What year did the Tacoma get adaptive cruise control?
Adaptive cruise control first appeared on the Toyota Tacoma in the 2016 model year, as part of Toyota Safety Sense P. The feature uses radar to maintain a set following distance from the car ahead and can automatically adjust speed, offering a more relaxed highway drive when conditions allow.
Background: What ACC is and why it matters
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) adjusts your vehicle's speed to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, using radar and onboard sensors. In Toyota's Safety Sense packages, ACC is paired with other systems to help with braking, steering, and visibility. For Tacoma buyers, ACC's availability hinges on the model year and the trim or equipment package chosen.
What Safety Sense P includes
Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) is a bundle of active safety technologies that typically includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (the adaptive cruise control portion), Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Automatic High Beams. The Tacoma's inclusion of TSS-P has varied by market and trim level since its introduction.
The year Tacoma first gained ACC
In North American Tacomas, adaptive cruise control arrived with the 2016 model year as part of the Safety Sense P package. This marked the first factory-equipped version of ACC for the truck, aligning it with other mid-size pickups in Toyota's lineup that year. Since then, ACC has remained part of the Tacoma’s safety offerings on models configured with the appropriate package.
Availability by trim and market
Because ACC is tied to the Safety Sense package rather than a standalone option, its presence depends on the trim, package selection, and market. In practice, higher trims such as Limited or those with optional tech packages are more likely to include ACC via TSS-P, while lower trims may not.
What buyers should know
If you are shopping for a Tacoma and want ACC, check the vehicle’s equipped safety features list or ask the dealer to confirm whether Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is installed and active. Keep in mind that ACC performance can depend on sensor cleanliness, weather conditions, and traffic dynamics, just as with other vehicles.
Summary
The Toyota Tacoma gained adaptive cruise control with the 2016 model year as part of the Toyota Safety Sense P package. Availability has historically been tied to trim and market configurations, meaning higher trims or packages are more likely to include ACC. For buyers, verifying the presence of ACC when selecting a Tacoma is essential, as is considering how the system will be used in real-world driving.
