This is the new Toyota Tacoma. It has indeed been redesigned for the 2024 model year, serving as the smaller and cheaper Toyota Tundra, while still offering plenty of cargo space on the back.
A turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder powers every Tacoma. However, the engine comes in myriad forms and pairs with either an eight-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Rear- and four-wheel drive are both available. The base 228-hp turbo four is only found in the entry-level SR, and the rest of the lineup gets mightier iForce variations with up to 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The iForce Max (automatic only) rules the roost with 326 horses and 465 pound-feet. It's a hybrid setup featuring an electric motor between the engine and transmission and a small nickel-metal hydride battery. While all Tacomas feature a body-on-frame construction, there are two different rear suspensions. The SR, SR5 extended cab, and the TRD PreRunner are buoyed by old-school leaf springs, whereas the rest have coil springs that provide a better ride. Since the Tacoma makes its bread playing in the dirt, the off-road-focused models have the hardware to go almost everywhere. The Trailhunter and TRD Pro, specifically, are fortified with underbody protection, knobby 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires, and some exclusive suspension components. The latter include a standard disconnecting front anti-roll bar and unique 2.5-inch dampers with remote reservoirs.
Inside, the redesigned Tacoma makes big strides in both design and packaging. The dashboard boasts nicer materials along with high-resolution screens and traditional switchgear. While most Tacos have a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster, TRD Off-Road models and up feature a larger 12.3-inch all-digital unit. A head-up display comes standard on the Limited and above, with those models also packing heated and cooled front seats. Speaking of seats, the TRD Pro offers an IsoDynamic seat with an air-over-oil system that's designed to better control body movement on uneven surfaces. Every model also benefits from a raised seating position with similarly added headroom, meaning the driver no longer feels like they're sitting on the floor. A more adjustable steering column should make the truck more comfortable to more people. Like its predecessor, the 2024 Tacoma is offered with extended-cab (called XtraCab) and crew-cab (called Double Cab) body styles. The XtraCab only pairs with a six-foot cargo bed, but the Double Cab is offered with either the longer box or a shorter five-foot version.
Toyota hasn't revealed max tow ratings and payload capacities for all Tacoma configurations, but the automatic-equipped iForce powertrain is rated to pull up to 6500 pounds. Meanwhile, the hybrid iForce Max is capped at a 6000-pound tow rating and can carry a payload of up to 1709 pounds.
The price of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is expected to start around $28,000 and go up to $50,000. Toyota hasn't yet released pricing details on the 2024 Tacoma lineup, and that information isn't expected to be available until later this year, closer to the fourth quarter when the trucks go on sale. Folks interested in the Trailhunter and TRD Pro will have to wait even longer, as those top-spec trim levels won't reach dealerships until next spring due to the late availability of the hybrid powertrain.