It’s a big year for Tacoma fans, with Toyota rolling out the fully redesigned fourth-generation model for 2024. The long-awaited update sees the Tacoma enhanced with a number of key features, including a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 14-inch infotainment display, a heads-up display, a wireless charging pad, and all the comfort and convenience amenities that drivers have come to expect from the pickup segment, not to mention a full slate of safety-enhancing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Toyota has also refreshed the trim ladder to include enticing new options like the Tacoma Trailhunter, an overlanding-focused offering that’s perfect for extended off-the-grid adventures.
But we’re really burying the headline when it comes to the 2024 Tacoma. In addition to riding on the new TNGA-F platform that it shares with the Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Tundra, and Sequoia, Toyota has also modernized the popular pickup with a new hybrid variant. The Tacoma i-FORCE MAX takes the midsize pickup drivers have come to love and packs it with a new hybrid powertrain that brings a number of advantages in terms of performance and efficiency. The hybrid offers an unbeatable amount of torque, giving the Tacoma the sort of power and traction it needs to excel in both on and off-road applications. The addition of the hybrid powertrain gives the new fourth-generation Tacoma a unique claim to fame: not only is it the most efficient pickup in the midsize segment, but it now outshines all of its competitors in pure torque. From performance and towing capacity to fuel economy and more, there are plenty of reasons to give the Tacoma a closer look when visiting your local Toyota dealer, so read on as we take you through some of the highlights of the new 2024 model.
Best-In-Class Torque
The base 2024 Tacoma certainly holds its own with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that provides up to 317 lb-ft of torque, but that’s nothing compared to the new hybrid model. Toyota’s new i-FORCE MAX hybrid system combines the same 2.4-liter inline-four engine with an electric motor mounted between the engine and transmission to give the hybrid 326 horses and a class-leading 465 lb-ft of torque. That’s a 46% improvement over the standard Tacoma, giving drivers yet another reason to embrace the hybrid approach. Standard on the Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid setup can also be added to the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited trims for an additional charge. This torque-heavy setup doesn’t just allow the Tacoma Hybrid to tow up to 6,000 lbs and offer an impressive 24 MPG combined; it’ll also come in handy when tackling the off-road trails that have become an increasingly popular pastime for pickup owners. Torque translates directly to traction, and you can never have too much of that when you’re navigating the road less traveled.
The automaker rounds out the Tacoma’s off-road credentials with available underbody skid plates, 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires, and custom suspension components like a front anti-roll bar disconnect and FOX internal bypass dampers with remote reservoirs. The Tacoma has always been a favorite amongst the off-road set, and it’s nice to see Toyota acknowledging this reputation with a host of rugged hardware that’ll give you a little confidence––and a lot of comfort––every time you hit the trail. The higher trims have even been graced with new coil springs that are a boon to the overall driving experience, whether you’re navigating a rocky road or cruising through the suburbs.
Of course, torque is just a number. In order to truly understand how it translates into everyday performance, let’s take a closer look at the Tacoma’s towing capacity. The pickup’s new TNGA-F body-on-frame platform certainly helps when you’re putting in a little hard work with the tow hitch, but the engine, drivetrain, and even cab size are also important variables. When you’re trying to tow a boat up to the lake for a day of fishing, the i-FORCE MAX powertrain offers an impressive 6,000 lbs towing capacity. That may not be the highest tow rating in the segment, but it is more than enough to handle just about any task you might want to tackle with a midsize truck.
Unmatched Efficiency
Unparalleled power isn’t the only reason to choose a Toyota Tacoma when you’re in the market for your next pickup. In addition to offering best-in-class torque, the 2024 Tacoma also happens to lead the midsize segment in efficiency. With an estimated fuel economy of 24 MPG combined to its name, the hybrid Tacoma easily bests its rivals like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado (22 MPG combined) or Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier (21 MPG combined), and it runs roughshod over the segment’s newest addition in the Jeep Gladiator (19 MPG combined).
In fact, the hybrid Tacoma bests every pickup on the market, save one––the much smaller Ford Maverick. But even without the hybrid boost, the new Tacoma is remarkably efficient. The two-wheel drive SR, SR5, TRD Sport, and TRD PreRunner trims get an estimated 23 MPG combined when outfitted with the eight-speed automatic transmission. While most trucks tend to sacrifice significant fuel efficiency with the addition of four-wheel drive, the Tacoma is not most trucks. Drivers opting for the added utility that comes with a 4WD setup will only lose 2 MPG across the board, with the Tacoma returning 21 MPG combined. The meager gulf between the 2WD and 4WD eliminates one of the hard decisions drivers have to make when trying to settle on a specific drivetrain and should go a long way in simplifying the buying process.
Like most hybrid models, the Tacoma hybrid does a little better around town than it does on the highway, which is largely due to a matter of aerodynamics. The EPA has rated the Tacoma with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain at 23 MPG in the city, beating out the gas-powered model by a couple MPG, but the story is a little different when you’re talking about high-speed driving. When cruising down the highway, drivers can expect around 24 MPG, which is 2 MPG less than the non-hybrid can achieve. However, that is a small price to pay for the sort of performance the hybrid can offer. When choosing between the hybrid and internal combustion versions, drivers should take into account how much time they spend on the highway and weigh the advantages of having more torque versus better fuel economy. The hybrid also leverages regenerative braking to give the pickup a little extra boost every time you step on the left pedal. This clever little feature converts the kinetic energy that’s produced when the brakes are engaged into electrical energy that can be used to top off the battery and modestly increase the Tacoma’s efficiency.
The Best Gets Even Better
The Tacoma was already a standout in the midsize segment, and the fourth-generation model is no different. Toyota has seamlessly integrated cutting-edge features like the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, coil springs, expansive displays, and other convenience features without losing focus of what made the Tacoma such a great pickup to begin with. While it’s easy enough for automakers to slap a few surface-level changes onto an existing model and call it a day, Toyota has clearly taken a more meticulous approach with the 2024 Tacoma. New options like the Trailhunter trim prove that Toyota is in tune with emerging trends in the pickup segment, offering a readymade overlanding rig that’s sure to be a hit among long-time Tacoma fans. The truck’s fuel economy remains as impressive as ever, but the chart-topping torque offered by the new hybrid model makes the Tacoma an even more logical choice for drivers who are in the market for a well-rounded pickup that’s just as at home on the highway as it is during mud season.
