“The 2018 Toyota Tacoma SR has all of the options I was looking for. It handles great in a variety of Midwest road conditions. It has great safety options such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The vehicle fits my lifestyle well, I can transport my dogs and recreation gear with ease.”
2018 Toyota Tacoma: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The most important change for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma is a newly standard driver-assistance suite on every trim. Otherwise, this is a light update rather than a redesign, with only small grille revisions for several trims.
About the 2018 Toyota Tacoma
3rd generation Tacoma (2016-2023), third model year; light update year before the later 2020 refresh.
Toyota positions the Tacoma as a midsize pickup that blends jobsite usefulness with strong outdoor and off-road appeal. It is meant to do real truck work, but Toyota leans heavily into adventure, durability, and a broad lineup that stretches from basic SR work trucks to luxury-leaning Limited models and serious trail-ready TRD versions. Versus more carlike rivals, the Tacoma’s identity is more rugged and lifestyle-driven, with a high stance, durable bed design, and unusually deep factory off-road credibility.
The 2018 Tacoma lineup ranges from the practical, work-focused SR to the pavement-oriented TRD Sport and trail-ready TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro. The TRD Pro stands out with FOX shocks, a locking rear differential, and underbody protection, while the comfort-focused Limited has leather seats, JBL audio, navigation, and a moonroof.
What changed, by category
Safety
Forward collision braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams became standard on every Tacoma trim.
Styling
SR and SR5 received lightly revised grilles, TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road adopted darker mesh grilles, and Limited received a satin-chrome grille.
2018 Toyota Tacoma specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.7 Liter / V6, 3.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.7 Liter / V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter | V6, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd | Automatic, 6-Spd |
| Drivetrain | 2WD / 4WD | 2WD / 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD | 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 18–20 mpg | 18–20 mpg | 19 mpg | 18 mpg | 19 mpg | 18–19 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 22–24 mpg | 22–24 mpg | 24 mpg | 22 mpg | 24 mpg | 22–24 mpg |
| Horsepower | 159–278 hp | 159–278 hp | 278 hp | 278 hp | 278 hp | 278 hp |
| Torque | 180–265 lb-ft | 180–265 lb-ft | 265 lb-ft | 265 lb-ft | 265 lb-ft | 265 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 3500–6800 lb | 3500–6400 lb | 6400 lb | 6400 lb | 6400–6500 lb | 6400–6500 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 24.6–32.6 in | 24.6–32.6 in | 32.6 in | 32.6 in | 24.6–32.6 in | 24.6–32.6 in |
| Seats | 4–5 | 4–5 | 5 | 5 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic High Beams | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||
| LCD Instrument Cluster | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What safety features were added to the 2018 Toyota Tacoma?
Every 2018 Toyota Tacoma gained standard forward collision braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.
Was the 2018 Toyota Tacoma redesigned?
No, the 2018 Toyota Tacoma was not redesigned. It remained part of the third generation introduced for 2016 and received a light safety and styling update.
What is the main reason to consider a 2018 Tacoma over a 2017 Tacoma?
The main advantage of the 2018 Tacoma is that its driver-assistance suite became standard on every trim. The rest of the truck changed only slightly, mainly through small grille revisions.
Did the 2018 Toyota Tacoma get a new engine or powertrain?
No, the 2018 Toyota Tacoma had no lineup-wide engine or powertrain change. Its meaningful updates were the standard driver-assistance features and revised grilles on several trims.
Which 2018 Tacoma trims received grille updates?
The SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited received grille revisions for 2018. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road gained darker mesh designs, while the Limited received a satin-chrome grille.
2018 Toyota Tacoma Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Toyota Tacoma.
4.1
2018 Toyota Tacoma
(461 reviews)
“I love the new Toyota truck, but not for sure about the new 3.5 engine and transmission pairing. Doesn't seem to know when to shift.”
“I loved my Tacoma very reliable and great looking mid truck. Everyone wants a Tacoma.”