For those planning adventures that require hauling a camper, boat, or trailer, the Toyota Tacoma stands ready. The latest models of this popular mid-size pickup truck boast a robust maximum towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds when properly equipped. With eleven distinct trim levels available for the 2025 model year, understanding which Tacoma configuration best suits your towing needs is crucial.
This article will delve into the 2025 Toyota Tacoma towing capacity, covering everything from the base SR trim to the off-road-ready TRD Pro. We’ll also provide a helpful chart detailing the towing capabilities of recent Tacoma model years. Once you have a clear picture of what the Tacoma can offer, we encourage you to visit DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville to explore your preferred trim and options in person.
2025 Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity: Key Highlights
- Maximum Towing Capability: Achieves up to 6,500 pounds of towing capacity when properly configured. This is ample for towing mid-sized boats, campers, and various utility trailers.
- Engine Choices: Powered by either the efficient i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or the powerful i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
- Payload Capacity: Designed to handle substantial cargo in the truck bed, with a maximum payload capacity reaching 1,705 pounds on the TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX trim.
- Advanced Towing Technology: Equipped with features like Trailer-Sway Control and available Towing Package that includes a Class-IV towing hitch receiver, enhancing both stability and safety during towing operations.
2025 Toyota Tacoma Towing Performance and Engine Options
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma continues to utilize the advanced powertrains introduced in the 2024 model year: the standard i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo engine and the upgraded i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbo hybrid powertrain.
The i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine delivers a strong 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, providing robust performance for everyday driving and towing tasks. For even greater power, the i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid powertrain boosts output to an impressive 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid system not only increases power but also enhances fuel efficiency in certain driving conditions.
Transmission options for the Toyota Tacoma include a six-speed manual transmission, available on the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road trims, which features intelligent rev-matching and anti-stall technology for a more engaging driving experience. Additionally, an eight-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) is available, offering sequential shift mode and uphill/downhill shift logic to optimize performance and control in various terrains and towing scenarios. The choice of cab style, either XtraCab or Double Cab, also plays a role in determining the overall towing capacity of the Tacoma.
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma towing capacities can reach a maximum of 6,500 pounds when equipped with the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. Notably, this is a significant 1,500 pounds more than the Toyota Highlander towing capacity, highlighting the Tacoma’s superior capability in this area. Models equipped with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine offer a slightly lower maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, regardless of the specific trim level or configuration, with a minor exception for the Trailhunter trim. The Trailhunter configuration provides a towing capacity of up to 5,950 pounds when set up as a Double Cab 4WD with a 6-foot bed, which increases to 6,000 pounds with a 5-foot bed.
To understand the towing capacities across the entire 2025 Tacoma lineup, refer to the detailed chart below. It outlines the necessary cab style, drivetrain, and bed size to achieve the maximum towing weight for each Toyota Tacoma trim level in 2025.
2025 Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity Chart: By Trim Level
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Cab Style | Bed Size | Drivetrain | Max Towing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR | i-FORCE 2.4L 4-cyl Turbo | 8-speed ECT-i | XtraCab/Double Cab | 5 ft/6 ft | RWD/4WD | 3,500 lbs |
| SR5 | i-FORCE 2.4L 4-cyl Turbo | 8-speed ECT-i | XtraCab | 6 ft | RWD/4WD | 6,500 lbs |
| TRD PreRunner | i-FORCE 2.4L 4-cyl Turbo | 8-speed ECT-i | XtraCab | 6 ft | RWD | 6,500 lbs |
| TRD Sport | i-FORCE 2.4L 4-cyl Turbo | 8-speed ECT-i/6-speed manual | Double Cab | 5 ft/6 ft | RWD/4WD | 6,400 lbs |
| TRD Off-Road | i-FORCE 2.4L 4-cyl Turbo | 8-speed ECT-i/6-speed manual | Double Cab | 5 ft/6 ft | 4WD | 6,400 lbs |
| Limited | i-FORCE 2.4L 4-cyl Turbo | 8-speed ECT-i | Double Cab | 5 ft | RWD/4WD | 6,300 lbs |
| TRD Sport i-FORCE MAX | i-FORCE MAX 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 8-speed ECT-i | Double Cab | 5 ft | 4WD | 6,000 lbs |
| TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX | i-FORCE MAX 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 8-speed ECT-i | Double Cab | 5 ft | 4WD | 6,000 lbs |
| Limited i-FORCE MAX | i-FORCE MAX 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 8-speed ECT-i | Double Cab | 5 ft | 4WD | 6,000 lbs |
| Trailhunter | i-FORCE MAX 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 8-speed ECT-i | Double Cab | 5 ft | 4WD | 6,000 lbs |
| TRD Pro | i-FORCE MAX 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 8-speed ECT-i | Double Cab | 5 ft | 4WD | 6,000 lbs |
For the base SR model of the 2025 Tacoma, the maximum towing capacity is set at 3,500 pounds, irrespective of configuration or drivetrain. To achieve the peak towing capacity of 6,500 pounds with the Toyota Tacoma, you should consider the SR5 XtraCab with either RWD or 4WD, or the TRD PreRunner XtraCab with RWD, all equipped with a 6-foot bed.
When considering towing power in the Toyota family, it’s natural to compare the Tacoma to its larger sibling, the Toyota Tundra. While the full-size Tundra undoubtedly offers greater towing capacity, the Tacoma provides enhanced agility and is often more suitable for navigating urban environments and tighter trails.
To help you decide which Toyota truck best fits your needs, explore our detailed Toyota Tacoma vs. Tundra comparison, where you can examine the specifications side-by-side.
Toyota Tacoma Towing and Payload Through The Years
The Toyota Tacoma has built a strong reputation as a dependable midsize truck, consistently delivering impressive towing and payload capabilities. Whether you’re tasked with transporting work equipment or pulling a trailer for recreational trips, understanding the towing capacity and payload ratings across different model years is key to appreciating the Tacoma’s enduring capability.
| Model Year | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6,500 lbs | 1,705 lbs |
| 2024 | 6,500 lbs | 1,709 lbs |
| 2023 | 6,800 lbs | 1,685 lbs |
| 2022 | 6,800 lbs | 1,685 lbs |
| 2021 | 6,800 lbs | 1,685 lbs |
| 2020 | 6,800 lbs | 1,620 lbs |
Understanding the Toyota Tacoma Tow Package
For owners planning to utilize their Tacoma for towing, the available Tow Package is an invaluable addition. Equipping your Tacoma with the tow package provides essential features, most notably a robust Toyota Tacoma trailer hitch. The Tow Package ensures you can confidently tow trailers or campers, featuring a Class-IV towing hitch receiver and a wiring harness that includes both 7-pin and 4-pin connectors. This setup facilitates easy and secure connections for trailer lights and brakes, enhancing safety and control while towing.
Explore the New Toyota Tacoma at DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville
Beyond its impressive towing capabilities, the Toyota Tacoma offers a range of appealing features, from a diverse palette of Toyota Tacoma colors to a comfortable and technologically advanced interior. At DARCARS 355 Toyota of Rockville, we are ready to answer all your inquiries about this versatile midsize truck. Whether you need clarification on the Toyota Tacoma towing capacity, its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or any other specifications, our team is here to assist.
We invite you to explore our extensive new Toyota inventory online to compare the latest Tacoma models and our wide selection of SUVs. We are also pleased to offer a variety of lease and financing options to help make your next Toyota purchase as convenient and affordable as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toyota Tacoma Towing
Is the Toyota Tacoma capable of towing 6,500 pounds?
Yes, when properly configured, both the 2024 and 2025 Toyota Tacoma models can achieve a towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds. This maximum rating requires specific trim level configurations and the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. For those opting for the hybrid powertrain, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain allows for a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds when correctly equipped.
Which Toyota Tacoma model offers the highest towing capacity?
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma SR5 XtraCab or TRD PreRunner XtraCab, when equipped with RWD or 4WD, a 6-foot bed, and the available tow package, can reach the maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. For those considering pre-owned models, Toyota Tacomas from model years 2020 to 2023 can tow up to 6,800 pounds under optimal conditions.
What types of items can a Toyota Tacoma tow?
With a towing capacity of up to 6,500 pounds, the Toyota Tacoma is highly versatile for towing a variety of items. This includes midsize trailers, pop-up and teardrop campers, boats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, and more. The Tacoma effectively balances robust capability with everyday usability, making it suitable for both professional and recreational towing needs.
What are the engine options for the 2025 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2025 Tacoma is powered by two engine options: the standard i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and the available i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid. The i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo engine produces 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, while the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain delivers enhanced performance with 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
1Payload includes the weight of occupants, cargo and options and is limited by weight distribution.
2Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions in your Owner’s Manual. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment. “Added vehicle equipment” includes additional standard/optional equipment and accessories added by the manufacturer, dealers, and/or vehicle owners. The only way to be certain of your vehicle’s exact curb weight is to weigh your vehicle without passengers or cargo. [Calculated with the new SAE J2807 method.] Installation of a tow hitch receiver or other accessories located near the rear bumper or side-door kick sensors may require disabling or removing the kick sensor, and the sensor operation setting in your vehicle should be turned off. See Owner’s Manual for limitations.
