The midsize pickup truck segment officially belongs to the Toyota Tacoma, a machine that apparently treats the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) like its own personal trophy shelf. For the second consecutive year, judges crowned the fourth-generation Tacoma the Truck of Texas. This victory at the 32nd annual Texas Truck Rodeo marks a seismic shift in the automotive world, akin to a featherweight boxer knocking out a heavyweight champion in a BBQ-eating contest. Traditionally, massive full-size pickup trucks dominate this award because, in Texas, people generally believe "bigger is better" applies to everything from steaks to belt buckles. However, the Tacoma shattered that tradition in 2025 and defended its turf in 2026, proving that you do not need a vehicle the size of a small apartment to win over the Lone Star State.

This win solidifies Toyota as a powerhouse in the Texas truck market, a region where the brand is now more common than cowboy boots at a line dance. Over the last five years, a Toyota pickup has snatched the top honor four times, leaving competitors to wonder if the judges are being bribed with endless supplies of breakfast tacos. The Toyota Tundra won in 2022 and 2024, but the Tacoma has now secured the 2025 and 2026 trophies, effectively creating a dynasty. This performance comes on the heels of the Tacoma achieving its best-ever sales year in 2025, which is impressive considering it has already been the most popular midsize pickup in the United States for 21 years straight. At this point, the Tacoma has been winning for so long it probably has its own retirement fund and a dedicated wing in the Truck Hall of Fame.

Engineering the Midsize Sales Leader

The fourth-generation Tacoma represents a complete overhaul of the midsize pickup platform, ditching its old bones for a setup that actually feels like it belongs in the current decade. Built on the TNGA-F global truck platform, the Tacoma shares high-strength steel and advanced engineering with the larger Tundra and Sequoia, making it essentially a "Tundra Lite" without the parking-lot-induced anxiety. This foundation allows the Tacoma to handle rigorous off-road duties while maintaining refined on-road manners, so you can crawl over boulders on Sunday and drive to the office on Monday without needing a chiropractor. It is the automotive equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, but one that actually has a blade sharp enough to cut through more than just a piece of string.

The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain is the centerpiece of this new generation, and it is a far cry from the buzzy, uninspired hybrids of the past. It pairs a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-hp electric motor, creating a duo more effective than a double shot of espresso on a Monday morning. This combination delivers nearly double the torque of the outgoing V6 engine, which used to scream in agony whenever it saw a steep hill. Peak torque arrives at just 1,700 rpm, providing immediate throttle response that makes merging onto the highway feel less like a prayer and more like a victory lap. This power is essential for towing, hauling, and technical off-roading, or simply making sure you beat the minivan next to you to the last spot at the grocery store.

Dominating the 2025 Midsize Truck Market

Data proves that the Tacoma is more than a critic’s favorite; it is a sales juggernaut that is currently eating its competitors' lunch, dinner, and snacks. In 2025, Toyota sold 274,638 units of the Tacoma, which is a staggering amount of sheet metal for a single year. This represents a 42.4 percent increase compared to 2024, a growth rate usually reserved for tech startups or viral cat videos. To put this in perspective, its nearest competitor, the Chevrolet Colorado, sold 107,867 units, meaning the Tacoma outsold its closest rival by more than 166,000 trucks. If the midsize truck market were a high school popularity contest, the Tacoma would be the quarterback, the prom king, and the guy who somehow got an A on the final without studying.

The surge in sales followed the full availability of the i-FORCE MAX models, proving that truck buyers actually like having power and efficiency at the same time. In December 2025 alone, Toyota moved over 25,000 Tacoma units, which is roughly one truck sold every two minutes, assuming the dealership staff never sleeps. The Tacoma Hybrid accounted for roughly 30,000 of the total annual sales, suggesting that while buyers still love the standard i-FORCE gas engine, the high-performance hybrid is gaining a foothold. It turns out that when you offer people a truck that is faster, stronger, and better on gas, they actually show up with their checkbooks—who would have thought?

Award-Winning Off-Road Performance Grades

The TAWA journalists evaluated vehicles at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas, a place where trucks go to prove they aren't just "pavement princesses." The course includes a mix of high-speed dirt sections, technical rock crawling, and street driving, designed to reveal which trucks are built for work and which are just wearing fancy costumes. Two specific grades helped the Tacoma secure the win: the TRD Pro and the Trailhunter. These models are designed for people who think a "scenic route" involves at least three different types of mud and a high probability of losing a hubcap.

The High-Speed TRD Pro

The TRD Pro is built for high-speed desert racing, or at least for people who want to look like they could survive a "Mad Max" scenario. It features a segment-first IsoDynamic Performance Seat, which looks like something stolen from a fighter jet or a high-end dentist’s office. This seat uses an air-over-oil shock absorber system to dampen movement, ensuring your spine doesn't try to exit through the top of your head when you hit a bump at 50 mph. By stabilizing the driver's head and neck, it reduces fatigue during aggressive off-road driving, meaning you can spend all day bouncing off dunes and still feel human enough to eat dinner. The TRD Pro also uses FOX QS3 internal bypass shocks and sits on 33-inch Goodyear Territory rugged-terrain tires that offer 11.5 inches of ground clearance, enough to roll over most obstacles and perhaps a few small sedans.

The Factory-Built Trailhunter

The Trailhunter grade targets the growing overlanding market, catering to people who like to "get away from it all" while bringing $20,000 worth of camping gear with them. Toyota developed this trim with industry leaders like ARB, Old Man Emu, and RIGID Industries, ensuring it is more than just a sticker package. It is a factory-developed rig designed for self-reliant travel, or for surviving a weekend at a music festival. Key equipment includes Old Man Emu (OME) 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks and an ARB steel rear bumper with recovery points, just in case you overestimate your driving skills. It even has a high-mount air intake for dusty environments, which functions like a snorkel for your engine, and an integrated high-output air compressor in the bed to refill your tires after you realize you aired them down way too much for a gravel driveway.

Understanding the TAWA Evaluation Process

The Texas Truck Rodeo is one of the most influential automotive events in the United States, mostly because Texans take their trucks more seriously than their politics. TAWA members include journalists, content creators, and industry professionals who spend their days debating things like "approach angles" and "payload capacities" with the intensity of a grandmaster playing chess. They evaluate vehicles on five key criteria: Interior Design, Exterior Styling, Overall Value, Performance, and Personal Appeal. It is a grueling process that involves a lot of dust, a lot of driving, and likely a fair amount of air-conditioning to survive the Texas heat.

The Tacoma succeeded because it scored high across all categories, proving it is a well-rounded athlete rather than a one-trick pony. Its redesign moved it from a basic work tool—which previously had an interior made of recycled Tupperware—to a tech-heavy lifestyle vehicle. The interior now offers a massive 14-inch Toyota Multimedia Infotainment display that is larger than the televisions most people had in the 90s. There is also a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel that provides all the data you could ever want, and probably some you don't. These upgrades address the previous generation's weakness in cabin technology, making the truck feel like a modern command center rather than a relic from a museum.

Comparing Powertrain Efficiency and Capability

Toyota offers two primary engine options for the Tacoma, ensuring there is a version for both the budget-conscious and the power-hungry. The standard i-FORCE is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that punches way above its weight class, producing 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with either an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission, the latter being a rare gift for those of us who still enjoy moving our left foot while driving. It is a solid, dependable powertrain that doesn't need a lot of fuss to get the job done, making it the "meat and potatoes" of the lineup.

The i-FORCE MAX hybrid is standard on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter, and it is the powertrain that makes the Tacoma feel like it has a secret superhero identity. It provides an EPA-estimated 24 MPG combined rating, which is fantastic for a truck that has the torque of a small tractor. The Limited grade focuses on luxury and road performance, featuring full-time four-wheel drive with a center-locking differential for when the mall parking lot gets particularly treacherous. It also uses an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that constantly adjusts damping, providing a ride so smooth you might forget you are driving a vehicle designed to haul dirt.

Optimized Towing and Payload Ratings

Engineers focused on increasing towing capacity for the fourth generation, knowing full well that truck owners love to brag about how much weight they can pull, even if they never actually pull anything. The Tacoma now pulls up to 6,500 lbs (approx. $6,500 value in performance), which is more than enough to haul small campers, boats, or a very large collection of antique furniture. The payload capacity also improved to 1,705 lbs, so you can fill the bed with mulch, gear, or your friend's entire apartment when they inevitably ask for help moving. It is a capable workhorse that doesn't complain when you ask it to do the heavy lifting.

To assist with these loads, Toyota added several towing technologies that make the driver look like a pro, even if they have the spatial awareness of a goldfish. The Trailer Back Up Guide helps drivers track the trailer's path while reversing, preventing those embarrassing "jackknife" moments at the boat ramp. A Straight Path Assist feature keeps the truck and trailer aligned, which is basically a "cheat code" for towing. These tools make the Tacoma as functional as some full-size trucks for weekend recreation, proving that you don't need a massive rig to handle a standard trailer.

Multi-Link Rear Suspension Innovation

For the first time in its long and storied history, the Tacoma offers a multi-link rear suspension, finally moving away from the "ox cart" technology of leaf springs. This system is standard on most grades, including the TRD Off-Road, Sport, and Limited, and it uses coil springs to provide a ride that doesn't bounce you out of your seat every time you hit a pebble. It is a massive upgrade for anyone who plans on using their truck as a daily driver, making the Tacoma feel significantly more sophisticated.

This change directly impacts off-road articulation, allowing the wheels to move independently over rocks like a mechanical mountain goat. On the pavement, it eliminates the "jitter" often felt in pickup trucks with empty beds, which used to make the back end of the truck dance around like it was at a disco. This engineering choice was a primary reason TAWA judges praised the truck's driving dynamics, as it finally handles with the poise and precision that modern drivers expect from a $40,000+ (USD) vehicle.

Advanced Braking and Steering Systems

The new Tacoma features four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment, a move that only took a few decades but is nonetheless very welcome. This replaces the rear drum brakes used in previous generations, which were reliable but about as high-tech as a rotary phone. The result is better stopping power and heat dissipation, which is particularly useful when you are descending a mountain with a trailer attached and realize you are going a bit too fast. It is the kind of upgrade that you don't think about until you really, really need it.

The transition to electric power steering (EPS) further improves the driving experience by making the truck feel lighter and more agile than its dimensions suggest. This system allow for more precise steering feel and integrates with safety tech like Lane Tracing Assist, which helps keep you from drifting into the next lane while you are distracted by the massive touchscreen. It also reduces the engine load compared to old hydraulic pumps, which is a win for both power and efficiency. These mechanical updates make the Tacoma feel more like a modern SUV than a clunky old truck, which is exactly what most buyers want.

Smart Bed Features for Utility

The Tacoma bed is more than just a place to throw junk; it is a highly engineered storage solution made of Sheet-Molded Compound (SMC). This material is lighter than steel, won't rust, and can take a beating from heavy equipment without looking like it went through a war zone. The bed also includes a 400W AC inverter on gas models and a massive 2400W AC inverter on i-FORCE MAX models, turning your truck into a mobile power station.

The 2400W inverter can power tools, refrigerators, or even a coffee maker, making you the most popular person at the campsite or the job site. Toyota also added a power open and close tailgate that includes a jam protection system, so you don't accidentally crush a stray finger or a bag of groceries. Buttons integrated into the tail lights allow for easy operation even when your hands are full of gear, proving that someone at Toyota actually spent five minutes thinking about how people use their trucks in the real world.

Calty Design Research Aesthetics

The exterior design came from Calty Design Research in California, and they clearly decided that the new Tacoma should look like it wants to punch the air in front of it. Designers focused on a "Badass Adventure" theme, which is a real design term and not just something a teenager would say. The truck features a high-mount LED lighting setup and a functional air dam on certain trims that improves aerodynamics, although most owners will likely remove it the second they see a dirt road. It is a bold, muscular look that manages to be aggressive without being obnoxious.

Every trim has a distinct look, allowing you to choose the "flavor" of truck that best matches your personality. The TRD Sport uses a hood scoop and 18-inch wheels for a street-focused appearance, while the TRD Off-Road uses black fenders and 17-inch wheels to signal that it spends its weekends in the mud. This variety allows buyers to choose a truck that fits their specific lifestyle, whether that involves actual adventuring or just looking like an adventurer while sitting in a Starbucks drive-thru.

Resale Value and Ownership Costs

The Tacoma traditionally leads the industry in resale value, which is the ultimate "get out of jail free" card for automotive purchases. Buyers know that a Toyota pickup retains its value (USD) better than almost anything else on the road, often selling for nearly what it cost new even after several years of use. It is essentially a high-yield savings account that you can drive to the mountains. This lowers the total cost of ownership significantly, making it a "smart" financial decision that you can use to justify the purchase to a skeptical spouse.

ToyotaCare also adds value by covering factory-scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, so you don't have to pay for oil changes while you are still making those monthly payments. It even includes 24-hour roadside assistance, just in case you run out of gas or lock your keys in the truck. For hybrid models, the battery warranty lasts for 10 years or 150,000 miles, providing peace of mind for those who are still worried that a battery in a truck is a "fad." These factors contribute to the Tacoma's legendary reputation for reliability, a reputation that Toyota guards more fiercely than a dragon guards a pile of gold.

The Future of the Midsize Truck Market

The Tacoma's back-to-back win signals a change in buyer behavior that should have the competition sweating through their corporate polos. Texans are increasingly looking for capability in a smaller package, realizing that a midsize truck is much easier to park and more fun to drive than a massive land yacht. The Tacoma provides the off-road prowess of a full-size truck with the agility of a much smaller vehicle, making it the perfect "goldilocks" choice for the modern adventurer.

With its best-selling year ever in 2025, the Tacoma is widening the gap between itself and its competitors to a comical degree. The integration of hybrid technology and factory-backed overlanding gear has made it the default choice for anyone looking for a pickup truck that can do it all. As long as Toyota continues to prioritize durability and real-world performance, the Tacoma will likely remain the king of the mountain. The Texas Auto Writers Association has recognized what the sales data already showed: the fourth-generation Tacoma is a dominant force that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.