Text by Tom Appel
2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4WD
Specs
Class: Midsize Pickup
Color: Blue Crush
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 166
Real-world fuel economy: 19.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | B- |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 278-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged four |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 19/23/21 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular gas
Base price: $42,900 (not including $1495 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: TRD Off-Road Premium Package ($8800), Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism ($1230), bed mat ($200), ball mount ($70), mini tie downs ($45), gunmetal tailgate insert ($89)
Price as tested: $54,829
Pros and Cons
The great: Solid feel, adventure ready
The good: Fuel economy, handling, power
The not so good: Price increases hurt
Review
The producers of Gunsmoke got it wrong. The award-winning Western, starring James Arness as the wise and stoic Marshal Dillon, began producing the show in color in 1966, and pretty much ruined the everything.
The long-running program, which debuted in 1955, was known for its consistent—and unusually honest—portrayal of life in a prairie town, earned a large and dedicated fan base. But in 1966, that audience was betrayed.
Gunsmoke
For whatever reason, in the move to color, the show’s producers changed everything up, including the writers, directors, extras, and even some of the sets. The updated color version of Gunsmoke felt unrelated the venerated black & white episodes of the show, and many fans felt that the updated program was now no longer any better than any of the dozens of Westerns being broadcast at the time.
I mention the big Gunsmoke change because Toyota management found itself in similar straits last year when it came time to (finally) update the somewhat dated but extremely popular Tacoma midsize pickup truck.
Redesign
Toyota’s well-liked model has been the best-selling small/midsize pickup since its introduction in 1995, and hasn’t changed much since 2005, though a significant freshening for 2016 helped to keep the vehicle relatively modern.
But, here’s the deal: Tacoma loyalists haven’t been looking for up-to-date sophisticated technology, they’ve been enjoying the Toyota’s rugged off-road ability, relatively compact dimensions, and reputation for reliability. And given the Tacoma’s best-in-class resale value, it seems those shoppers have been well served.
For a bevvy of reasons including improving fuel economy, safety, connectivity, and adding a hybrid drivetrain, Toyota completely redesigned its smallest truck for 2024. And, like the producers of Gunsmoke, the maker changed everything.
Any by everything, we mean everything, including new architecture–from Toyota’s ancient F2 platform to the maker’s modern TNGA-F hardware, which among other vehicles, is also home to the Tundra large pickup.
Size
And though the Tacoma has packed on a few pounds as part of the redesign, it hasn’t gotten any larger. The longest example of the all-new truck stretches about the same 226 inches as the previous generation did.
Engines
Things are very different under the hood, however. Gone are the dated 2.7-liter normally aspirated (no turbo) four and smooth 3.5-liter V6. In their places are a trio of turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines, offered in varying outputs.
The “base” 2.4 produces 228 horsepower, and mates only with a 6-speed manual transmission and 4WD. The upgrade four is rated at a robust 278 horsepower, and mates only with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine is available with rear-wheel drive and 4WD. The third 2.4 variant mates with a hybrid system and is rated 326 horsepower. All hybrid Tacomas come with 4WD.
For those into branding, the non-hybrid engines go by the name “i-Force,” and the hybrid mill “i-Force Max.”
Body Styles
Also for 2025, the Tacoma is offered with two body configurations, and two bed lengths. The XtraCab, which features two doors and seating for only two passengers, comes only with a 6-foot bed. The PreRunner (see below) is offered only in ExtraCab trim. Also offered is the 4-door Double Cab, which features seating for five passengers and bed lengths of five, or six feet. Note too, that ExtraCabs and Double Cabs are equipped with different rear-suspensions setups. Extra cabs feature a traditional leaf-spring arrangement which, though a little crude, should prove plenty tough. Double Cabs are quipped with a rear coil-spring setup which provides improved ride and handling.
Prices and Trim Levels
For 2025, non-hybrid versions of the Tacoma are offered in SR (starting at $33,085), SR5 ($37,800), PreRunner ($39,615), Sport ($40,895), TRD Off-Road ($43,295), and Limited ($54,050) trim levels.
Hybrid
Tacoma Hybrid is not offered in base SR or SR5 trim levels, though can be had in premium Trailhunter ($64,230) and TRD Pro ($65,230) trim levels. We’ll talk more about the Tacoma hybrids at a later date.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Road in Blue Crush Metallic and equipped with the comprehensive Premium Package ($8800). All told, our test truck came to $54,829 including destination charge.
Cabin
Among the many changes realized in redesigning the Tacoma is the “normal” seating position drivers and passengers now enjoy. Entering the previous-generation “Taco” meant more-or-less squeezing into a cabin that felt too short (roof-to-floor) to be a modern vehicle. Indeed, the legs out-in-front posed assumed by front-seat occupants was difficult to get used to, though not actually uncomfortable.
Room and Comfort
The new Tacoma, we’re happy to report, now feels very much like other midsize trucks, and offers plenty of space for the driver and his shotgun passenger. The rear seating area is a little less accommodating, and kneeroom can be limited behind taller front-seat occupants.
The cabin is otherwise bright and airy, though the Tacoma trails other small trucks in terms of materials quality. This isn’t to say the cabin doesn’t look good, it just doesn’t look especially upscale.
Controls
On the plus side, controls are generally logically placed and easy to manipulate. The touchscreen itself is bright and easy to read, and screen icons are logically arrayed and simple to find in a hurry.
The JBL-brand audio system which comes as part of the Premium Package isn’t especially “premium,” but sounds good enough, if you’re not picky about how you hear your jazz.
Ride and Handling
Even in trail-ready TRD Off-Road trim, Tacoma rides pretty well, and feels as stout and substantial doing so as the previous-generation truck. We did pickup on some high-frequency vibration, which can be felt through the steering wheel. We didn’t find the sensation especially disagreeable, and suspect it originates from the TRD Off-Roads aggressively treaded tires.
Apart from the vibration, road and wind noise are well checked, and the new Tacoma is more pleasant to drive at highway speed, and for long distances, than the previous-generation rig.
Power and Performance
And, while we’ll miss the Tacoma’s smooth and responsive V6, the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers more power in urban driving and when it comes time for passing and merging. The four is not as smooth as the V6, but has its own character, and is easier on the gas, to boot.
Fuel Economy
And about that mileage: Though the Tacoma gained almost 200 pounds as a result of the redesign, it is now a thriftier truck. In Consumer Guide testing, 2021 and 2022 V6-power 4WD Tacoma test trucks averaged 17.5-17.9 mpg.
Our test 2024 Tacoma returned a much thriftier 19.7 mpg, this is mostly city driving. So, lament the passing of the V6 if you must, but know the new engine is both more powerful and more efficient. We’ll call that progress.
Value
If you’ve read anything about the Tacoma, you know that with the 2024 redesign came significant price increases. Toyota bean counters would suggest that, given the trucks popularity, it has been underpriced all these years—a point to consider. Still, our last Tacoma TRD Off-Road test truck, a loaded 2022, listed for $45,437, which seemed like a lot to us at the time. As noted above, our loaded 2024 example clocks in almost exactly $10,000 higher.
The question here is, does the quieter and roomier cabin, more powerful and efficient drivetrain, updated styling, and upgraded tech justify the price bump? Arguably yes, as the competition hasn’t gotten any cheaper, either.
But unlike the producers of Gunsmoke, who ruined a good thing, the Toyota guys mostly got this important update right. The new Tacoma is a better truck in almost every way, save for maybe that price tag.
Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast
2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
