The 2024 Toyota Tacoma: A Rugged Redesign for a Mid-size Legend
Toyota recently unveiled a comprehensive redesign of the Tacoma for the 2024 model year, coming nearly two decades after its reigning domination of the mid-size pickup truck market. The revamped model adopts innovative features and cutting-edge technologies, aiming to enhance the reliability, durability, and quality that the Tacoma is famously known for.
Overhauled Construction and New Features
The fourth-generation Tacoma is based on the TNGA-F global truck platform, shared with the Tundra and Sequoia. It sports a robust, high-strength steel-ladder frame and an array of off-road-friendly features. The Tacoma is slated to debut Toyota's Trailhunter grade, a factory-ready overlanding rig first introduced as a concept at the 2022 SEMA show.
Powerful, Efficient Powertrains
The new Tacoma is powered by two turbocharged four-cylinder engines, with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid at the top of the line. The hybrid system puts out a hefty 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. (or 630 Nm) of torque, promising an invigorating driving experience.
Design Aesthetic: Embracing the 'Tacoma-ness'
The 2024 Tacoma design, led by Toyota’s North American-based CALTY Design Center, exudes an aura of ruggedness and utility, a style dubbed 'Tacoma-ness'. Signature design elements like a wide upper grille and aggressive skid plates enhance the truck's exterior ruggedness.
Engineering Excellence
Research and development efforts conducted across Toyota Technical Centers in Michigan, Arizona, and California have optimized Tacoma's capability across varying environments. These enhancements aim to amplify the truck's off-road prowess while ensuring a refined and smooth on-road performance.
2024 Toyota Tacoma
Ride Comfort and Handling
The all-new Tacoma features a multi-link coil rear suspension that aims to improve ride comfort and handling dynamics. Tacoma now also gets four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power, and adopts electric power steering to ensure improved steering feel and facilitate the incorporation of additional safety and convenience features.
Performance and Towing Capability
The Tacoma has an improved towing capacity, maxing out at 6,500 lbs (or about 2,948 kg) on certain models. Its maximum payload also increases to 1,709 lbs (or about 775 kg) on the TRD Off-Road variant. A suite of supporting features like a trailer brake controller and trailer backup guide aims to make towing more convenient and safer.
On the Trail with Tacoma
The 2024 Tacoma enhances its legendary off-road capabilities, with an all-new available front stabilizer bar disconnect, improving articulation by 10 percent compared to the previous-gen truck. It also comes equipped with Multi-Terrain Select and the significantly quieter CRAWL Control function.
Trailhunter: Factory-Ready Overlander
The new Tacoma lineup introduces the Trailhunter grade, a factory-developed overlanding rig. Co-developed with the renowned Australian-based ARB, Trailhunter is equipped with robust features for serious off-the-grid adventure capabilities, straight from the factory.
With its blend of capability, efficiency, and innovation, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma aims to retain its leading position in the mid-size pickup truck market.
