1997
Toyota Tacoma

Starts at:
$12,238
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New 1997 Toyota Tacoma
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Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • Reg Cab Manual
    Starts at
    $12,238
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,684 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab Auto
    Starts at
    $12,958
    22 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,684 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab Manual
    Starts at
    $14,408
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,752 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab Auto
    Starts at
    $15,128
    22 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,752 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab V6 Manual
    Starts at
    $15,748
    19 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,602 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab V6 Auto
    Starts at
    $16,648
    18 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,602 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab Manual 4WD
    Starts at
    $17,128
    18 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,914 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab Auto 4WD
    Starts at
    $18,028
    18 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,914 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • Reg Cab V6 Manual 4WD
    Starts at
    $18,268
    17 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,859 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab Manual 4WD
    Starts at
    $18,578
    18 City / 22 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,759 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab Auto 4WD
    Starts at
    $19,478
    18 City / 21 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,759 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab V6 Manual 4WD
    Starts at
    $19,668
    17 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,694 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab V6 Auto 4WD
    Starts at
    $20,568
    16 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,694 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab V6 Manual 4WD SR5
    Starts at
    $22,518
    17 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,699 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs
  • XtraCab V6 Auto 4WD SR5
    Starts at
    $23,418
    16 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    1,699 lbs
    Payload Capacity
    N/A
    Towing Capacity
    See all specs

The good & the bad

This vehicle doesn't have any good or bad insights yet.

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Safety review

Based on the 1997 Toyota Tacoma base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
2/5
Frontal passenger
3/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
7 years / less than 85,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12, 000 miles
Dealer certification
160- or 174-point inspections
See all CPO program details

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    Starts at
    $12,238
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    23 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    1,684 lbs
    Payload Capacity
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    Towing Capacity
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    Starts at
    $11,528
    2000 Toyota Tacoma
    22 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
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    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    1,679 lbs
    Payload Capacity
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    Towing Capacity
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    Starts at
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    -
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    Drivetrain
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    1998 Dodge Dakota
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Consumer reviews

100% of drivers recommend this car
5.0 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.7
Interior 4.6
Performance 4.8
Value 4.9
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.9

Most recent

  • By Rick Ashworth from King North Carolina
    Owns this car
    March 11, 2024

    485 K - 97 Toyota Tacoma 2wd speed.

    485,000 and still kicking... if all vehicles were this good. 97 Tacoma 4x2 ext cab 5 speed and 2.4 engine. I am the second owner and this one is a Keeper.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Fluke story from Colorado Springs
    Owns this car
    December 16, 2019

    It’s easily the best truck I’ve ever owned

    This truck is amazing has never let me down. It’s a little tank it’s good for anything you need it for work, off-road, or daily driving
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Memo3523 from Royal City
    Owns this car
    April 23, 2019

    The best truck I have owned!!

    This truck was great this winter had no trouble what so ever. Great commute truck for skiing off roading or any of your outdoor activities
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By ToyoLover from ABQ, NM
    Owns this car
    June 27, 2017

    Workhorse of a Truck

    This truck could haul whatever load you needed it to, pull trailers with ATV's and/or jet skis, you could throw it in 4-wheel drive and play in the sand dunes and/or mud, or simply cruise around the town/city in style. Had plenty of class, spacious room for 5 people, and was very reliable and dependable for all travels. After 16 yrs of owning this vehicle, I decided to upgrade to a newer model. Absolutely choose Toyota Tacoma over and over!!!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By JLarrry from Augusta, GA
    Owns this car
    December 4, 2012

    Very Happy!

    I bought my 1997 base model regular cab with crashed truck bed, dented front and back bumpers with a filthy interior from my neighbor back in April 2012. I paid $1100 for it and it only had 102K miles on it. I took the seat out and hosed it down and steam clean it, did the same with carpet, and washed the rest of the interior. It looks fine. Heat and A/C work splendidly. My chief complaint, the cigarette lighter thingy wont charge my cell phone. I found another truck bed, same color, and a rear bumper for $300. I put new tires, $300, all the way around, and spent less than $100 for new distributer, plugs, wires, oil, and filter. It runs like a sewing machine 100% of the time. So now I've got $1,800 invested in a truck that should run and work flawlessly for the another 15 years. I think I did OK. Oh, and I am getting ready to ditch my 3 year old VW Jetta, as it just sits in the driveway now.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Kink
    Owns this car
    March 26, 2012

    I am sorry...

    I am sorry to say I am looking at this site because my 1997 Tacoma MIGHT be ready to go to pasture. It only gave me 15 years of service. The transmission sysc wore out a few years ago, but I had the transmission rebuilt. The clutch was fine. Now cylinder three is not firing well, and I will have to spend more money searching for the cause. All this trouble and I only got 316,000 miles. My mechanic seems to think there is still hope. I really wanted to pass it on to my teenagers and teach them to drive a stick. I am sad.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By golfpro from AL
    Owns this car
    December 10, 2010

    good vehicle

    this car has alot of scratches and has been used for the real reason of a truck. know this before you drive to see this vehicle.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Off-roading
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By javidrifter from Miami,FL
    Owns this car
    November 19, 2010

    best value for money

    I have owned several tacomas my 97 was one of of my favorites. There are fer if any other vehicles with such grate value for the price.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • By Gustomo from Springfield MO.
    Owns this car
    March 9, 2009

    Great truck!

    I've own Toyoytas for over 30 yrs. Have had my little truck for ten yrs now. Never had a problem. Just hit 100,000 miles. I was considering buying a newer truck, but decided to keep this one. Still looks great and runs as good as the day I bought it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
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  • By Best truck I ever own! from Duluth, MN
    Owns this car
    September 26, 2008

    BEST IN SMALL TRUCKS!!!

    I have lots of miles on mine since i bought it used, which was 120,000 miles, but now it has around 250,000 miles. This baby drove me from MN to Cali and back! Not one single drop of oil, or leaking transmission! The Japanese do know how to make a car last...unlike the American cars/trucks. Over all, I believe that toyota tacoma's are the best small/mid-size trucks. If you are looking for style, comfort, smooth ride, pick up and go, long lasting or if you just want a truck to get from point A to point B even though it has high miles, TOYOTA TACOMA is the best deal you would find!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By Gray Ghost from Central PA
    Owns this car
    September 29, 2007

    Old Timer Tacoma

    Lots of miles (204,500) and many, many bumps and bruises on this V6 extra-cab 4X4 during the last 11 years. However, what counts is the legendary reliability, this truck is like the energizer bunny, just keeps going and going and going. Buy one and you'll understand why they hold their value and cost more used than the competition..... the truck is definitely worth the the extra cost.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
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  • By MN TACOMA from Forest Lake, MN
    Owns this car
    August 20, 2007

    Best in it's Class!!!!

    LOVE THIS truck! Durable, strong, won't break down like a ford ranger, chevy S10 or Dodge Dakota. Have about 300K + on my truck and still running strong, unlike my old Ford Ranger.... This truck has it all... Great on gas, has great get up and go, dependable, long life...I mean come on "IT'S A TOYOTA!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Off-roading
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma?

The 1997 Toyota Tacoma is available in 2 trim levels:

  • (13 styles)
  • SR5 (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma?

The 1997 Toyota Tacoma offers up to 23 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 1997 Toyota Tacoma?

The 1997 Toyota Tacoma compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 1997 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

The 1997 Toyota Tacoma has an average reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1997 Toyota Tacoma owners.

Is the 1997 Toyota Tacoma a good Truck?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1997 Toyota Tacoma. 100.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

5.0 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.7
  • Interior: 4.6
  • Performance: 4.8
  • Value: 4.9
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.9

Toyota Tacoma history

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