2024 Toyota Tacoma: A Ground Up Redesign For The Midsize Truck King

The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma will reach showrooms in late 2023

If you’re a fan of midsize trucks you likely already know Toyota’s Tacoma is the segment leader. From sales to resale value, and from lifespan to off-road capability, the Tacoma has earned its reputation as the midsize truck king over the past 30 years. With this being the year of new kings, it feels appropriate for Toyota to introduce an all-new 2024 Tacoma, featuring upgrades to every aspect of the truck’s design and engineering.

A total of eight trim levels will be offered for the new 2024 Tacoma

The current Tacoma maintained its sales leadership, even after 8 years in production, confirming Toyota’s understanding of what midsize truck buyers want. Now that the all-new Tacoma’s styling and full specs have been released there’s every reason to believe Toyota will only tighten its grip on this segment. This will be the first Tacoma based on Toyota’s new global truck platform, which already underpins the recently redesigned Tundra and Sequoia. The new chassis is both stronger and lighter, to better manage the truck’s increased power and enhanced off-road capabilities.

The new Tacoma utilizes Toyota's TNGA-F global truck platform

Chassis upgrades range from a new front cross member with a more rigid steering box mount, for improved steering feel, to stronger rear cross members to carry newly-introduced overlanding equipment, such as rooftop tents and camp fridges. Four-wheel disc brakes are now standard, with larger brakes offered on TRD trims and models equipped with the most powerful drivetrain. An electronic parking brake and electric power steering allow the new Tacoma to take advantage of modern driver-assist tech, including radar cruise control and lane keeping assist.

Unique suspension tuning helps differentiate Tacoma's trim levels

Toyota wanted to offer more distinct suspension tuning between Tacoma trim levels, so a new multi-link coil spring rear suspension was engineered for the truck. Higher trim models will offer varying levels of advanced coil spring tuning, while base and mid-grade models continue with a leaf spring rear suspension. Top trim Limited models will even offer a new Adaptive Variable Suspension that adjusts damping in real time based on changing road conditions.

A new aluminum tailgate offers power opening and closing

Additional new features include a trailer brake controller, trailer backup guide, digital rearview mirror, 360-degree top-down view camera and a blind spot monitor that can recognize blind spots for the truck and a trailer. A new aluminum tailgate offers a power open and close option, while AC power outlets with between 400 and 2400 watts are available. Front stabilizer bar disconnect technology increases front suspension articulation, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor feature uses cameras to display underbody obstacles on the Tacoma’s new 14-inch interior display screen.

The TRD Pro (right) is joined by the new Trailhunter trim (left) for 2024

The latest Tacoma loses its V6 engine option, but gains several powerful four-cylinder options instead. The base 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in the SR trim delivers 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic. All other trim levels get 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet from this engine, except 6-speed manual transmission models (yes, a manual will still be offered on the new Tacoma) which makes 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.

Upper trims like the Toyota Limited can be ordered with a hybrid drivetrain

Upper trim level Tacomas can opt for the midsize truck segment’s first hybrid powertrain, the i-Force Max, which pairs the 2.4-liter turbo engine to a 48-horsepower electric motor and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour battery pack. This combination is good for 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque (about twice the torque of the outgoing V6). Toyota says the i-Force Max drivetrain can climb an 8 percent grade without downshifting. Fuel efficiency ratings are not yet available, but the new Tacoma’s maximum tow rating is 6,500 pounds while max payload is 1,709 pounds.

The rear seat in Double Cab Tacomas is replaced by storage space in XtraCab models

An all-new version of the all-new Tacoma comes in the form of an XtraCab body style, The XtraCab offers only two doors and no rear seat, but provides extended space behind the front seats, along with locking compartments in the floor and back panel. A fold flat passenger seat can serve as a workspace, and a driver’s seat with extra fore and aft sliding range makes accessing the rear cargo area easier. The XtraCab is paired with a 6-foot bed and is only offered on base and mid-grade Tacomas. A four-door crew cab is available for all trim levels and can be had with a 5- or 6-foot bed.

The Tacoma's interior now boasts larger gauge cluster and touchscreen displays

The new Toyota Tacoma includes standard high tech features like a digital key that lets a smartphone unlock and start the truck, along with a credit card-sized Smart Card key. A standard 7-inch gauge cluster can be upgraded to a 12.3-inch cluster on higher grade trims, while the standard 8-inch central touchscreen can be upgraded to a 14-inch screen. USB-C ports, a head up display, heated and cooled front seats, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system, with a removable Bluetooth speaker, are also available.

The new Tacoma has been thoroughly upgraded in design and engineering

A total of of eight trim levels are offered for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Every trim has a unique purpose and personality, reflected in the equipment they include:

SR: base (228 hp) 2.4-liter engine, leaf spring rear suspension, 17-inch steel wheels, 7-inch gauge cluster, 8-inch central touchscreen, a more powerful 2.4 engine with optional manual transmission offered only on Double Cab models, XtraCab available.

SR5: More powerful (270 hp) 2.4-liter engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, multi-link rear suspension on double cab models, leaf springs on XtraCab models, twin-tube shocks, offered as XtraCab or Double Cab.

TRD ProRunner: Only available as an XtraCab with rear-wheel drive and an electronically operated locking differential, leaf spring rear suspension, front-end lift, and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

TRD Sport: Double Cab only, optional hybrid engine and 6-speed manual transmission, multi-link rear suspension with red twin-tube shocks, color-matched bumpers and door handles, 18-inch black wheels, hood scoop, 12.3-inch gauge cluster.

TRD Off-Road: Same as TRD Sport but with Bilstein monotube remote sensor shocks, Multi Terrain Select drive modes, locking rear differential, optional stabilizer bar disconnect, 33-inch tires, 17- or 18-inch black wheels.

Limited trim includes a head-up display and heated/cooled front seats

Limited: Double Cab, optional hybrid engine and full-time 4x4, adaptive suspension, chrome 18-inch wheels, power running boards, “Tacoma” signature headlights, 14-inch touchscreen, head-up display, heated/cooled front seats.

TRD Pro: Same as TRD Off-Road but with FOX suspension components, IsoDynamic driver’s seat, rocker panel protector, two-tone roof, “Toyota” heritage grille with light bar, LED fog lights, ARB steel rear bumper, skid plates, auxiliary DC switches, 2400-watt AC inverter, head-up display, heated and cooled front seats.

Tacoma's new Trailhunter trim is focused on the overlanding lifestyle

Trailhunter: All-new trim with TRD Pro equipment plus 2.5-inch Old Man Emu forged monotube shocks, bronze exterior badging, forged aluminum upper control arms, high mounted air intake, frame-mounted rock rails, integrated air compressor.

Pricing for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma hasn’t been released yet, but the truck will go on sale in late 2023, with the hybrid drivetrain arriving in spring of 2024.