New or used. I bought an 07 Tacoma new that is still in the driveway. It has been the best truck I've ever owned, but life changes and I reached the point where I needed a bigger truck. I kept the Tacoma and bought an F-150 crew cab..
If you're interested in something made prior to about 2015 it is close, but I'd take the Tacoma every time. Reliability is probably about the same, but the Tacoma is just a little bigger and more refined.
If you're looking at new ones I'm not so sure about Tacoma. They changed to a smaller 3.5L engine. It is supposed to put out about the same power and get better fuel mileage. But I'm hearing a lot of grumbling about performance and reliability issues. If buying a new small truck today I'd look real hard at Nissan and the Colorado. Toyota used to dominate that market. I haven't priced any in years, but you might be able to get a deal on a Nissan.
I know next to nothing about the Colorado, but I like their looks and the size. I'd be worth researching.
