- Designed In America, For America
- Turbocharged, Hybridized Powertrains
- Many Trims, Multiple Personalities
America's favorite midsize truck finally has a successor, and it is INCREDIBLE.
- Fourth-generation Tacoma moves to TNGA-F platform, shared with Tundra and Sequoia
- Turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines with and without hybrid assist (up to 326 hp/465 lb-ft)
- All-new Trailhunter trim for overlanding
- TRD Pro becomes a Baja-inspired off-roader
- Up to 14-inch infotainment system
- Available in Crew Cab and XtraCab configurations
- Five- and six-foot bed options
Finally, after two months of teasing, the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma has been unveiled. And this really is an all-new Tacoma from the ground up, with nothing carried over except the renowned Toyota badge and a few trim names.
The fourth-generation “Taco” represents the biggest departure from the tried and trusted midsize pickup truck formula so far, which makes it a giant leap of faith. The current Tacoma was the oldest vehicle in its segment, yet 237,323 'Tacos found a home in 2022. The Tacoma outsold its closest rival at a more than two-to-one ratio. The loyalty of its fanbase is cult-like, and we mean that in the nicest way possible, understanding the many reasons why people swear by this truck.
But now we must dive into the all-new model, and some of the mechanical choices may upset the fanbase. It's the first Tacoma available exclusively with four-cylinder engine options. It has a multi-link coil rear suspension (leaf springs are still standard lower down) and can be ordered as a hybrid.
Shock. Horror. Desecration, even.
Designed In America, For America
Actually, the new truck is better than ever and was designed by Americans for Americans. As you can see, it's a smaller Tundra, and for good reason. The new Tacoma is built on the same e TNGA-F global truck platform used by the Tundra and Sequoia. You can have the Tacoma in a Double or XtraCab, with a five- or six-foot bed.
“Our primary design goal for the all-new Tacoma was to be authentic to the way our customers use their trucks for rugged outdoor fun,” says Kevin Hunter, President of CALTY Design Research. “We looked at our truck DNA and the Toyota Baja race trucks for inspiration to capture the extreme spirit of off-road adventure. High lift, big tires, slim body, and a powerful athletic stance define the iconic Tacoma look, referred to as 'Tacoma-ness.'”
We'd like to move away from the design because it's the least interesting part of the truck, but to fully understand the new Tacoma, we first need to know how the team behind it approached the task at hand.
Turbocharged, Hybridized Powertrains
“We strove to provide even greater attribute separation between grades,” says Sheldon Brown, chief engineer of the Tacoma. “Each has a distinctive focus on the core attribute and uses hardware, spec, and performance-based tuning to deliver that unique experience more so than in the past.”
With that in mind, let's first look at all models' main mechanical components: the i-Force 2.4-liter turbocharged four-pot. The outputs are different across the various trim levels: SR models get a detuned engine version, producing 228 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 243 lb-ft of torque at an impressively low 1,700 rpm. Higher trim models are boosted to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft.
The standard transmission is an eight-speed automatic, but the i-Force four can be mated to a six-speed manual similar to the unit used in the old car. In this case, the power dips slightly to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft.
Top-spec models come standard with the i-Force Max, a high-output engine with a 48-hp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission. The result is 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, making it the most potent powertrain ever put in a Tacoma.
The maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds, but only for the SR5 i-Force and TRD PreRunner XtraCab grades. According to Toyota, the payload has increased to 1,709 lbs. These base models still use a traditional leaf spring setup at the rear, while the less workhorse-like models get an all-new multi-link coil rear suspension meant to improve ride and handling.
Rear-wheel-drive Tacomas come standard with an automatic limited-slip differential (LSD), while part-time four-wheel-drive models have an electronically operated two-speed transfer case and an automatic LSD on the rear axle.
The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain models get a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and a center differential lock. There's also an available front stabilizer bar disconnect feature, which increases front wheel articulation by 10%.
Toyota's Multi-Terrain Select is now available in high and low range, and naturally, there are various surface options to choose from. The maximum approach, breakover, and departure angles are 33.8, 23.5, and 25.7 degrees, respectively.
Many Trims, Multiple Personalities
From here, the top-spec models branch out in wildly different directions. To make life easier for you, dear reader, you can read a breakdown of the most important features of the TRD Pro and the all-new Trailhunter specification in separate articles.
Eight trims are available: SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro.
The interior is a giant leap forward. Depending on trim, you get an eight- or 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system running the same Audio Multimedia software that debuted on the 2022 pickup. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless charging pad. There's a host of USB-C charging ports. Music fans will love the premium 10-speaker JBL audio upgrade, including the new removable Bluetooth speaker.
A seven-inch gauge cluster is standard on lower grades, while top-spec models get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with four available styles. All models get a Smart Key System with a push-button start.
Toyota claims three times more storage space underneath the rear seat than the current model – but that's in Double Cab models only, as the Xtra Cab doesn't have a rear seat, and for a very good reason. The seats are also something special, at least in the TRD Pro, as they might be the coolest seats ever installed in a pickup.
All models are also equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed range radar-guided cruise control, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and the new Proactive Driving Assist.
The standard range (not including the TRD Pro and Trailhunter) consists of the SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited. The various standard features can be viewed in the image block below.
The Tacoma i-Force models are expected to go on sale in late 2023, and the i-Force Max models will arrive in the Spring of 2024. Pricing will be provided closer to the market launch.
Keyword: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Revealed: The King Is Dead, Long Live The King