The mid-size truck wars are heating up once more. The Nissan Frontier has solidified itself as an interesting possibility within the class, whereas Chevrolet, GMC, and Ford every have brand-new variations of their very own mid-sizers within the Colorado, Canyon, and Ranger. And in the present day, we get our first official take a look at the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, which reveals its particulars for the primary time after a months-long teasing effort.
This yr marks three a long time because the first Tacoma arrived within the US, and even because the oldest design in its class, the present Taco remains to be the preferred. Final yr Toyota moved greater than 230,000 examples. However the subsequent few years may very well be even higher because the 2024 truck debuts with plenty of firsts – together with a hybrid powertrain and a rugged new Trailhunter trim stage.
Turbo And Hybrid Energy
Essentially the most attention-grabbing particulars are underneath the hood; Toyota affords 4 completely different outputs for the Tacoma beginning with the bottom SR mannequin. The entry level is a brand new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that lets out 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque when paired with the usual eight-speed computerized transmission.
Patrons can transfer up from there to the SR5 and get a extra highly effective model of that very same turbocharged engine producing 270 hp and 310 lb-ft. Higher but, that is with a six-speed handbook transmission with computerized rev-matching – lengthy stay the stick. That very same upgraded engine with the eight-speed computerized provides extra oomph, bringing the output to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft.
On the prime quality, the Tacoma affords an optionally available hybrid engine for the primary time. Borrowing the I-Power Max branding from the larger Tundra, a 1.9-kilowatt-hour battery again and 48-hp electrical motor be a part of the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, bringing the whole output to a hearty 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. That is practically double the quantity provided on the outgoing V6 mannequin and second solely in horsepower to the brand new 405-horse Ranger Raptor (however the Taco nonetheless has extra torque).
Rear-wheel drive remains to be customary on trims just like the SR and SR5, however now it comes with a limited-slip differential. 4-wheel-drive fashions add an electronically managed two-speed switch case with high- and low-range gearing in addition to an upgraded Lively Traction Management system with a limited-slip diff. Go for the top-of-the-line Restricted mannequin with the hybrid I-Power Max engine and that comes with full-time four-wheel drive with a center-locking differential.
| Engine | Output | |
| Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional | Turbo 2.4L I4 Hybrid | 326 HP / 465 LB-FT |
| Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 | Turbo 2.7-liter I4 | 310 HP / 430 LB-FT |
| Ford Ranger Raptor | Twin-Turbo 3.0L V6 | 405 HP / 430 LB-FT |
| GMC Canyon AT4X | Turbo 2.7-liter I4 | 310 HP / 430 LB-FT |
| Nissan Frontier Professional-4X | 3.8L V6 | 310 HP / 281 LB-GT |
A Robust Basis
The brand new Tacoma opts for a more durable aesthetic than a few of its rivals. Slim headlights adorn the entrance bumper with running-mascara fake vents that trickle down towards the decrease grille. The TRD Sport makes use of a easy black grille with a central Toyota jellybean badge, whereas the luxurious Restricted mannequin makes use of the identical Toyota badge however now completed in chrome with chrome horizontal slats and matching chrome wheels.
The rugged TRD Professional and the Trailhunter fashions use the retro “TOYOTA” wordmark throughout the grille, they usually each provide further rugged visible cues like a entrance skid plate, horizontal LED operating lights, and distinctive wheel and tire combos designed for off-roading. The TRD Professional has black 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear off-road tires whereas the Trailhunter pairs distinctive 18-inch bronze wheels with the identical rubber.
The Taco’s new TNGA-F platform makes use of high-strength metal all through the chassis to enhance rigidity and aluminum on the higher portion of the physique to assist scale back weight. An accessible multi-link rear suspension sheds final yr’s leaf springs for a brand new coil setup on the SR5 double cab and on the TRD Sport trim and above, with the suspension tuned uniquely for every mannequin.
The TRD Professional nonetheless has the hardest gear of the bunch with customary Fox shocks, whereas the TRD Off-Highway mannequin makes use of the identical Bilstein shocks as final yr, and the TRD Sport has particular TRD-tuned shocks for higher on-road really feel.
One draw back is that the Tacoma loses a little bit of towing prowess in comparison with the earlier mannequin. Most towing is listed at 6,500 kilos on the SR5 I-Power and TRD PreRunner trims, which is about 300 kilos lower than final yr. The excellent news is that payload improves to a powerful 1,709 kilos on the TRD Off-Highway mannequin in comparison with final yr’s most ranking of 1,685 kilos. And to make towing simpler, Toyota gave the brand new Tacoma superior trailering options like a trailer brake controller, a trailer backup information, and a digital rearview mirror.
| Max Towing | Max Payload | |
| Toyota Tacoma | 6,500 Kilos | 1,709 Kilos |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 7,700 Kilos | 1,151 Kilos |
| Ford Ranger (2023) | 7,500 Kilos | 1,860 Kilos |
| GMC Canyon | 7,700 Kilos | 1,390 Kilos |
| Nissan Frontier | 6,270 Kilos | 1,230 Kilos |
A brand new 8.0-inch touchscreen comes customary contained in the Tacoma whereas an optionally available 14.0-inch show is customary on the Restricted, TRD Professional, and Trailhunter. That bigger display pairs with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster whereas a smaller 7.0-inch cluster comes customary. Each shows use the wonderful Toyota infotainment interface launched on the Tundra, which comes with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility in addition to Qi wi-fi cellphone charging. And that detachable JBL Bluetooth speaker possibility is offered with the 10-speaker JBL audio improve.
The Tacoma can be safer than ever, with Toyota Security Sense 3.0 additionally customary on all variations of the Tacoma for 2024. That features issues like pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering help, full-speed adaptive cruise management, lane tracing help, highway signal help, computerized high-beam headlights, and a brand new Proactive Driving function.
Proactive Driving combines the Tacoma’s digital camera and radar techniques to create a extra superior type of adaptive cruise management, offering braking, throttle, and steering inputs even on mildly curvy roads. This technique is new for Toyota and making its debut on the Tacoma.
Go Professional Or Hunt A Path
The Tacoma TRD Professional remains to be the hardest truck of the group, and it will get even more durable this yr with recent off-road upgrades. Despite the fact that method, departure, and breakover angles are technically a smidge down – 33.8, 23.5, and 25.7 levels this yr versus 36.4, 24.7, and 26.6 levels final yr – just a few new choices assist functionality elsewhere. The accessible entrance stabilizer bar disconnect improves articulation by 10 % in comparison with the earlier truck, and extra off-road cameras with a Multi-Terrain Monitor projected atop the 14.0-inch touchscreen present a good clearer view of the path forward.
The Multi-Terrain Choose drive mode operate now extends to 4WD Excessive in addition to 4WD Low, with three modes adjustable on the fly: Mud, Dust, and Sand. Toyota additionally says the Crawl Management operate – principally cruise management for off-roading – is far quieter than it was final yr and comes with 5 adjustable speeds. And to maintain you comfier on the path, Toyota developed an IsoDynamic Efficiency Seat that makes use of embedded shock absorbers to assist dampen physique motion and stabilize the top and neck of the driving force.
However for overlanding fanatics, Toyota introduces a brand new Trailhunter trim for 2024. It sheds the TRD Professional’s Fox shocks for two.5-inch solid monotube Outdated Man Emu shocks as an alternative, designed by Australian-based ARB particularly for long-range off-road journey. There are new metal bumpers, more-robust rear restoration factors, enhanced rigidity for issues like rooftop tents, and the selection of a five- or six-foot mattress relying in your overlanding wants.
There’s quite a bit to love concerning the new Tacoma – and we have not even pushed it but. What we do not know is how a lot the 2024 Toyota Tacoma will price. The corporate says it’ll launch that data nearer to an on-sale date. Count on the brand new Tacoma to go on sale later in 2023.
