Tacoma may not remind folks of a conventional Toyota four-door family sedan or cutting-edge gas-electric vehicle, but the diminutive pickup truck opened new roads and opportunities for Japan's largest automaker just as much as the popular Camry or game-changing Prius hybrid.
While domestic automakers General Motors, Ford and Ram continue to dominate full-size pickup truck sales, the mid-size Tacoma stormed into the segment, dominating it for the last 16 years. Tacoma's popularity and quality reputation helped establish Toyota's full-size Tundra pickup (redesigned in 2023) as a must-see option to the Big Three's Big Boys upon its arrival in the 2000 model year. Timing for Tacoma's latest and greatest redesign was spot on as Ford's Ranger, GMC's Canyon and the Chevrolet Colorado, all mid-size rivals, underwent major redo's in 2023 and started nibbling at Tacoma's heals.
Tacoma outsells its Tundra big brother, an oddity in the marketing universe where full-size light-duty pickup sales dominate the Big Three's playbook and pocketbook. Total Tacoma 2023 calendar year sales reached a healthy 234,768, close to doubling Tundra sales of 125,185 units during the same period.
Toyota first introduced Tacoma to the world in the 1995 model year as a compact-sized pickup truck. Ten years later in the 2015 model year, a second generation emerged with multiple cab configurations and larger dimensions placing it closer to mid-size status. Generation Three continued from 2016 through 2023, leading us into the current model year and the highly anticipated 2024 fourth generation.
This newest effort, built upon Toyota's rugged body-on-frame TNGA-F global platform, shares underpinnings with the Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV. Expect a new high-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame with aluminum utilized on the upper body to reduce weight. Roofs include attachment holes allowing for easily welcoming racks and roof channel sealers for watertight seals. Tacoma now enjoys a broader stance with higher front-bumper clearance, handy during off-road adventures. All feature electronic power steering easing on and off-road efforts.
Inside, seat comfort increases while a new layout works in tandem with driver's needs. Our all-new Trailhunter grade included golden stitching and SofTex trimmed front seats. Each trim level now features suspensions tuned specifically to each grade. Available for the first time, a power open and close rear gate feature dropping down and/or up with a push of a dashboard or key fob button. Tacoma finally graduates to disc brakes out back helping stop the rear wheels with older-style drum brakes retiring.
This latest generation offers more trim levels (eight) than any other incarnation while introducing the i-Force-Max hybrid powertrain, pairing a 2.4-liter turbocharged powertrain with 48-horsepower electric motor/generator integrated into its eight-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower reaches a generous 326 with low-end torque checking in at an impressive 465 pound-feet, the best the mid-size segment offers. This electrified single turbo four-cylinder design also makes an appearance within the recently redesigned 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser crossover. A six-cylinder version arrives in the redesigned 2023 Tundra where it's standard.
It's one of two four-cylinder engines available as the 278-horsepower V-6 option from the previous generation retires. Tacoma's other 2024 four cylinder, a 2.4-liter DOHC turbocharged version (non-electrified) delivers up to 278 horsepower and is available with either an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.
The myriad of personality-driven trim levels include base SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro and all-new Trailhunter. The electrified i-Force Max comes standard with Trailhunter and TRD Pro while optional in TRD Sport, TRD Off Road and Limited.
Tacoma circa 2024 offers two cab body styles, a smaller two-seat, two-door XtraCab and full-size Double Cab (also known as a Crew Cab with two full-sized front-hinged rear doors). Both are available in 4 x 2 rear wheel drive format or full-time four-wheel drive (Limited trim only) or part-time four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case (all other trims). Two bed lengths, both increasing volume by seven percent, include a five-foot or larger six-foot variety. The XtraCab pairs solely with the larger six-foot bed while double cab offers the five-foot standard and six-foot optional. Both are available with new LED lighting schemes brightening up the back if working late into the night.
Also improving ride quality wherever roaming, all-new coil spring multi-link rear suspensions available in most trims. This passenger-car design began making inroads into other pickup trucks a decade earlier with less bouncy side effects while not sacrificing off-road durability. Rear leaf springs remain available in SR, SR5 XtraCab, and TRD Pre Runner.
The 18.2-inch fuel tank recommends regular, 87-octane fuel. The electrified version of the four-cylinder offers minimal fuel economy gains. The technology upsell is all about added power and especially increased torque.
Our 4 x 4 electrified Tacoma four-cylinder provided 22 miles per gallon of travel city and 24 mpg highway when teamed with the double cab. This adds approximately two miles better in city travel to Tacoma's non-electrified engine option and one mile better highway.
Our fully loaded, top-shelf, electrified Trailhunter double cab 4 x 4 with five-foot bed started at $62,900. With no factory options and a smattering of dealer add-ons, the bottom line reached $64,994 including a $1,494 destination charge. The lowest priced 2024 Tacoma with the i-Force Max engine, a TRD Sport double cab 4 x 4, checks in at $46,300. A 4 x 2 SR XtraCab with standard four-cylinder engine checks in at $31,500, the lowest priced Tacoma for 2024.
Trailhunter includes large 33-inch Goodyear tires standard and mounted to 18-inch alloy wheels. It's also the sole trim featuring lower side steel rock rails, running board type appendages but with a narrow pipe-like design.
Another can't-miss exterior visual unique to Trailhunter, a high-mount air intake pipe that parallels the passenger-side A pillar in snorkel-like fashion and attaches at its bottom to the side fender. It's designed to suck in fresher air from a higher plateau when off-roading in dusty or sandy regions. Expect throaty gurgling growl sound effects. Wheel wells sport a squared style with flared protective black cladding. Door include thick black strap-like handles workable when donning the thickest of work gloves.
Think of the Trailhunter trim as a factory-developed product with the latest integrated off-road equipment so aftermarket additives remain a thing of the past. A new 'Old Man Emu' (OME) 4 x 4 lifted suspension tuned for optimal levels of off-road control and load carrying capabilities provides the best ground clearance of any trim. The electrified engine also improves on-road capabilities with passing power unmatched from previous years.
Inside, expect the return of a dashboard promoting a machine-like attitude but with much improved materials. Seating comfort takes a great leap forward. Last season a seven-inch center screen was standard in base models while other trims up-screened to eight. This season, screen size in base models measures eight inches while most trims opt for a 14-inch, flat, square-like center dash multimedia touch screen. It's completely separate from the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and includes a logical design with a horizontal icon menu running down the left side and touch sensitivity throughout.
Below the screen one finds a large, thick twist-push dial controlling volume/on/off functions flanked by two rectangular air vents. Higher-placed rectangular vents appear at the upper corners of the outside dash. The electronic start/stop push button resides high on the dash, to the left of the screen.
The lower center dashboard is home to HVAC controls, which mimic an old school in-dash AM radio layout from the 1970s (for those unfamiliar, please grab the ubiquitous Smartphone and search AM car radios). For Tacoma Trailhunter circa 2024, however, the two large exterior twist dials monitor dual front temperature zones (not volume/station select as in the 1970s). In between, chrome-like push tabs resemble preset buttons of yore but this time around, control fan speed, front and rear defrosters and A/C summoning. Below resides a wireless Smartphone charging pad allowing the device to stand upright during its juicing up phase.
Between front buckets reside side-by-side beverage holders and a multi-purpose, multi-level twist dial with the outer most ring designed for electronic 4 x 4 switching. Trailhunter grades include a part-time, four-wheel drive system with an electronic two-speed transfer case. Four low gets selected here when forging trails or fording streams. An electronic locking rear differential push button comes standard helping both rear wheels move at uniform speed to increase grip on slippery surfaces. The inner ring includes four push-type selections including three drive modes: sport, normal and eco. Each selections changes graphics within the digital instrument panel.
The inner ring also features an updated 'crawl control' selection acting as an off-road cruise control with five settings. A multi-terrain select adjusts wheel spin from the traction control system with multiple settings (auto, dirt, etc.) for optimal off-road traction.
Second row seat bottoms in all i-Force Max double cabs include horizontal air vents providing the 1.87-kilowatt hour, 288-volt, self-charging (no plug-in needed) nickel metal hydride battery pack (which stores under seat cushions) with cooled temperate air. Above, bench style seating welcomes three riders. This fourth generation enjoys more leg room than past incarnations but not the girth found in full-sized pickups. Dual, fast-charging USB Type C ports come standard now both in front and double cab back seat regions.
The maximum towing capacity of the electrified i-Force Max Tacoma is 6,000 pounds, competitive, but not class leading
Tacoma, as with just about every Toyota sold in America, comes with ToyotaCare, a plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance performed at a Toyota dealership for two years or 25,000 miles (whichever comes first).
All of Tacoma's impressive Gen Four updates should solidify its continuing quest as the best-selling mid-size truck here in the states despite rising bottom line pricing.
2024 Tacoma Trailhunter
Price as tested: $64,994
Engine: 2.4-liter electrified single turbo four-cylinder
Horsepower: 326
Wheelbase: 131.9 inches
Overall Length: 213 inches
Overall Width: 76.9 inches
Overall Height:73.7 inches
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Fuel Economy: 22 mpg city, 24 mpg highway
Curb Weight: 5,410 pounds
Assembly: Mexico
|
