Toyota redesigns its compact pickup for 2005. Tacoma is larger and more powerful than its 1995-2004 predecessor, and offers more safety features, including curtain side airbags. It comes as a regular cab, extended Access Cab, and crew-type Double Cab. The Access Cab gains rear-hinged rear doors. The Double Cab retains four conventional side doors. Both have front bucket seats and a 3-place rear bench seat for 5-passenger capacity. Regular cabs come with front bucket seats or a 3-passenger bench. All cabs have increased interior room. Regular and Access use a 6-ft-long cargo bed. Double Cabs offer 5- and 6-ft beds. The beds have a dent- and scratch-resistant plastic liner.

A 164-hp 4-cyl replaces 142- and 150-hp fours as the base engine. The available V6 is a 245-hp 4.0-liter in place of a 190-hp 3.4. The 4-cyl comes with a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. The V6 comes with 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. All body styles offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but has low-range gearing. ABS is standard. A limited-slip rear differential is optional, as is an antiskid system. Newly optional for off-road use are a locking rear differential, Toyota's Downhill Assist Control designed to maintain a slow speed on steep declines, and hill ascent control to avoid sliding backward. Newly optional on Double Cabs are front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows. Among returning models are PreRunners, which are 2WDs with 4WD styling cues. New is the sporty X-Runner, which is an Access Cab with V6, 6-speed manual transmission, aero lower body trim, sport suspension, and 18-inch wheels. Other Tacomas have 15-, 16-, or 17-inch wheels, depending on model or option package.