays, driver-assist technologies, and exclusive design details. The 2024 Tacoma Limited also features a power tailgate and power running boards.
#4 - Rugged and Ready for Adventure
Toyota’s models have a reputation for being rugged and ready for anything, and the Tacoma lineup is no exception. Because of this, finding the perfect off-road Tacoma to suit your adventurous spirit is straightforward. The Tacoma’s TRD trims offer a progressive lineup of features, with the new TRD PreRunner positioned as the most affordable with its electronically controlled rear locking differential that improves its handling on more technical terrain.
If you’re venturing off the pavement and beyond the Clarksville city limits, you’ll want to look for trims like the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro. These trims distinguish themselves by their trail-ready features, from the Bilstein shocks on the TRD Off-Road to the FOX shocks on the TRD Pro. The new Trailhunter is also an excellent off-road option and looks every part of the rugged overlander with its high-clearance front bumper, steel rear bumper, rock rails, and high-mount air intake. It also features Old Man Emu shocks for the ultimate capability on the most challenging terrain.
#5 - Awards, Honors, and Accolades
The Tacoma has rightly earned its place as the best-selling truck in its class because of Toyota’s ingenuity. The Tacoma is no stranger to the spotlight, earning numerous awards, from the 2005 Motor Trend Truck of the Year to the 2023 SEMA Midsize Truck of the Year. It’s also earned high praise from Kelley Blue Book and J.D. Power and is consistently one of the safest-rated trucks in the segment, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

#6 - Technology and Features
Whether navigating downtown Clarksville or venturing beyond the city limits, the Tacoma is engineered to keep you connected, engaged, informed, and aware. The midsize truck is a tech-savvy road warrior that actively instills confidence in the driver’s seat. Toyota manages this feat by outfitting the Tacoma with technologies that keep you connected, from seamless smartphone integration to navigational tools via the Tacoma’s infotainment system.
Behind the scenes, the Tacoma’s technologies work even harder to heighten the truck’s performance and optimize your control behind the wheel. Depending on the year, model, and trim, the Tacoma’s Multi-Terrain Select system lets you finetune the truck’s performance based on the conditions using various drive modes. The 2024 Tacoma also offers a Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism that enables you to increase the suspension’s articulation at the touch of a button when you’re blazing a new trail. Other technologies like Crawl Control are ideal for navigating the trail at slow speeds, while advanced driver-assist technologies in the Toyota Safety Sense suite work to heighten your safety on the pavement.
#7 - High Resale Value
Who doesn’t want to get more for their money? Toyota’s reputation for building long-lasting and capable trucks like the Tacoma works in your favor when shopping for a midsize pickup.
Every vehicle is prone to depreciate and lose value over time. New models depreciate the fastest, often losing 10% of their value when they leave the lot. After five years, they’re typically worth around 40% of the original purchase price. This depreciation puts a gaping hole in your wallet, especially if you invest in a brand prone to rapid depreciation. Toyota is one of the exceptions, with models like the Tacoma holding their value incredibly well.
Because of this, buying a Tacoma is an excellent way to make a wiser financial investment in your future behind the wheel. The Tacoma’s high resale value can put more money in your pocket when you’re ready to trade or sell. Knowing this, you can confidently shop for a new or used model and reap the benefits of investing in one of the world’s leading automotive brands and best-selling trucks without settling for less.