The Toyota Tacoma made its debut Thursday throughout a splashy introduction on the Big Island of Hawaii, and with a top-to-bottom makeover — and the addition of the all-new Trailhunter off-road mannequin, the Japanese automaker is set to stay king-of-the-hill within the more and more aggressive midsize pickup market.
What’s clear is that the brand new Tacoma will go up towards a few of the hardest competitors it’s ever confronted, with Chevrolet, GMC and Ford additionally launching all-new midsize choices this 12 months. Curiously, in a market the place newer is mostly higher, the outgoing Toyota Tacoma was the oldest mannequin within the phase but additionally the preferred, simply outselling the closest three rivals mixed.
Now, nevertheless, it will likely be one of many latest, and it’s given Toyota the chance to redo nearly every thing. The 2024 Tacoma will get a brand new design, inside and outside, a brand new powertrain line-up, loads of new expertise and, with the Trailhunter version, an excessive machine that gained’t simply cede floor to the likes of Chevy’s Colorado ZR2 Bison, GMC’s new Canyon AT4X AEV or the Ford Ranger Raptor.
Aiming to beat again the competitors
“With even more off-road capability and the quality, durability and reliability that our customers expect along with a host of options for every owner, we’re confident that Tacoma will remain the top choice for mid-size pickup buyers when it arrives later this year,” Dave Christ, Toyota group vice chairman and normal supervisor, stated forward of the 2024 mannequin’s official unveiling.
While Toyota gained’t launch pricing till nearer to the brand new Tacoma’s on-sale date, it provided up just about every thing else potential patrons may need to know concerning the fourth-generation truck.
![2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter side-ish Hawaii](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2024-Toyota-Tacoma-Trailhunter-side-ish-Hawaii-1024x768.jpeg?resize=788%2C591&ssl=1)
Powertrain choices
On the powertrain entrance, there are 4 completely different choices accessible:
- The base SR mannequin makes use of a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbo making 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an 8-speed automated;
- The identical i-Force engine has been retuned to ship 270 hp and 310 lb-ft on different trims, the turbo-4 mated to a 6-speed handbook transmission;
- A 3rd model of the i-Force jumps to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft. Paired with the 8-speed automated, it would supply as much as 6,500 kilos of towing capability; and
- The i-Force Max hybrid pairs that 2.7-liter fuel engine to a 1.87 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery to ship 326 hp and 465 lb-ft, with towing rated at 6,000 kilos.
All-wheel drive and different choices
The new Tacoma additionally will probably be accessible with two separate four-wheel-drive programs. “An electronic locking rear differential is standard on TRD PreRunner, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Trailhunter grades,” famous Toyota, including, “The new and luxurious Limited grade now features a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a center locking differential on i-Force Max models.”
Toyota has but to launch different powertrain specs, together with gas economic system, although the hybrid is clearly geared toward being probably the most gas-stingy choice.
![2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro blue nose Hawaii](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2024-Toyota-Tacoma-TRD-Pro-blue-nose-Hawaii-1024x768.jpeg?resize=788%2C591&ssl=1)
As these photographs illustrate, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma has gone by means of a whole, top-to-bottom makeover.
“Rugged outdoor fun”
“Our primary design goal for the all-new Tacoma was to be authentic to the way our customers use their trucks for rugged outdoor fun,” stated Kevin Hunter, president, CALTY Design Research. “We looked at our truck DNA and the Toyota Baja race trucks for inspiration to capture the extreme spirit of offroad adventure. High lift, big tires, slim body, and a powerful athletic stance define the iconic Tacoma look, referred to as ‘Tacoma-ness’.”
The 2024 mannequin is now based mostly off Toyota’s TNGA-F platform — which is shared with the full-size Tundra. That made it attainable to stretch the wheelbase of the brand new truck by 4.5 inches. As a end result, the wheels have been pushed nearer to the corners, lowering its overhangs. Though the width of the brand new Tacoma is similar, new axles have been pushed out 2.6 inches. Both these adjustments lead to a extra muscular and succesful really feel.
Toyota’s product improvement staff additionally made modest adjustments in the way you enter and sit contained in the Tacoma. Add a thinner headliner and that makes it simpler on taller drivers and occupants, TheDetroitBureau.com was advised.
![2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro blue Hawaii side](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2024-Toyota-Tacoma-TRD-Pro-blue-Hawaii-side-1024x768.jpeg?resize=788%2C591&ssl=1)
A wealth of options
All advised, there’ll now be eight completely different trim packages, from the bottom Tacoma SR as much as the brand new excessive machine, the Trailhunter. As has turn into the norm within the truck market, every will get some distinctive element, beginning with the grille and entrance fascia. There are distinctive bumpers for off-road fashions like Trailhunter and TRD Pro to boost method, breakover and departure angles whereas off-roading. Those max out at 33.8 levels, 23.5 desgrees and 25.7 levels, respectively, on the TRD Pro. That mannequin additionally delivers a most 11 inches of floor clearance.
One of the methods Toyota has retained its lead within the midsize truck market has been to supply a broad array of choices for patrons. Add the selection of the Xtra Cab — with its single row of seats — and the two-row prolonged Double Cab bundle with seating for 5.
There’s a 6-foot mattress accessible on Xtra Cab fashions, together with the SR, SR5 and TRD PreRunner, whereas Double Cab fashions supply a selection of 5- or 6-foot beds.
New interiors, new expertise
![2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD cockpit](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2024-Toyota-Tacoma-TRD-cockpit-1024x768.jpeg?resize=788%2C591&ssl=1)
The interiors are all new and supply loads of new options and expanded storage, relying upon the mannequin. Buyers who go for the brand new hybrid powertrain will sacrifice a little bit of house in terms of the storage space constructed below the rear seats.
The outdated Tacoma had fallen behind in quite a few fronts, particularly in terms of expertise. With the 2024 remake, Toyota is aiming to set the benchmark in quite a few areas. Base vehicles get a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, greater trims a 12.3-inch show.
Base fashions include an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment, however a 14-inch bundle is on the market as normal or choice, relying upon the trim bundle. And Toyota’s Alexa-like voice assistant, the Audio Multimedia system is obtainable throughout the board.
Wireless charging, in addition to wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be found as choices or normal, relying upon the trim. And there are quite a few USB-C ports, together with two 45-watt plugs within the middle console.
Work and play
![2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD interior Hawaii](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2024-Toyota-Tacoma-TRD-interior-Hawaii-1024x768.jpeg?resize=788%2C591&ssl=1)
As you’d count on from a midsize pickup, the 2024 Tacoma has to serve a number of challenges. Today’s patrons gained’t tolerate the form of tough journey vehicles as soon as had been recognized for. The automaker claims it has taken quite a few steps to enhance journey high quality whereas additionally enhancing Tacoma’s work truck duties. That features a extra inflexible ladder body and a beefed-up suspension. Buyers will get leaf springs in Xtra Cab packages, whereas Double Cab fashions get a multilink rear suspension with coil springs.
The new Tacoma additionally adopts lighter aluminum physique panels, although Toyota hasn’t revealed exactly how a lot weight that saves.
Tacoma has lengthy been a favourite with overlanders and the automaker is set to boost its attraction with the 2024 mannequin. It beefs up packages just like the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road, whereas including the brand new Trailhunter.
Trailhunter
“Toyota worked with renowned Australian-based ARB to co-develop Old Man Emu (OME) position sensitive 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks with rear external piggyback style remote reservoirs, a steel rear bumper, robust rear recovery points and a bed utility bar with removeable Molle panels,” the automaker stated in a abstract of the brand new truck’s options.
Trailhunter additionally will get 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires that add two inches of floor clearance up entrance and 1.5 within the rear. Other distinctive options embody a path exhaust tip, a high-mount air consumption on the passenger aspect, and rock rails.
![2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro white nose Hawaii](https://i0.wp.com/www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2024-Toyota-Tacoma-TRD-Pro-white-nose-Hawaii-1024x768.jpeg?resize=788%2C591&ssl=1)
TRD Pro
The TRD Pro, in the meantime, is geared toward go-fast driving in desert conditions and, amongst different issues, options Fox Quick Shift shocks, Fox Internal Floating Piston bump stops and cat-back twin exhaust ideas.
A primary for the 2024 TRD Pro are segment-exclusive “IsoDynamic Performance Seat that helps provide a smooth, confidence-inspiring ride for those in the driver and front passenger seats. The goal of this patent-pending feature is to stabilize the driver’s field of vision to improve focus, comfort, and reduce fatigue while on rugged trails.”
Availability
All 2024 Tacoma fashions include the automaker’s Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of advance driver help programs. These embody pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, highway signal help and different options. Look for many variations of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma to achieve U.S. showrooms later this 12 months.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com