The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is built on a new frame and features a new rear suspension.
Two engine choices including a hybrid, with up to three output levels.
A slew of trim levels, including the all-new overlanding focused Trailhunter.
WAIMEA, Hawaii – Just as the midsize pickup truck segment is heating up in the North American market, with almost every player having introduced all-new generation of their models, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma has been revealed in Hawaii with an all-new architecture, new powertrains, new trim levels and innovative new features.
The Tacoma is by far the sales leader in the segment (and the best-selling vehicle overall in Hawaii 22 years straight), and if the competition thought it could catch up with its rejuvenated products, Toyota has just proved that it’s not willing to go down without a fight, and has sharpened the Tacoma’s weapons to defend its title.
The Nissan Frontier was redesigned for the 2022 model year, and GM followed for 2023 with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Just last week, the North American-spec 2024 Ford Ranger was unveiled as well. Meanwhile, the Honda Ridgeline received a minor refresh for the 2021 model year, and the Jeep Gladiator was introduced for the 2020 model year.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma now rides on the company’s TNGA-F truck platform that already supports the full-size Toyota Tundra pickup and Toyota Sequoia SUV. The automaker cites a more rigid body-on-frame chassis, while some trim levels receive a multi-link rear suspension instead of the base trims’ leaf spring setup. The new Tacoma is offered in two-door XtraCab configuration with a six-foot bed, which will arrive later in Canada, as well as four-door Double Cab matched to either a five-foot or six-foot bed. The trim level lineup now consists of SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, Limited, TRO Pro and Trailhunter in the United States, while the Canadian market makes do without the SR and the TRD PreRunner.
Two engine choices will be available as well. The base U.S.-only unit is a turbocharged 2.4L inline-four that develops 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque in the SR trim, while other variants get a higher-output version the same engine, producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Aside from the new, standard eight-speed automatic transmission, a six-speed manual is also on offer with the higher-output engine variant, although output drops to 270 horses and 310 pound-feet, As a reminder, the outgoing Tacoma’s 3.5L V6 also generates 278 horsepower, along with 265 pound-feet.
Topping the powertrain range is the new hybrid i-FORCE MAX engine consisting of the turbo 2.4L four with a 48-horsepower electric motor that’s integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission, fed by a 1.87 kWh battery pack. The system belts out 326 combined horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. No fuel economy ratings are available yet, but the i-FORCE MAX engine is among the most powerful in its class, beating out the 2024 Ranger’s new turbo 2.7L V6 engine (315 hp, 400 pound-feet) while being surpassed on the horsepower front by the Ranger Raptor’s turbo 3.0L V6 (405 hp, 430 pound-feet).
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma’s maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,500 pounds or 2,948 kilograms, down slightly compared to the old Tacoma, while its payload maxes out at 1,709 pounds or 775 kg, up slightly.
The Tacoma boasts all-new, yet familiar styling, with different grille and trim finishes depending on the chosen variant. Some of them, including the TRD Sport and the Limited, are fitted with an imposing lower front air deflector, likely aiming to improve aerodynamics, and as a result, fuel economy. A ten paint color palette is offered, including a yet-to-be-announced hue reserved for the TRD Pro.
Of course, the redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma also serves up an overhauled cabin, with an 8.0- or 14.0-inch infotainment system touchscreen presenting the company’s latest interface that’s making its way into all of its products. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging and USB-C ports are present and accounted for, while the driver instrument cluster gets either a 7.0- or 12.3-inch digital display. An intelligent key is standard across the board, while a Digital Key and a Smart Card key are available as options, as is a JBL sound system with a detachable, portable and waterproof JBL FLEX speaker for camping or tailgate parties.
The dashboard boasts the same overall design across all trim levels, but with different trim finishes for each of them. The cabin includes rubber grips for hanging on when hitting the trails, while a MOLLE storage layout is found on the doors panels and console. The automaker also provides a bunch of dimensions so owners can design and manufacture 3D printed accessories to their liking. Toyota claims more storage space in the new Tacoma, especially under the rear seat compartment in Double Cab non-hybrid units. XtraCab units have no rear seats.
The Tacoma SR and SR5 are equipped with the smaller infotainment screen and instrument cluster, along with 17-inch wheels and LED lighting, while the U.S.-only TRD PreRunner is only offered with a 4×2 drivetrain, along with an electronic rear locking differential, a front lift and all-terrain tires. The TRD Sport can be upgraded to the i-FORCE MAX powertrain in addition to featuring TRD shocks, 18-inch TRD wheels, a hood scoop, body-color door handles and wheel arches, black badging, aluminum pedals as well as the bigger infotainment and driver instrument cluster displays.
The TRD Off Road variant boasts Bilstein remote reservoir shocks, the Multi Terrain Select drive mode system, an electronic rear locking diff, skid plates and 17- or 18-inch black TRD wheels, while a front stabilizer bar disconnect and 33-inch tires are available. The luxury-focused Limited is the only trim that offers available full-time 4WD, and is equipped as standard with an Adaptive Variable Suspension setup, chrome bumpers and trim, chrome-clad 18-inch wheels, power-retractable assist steps, a power tailgate, head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats as well as the JBL stereo.
The TRD Pro receives the i-FORCE MAX engine as standard, along with FOX QS3 shocks with rear piggyback remote reservoirs, TRD forged aluminum upper control arms, skid plates, the electronic rear diff, 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires, 18-inch black TRD wheels, rocker protection, an ARB steel rear bumper, red recovery hooks and TRD Pro specific LED headlamps. It also features a two-tone roof, a heritage grille with the TOYOTA inscription and a LED light bar, RIGID LED fog lamps and a 2,400-watt power inverter. The TRD Pro also benefits from trick new IsoDynamic Performance Seats, which use an air-over-oil shock absorber system to dampen the vehicle’s body movement and help keep occupants sitting straight when the going gets rough.
Finally, the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter seeks to appeal to the overlanding crowd with Old Man Emu forged monotube position sensitive shocks by ARB, bronze upper control arms, the electronic diff, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, hot stamped skid plates and 18-inch bronze wheels with 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires. It also gets a high-mount air intake integrated on the passenger-side A-pillar, rock rails, an ARB steel rear bumper with red recovery hooks, a bed utility bar and an integrated air compressor, among other goodies. Toyota has also announced an Associated Accessory Products program to customize all the Tacoma trim levels, with more than 100 items on a list that will grow over time.
The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma will hit dealerships later this year, although units equipped with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain are scheduled to arrive in early 2024. Pricing will be announced at a later date. With all these new features and innovations, if the competition was planning on overtaking the Tacoma on the sales charts, it’s definitely in for a true battle.
