Our Opinion - 2024 Toyota Tacoma Review Finally, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma can go up against mid-size competitors like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado that have been updated. The all-new Taco has a strong exterior and an interior that finally meets modern standards, thanks to its nice look and easy-to-read digital screens. The Tacoma has more options than most of its rivals, with two different combinations of cab and bed. Power comes from a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine with different output levels. However, the 326-hp hybrid Tacoma is the most powerful model, which we will talk about in more detail. Most models replace the old leaf-spring suspension with more modern coil springs. This is another sign of Tacoma’s renewed competitiveness and helps explain why it made our 2024 Editors’ Choice list. What's New? The 2024 model year will mark the fourth generation of the Tacoma, which means it will have a totally new look. The new Tacoma shares a body-on-frame TNGA-F chassis with the recently redesigned Toyota Tundra. It also has better powertrains, more modern features, and a wider range of trim options, including the Trailhunter, which is built for off-road enthusiasts. Pros and Cons Pros Great for going on and off-road. It has a strong and quick engine. Entertainment that is easy to use. Cons Too high an as-tested cost. When you have a part-time four-wheel drive, you don’t have an automatic mode. Off-road features sometimes lock out for no reason. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The engine in every Tacoma is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit. The engine does come in two different styles, and it can be paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It is possible to select either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive for your vehicle. The base SR model is the only one with a 228-hp turbo four-cylinder engine. The other models have more powerful iForce engines that can make up to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Even though Tacomas are built on a body-on-frame structure, they come with two different rear suspension choices. Other than the SR, SR5 extended cab, and TRD PreRunner, all of the other models have coil springs instead of leaf springs. During our test drive, we were surprised by how much better the non-hybrid Tacoma did on the road. More so those with the new coil springs, which offer a much smoother ride than the older leaf spring technology. The Tacoma’s 278-hp four-cylinder engine got it to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds during our tests. The engine gives you more than enough power for commuting, and you can easily do things like merging and passing on the highway. Because that’s how the off-road-focused Tacoma models make their money, they come with the tools to go almost anywhere. Safety One of the many driver-assistance features that come standard with every 2024 Tacoma is automatic high-beam headlights. There are also options for rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot tracking, but they cost extra. You can find out more about Tacoma’s crash test scores on the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some important safety factors are: Not only are there emergency brakes that can be used on their own, but there are also regular alerts for collisions that are coming from the front. Regular help staying in your lane and a warning when you leave your lane. It comes with adaptive speed control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity There are clever packaging and design parts inside the new Tacoma. Along with normal switchgear and high-resolution screens, the dashboard is made of better materials. The basic Taco’s gauge cluster is 7 inches across, but cars with TRD Off-Road or higher get a 12.3-inch all-digital screen. From the Limited trim level up, the front seats are heated and cooled and come with a head-up display. The driver doesn’t feel like they’re sitting on the ground because all models have raised seats with the same amount of space. The truck should be more comfortable for more people since the steering column can be moved. Like its predecessor, the 2024 Tacoma comes in two body styles: crew cab (called Double Cab) and extended cab (called XtraCab). The Double Cab comes with a five-foot cargo bed, but the XtraCab can only be paired with a six-foot cargo bed. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG A Tacoma with two-wheel drive can get up to 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. A Tacoma with four-wheel drive can get up to 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. These numbers are similar to those for the V-6 engine version of the previous generation Tacoma. At 75 mph on our highway fuel economy route, our test TRD Off-Road model got 22 mpg. Visit the EPA’s website to learn more about how fuel-efficient the Tacoma is. Infotainment and Connectivity Most Tacomas come with an 8.0-inch tablet infotainment system as standard. You can also get one with a 14.0-inch screen. The bigger screen is something that all Limited models have in common. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto can be used wirelessly in all versions. JBL speakers and a wireless charging stand are extras that can be added. The second one also has a Bluetooth speaker that can be detached from the top of the dashboard. Towing and Payload Capacity Toyota has not specified the highest towing and payload limits for all Tacoma models. However, the iForce engine with an automatic transmission can pull up to 6,500 pounds and lift 1,705 pounds of cargo. It can pull up to 6,000 pounds and carry up to 1,709 pounds of cargo. We will talk about the hybrid type in a different section. Price and How to Choose Toyota hasn’t said how much the top two Tacoma models will cost in 2024 yet. The best deal is the SR5 model, which comes with the Tacoma’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 278 horsepower, 17-inch metal wheels, blind-spot monitoring, fog lamps, built-in cargo-bed tie-down clamps, push-button start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
