Toyota's midsize pickup truck has long been a favorite among drivers who need reliable towing capability without stepping up to a full-size truck. But if you're considering the latest 2025 Toyota Tacoma, you might be surprised to learn that its towing numbers tell a more complex story than simple improvement over time.
The new generation brings significant changes under the hood, including hybrid powertrains and updated configurations. These updates affect how much weight you can pull behind your truck, and the results might not align with what you'd expect from a redesigned vehicle. Understanding these towing capacity changes becomes crucial if you're shopping for a new Tacoma or deciding whether to upgrade from an older model. Let's break down exactly what has changed and why it matters for your hauling needs.
Previous-Generation Tacoma Towing Performance
The outgoing Tacoma generation, last available in 2023, offered impressive towing capability when properly equipped. The maximum towing capacity reached 6,800 pounds, but achieving this number required a very specific configuration.
To hit that peak towing rating, you needed a 4x2 model with the smaller access cab configuration plus the Tow Prep package. This particular setup had a curb weight of just 3,915 pounds, and that lightweight nature directly contributed to its superior towing ability.
Most previous-generation Tacomas, however, were rated between 3,500 and 6,700 pounds of towing capacity. The variation depended largely on the truck's curb weight, which ranged between 4,075 and 4,665 pounds across different trim levels and configurations. Heavier trucks simply couldn't pull as much weight while staying within safe operating parameters.
2025 Tacoma Towing Capacity Breakdown
The current-generation Tacoma follows a similar pattern but with some notable differences. Base-trim 2025 Tacoma SR models maintain the same 3,500-pound towing capacity as their predecessors, showing consistency at the entry level.
Other trims equipped with the standard i-Force engine can handle up to 6,500 pounds. This represents a slight decrease from the previous generation's maximum capability, despite the truck's overall redesign and engineering updates.
The hybrid i-Force Max powertrain drops the towing capacity further to 6,000 pounds. This reduction becomes more understandable when you examine the weight differences between powertrains.
Why Weight Matters for Towing
The relationship between vehicle weight and towing capacity isn't arbitrary. Heavier trucks require more power to accelerate, brake, and maintain control while pulling a trailer. This affects not only performance but also safety margins that manufacturers build into their ratings.
Standard 2025 Tacomas have curb weights ranging between 4,100 and 4,720 pounds, which is comparable to the previous generation. The hybrid models, however, carry significantly more weight due to their battery systems and additional hybrid components.
Hybrid Tacomas have claimed curb weights between 5,030 and 5,410 pounds. This represents a difference of several hundred pounds compared to the non-hybrid versions, and that extra weight directly impacts the truck's ability to safely tow heavy loads.
The added mass of the hybrid system creates additional stress on braking systems, affects acceleration with a trailer attached, and changes the vehicle's center of gravity. Manufacturers account for these factors when setting official towing ratings.
Source: SlashGear
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