Toyota's compact pickup offers three cab styles: regular cab, extended Access Cab with rear-hinged rear doors, and the Double Cab with four conventional side doors. Regular cabs have bucket seats or a three-passenger bench. The others seat five via front bucket seats and a three-place rear bench.

Regular cabs and Access Cabs use 6-ft-long cargo beds, Double Cabs 5- and 6-ft beds; all have a dent-resistant plastic liner. Tacoma offers two engines. The 159-hp 4-cyl teams with a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. The 236-hp V6 teams with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Both are available with rear-wheel drive or with 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but has low-range gearing. ABS is standard for all Tacomas. An antiskid system is optional, as is a limited-slip rear differential. Available for off-roading are locking rear differential and hill ascent and descent control. Available for Double Cabs are front side airbags and curtain side airbags. Among special models, the 2WD PreRunner has a raised suspension and other 4WD styling cues. The sporty X-Runner is an Access Cab with V6, 6-speed manual transmission, aero lower body trim, low-riding sport suspension, and 18-inch wheels.