2009 Toyota Tacoma Deluxe

The Tacoma is Toyota's compact pickup, the one that's been the go-to for light hauling and weekend off-roading for years. It's a truck that's easy to live with day to day, with a ride that's a bit firm when empty, but the trade-off is confident handling for a pickup. The cabin is straightforward and user-friendly, with plenty of storage cubbies, though rear seats in the extended cab are tight for adults. Reliability is the Tacoma's calling card, with many owners reporting trouble-free miles well past 100,000, though some note paint fade and worn seat fabric. The Deluxe is the no-frills Tacoma for buyers who want four-wheel drive without paying for the V6 or the extra features of the TRD trims. Its 2.7L I4 makes 159 horsepower and pairs with a five-speed manual, which is honest and capable off-road but slow on the highway, and it returns 19 mpg combined. You get a manual transfer case for true part-time 4WD, and the ride is firm when the bed is empty, which is the trade-off for its payload capacity.