2024 Toyota Tacoma: First spin

With keys in hand, I opened the door to the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, and I may have let out a squeal. The truck was a Supersonic Red TRD Sport model, and it had a manual transmission. As Toyota launches its fourth generation of this midsize truck, Tacoma remains one of two pickups that still available with a manual. Jeep Gladiator is the other.

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Though the automatic transmission is more fuel efficient (by 1 MPG in combined driving, depending on trim), there is a certain je ne sais quoi about a truck with a manual. It makes you feel more connected to the truck, to the road. And for some enthusiasts, this is the only way to go. While other truckmakers have deleted the option, Toyota knows its customers and keeps the manual–at least for this year.

In terms of customer feedback, Toyota made some changes as well–including the rake of the windshield to make it easier for drivers and front passengers to get into the vehicle without hitting their heads. Plus, the automaker put a lot of effort into the design, making each trim level distinct from the others–inside and out–and even uniquely tuned the suspension to each.

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Oh, and talking about customer feedback, let’s not forget the recovery hooks up front–Tacoma has them. Tundra, which was launched two years before Tacoma, does not.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is completely re-engineered and redesigned. It is built on the same TNGA-F global truck platform as the Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser, and for the first time, it gets a hybrid powertrain. Though the first drive didn’t include the hybrid, since it won’t be available until spring, we do know this new powertrain will deliver 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. While we don’t have fuel economy numbers for the hybrid yet, don’t expect high fuel efficiency numbers. Similar to the Tundra powertrain strategy, the hybrid variant is more about power.

The version we did drive had the 2.4-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers up to 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Though some may criticize the demise of the V6, we’d like to point out this four-banger has plenty of power – the same horsepower, in fact, as the outgoing six and 52 more pound-feet of torque.

We started our drive on Mulholland, just outside of Malibu, California, and if you aren’t familiar, it’s a windy stretch more suited to sports cars. But the 2024 Toyota Tacoma held its own on the twisty bits, and while I wouldn’t say it was “fun,” it didn’t roll about like a bathtub. One thing I did notice with the manual transmission, however, is that I perpetually had to keep it in a lower gear than I thought – not only to handle the twists but also the hills.

Overall, however, I thought the ride and handling was well mannered and much more refined than the previous generation Tacoma. The turbo engine is peppy, and the eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is very well geared.

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When we took the 2024 Toyota Tacoma off road, it started to rain. We were in a TRD Off-Road model equipped with the fancy cameras, Multi-Terrain Select suspension, and 11.5 inches of ground clearance, and it performed like a champ. I was a particular fan of the super quiet CRAWL Control function, which is a set-it-and-forget-it low-speed cruise control that takes you up, down and over off-road obstacles at a constant speed–and allows you to concentrate on steering. The available cameras were a phenomenal help with blue lines marking your tire placement, front and rear, which allows you to see exactly where your wheels are–even when you’re nose up and looking at air.

It’s worth noting the max towing capacity is 6,500 pounds, which is down 300 pounds over the previous model. Max payload, however, is 1,710 pounds, which is a 25-pound increase. Outside of the decreases and increases, there is some new available towing tech to get excited about. In addition to a trailer brake controller and Tow/Haul drive mode, there’s hands-free Straight Path Assist for straight-line backing up, a 360-camera view, blind-spot monitoring that includes certain trailers, and Trailer Back Up Guidance that aids overall maneuvering with trailers. If you’re looking for a cool accessory, there’s also a wireless trailer camera that provides a view of what’s behind the trailer in the rearview camera mirror.

Though the truck is all business when it comes to ride and handling, it does have a playful side in the form of a few hidden design “Easter eggs.” The one that had me laughing out loud: the Morse code on the windshield that says “bad ass trucks.” I’ll leave you to find the others.

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This generation Tacoma is also packed with more technology than ever. That includes the next-gen Toyota infotainment system, an available 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, up-level JBL audio system, the ability to use your phone as a key, and pre-wired auxiliary switches. Not to mention, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard on all Tacomas and includes adaptive cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane trace assist, automatic high beams and road sign assist. Available safety features include, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and park assist with front and rear automatic braking.

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Of course, bad assery comes with a price, and base-to-base, the price of the Tacoma increases by nearly $3,000, and the top-tier Limited trim tops out at more than $50,000. One of the best things about the 2024 Toyota Tacoma happens to be choice. While a lot of midsize trucks have taken away cab and bed configurations, you still have plenty of options here. From the two-door XtraCab with a 6-foot bed to the four-door Double Cab with a short-bed configuration, you can pick your pleasure–and your price. Since there are a multitude of options, we figured we’d just list all the cab, transmission and bed options with all the pricing. Destination fees, which have not been announced, are not included below:

2024 Toyota Tacoma Prices

SR XtraCab 4×2: $31,500
SR Double Cab 4×2: $33,700
SR XtraCab 4×4: $34,700
SR5 XtraCab 4×2: $36,200
SR Double Cab 4×4: $36,900
SR Double Cab 4×4 6MT: $36,900
SR5 Double Cab 4×2: $37,200
SR5 Double Cab 4×2 6’ Bed: $37,700
TRD PreRunner XtraCab 4×2: $38,100
SR5 XtraCab 4×4: $39,400
TRD Sport Double Cab 4×2: $39,400
TRD Sport Double Cab 4×2 6′ Bed: $39,900
SR5 Double Cab 4×4: $40,400
SR5 Double Cab 4×4 6′ Bed: $40,900
TRD Sport Double Cab 4×4 6MT: $41,800
TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4×4 6MT: $41,800
TRD Sport Double Cab 4×4: $42,600
TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4×4: $42,900
TRD Sport Double Cab 4×4 6′ Bed: $43,100
TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4×4 6′ Bed: $43,400
Limited Double Cab 4×4: $52,100

In general terms, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is oodles better than the model it replaces. It has more power, better interior finishes, excellent handling and a lot of cool technology. The Tacoma is currently the best-selling midsize truck–by a lot–and this next-gen model is well situated to keep it in the top spot for years to come.

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