Compare the2026 Toyota Tacoma VS 2027 Slate Truck

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Tacoma are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Tacoma Double Cab are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Toyota Tacoma has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Tacoma has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Tacoma achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Slate Truck has not been tested.

The Tacoma has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tacoma Automatic offers an optional Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tacoma offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Tacoma’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Tacoma (except SR/SR5/PreRunner) offers an optional Panoramic/Multi-Terrain View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Slate Truck only offers a rear monitor.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Tacoma’s optional Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Parking Support Brake automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Tacoma’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Tacoma has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Tacoma and the Slate Truck have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Tacoma for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Slate doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Truck.

The Tacoma SR’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (228 vs. 181) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (243 vs. 195) than the Slate Truck’s electric motor. The Tacoma’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 89 more horsepower (270 vs. 181) and 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 195) than the Slate Truck’s electric motor. The Tacoma’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 97 more horsepower (278 vs. 181) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 195) than the Slate Truck’s electric motor. The Tacoma Trailhunter’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 142 more horsepower (323 vs. 181) and 270 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 195) than the Slate Truck’s electric motor. The Tacoma’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 145 more horsepower (326 vs. 181) and 270 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 195) than the Slate Truck’s electric motor.

For better traction, the Tacoma PreRunner/TRD Off-Road’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Slate Truck (265/70R17 vs. 255/70R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tacoma 5-ft. bed Double Cab Trailhunter/TRD Pro has standard 18-inch wheels. The Slate Truck’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

The Toyota Tacoma’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Slate Truck only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Tacoma has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your work or a trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Slate Truck. Without the option you must depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Tacoma offers an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Tacoma offers an available continuously variable suspension system. Using sensors on steering angle, speed and other driver inputs, the shocks soften to improve ride, or stiffen when appropriate to aid handling on tricky roads. The Slate Truck’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tacoma XtraCab’s wheelbase is 23 inches longer than on the Slate Truck (131.9 inches vs. 108.9 inches). The Tacoma 6-ft. bed Double Cab’s wheelbase is 36.2 inches longer than on the Slate Truck (145.1 inches vs. 108.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tacoma is 6.4 inches wider in the front and 6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Slate Truck.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Tacoma has standard flush composite headlights. The Slate Truck has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Tacoma XtraCab has .3 inches more front legroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room and 2.6 inches more front shoulder room than the Slate Truck Regular Cab.

The Tacoma XtraCab has a much larger cargo box than the Slate Truck Regular Cab (47.7 vs. 35.1 cubic feet).

The Tacoma’s cargo area is larger than the Slate Truck’s in almost every dimension:

	Tacoma XtraCab	Tacoma Double Cab	Slate Truck SUV	Slate Truck Regular Cab
Length	73.5”	60.3”/73.5”	n/a	60.5”
Max Width	56.4”	56.4”	n/a	48”
Min Width	44.7”	44.7”	n/a	43.9”
Height	20.2”	20.2”	n/a	19.5”

The Tacoma’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Slate Truck’s (3500 vs. 1824 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Slate Truck Pickup is only 2000 pounds. The Tacoma offers up to a 6500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tacoma uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tacoma offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Tacoma Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Tacoma’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Slate Truck.

The Tacoma’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Slate does not offer a locking feature on the Slate Truck’s optional power windows.

The Tacoma’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Slate Truck’s optional power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them.

If the windows are left open on the Tacoma the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Slate Truck can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tacoma Double Cab has two rear doors to provide better access for cargo and rear passengers. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a rear door.

The Tacoma has standard power remote mirrors. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Tacoma SR5/TRD/Limited/Trailhunter’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Tacoma (except SR/PreRunner) offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Slate Truck.

On extremely cold winter days, the Tacoma’s optional (except SR) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Tacoma (except SR/SR5)’s optional dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Tacoma (except SR)’s optional automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tacoma has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Tacoma has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the Tacoma. The Tacoma’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a navigation system.

With standard voice command, the Tacoma offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Tacoma is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Slate Truck, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Tacoma offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Slate Truck.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Tacoma equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Slate Truck, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Toyota Tacoma empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Slate Truck’s traditional radio, the Toyota Tacoma equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Tacoma, connecting the driver’s and/or passengers’ cell phones to the vehicle infotainment system. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the Slate Truck.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Tacoma (except SR) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Slate Truck doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.