Toyota’s mid-size Tacoma pickup truck is completely redesigned for 2024, with upgrades in every direction.
The new Tacoma is built on the TNGA-F global truck platform shared with the Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser. Ride and handling are enhanced by a new coil spring multi-link rear suspension available on most models.
Powertrains are improved, and the interior is more comfortable, with up-to-date styling and tech features.
There are three engine choices, each one a turbocharged four-cylinder. Depending on trim level and transmission type, they range from 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, to 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque.
An optional hybrid powertrain produces 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
For combined city and highway driving, fuel economy ratings for the Tacoma range from 20 mpg to 23 mpg. The hybrid powertrain doesn’t deliver the higher numbers generally associated with hybrids, but does give a big boost when it comes to towing. Its combined rating is 23 mpg.
The 2024 Tacoma lineup offers a cornucopia of choices for cab size, bed length, trim level, manual or automatic transmission, and two-wheel or four-wheel drive. More than 20 different models in all. Pricing begins at $32,995 for the Tacoma 4×2 SR XtraCab Long Bed (LB).
I drove a short-bed Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4×4 Double Cab with the 278-horsepower i-Force engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s near the top of the lineup and is priced at $44,395.
True to form, the TRD Off-Road is chockablock with equipment conducive to venturing away from the confines of asphalt and onward to challenging terrain. A small sampling includes off-road suspension with 11 inches of ground clearance, skid plates, all-terrain tires, a selection of drive modes for multiple conditions, crawl control, hill descent
control, and skid plates. I wasn’t able to take the Tacoma anywhere challenging during the week, but just being in the atmosphere of all those features triggered my wanderlust.
An optional TRD Off-Road Premium Package ($8,800) on the test truck delivered features of a more “civilized” sort, such as heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed seats with eight-way power front seats, a 14-inch multimedia display, JBL Premium audio with a portable speaker, a moonroof, and highly-appreciated tailgate with power opening and closing.
For all its big-time capability, the 2024 Tacoma is amazingly agile and fun to drive. Acceleration is impressive. My test truck was equipped with the new coil spring rear suspension, so the ride on the road was stable and pleasant.
The 14-inch touchscreen dominates Tacoma’s handsome new interior. At first the screen seemed too big, taking attention away from the cab’s many other nice visuals. Actually using the screen changed that perception, thanks to its high visibility factor, crisp graphics, intuitiveness, and quick responses. The inclusion of some physical control knobs sweetened the setup.
2024 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD OFF-ROAD 4×4 DOUBLE CAB
Base price, including destination charge: $44,395
Price as driven: $53,334
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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