At the top of the lineup alongside the TRD Pro, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma debuts the brand’s new premium overlanding focused off-road trim grade that will eventually be found on most of their trucks and SUVs.
Conceived to be a purpose-built overlanding rig straight from the factory, the Tacoma Trailhunter comes standard with a host of chassis and suspension upgrades, the top-level iForce-Max hybrid powertrain, and an impressive list of standard functional accessories.
Starting with the visuals most prominent the Trailhunter builds on the bold and muscular new styling of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma with lots of bronze colored accents like its unique 18-inch alloy wheels along with special TOYOTA lettered grille with an integrated 20-inch LED light bar and a unique fascia sporting two-color RIGID LED fog lamps.
Then there are large fender flares in flat black, wrapping its 33-inch 265/70 Goodyear Territory R/T tires and aforementioned bronze wheels. An additional 2-inches of lift at the front and 1.5-inches in the rear make for added ground clearance and the perfect stance.
At the rear is a custom ARB steel bumper with integral LED lighting and ARB recovery hooks. Standard is an ARB bed utility bar with removable MOLLE panels. Here you can get either a five or six-foot bed which include a full LED lighting package inside. More than that though the Trailhunter has a standard built-in air compressor at the bed strong enough to air up tires as well as other camping gear.
Other standard details include an A-Pillar high air intake at the passenger side and a set of full length of rock rails. The roof features integrated attachment holes for accessories like the roof rack shown on this truck. Underneath the front-end are unique Trailhunter high strength steel skid plates and Trailhunter “compass” emblemology is found all around.
The cabin too gets its share of Trailhunter goods, highly outfitted to look and feel premium as well as be functional in the wild. The dash and door panels feature unique trims and colors. Rugged touches abound like MOLLE attachment points and rubber all-weather floor liners.
Top end electronics include the new for 2024 14-inch multimedia touchscreen with available JBL audio and flex speaker system as well as a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Heated and ventilated seating features unique upholstery. My best guess is that it’s SofTex and not leather, Toyota has not specified at this point.
Lots of power can be tapped into for accessories. Because it’s a hybrid it sports a robust 2400W AC inverter provides two access points – one in the cabin and the bed. Trailhunter also comes with built-in pre-wired toggle switches for added on accessories.
Powering the Trailhunter is standard the top-line IForce-Max 2.4-liter turbocharged four engine and hybrid 8-speed automatic. With a 48-hp electric motor and a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery pack, it has a total system horsepower of 326 and 465 pound-feet of torque.
The chassis is dialed in for off-roading on a similar level to the TRD-Pro but tuned differently and with entirely different hardware. Notable are its Old Man Emu position sensitive 2.5-inch forged dampers with rear external piggyback style remote reservoirs.
The suspension features unique Trailhunter front control arms and front stabilizer bar disconnect which allows a significant increase in articulation on the trail. A locking rear differential is standard but not at the front.
There, a simulated locking effect continues to be provided through software, traction control and braking hardware via the Multi-Terrain Select system which Toyota says now works in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low.
The all-new 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter will go on sale in the first quarter of 2024. Pricing and final specifications, dimensions and fuel economy metrics will be announced closer to that time.
