Toyota Tacoma Fuel Tank Sizes and Ranges
Knowing your Tacoma's fuel tank size is helpful for understanding how long you can drive without refueling and how often you'll be visiting the gas pump.
Key Points:
- Fuel tank size affects range and refueling frequency
- Engine size, transmission, driving habits, and terrain influence fuel range.
- The 2024 Tacoma's fuel tank size is small compared to the competition.
Understanding the Toyota Tacoma’s fuel tank size and range is crucial for those who love off-roading, towing, or enjoy a reliable daily drive.
The Toyota Tacoma, renowned for its versatility and robustness, has undergone significant changes over its generations. These changes aren’t just cosmetic; they affect how far you can go on a single tank, especially in demanding conditions.
This article provides an in-depth look at the fuel tank capacities of the Toyota Tacoma across three generations and how this translates to real-world range.
For the off-road adventurer or the daily commuter, knowing your vehicle’s fuel capacity is not just a matter of numbers; it’s about understanding the limits and possibilities of your journeys.
We will also examine the practical implications of these fuel capacities, particularly for off-road and overlanding enthusiasts. The terrain’s roughness and the added weight of gear can significantly alter fuel efficiency, making planning essential.
About the Charts
The MPG figures listed are approximate and based on EPA combined estimates, which can vary depending on driving conditions, maintenance, and vehicle load.
The range values are calculations based on the MPG and fuel tank sizes and should be treated as estimates.
Fuel Capacity, Efficiency, and Range
Engine size, transmission, driving habits, and terrain influence fuel efficiency and range in Tacomas. Different engine options, such as the 2.7-liter four-cylinder or the 3.5-liter V6, and the choice between 2WD and 4WD, impact the Taco’s fuel economy.
2024: Fourth Generation Tacomas
The fourth-generation Tacoma, which was newly released in 2024, introduces a smaller fuel tank size of 18.2 gallons. This is the biggest drop since the first-generation Tacoma.
However, with the Tacoma’s new 4-cylinder i-Force and i-Force MAX engines, the improved fuel efficiency of 20-23 combined brings the estimated range on par with the previous generation. Estimated ranges start at 364 and can be as high as 419.
Fuel economy numbers for the 2024 Tacoma are still being released and verified.
| Drivetrain | Fuel Tank Size (gallons) | Est. EPA MPG (combined) | Est. Range (miles) |
| 2WD A/T | 18.2 | 22-23 | 400.4-418.6 |
| 4WD A/T | 18.2 | 20-21 | 364-382.2 |
| 4WD M/T | 18.2 | 20 | 364 |
2016-2023: Third Generation Tacomas
The introduction of the third-generation Tacoma in 2016 brought an incremental increase in fuel tank size to 21.1 gallons.
Improved engine efficiency in these newer models resulted in 17 to 23 mpg combined, which meant a slightly enhanced range of approximately 358 to 464 miles under optimal conditions.
| Engine Size | Drivetrain | Fuel Tank Size (gallons) | Est. EPA MPG (combined) | Est. Range (miles) |
| 2.7L I4 | 2WD 4WD | 21.1 21.1 | 19-21 18-20 | 400.9-443.1 379.8-422 |
| 3.5L V | 2WD 4WD | 21.1 21.1 | 18-22 17-21 | 379.8-464.2 358.7-443.1 |
2005-2015: Second Generation Tacomas
Moving into the second generation (2005-2015), the Tacoma saw a uniform fuel tank size of 21 gallons across all models.
This increase provided a tangible boost in range. With estimated EPA mileage figures of about 17-22 mpg depending on the engine and drivetrain, the maximum range of the second-generation Tacomas runs from about 336 to 462 miles.
| Engine | Drivetrain | Fuel Tank Size (gallons) | Est. EPA MPG (combined) | Est. Range (miles) |
| 2.7L I4 | 2WD 4WD | 21 21 | 20-22 18-20 | 420-462 378-420 |
| 4.0L V6 | 2WD 4WD | 21 21 | 17-19 16-18 | 357-399 336-378 |
1995-2004: First Generation Tacomas
The first-generation Toyota Tacoma (1995-2004) was equipped with a 15.8-gallon fuel tank for the regular and extended cab versions, while the crew cab (or Double Cab) models had a larger 18.5-gallon tank.
With estimated EPA mileage figures of about 16-22 mpg depending on the engine and drivetrain, the maximum range of the first-generation Tacomas runs from 252 to 407 miles.
| Engine | Drivetrain | Fuel Tank Size (gallons) | Est. EPA MPG (combined) | Est. Range (miles) |
| 2.4L I4 | 2WD 4WD 2WD 4WD | 15.8 15.8 18.5 18.5 | 22 20-21 22 20-21 | 347.6 316-331.8 407 370-388.5 |
| 2.7L I4 | 2WD 4WD 2WD 4WD | 15.8 15.8 18.5 18.5 | 20 18-19 20 18-19 | 316 284.4-300.2 370 333-351.5 |
| 3.4L V6 | 2WD 4WD 2WD 4WD | 15.8 15.8 18.5 18.5 | 18 16-17 18 16-17 | 284.4 252.8-268.6 333 296-314.5 |
2024 Competitive Models
Here’s a comparison of the gas tank sizes for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma and similar trucks:
| Model | Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) |
|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota Tacoma | 18.2 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Colorado | 21.4 |
| 2024 GMC Canyon | 21.4 |
| 2024 Ford Ranger | 18.8 |
| 2024 Nissan Frontier | 21.0 |
Real-World Implications
It’s worth noting that how far you can drive on a full tank will vary depending on driving conditions and habits.
EPA ratings are not always consistent with real-world results since everyone has a different level of driving aggressiveness and terrain.
While a 18.2-gallon tank might suggest an over 400-mile range under ideal conditions, aggressive driving, hilly terrain, and other factors can reduce this significantly.
Conclusion
The Toyota Tacoma has consistently been a top choice for everyday drivers and off-road enthusiasts.
While the fuel capacity has changed over the years, the practical range for off-roading activities is significantly lower than standard EPA estimates suggest.
We believe that understanding these limitations is crucial for anyone planning extensive adventures in a Tacoma.
