- The 2024 Toyota Tacoma lineup packs eight trims, two cab and mattress selections, computerized and handbook gearboxes, and three variations of a brand new 2.4-liter turbo 4.
- The favored TRD Off-Highway mannequin now has 33-inch tires, bigger distant reservoir Bilstein shocks, a front-end raise, and a coil-spring rear suspension.
- There at the moment are two top-dog fashions: an improved wide-track TRD Professional and a brand new Trailhunter designed to attraction to the overlander crowd.
Toyota doubled down on its longstanding Tacoma success at present, displaying off a various and vastly expanded 2024 lineup that is certain to fare nicely towards the latest variations of the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado. Not like these opponents, Toyota has not restricted the Tacoma to a single crew cab/quick mattress configuration that is solely obtainable with an computerized transmission.
As an alternative, Toyota carries on with crew-cab and extended-cab configurations, with five- and six-foot beds obtainable on the previous and a six-foot mattress paired with the latter. A brand new eight-speed computerized transmission replaces the unloved six-speed autobox, and a six-speed handbook remains to be obtainable within the base SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Highway fashions.
A Tacoma for Everybody
The brand new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder is accessible in three strengths, unfold throughout eight grades: SR, SR5, a brand new TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Highway, Restricted, a brand new Trailhunter, and the TRD Professional. The bottom engine seems completely within the SR, the place it makes 228 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque—considerably greater than final 12 months’s 159-hp base output. The iForce turbo 4 replaces final 12 months’s V-6 and is the usual powerplant within the SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Highway, and Restricted. It generates the identical 278 horsepower because the outgoing V-6, however torque is considerably elevated, rising a full 20 % from 265 pound-feet to a wholesome 317 pound-feet. Output is dialed again barely to 270 horses and 310 pound-feet when the six-speed handbook is specified on TRD Sport and TRD Off-Highway, nevertheless it’s a small worth to pay.
However the high providing is now the iForce Max, which provides a hybrid system that ups whole output to 326 horsepower and a best-in-class 465 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system additionally brings alongside a 2400-watt AC inverter that replaces the usual 300-watt unit. This setup is the bottom powertrain within the much-invigorated TRD Professional and newly launched Trailhunter, however it is usually notably obtainable as an possibility within the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Highway, and Restricted. Gas financial system has not but been launched for any of those new powertrains, however likelihood is excessive that iForce Max hybrid rankings might be spectacular and can, on the very least, considerably outpace the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR2.
As rumored, the brand new Tacoma lastly has disc brakes in again, and that enables for an digital parking brake and sure high-end energetic security techniques, that are customary. The large occasion piece is, in fact, the brand new coil-spring rear axle. However the transition to coils shouldn’t be absolute, because the SR, the SR5 prolonged cab, and the TRD PreRunner—which solely comes with the prolonged cab—have leaf springs supporting their hind ends. Put one other approach, the brand new five-link, coil-spring rear suspension is fitted to any crew cab Tacoma from SR5 on up.
TRD Off-Highway
As earlier than, the TRD Off-Highway has the potential to be the preferred mannequin. Its common recipe nonetheless features a push-button rear differential lock, high-level terrain administration options, and an off-road-tuned suspension. However the tires at the moment are 33 inches tall, and the suspension has been improved considerably, with a slight nostril raise and Bilstein distant reservoir shocks that function a long-overdue enhance in piston diameter and hydraulic finish cease management that ought to soften landings because the suspension approaches full compression. What’s extra, a disconnecting entrance anti-roll bar is newly obtainable, and Toyota says it would unlock much more suspension articulation than earlier than.
TRD Sport
The TRD Sport method carries on with sport-tuned shocks, pavement-oriented tires, and a hood scoop, whereas the Restricted has been much more clearly outlined because the smooth-riding truck for these that aren’t occupied with off-road prowess. Its suspension consists of adaptive variable shock absorbers, and it stands alone within the lineup by using a full-time four-wheel-drive system that operates like all-wheel drive till you lock the middle differential for off-road traction.
TRD Professional
The vaunted TRD Professional stays the highest canine for individuals who favor high-speed desert operating, and its hand has been strengthened to do fight with the Ranger Raptor and Colorado ZR2. The usual-fitment iForce Max energy output falls between these two, nevertheless it clearly tops them each by way of torque. Furthermore, its suspension has gained long-overdue beef, with the Professional gaining the high-riding, wide-track stance it by no means had earlier than. Apparent fender flares are obligatory as a result of the observe width is a full 3 inches broader than base mannequin, and it rides 2 inches taller up entrance and 1.5 inches taller in again on its 33-inch tires and 18-inch wheels. Damping now comes from 2.5-inch Fox QS3 adjustable dampers—distant reservoir in again—and the rear finish advantages from Fox IFP (inner floating piston) hydraulic bump stops which might be nestled throughout the coil springs. The disconnecting entrance anti-roll bar is customary fare right here.
Trailhunter
New this 12 months is the Trailhunter, an equal-billing marquee mannequin for individuals who favor overland exploration. Just like the Professional, it has the iForce Max hybrid powertrain, disconnecting entrance anti-roll bar, and high-riding, wide-track suspension. However the suspension options Previous Man Emu position-sensitive distant reservoir shocks which might be tuned to carry out off-road whereas dealing with sustained mattress masses and equipment like rooftop tents. An onboard compressor is customary for airing up after airing down, and the Max hybrid’s 2400-watt AC inverter appears particularly helpful for powering gear like an electrical fridge, whereas the panel of three upfitter switches ought to ease the set up of accent lights an proprietor could need to add above and past the Inflexible ahead lighting and lateral “scene lighting” that comes customary.
Inside Scoop
The brand new Tacoma’s inside lastly corrects a longstanding bugaboo, with a seat that sits over an inch greater than earlier than to right the sensation that you just have been sitting on the ground. Up high, the roof has been raised a like quantity, so the repositioned seat doesn’t end in diminished headroom. Add this to an improved steering wheel with extra telescopic vary, and also you get a vastly improved driving place. The inside is sweet to take a look at too, with logical controls and a contemporary look that implies that no switchgear was carried over. The enticing heart display screen stands inside simple attain, and the configurable digital gauge cluster and its attendant steering wheel controls appears to be like refreshingly fashionable.
There’s much more within the particulars. The Tacoma is now obtainable with an digital trailer brake controller and a trailer backup steering system. An non-compulsory system of three rooftop shark fins makes use of the outer pair to keep up contact with an obtainable trailer-mounted rear digital camera. Its crawl management function is now in a position to work in 4 Excessive as an alternative of simply 4 Low, and we totally anticipate it to function a lot smoother now that the braking system consists of rear discs and an digital brake booster. The obtainable tailgate can energy itself up and energy down, and it may be triggered by the deal with, the important thing fob, or buttons set into the taillights. You possibly can even nudge an open tailgate up with a knee or hand, which triggers the ability actuator to take over and end the job.
Pricing and a full suite of specs will not be revealed till a lot later within the 12 months, and we cannot get an opportunity to drive the Tacoma till we method its fourth-quarter on-sale date. That timing applies to the iForce powertrain. The iForce Max hybrid powertrain will come later, not surfacing till the spring of 2024. That in flip dictates the arrival of the TRD Professional, Trailhunter, to not point out the non-compulsory powertrain configurations of the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Highway, and Restricted.
Frankly, we’re glad for the staggered rollout, as a result of the brand new Tacoma’s intensive menu of eight grades, two cabs, two beds, three engines, two transmissions, and a plethora of suspensions will take time to kind by way of. And that is the factor with the brand new Tacoma’s multidimensional lineup. There actually is one thing for everybody.
Technical Editor
Dan Edmunds was born into the world of vehicles, however not the way you may assume. His father was a retired racing driver who opened Autoresearch, a race-car-building store, the place Dan minimize his enamel as a metallic fabricator. Engineering college adopted, then SCCA Showroom Inventory racing, and that mixture landed him suspension improvement jobs at two completely different automakers. His writing profession started when he was picked up by Edmunds.com (no relation) to construct a testing division.