2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Review

I start this review with an apology for my language.  So, why use a bad word Car Pro you may ask?  Simple: BADASS is the only word that comes close to describing this terrific Toyota Tacoma 4x4 off-roader. The Tacoma was completely redesigned for 2024 and the Trailhunter version slots just under the TRD Pro.  The redesigned from-the-ground-up Tacoma is built on the TNGA-F global truck platform shared with Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser, and was designed and engineered specifically for the U.S. market. It's constructed from a high-strength boxed, steel-ladder frame and Toyota says it adds numerous features that off-road enthusiasts are looking for.

Exterior  

Let’s start with the exterior looks, which is terrific.  The color is called Oxide Bronze Metallic, it’s attractive and different from any others you’ll run across.  The Trailhunter is tough-looking, sits up proud and tall, has a wide stance, and features a lot of ARB accessories.  ARB if you are not familiar with them makes pickup add-ons and this truck has a lot of them.  The Trailhunter has all the off-road accessories you’d likely add anyway, but Toyota does it for you and they cover everything under the Toyota warranty.

The exterior features fender flares, rock sliders, side bed lights, an ARB sport bar, recovery hooks in the front and back below the ARB steel bumpers, and a bronze Heritage grill with a built-in LED light bar.  This Tacoma rides on 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and 18-inch bronze-finished wheels.  Overall, this truck commands a lot of attention and looks great.

Oh, and don’t miss the snorkel on the passenger side.  The snorkel, also known as a raised air intake, moves the air intake above the hood, out of the engine bay and away from water and dust. This prevents water from flooding into the engine and potentially causing damage, and it also keeps dust out of the air intake.  Like I said, BADASS.

Powertrain 

Under the Tacoma raised hood the Trailhunter is the i-FORCE MAX turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain producing 326-horsepower, and an incredible 465 lb.-ft. of torque. The hybrid engine pairs with an electric motor and battery pack, and it is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.  As I have been telling you on the Car Pro Radio Show, get used to smaller but more powerful and efficient engines.  The i-FORCE MAX offers up a 75% increase in torque over the previous generation V6-powered truck. The i-FORCE MAX models also feature a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a center locking differential. This is a serious off-road truck.

Interior

Moving to the inside, there is a rugged, yet oddly-luxurious interior, with a host of different materials and yellow accents featured.  The Softex seats are nicely-bolstered, they are heated and cooled, and extremely comfortable and wide.  I don’t always remark on this, but Tacoma has one of the most useful door panels you’ll ever see.  The digital gauges are colorful and easy to read, and you can scroll through different info that sits inside the tachometer and speedometer.  The display will tell you the speed limit where you are, the time and temperature outside, and how many miles you have to empty.  There is also a great head-up display.

To the left of the steering wheel are buttons to adjust the headlights up and down, brighten the lights on the dash, open the gas lid, turn on the automatic headlights, turn off the traction control, turn on the power plug inside the bed, you can drop the tailgate, turn on the fog lamps, the grill light guard, and places to wire accessories like a wench, or more lights.

The center piece of the interior is mid-dash, up high, and it is a huge 14-inch infotainment screen that houses the JBL stereo, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation system, Bluetooth system for your phone, and from the screen you can change the vehicle settings.  It also has a fantastic rearview camera with multiple views.

Below the big screen are the air-conditioning controls with large, round knobs to set the temperature for the driver and front passenger.  Just below that is a really handy cell phone charger, that will allow you to see your phone while it charges.  Really nice when you are using the phone for directions.

On the center console is the shifter for the 8-speed, a button for the Auto Hold, the electronic parking brake and a round controller for the Multi-Terrain select systems, that includes drive modes, tow/haul mode, and crawl mode.  Drive mode selections are Sport, Normal, and Eco.  Below the controller are buttons for the trailer tow system, camera views including a front view for when you can’t see anything but the sky in front of you, you can lock in the rear axle, and you can disconnect the sway bar if you get yourself in a really rough jam.

I was a little bit surprised by the back seat room in this double cab.  It was not as roomy as I expected, but it is nice. Rear passengers get a power outlet and two USB-C ports and a fold-down armrest.  Other than the lack of leg room, the headroom is really good, as it is through the truck. 

Utility

The bed of this truck is terrific.  It has a Toyota bed mat in it, there is lighting in the bed, a 240-volt power outlet, and it has a built-in air compressor that is standard on the Trailhunter.

You can fill up your tires and get back on your way without missing a beat or any external gear. This bed-mounted air compressor comes in handy in many instances, and you won’t have to worry about finding a place to fill up your tires.  There are times off-roading you need to let some air out of the tires, and refilling them is simple and quick.

Another amazing feature is the power tailgate. You can access Tacoma’s bed even when you’ve got your hands full. The tailgate is activated by pressing the switch on either side of the truck bult into the taillights, or by the key fob. The tailgate raises by hitting the button again or use your knee to nudge the tailgate up and be on your way. This is the best power tailgate system I have ever seen.

Standard Features 

The Trailhunter comes with everything imaginable except a moon roof.  It comes standard with robust underbody protection, including a steel front skid plate, fuel tank protector, transfer case protector, rear diff protector, and frame-mounted rock rails.  It of course has all power accessories, tilt wheel, heated steering wheel, remote keyless entry, the 10-speaker JBL audio system that has a rechargeable portable speaker that plugs into the passenger-side dash.  You even get a first aid kit mounted by the front passenger.

Safety

On the safety side, you get Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 which includes:  Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, and a terrain monitor.

Ride and Drive

It only takes a quick walk around the Tacoma Trailhunter to know it will go anywhere you are brave enough to take it, but the surprise for me was how enjoyable it is to drive on the concrete.  Acceleration from the 4-banger is exceptional, the handling superb, and I like the steering feel and feedback.

The suspension system on this truck is simply fantastic.  Toyota has all but done away with the leaf-spring rear suspension of the last generation in favor of a coil spring multi-link setup, ensuring a much smoother ride on and off the road, and it’s evident in normal city driving.  This truck doesn’t beat you to death.  The Trailhunter features Old Man Emu 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks and rear remote reservoir shocks, which gives this Tacoma a full extra inch of ground clearance in the front and a half inch in the back. There is also strong underbody protection, including a steel front skid plate, fuel tank protector, transfer case protector, rear differential protector, and frame-mounted rock rails that won’t help get in the truck.

What You'll Pay and MPG

All this beauty and technology comes with a hefty price tag. I admit I was taken aback when I first saw the Monroney sticker price of $64,944.  However, when you look at what you get, both outside, inside, and what is under the truck, it suddenly all seems worth it.  Just a note about the hybrid engine:  As with many of the Toyota trucks and SUVs, the hybrid system is more for power than fuel economy.  Still, fuel economy isn’t terrible for such a capable truck, coming in at 22 city, 24 highway, and 23 overall.  The Trailhunter will tow 6,000-pounds.

Verdict 

This is a great truck.  It’s rare to find the combination of off-road capability and a truck that makes a really great daily driver.  This one does that.  As we know, half-ton trucks keep getting bigger and bigger, and if you don’t need all that size, or if your garage has limited space, this is certainly one to put on your shopping list.