This week I bring you the long-awaited all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma - the most powerful Tacoma ever. My review model is a prototype of the i FORCE MAX Double Cab, exclusively available with a 5-foot bed.
Exterior
My Limited prototype in Super Sonic Red ($425) rides on 18 inch chrome-finished alloy wheels. Its power-extending running boards would be a must for me. They operate wonderfully and quickly extend or retract.
Toyota's outfitted the Tacoma with LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights auto on/off feature, sequential LED turn signals, backlight logos and manual leveling adjustment, LED fog lights.
I'm a big fan of Toyota's i FORCE MAX badging - kudos to the designers who came up with it. It looks terrific on the Tacoma's large hood.
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The tail end is treated to a TACOMA stamped easy lower and lift tailgate along with chrome-finished exhaust tip, and a color keyed rear bumper.
Performance
I can't say enough good things about the i FORCE MAX hybrid system powering the Tacoma. It's a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbo hybrid engine paired with an electric motor and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration is fantastic. It delivers 326-horsepower and an incredible 465 pound-feet of torque - the most torque of any Tacoma ever, thus making it the most powerful Tacoma to ever take to the road. Full-time 4-Wheel Drive with electronic locking center differential is standard on Limited.
Other features include a double wishbone front suspension, a coil spring multi-link rear suspension and additionally the Limited trim has Adaptive Variable Suspension, though my prototype spec sheet does not list it.
Interior
Wow did the new Tacoma interior get an overhaul. Really the only resemblance to the old generation I can see would be some similarities between the steering wheel. Everything else looks different. The cabin looks more impressive and more commanding than the previous generation and has a lot more presence. A bigger, bolder dash and console area play a big role in that. As does my prototype's 14-inch multimedia display.
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The Limited benefits from soft-touch materials on the dash and door panels along with great-looking walnut burl wood interior accents. Tacoma badging on the passenger side dash area looks great.
Comfortable 8-way power driver and passenger SoftTex seats with 4-way power lumbar are heated & ventilated in the Limited trim. The slightly bolstered seats are on the slimmer side.
A leather-trimmed steering wheel retains largely the same shape as the outgoing model but is overall more refined. A 12-inch digital driver display is really bright and easy to read with great safety graphics in the center.
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The new Tacoma Limited benefits from a large 14-inch multimedia screen. The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen also houses navigation as well as the Limited's panoramic view monitor. The "Hey Toyota" voice command is wonderful. You can ask for the weather forecast - and also for it to turn down the cabin temp.
A large keyboard is easy to work too for when you are entering navigation addresses, when you are parked of course. You'll note in the above pic that the push-button start is located off the screen, which for me, was a bit of a reach.
The Limited's upgraded 10 speaker JBL audio system sounds great and bonus! There is also a portable JBL FLEX portable speaker that you can dock on the dash.
On the center stack you control dual-zone climate with large knobs. Below it, a much larger and wider center console replaces that of the previous generation. There's a must larger, beefier gear shift as well. The wireless charger also goes vertical.
Other features include a digital rearview mirror, power moonroof, dual USB-C ports, and wireless charging. Interior grab handles are also wonderful to have.
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The 2nd-row of the Tacoma is a bit tight and you lose headroom due to stadium seating. 60/40 split folding seats are on the straighter side, great only if you're working to improve your posture. There are no A/C vents back there but you get a power rear window operated from the first row.
i FORCE Double Cab Tacomas, like this one, feature behind seat storage. The rear seats flip and fold to reveal additional storage compartments underneath and behind the seatback.
Utility
The Tacoma's aluminum-reinforced bed is composed of an ultra-durable Sheet-Molded Composite. A 5-foot long bed is your only Limited option. But a 6-ft. bed is available elsewhere in the lineup. The remote open and close power tail gate is a great feature.
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The truck bed is equipped with LED lighting, cubby hole space, and a storage box, along with a deck rail system with four adjustable tie-down cleats and four fixed cargo bed tie-down points. There's also a 2400 watt/120 volt bed-mounted AC power supply back there.
Other equipment includes an integrated trailer brake controller, Class-IV towing hitch receiver and wiring harness with 7-pin/4-pin connection, a trailer backup guide, Trailer Blind Spot Monitor and Trailer Camera.
Ride and Drive
Improved ride and drive quality is a big selling point of the new Tacoma. The ride is more refined, the i Force MAX powertrain makes the engine more responsive, and the cabin is quieter as well. It really made for a comfortable, smooth and easy to drive midsize pickup. It even narrowly passed my U-Turn test!
Safety
The Tacoma lineup comes with Toyota's latest suite of driver tech. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Proactive Driving Assist., Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams Road Sign Assist, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
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Additionally Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert are standard across all grades. The Limited adds a nice color Head-Up Display as well as Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking and Pedestrian Detection.
What You'll Pay
My prototype rings up at $56, 225 and its only option is the Super Sonic Red paint. The price however might seem a bit steep for some midsize buyers.
Verdict
The all-new Toyota Tacoma does a great job of forging into the future while staying true to its much-loved roots.
- What I Liked Most: Its new looks, powertrain, ride and drive, interior wood trim, multimedia system, power running boards and power tailgate.
- What I would change: Address second row roominess / seats.
- MSRP: Base Price $55,800; Total MSRP $56,225 with transportation.
- Official Color: Super Sonic Red ($425).
- Fuel Economy: 23 city/24 highway/24 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,884 miles.
- Weight: 5,170 pounds. 6,780 GVWR.
- Spare tire: Full-size.
- Length-Width-Height: 213” long/ 77.9” wide/ 74.6” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.2 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- 2024 Toyota Tacoma Limited in a few words: A versatile and very capable midsize pickup and the best Tacoma ever.
- Warranty: 36 months/36,000 miles Basic Warranty; 60 months/unlimited miles Corrosion Perforation; 60 months/60,000 miles Powertrain Warranty; 60 months/60,000 miles Restraint Systems.
- Final Assembly Location: Guanajuato, Mexico.
- Manufacturer's website: Toyota
