1996 Toyota Tacoma Deluxe

The 1996 Tacoma is a compact pickup that replaced the venerable Toyota Pickup, and it quickly became the benchmark for small trucks. Off-road, it's light and nimble in stock form, with a 4WD system owners say can handle nearly anything you point it at. The Regular Cab is a true two-seater with a center console, while the Xtracab adds small flip-out rear windows and space for cargo inside. Owners note that frames can rust in salt-belt states, and plastic headlights tend to haze over with age. The Deluxe sits below the SR5, so you get the same tough 4WD chassis but with fewer interior frills and a simpler bench seat. Its 2.7L I4 makes 150 horsepower and pairs with four-wheel drive, giving you enough grunt for daily driving and light trail work while returning 18 mpg combined. This trim skips the SR5's tachometer and carpet, so expect a work-truck feel that's easy to hose out after a muddy trip.