The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is an enormous deal. It is the primary utterly new Tacoma in additional than a decade and a half (the 2016 redesign was actually only a heavy refresh). It’s additionally the best-selling mannequin within the phase by an enormous margin, however that phase is extra aggressive than ever, with new, refreshed and soon-to-be-new fashions from each truck maker in America. And we rank all of them greater than the present Tacoma. Thankfully for Toyota and for its prospects, the brand new Tacoma is again within the sport, perhaps even a phase chief.
We are saying perhaps as a result of we have solely been in a position to check out Tacomas with the brand new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. These would be the first to hit sellers, someday earlier than the tip of the yr. The also-new, higher-performance hybrids gained’t arrive till early subsequent yr, so we cannot have an opportunity to attempt them out till then (that sadly consists of the hybrid-only TRD Professional and Trailhunter). The hybrid may very nicely be the powertrain that makes the Tacoma the clear choose in your each midsize truck want, however we don’t know but.
With that out of the best way, let’s dig into what makes the Tacoma new, past simply saying “every part.” It begins with the underpinnings. The truck is constructed on a model of the TNGA-F platform shared with the Tundra, Sequoia and Land Cruiser. And moreover merely being new, this platform brings upgrades corresponding to a very boxed body from stem to stern – the outgoing one was solely boxed from across the A-pillars ahead. Plus, there are helpful high-lift jack factors on the rear ends of the body and an array of reinforcement plates for added stiffness. Toyota additionally considerably modernized the suspension for choose variations of the Tacoma, going to coil springs on crew cab fashions (besides the SR crew cab). The prolonged cab variations retain leaf springs. The brakes get love, too, going to discs throughout on all trim ranges.
Then there are the powertrains. Initially, there are two variations of basically the identical 2.4-liter turbo-four. It is derived from the identical engine used elsewhere within the Toyota empire, notably Lexus, however with some upgrades for truck use such because the oil pan and cooling system. It’s additionally been re-tuned to run on 87-octane versus the premium-drinking Lexus variations.
The bottom 2.4-liter makes 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, whereas an upgraded oil cooler and revised engine tuning up the ante to both 270 hp and 310 lb-ft, or 278 hp and 317 lb-ft. The distinction there? Transmission. An eight-speed automated is tied with that greater output together with the bottom engine, whereas a six-speed handbook transmission will get the decrease, 270-hp model.
Naturally, gas economic system differs, too. The bottom engine with rear-wheel drive is essentially the most environment friendly, returning 21 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed. On the opposite finish of the spectrum is the handbook, four-wheel-drive, high-output combo at 18/23/20. This equates to roughly a 2-mpg enchancment in comparison with the much less highly effective four- and six-cylinder naturally aspirated engines they substitute. They’re additionally as environment friendly as the opposite four-cylinder midsize vehicles, or typically higher relying on trim.
These are the core mechanical enhancements of the Tacoma, they usually all translate to a much better Tacoma to drive in each method. The elevated torque, accessible at low rpm, permits it to speed up a lot tougher and with a lot much less effort than any earlier Tacoma. Like many turbo engines, it loses a little bit grunt towards the highest finish, however at the least there may be grunt, not like earlier than. Surprisingly, the low-output engine would not really feel as down on energy because the numbers would counsel, seemingly because of the sturdy torque. As such, its slower acceleration nonetheless feels ample in most sorts of driving. The automated transmission contributes to this, too, because it’s one other large enchancment, shifting much more easily and promptly than earlier than, and is kind of near GM’s wonderful unit. And with eight speeds moderately than six, it is higher in a position to hold the truck within the meat of obtainable torque with out revving like loopy.
Which is sweet, as a result of revving it like loopy reveals fairly a little bit of mechanical thrashing and gnashing from beneath the hood. And though the phase’s different four-cylinders (Ford and GM) aren’t precisely V12s of their sonic presentation, they do handle the coarseness higher. This, regardless of the brand new Tacoma’s inclusion of lively noise canceling in addition to synthetic engine noise in some trim ranges, with essentially the most aggressive being within the Restricted. The added decrease frequencies assist considerably however can’t conceal the general roughness. Guide Tacomas don’t get the synthetic noise and sound the more severe in consequence.
As regards to the handbook, don’t get too excited. It pains me to say this, nevertheless it ought to be averted by all however the absolute, most diehard stick traditionalists. It has a ropey, balky shifter that’s worse than these of even some older vehicles (I am considering again to the ’94 T100 I owned for a yr). Worse is the mile-long clutch pedal journey and awkward engagement someplace midway in that journey. Coupled with unhealthy rev cling on shifts, it is exhausting to be easy, and nothing in regards to the operation feels enjoyable. It does at the least boast auto rev-matching that may be switched on or off, whereas boasting helpful options like brake maintain and clutch begin cancel (for bump-starting on the path to keep away from rolling backward). However, the automated is much extra nice and well-suited to the truck than the stick. This isn’t the way you #SavetheManuals.
The most effective a part of the 2025 Tacoma is the improved experience and dealing with. The chassis and physique really feel extraordinarily stiff, which interprets into a powerful lack of the wiggling and shuddering you typically discover in body-on-frame automobiles. The suspension can be tuned on the tender facet, making it smoother than most others within the phase over gentle bumps. It is essentially the most car-like experience you will discover on this dimension of truck, other than the crossover Honda Ridgeline. Bigger bumps will kick a bit, however total, it is fairly refined. And when you’re questioning in regards to the distinction between crew cab Tacomas with the brand new coil springs versus the prolonged cabs with leaf springs, there didn’t appear to be a lot of 1 throughout our drive regardless of the expectation and promise of improved experience and dealing with. What actually appeared to make a distinction in how the Tacoma drives is moderately the varied trims’ tuning and shock absorbers.
The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Highway, that are crew-cab-only and due to this fact get the coil springs, have distinctive shocks. The Sport’s are sourced from the TRD elements bin, whereas the Off-Highway will get particular Bilsteins that add a second stage valve for further damping resistance towards the tip of suspension journey. Each end in a stiffer experience however a bit much less physique roll. Then there’s the Restricted, which has electronically adjustable shocks. Whereas the variations aren’t huge between settings, it does supply one of the best steadiness of consolation and dealing with, primarily based in your preferences at any given second.
We additionally obtained to pattern the TRD Off-Highway trim on some tight dust trails with just a few articulation obstacles arrange. It was the one model we had been in a position to attempt off-road as a showcase of the options accessible. So we will’t evaluate it immediately with the opposite trims, nevertheless it supplied a very good demonstration of a few of the enhancements and options added to the TRD Off-Highway. Most spectacular was the revised CRAWL Management off-road cruise management system that operates smoother and extra quietly than earlier than, primarily lowering the terrible creaking and moaning from the brakes that earlier variations of the system had been identified for. We had been additionally in a position to check out the non-obligatory digital disconnecting entrance anti-roll bar, which improves articulation when disconnected. It was straightforward to activate with no noticeable hang-ups.
The Off-Highway comes with loads of different upgrades such because the aforementioned Bilstein shocks, 33-inch tires on 17-inch wheels, a number of terrain modes, skid plates, an digital locking rear differential and encompass view cameras. The latter of which is especially helpful climbing steep hills with the brand new Tacoma’s outstanding nostril. And in case your off-road wants are much less excessive and extra budget-oriented, the PreRunner stays because the rear-drive possibility, with a 1-inch suspension carry up entrance, the locking rear differential, 33-inch tires and skid plates.
If, alternatively, your off-road wants are extra excessive, a few of the elements featured on the much more off-road-ready TRD Professional and Trailhunter can be found as choices, together with ARB off-road bumpers, air compressors and tow hooks. Sure options such because the air-shock-equipped seats within the TRD Professional stay unique to these trims, although. And once more, we didn’t get to drive these since they’re hybrid-only.
Inside, the massive information is that the seating place is lastly snug. For 20 years, the Tacoma has had a weird, butt-on-the-floor seating place that was solely barely alleviated by power-adjustable seats. No extra. The brand new seating place is greater, extra truck-like and a lot better for it. Additionally, whereas the exterior dimensions have not modified by rather more than an inch or two in any path, the cabin feels fairly massive, notably in shoulder and headroom. The excessive nostril and sprint contribute to the big feeling, too, making the Tacoma nearly really feel a dimension class bigger than it’s.
For all that’s new, the outdated inside’s chiseled and chunky design was clearly a kind of parts that appealed to the Tacoma devoted, as designers selected to evolve the look moderately than go for one thing radical. That stated, splashes of colours accessible on sure variations ought to be a welcome addition to a truck that always goes dwelling painted vibrant colours, particularly the TRD Professional. The Restricted is clearly the best-equipped and most premium in look, however don’t anticipate GMC Canyon Denali ranges of luxurious.
Longevity has been one other Tacoma trademark, and the brand new inside’s plastics high quality and total match and end ought to hold that repute intact. The assorted management knobs and buttons for the local weather, sound and drive mode options not solely exist (by no means a assure in 2023), however are massive and strong items applicable for a truck. All Tacomas profit from the most recent infotainment system that is brilliant and simple, no matter whether or not you get the bottom 8-inch display screen or 14-inch display screen improve on greater trims (each are pictured under). Each get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however escaping from them again to the native Toyota menus stays a tap-tap-tapping supply of frustration.
Options are one more sturdy level for the Tacoma. All Tacomas get proximity entry and push-button begin, LED lighting and the Toyota Security Sense suite of driver help programs that features adaptive cruise management and Toyota’s new Proactive Drive Help, which may modify pace and steering barely to assist mechanically keep a protected distance from objects even when ACC isn’t activated. As for accessible options, the record is kind of in depth, however highlights embrace a JBL audio system with a detachable Bluetooth speaker, all types of off-road armor, encompass lighting that may be added to the bedsides, a head-up show, a 400-watt energy outlet within the mattress, a bed-mounted air compressor, encompass view cameras, wi-fi charging, energy tailgate, and far, rather more, all relying on trims and packages.
All these enhancements include a better worth. The bottom worth for the two-wheel-drive SR with the prolonged cab is $32,995 together with the $1,495 vacation spot cost. That is $2,900 greater than the present base SR. Including a crew cab provides $2,200, and four-wheel drive provides $3,200. It’s additionally price stating that the Tacoma remains to be a uncommon beast by permitting you to possibility the crew cab with the prolonged cab’s longer mattress. Base costs for the opposite trims are under. And whereas the pricing has elevated, it is round $2,000 greater than the most cost effective Chevy Colorado, $1,500 greater than a Nissan Frontier, and about $500 greater than a brand new Ford Ranger.
SR (2WD): $32,995
SR5 (2WD): $37,695
TRD PreRunner (2WD): $39,595
TRD Sport (2WD): $40,895
TRD Off-Highway (4WD): $43,295
Restricted (4WD): $53,595
So in case you have not figured it out, we’re fairly impressed with the Tacoma, even with out making an attempt out the flagship powertrain. It is a severe competitor within the phase once more with sturdy efficiency and effectivity, refined experience high quality, and a powerful quantity of options and customizations. Issues simply obtained lots tougher on the competitors and Tacoma followers ought to rejoice that they lastly have a truck adequate to match their enthusiasm.
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