The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Is Here to Take Its Segment Crown
With all of its rivals seemingly getting a refresh for the 2024 model year, mid-size truck fans have been patiently waiting for news from Toyota. After weeks of teaser images and genuine leaks finding their way online, that wait is finally over. The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma is finally here, bringing updated powertrains, improved suspension layouts, new off-road trims and loads of safety tech. Here's everything you need to know about the new Tacoma lineup.
Toyota finally brought the Tacoma into the modern era with the TNGA-F global truck platform now underpinning all models. This high-strength, fully-boxed steel-ladder chassis currently also sees use in the full-size Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV, and has proven robust in off-road use. The TNGA-F platform brings benefits over the outgoing unit such as increased rigidity due to blanking and laser welding, as well as a lighter aluminum upper body section. Due to the truck adopting electric power steering for 2024, Toyota also had to design a new front crossmember that further improves rigidity over the old model. The new platform is flexible enough to allow Toyota to offer several body styles for the new Tacoma: both two- and four-door cab configurations are available with a choice of either a 5- or 6-foot bed. The two-door cab is notably only offered on the SR, SR5 and TRD PreRunner trim levels.
Speaking of trims, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma will be offered in SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter grades. The base model SR comes equipped with a 2.4-liter i-Force turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which provides 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. The same motor comes standard in all models except TRD Pro and Trailhunter, but receives an upgraded rating of 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft in SR5 and higher trims. Customers have the choice between a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. Toyota has aimed to make the manual as simple to live with as possible with features like anti-stall and automatic rev-matching. All manual-equipped models will notably receive a unique 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft engine calibration. The off-road focused TRD Pro and Trailhunter models come standard with a hybridized 2.4-liter turbo-four in i-Force Max trim, which brings a single electric motor and a 1.87-kWh battery pack to the Tacoma. The high-output powertrain can only be had with the eight-speed automatic, but the 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque on offer make up for that disappointment. For what it’s worth, that’s more than double the amount of torque provided by the outgoing Tacoma’s V-6. The engine is optional on TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited trims. Those engines help the Tacoma receive a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, as well as an increased payload capacity of 1,709 pounds on select models. Toyota says fuel economy figures will be available closer to the truck’s on-sale date.
Every Tacoma trim level will also receive a bespoke suspension calibration. The TRD Sport will receive sport-tuned shocks, whereas TRD Off-Road comes equipped with monotube Bilstein remote reservoir shocks with improved cooling measures. The TRD Pro packs a set of Fox QS3 three-way adjustable internal bypass shocks and rear internal floating piston bump stops. The overlanding-focused Trailhunter receives a bespoke Old Man Emu off-road suspension package from ARB, specifically tuned for control and additional load carrying needs. The more luxurious Limited trim receives a set of ASV dampers that adjust the damping curves based on road conditions. It is also worth noting that while SR, SR5 XtraCab, and TRD PreRunner models all come with leaf springs out back, other trims will utilize a new multi-link suspension with coils. All rear-drive Tacoma models will also come bolstered by an automatic limited-slip rear differential, while four-wheel drive models also receive an automatic two-speed transfer case with an automatic LSD. The TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Trailhunter models get an electronic locking rear differential as standard. The Limited adopts full-time four-wheel drive and a center locking differential.
The new suspension packages bring some serious performance to the Tacoma. Toyota says the truck features maximum approach, breakover, and departure angles of 33.8, 23.5 and 25.7-degrees on TRD Pro. The truck also provides up to 11 inches of ground clearance, while a new front stabilizer bar disconnect brings 10 percent more articulation than the outgoing truck. Four wheel disc brakes are also a first for 2024, with larger front discs across all models. TRD and higher trims, as well as i-Force Max-equipped trucks receive a larger rear disc package as well.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma brings a much more modern design than its aging predecessor, and might just be the best looking mid-sizer at the moment. The truck features a very upright stance, lacking any of the curved edges found on something like the Ranger. The body itself features a tight and purposeful stance between the fenders, which are accentuated by the “high and wide” layout. Toyota isn’t being shy about looking to the vintage Hilux for inspiration here, though they’ve done so without going for a genuinely retro look. The off-roader focused trims in particular have a great presence to them, and should have no trouble exciting long time fans. Customers will have the choice between nine exterior colors: Supersonic Red, Blue Crush Metallic, Underground, Wind Chill Pearl, Solar Octane, Celestial Silver Metallic, Black, Ice Cap, and Bronze Oxide. A limited TRD-trim color will launch later this summer, exclusive to 2024 model year vehicles.
The interior is much more modern than the outgoing truck. Like many trucks on sale today, the layout is very horizontal, with both the digital cluster and horizontal infotainment screen centering the design. Lower trimmed models receive a 7-inch digital cluster, but a 12.4-inch unit is standard on higher grade offerings. There are similarly two different infotainment screen sizes, ranging from 8-inches to 14-inches. All screens come backed by Toyota’s current Audio Multimedia system and support wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. Tunes will play through a ten speaker JBL audio system. An induction charge pad and several USB-C ports ensure your devices will never go flat on the trails. The new Tacoma also comes backed by Toyota’s entire suite of driver assistance systems. Toyota didn’t just look for tech to improve the Taco for 2024, however. Underseat rear storage has tripled for non-hybrid models, while MOLLE panels around the cabin add more flexibility as far as gear containment is concerned. Toyota has also ripped a page out of the Ford Maverick playbook, sticking a QR code inside with information to help owners design and 3D-print their own accessories. Storage in the bed has even grown by 7 percent to allow for easier tonneau cover usage.
The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma lineup is slated to hit dealer showrooms later this year, and you can expect pricing information for the new trucks to arrive closer to that on-sale date. Toyota has confirmed that only the standard i-Force powertrain will be available at launch, with i-Force Max vehicles arriving sometime in early 2024. Whether or not Toyota will be able to lock down its mid-size segment dominance with this truck will have to be seen. There’s simply never been as many exciting mid-sized trucks on sale at one time, which can only be a good thing for customers and competition alike.
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