The wait is finally over, the completely redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma is finally shown to us in full – the first all-new from the ground up Toyota Tacoma in almost 20-years. While being at the top of the sales charts allowed a slow walk on updates, progress and evolution for decades, modern times and increased competition finally forced Toyota to pull out all the stops and truly modernize the Tacoma.
The recipe for keeping the Tacoma at the top of sales charts in a sea of A-game competitors? A completely new chassis platform underneath, all-new powertrain teams, innovative new trim grades and what I think is an impressively handsome design inside and out.
Like Tacomas of the past it’s brawny and muscular, building on the styling DNA of the last generation but now with bolder details, a more pronounced Coke bottle form and the wheels pushed further to the corners for a more aggressive stance.
In such, it looks a lot like a scaled because it is. Built on a shortened and narrowed version of the same global TNGA-F truck platform of the Tundra and Sequoia, it shares a lot of the underlying core mechanical bones and engineering.
These include for the first time a high-strength steel fully boxed frame and for the first time an available multi-link coil spring rear suspension. While we don’t have full specifications yet, I suspect the new Tacoma will be a bit wider than before and perhaps a little bit longer.
Surprisingly it bucks the latest trends and will remain available in both a full four-door double cab with two bed lengths five and six-feet, as well as a smaller two-seat XtraCab with a six-foot long bed. Competitors Ford and Chevrolet just ditched the smaller cabs and multiple bed options for their redesigned models, leaving their buyers fewer choices.
Interiors across the board are all new as well, again looking much like the cabin of its much larger brother Tundra. Chiseled details and blocky rugged elements make up a new dash and console design. A taller seating position and driver orientation should alleviate the sitting on the floor feel the current Tacomas have.
Center stage are larger infotainment screens starting with an 8-inch touchscreen standard and available the large 14-inch display seen here which will feature the brand’s latest generation of connected, read subscription based, features and content. The instrument cluster is now a standard 7-inch digital screen setup with a larger 12.3-inch customizable unit on high grades.
Because of the redesigned cabs there is more storage space than before, particularly on non-hybrid models. This includes three times more space under the rear seat. And they can also fold down flat for a more usable load surface.
The XtraCab model will be a two-seater only, jump seats no longer included at the rear – most likely for packaging and safety considerations. Instead a multitude of storage and useful surfaces are provided which likely will make good sense for those using their trucks for work. This checks out as the XtraCab will only be available in lower SR, SR5 and a new TRD PreRunner grades.
What’s under the hood is really where the major shift is. Those complaining about the industry’s massive move to smaller turbocharged engines are just going to have to learn to shut up and take it like a man as Tacoma now sports a trio of 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
Base model SR gets a 2.4-liter turbocharged four with an 8-speed automatic with a milder tune than the rest, with 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Next up the latter for SR5 through Limited is a higher output version with 278 horsepower and 317 pound- of torque with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
In limited trim grade configurations SR, TRD Sport and TRD OffRoad a six-speed manual with automatic rev matching remains available to those who still want it. With this setup, the 2.4-liter turbo offers 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque.
The top dog powertrain replacing the old 3.5-liter V6 is the i-FORCE MAX hybrid available on TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and standard on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter. Comprised of the 2.4-liter turbo and a 48-hp electric motor integrated into its eight-speed transmission it offers up 326 horsepower and significant 465 pound-feet of torque.
That makes it the only hybrid available in class and class leading with mainstream horsepower with exception of the limited production 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor which has over 400 horsepower from its 3.0-liter twin turbo V6.
A variety of downstream hardware includes an automatic limited-slip differential on rear-wheel drive models. The standard transfer case is an electronically controlled two-speed unit with high/low range along with an automatic limited-slip differential. An upgraded electronic locking rear differential is standard on TRD PreRunner, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter grades. On Limited you get a four-wheel-drive system with a center locking differential with hybrid powertrain.
Aside an all-new fully boxed frame that’s stronger and beefier than before upper trim grades now get a better ride and off-road articulation experience with a multi-link rear suspension. Leaf springs and solid axle remain standard on lower grades SR, SR5 XtraCab, and TRD PreRunner.
And finally, after decades past their prime, Toyota finally ditches the rear drum brakes and gives the Tacoma standard four-wheel discs. Additionally there are upgraded brake packages as you step up the grade ladder for better performance on and off the road. Maximum towing of up to at 6,500 pounds is available with the non-hybrid models and maximum payload is up to 1,709 pounds. Depending on the trim grade chosen, your metrics will vary.
And to that, the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and TRD-Pro all return with their various levels of suspension, tire and wheel upgrades almost too long to list. Additionally we now have another variant in the Trailhunter.
The Trailhunter is a new premium grade that offers the overlanding enthusiast an equivalent level of off-roading prowess to the TRD Pro but a different tune in it’s presentation and hardware makeup. It will offer a wide array of overlanding equipment and accessory content in addition to a style that is quite upscale. It certainly looks sweet and will likely cost it.
We will know a lot more about how it will stack up in terms of dimensional differences, pricing, actual fuel efficiency and performance once the detailed specifications are released by Toyota which will come closer to its launch later this year.
We will be doing separate deep dive videos for the 2024 TRD Pro and Trailhunter Tacoma models as there is a lot to chew on individually for them. You can see them when they come on our Tacoma playlist found on our YouTube channel.
