The Toyota Tacoma does 20.6 mpg combined (18.8 city, 23.3 highway), which works out to about $1,864 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid does 23.3 mpg while 4L 6-cyl does 18.4 — a difference of $439 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Toyota Tacoma engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 22.3 / 24 | 2024–2026 | $1,648 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 19.5 / 25.2 | 1995–2026 | $1,753 | |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 19.9 / 24.2 | 2005–2023 | $1,786 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 19 / 24 | 2016–2023 | $1,829 | |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 16.7 / 21.2 | 1995–2004 | $2,065 | |
| 4L 6-cyl | 16.7 / 20.9 | 2005–2015 | $2,087 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.155 |
| Fuel per year | $1,864 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,320 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$352 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,040 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.8 mpg | $2,043 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 23.3 mpg | $1,648 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.5 mpg (24%) | Typical for its type |
How the Tacoma changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 / 25 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2025 | 21 / 25 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2024 | 21.5 / 25 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2023 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2022 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2021 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2020 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2019 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2018 | 19.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2017 | 19 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2016 | 19 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2015 | 19 / 23 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2014 | 19 / 23 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2013 | 19 / 23 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2012 | 19 / 23 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2011 | 19 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2010 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2008 | 18 / 22.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2007 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 22.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2004 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2003 | 18.5 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2002 | 17.5 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 2001 | 17.5 / 21.5 | 2 | $1,969 | |
| 2000 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1999 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1998 | 18 / 23.5 | 2 | $1,920 | |
| 1997 | 18 / 23 | 2 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Toyota Tacoma get?
20.6 mpg combined on average — 18.8 in the city and 23.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2026.
How much does a Toyota Tacoma cost in fuel per year?
About $1,864 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,320 over five years, or 0.155 dollars a mile.
Which Tacoma engine is the most economical?
The 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid at 23.3 mpg, against 18.4 for the 4L 6-cyl — a difference of about $439 a year.
Is the Tacoma good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.