Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Highway 4WD
Specs
Class: Midsize Pickup
Colour: Blue Crush
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 166
Actual-world gas economic system: 19.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | B+ |
| Match and End | B- |
| Gasoline Financial system | B |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | B |
| Tall Man | B |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 278-horsepower 2.4-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 8-speed computerized |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 19/23/21 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common gasoline
Base worth: $42,900 (not together with $1495 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: TRD Off-Highway Premium Bundle ($8800), Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism ($1230), mattress mat ($200), ball mount ($70), mini tie downs ($45), gunmetal tailgate insert ($89)
Worth as examined: $54,829
Professionals and Cons
The good: Stable really feel, journey prepared
The great: Gasoline economic system, dealing with, energy
The not so good: Worth will increase harm
Assessment
The producers of Gunsmoke bought it fallacious. The award-winning Western, starring James Arness because the smart and stoic Marshal Dillon, started producing the present in colour in 1966, and just about ruined the every little thing.
The long-running program, which debuted in 1955, was recognized for its constant—and unusually sincere—portrayal of life in a prairie city, earned a big and devoted fan base. However in 1966, that viewers was betrayed.
Gunsmoke
For no matter purpose, within the transfer to paint, the present’s producers modified every little thing up, together with the writers, administrators, extras, and even among the units. The up to date colour model of Gunsmoke felt unrelated the commemorated black & white episodes of the present, and plenty of followers felt that the up to date program was now not any higher than any of the handfuls of Westerns being broadcast on the time.
I point out the massive Gunsmoke change as a result of Toyota administration discovered itself in comparable straits final yr when it got here time to (lastly) replace the considerably dated however extraordinarily in style Tacoma midsize pickup truck.
Redesign
Toyota’s well-liked mannequin has been the best-selling small/midsize pickup since its introduction in 1995, and hasn’t modified a lot since 2005, although a major freshening for 2016 helped to maintain the car comparatively trendy.
However, right here’s the deal: Tacoma loyalists haven’t been in search of up-to-date subtle expertise, they’ve been having fun with the Toyota’s rugged off-road skill, comparatively compact dimensions, and popularity for reliability. And given the Tacoma’s best-in-class resale worth, it appears these buyers have been nicely served.
For a bevvy of causes together with enhancing gas economic system, security, connectivity, and including a hybrid drivetrain, Toyota fully redesigned its smallest truck for 2024. And, just like the producers of Gunsmoke, the maker modified every little thing.
Any by every little thing, we imply every little thing, together with new structure–from Toyota’s historic F2 platform to the maker’s trendy TNGA-F {hardware}, which amongst different autos, can also be house to the Tundra giant pickup.
Measurement
And although the Tacoma has packed on a number of kilos as a part of the redesign, it hasn’t gotten any bigger. The longest instance of the all-new truck stretches about the identical 226 inches because the earlier technology did.
Engines
Issues are very completely different beneath the hood, nonetheless. Gone are the dated 2.7-liter usually aspirated (no turbo) 4 and clean 3.5-liter V6. Of their locations are a trio of turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines, supplied in various outputs.
The “base” 2.4 produces 228 horsepower, and mates solely with a 6-speed guide transmission and 4WD. The improve 4 is rated at a sturdy 278 horsepower, and mates solely with an 8-speed computerized transmission. This engine is out there with rear-wheel drive and 4WD. The third 2.4 variant mates with a hybrid system and is rated 326 horsepower. All hybrid Tacomas include 4WD.
For these into branding, the non-hybrid engines go by the title “i-Drive,” and the hybrid mill “i-Drive Max.”
Physique Kinds
Additionally for 2025, the Tacoma is obtainable with two physique configurations, and two mattress lengths. The XtraCab, which options two doorways and seating for less than two passengers, comes solely with a 6-foot mattress. The PreRunner (see beneath) is obtainable solely in ExtraCab trim. Additionally supplied is the 4-door Double Cab, which options seating for 5 passengers and mattress lengths of 5, or six toes. Word too, that ExtraCabs and Double Cabs are geared up with completely different rear-suspensions setups. Further cabs function a standard leaf-spring association which, although somewhat crude, ought to show loads powerful. Double Cabs are quipped with a rear coil-spring setup which offers improved trip and dealing with.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2025, non-hybrid variations of the Tacoma are supplied in SR (beginning at $33,085), SR5 ($37,800), PreRunner ($39,615), Sport ($40,895), TRD Off-Highway ($43,295), and Restricted ($54,050) trim ranges.
Hybrid
Tacoma Hybrid shouldn’t be supplied in base SR or SR5 trim ranges, although may be had in premium Trailhunter ($64,230) and TRD Professional ($65,230) trim ranges. We’ll speak extra concerning the Tacoma hybrids at a later date.
Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Highway in Blue Crush Metallic and geared up with the great Premium Bundle ($8800). All informed, our take a look at truck got here to $54,829 together with vacation spot cost.
Cabin
Among the many many adjustments realized in redesigning the Tacoma is the “regular” seating place drivers and passengers now take pleasure in. Coming into the previous-generation “Taco” meant more-or-less squeezing right into a cabin that felt too brief (roof-to-floor) to be a contemporary car. Certainly, the legs out-in-front posed assumed by front-seat occupants was troublesome to get used to, although not really uncomfortable.
Room and Consolation
The brand new Tacoma, we’re completely happy to report, now feels very very similar to different midsize vehicles, and affords loads of house for the motive force and his shotgun passenger. The rear seating space is rather less accommodating, and kneeroom may be restricted behind taller front-seat occupants.
The cabin is in any other case shiny and ethereal, although the Tacoma trails different small vehicles when it comes to supplies high quality. This isn’t to say the cabin doesn’t look good, it simply doesn’t look particularly upscale.
Controls
On the plus facet, controls are typically logically positioned and simple to govern. The touchscreen itself is shiny and simple to learn, and display screen icons are logically arrayed and easy to seek out in a rush.
The JBL-brand audio system which comes as a part of the Premium Bundle isn’t particularly “premium,” however sounds ok, if you happen to’re not choosy about the way you hear your jazz.
Journey and Dealing with
Even in trail-ready TRD Off-Highway trim, Tacoma rides fairly nicely, and feels as stout and substantial doing in order the previous-generation truck. We did pickup on some high-frequency vibration, which may be felt by way of the steering wheel. We didn’t discover the feeling particularly unpleasant, and suspect it originates from the TRD Off-Roads aggressively treaded tires.
Other than the vibration, highway and wind noise are nicely checked, and the brand new Tacoma is extra nice to drive at freeway velocity, and for lengthy distances, than the previous-generation rig.
Energy and Efficiency
And, whereas we’ll miss the Tacoma’s clean and responsive V6, the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers extra energy in city driving and when it comes time for passing and merging. The 4 shouldn’t be as clean because the V6, however has its personal character, and is simpler on the gasoline, besides.
Gasoline Financial system
And about that mileage: Although the Tacoma gained nearly 200 kilos because of the redesign, it’s now a thriftier truck. In Shopper Information testing, 2021 and 2022 V6-power 4WD Tacoma take a look at vehicles averaged 17.5-17.9 mpg.
Our take a look at 2024 Tacoma returned a a lot thriftier 19.7 mpg, that is largely metropolis driving. So, lament the passing of the V6 if you happen to should, however know the brand new engine is each extra highly effective and extra environment friendly. We’ll name that progress.
Worth
For those who’ve learn something concerning the Tacoma, you realize that with the 2024 redesign got here important worth will increase. Toyota bean counters would recommend that, given the vehicles reputation, it has been underpriced all these years—some extent to think about. Nonetheless, our final Tacoma TRD Off-Highway take a look at truck, a loaded 2022, listed for $45,437, which appeared like lots to us on the time. As famous above, our loaded 2024 instance clocks in nearly precisely $10,000 increased.
The query right here is, does the quieter and roomier cabin, extra highly effective and environment friendly drivetrain, up to date styling, and upgraded tech justify the worth bump? Arguably sure, because the competitors hasn’t gotten any cheaper, both.
However in contrast to the producers of Gunsmoke, who ruined a superb factor, the Toyota guys largely bought this necessary replace proper. The brand new Tacoma is a greater truck in nearly each means, save for possibly that price ticket.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Highway Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
