This year, the Toyota Tacoma received its first major update since 2016. Actually, it received its only major update since 2016. (New optional headlights, a power driver’s seat, and paint colors don’t count.) The entire industry loved to harp on about how the Tacoma was ancient, prehistoric, or another synonym of choice. Truth is, 7-8 years isn’t really that long of a lifecycle for a car, but the Tacoma wasn’t exactly set up for success at the beginning of that run.
For one, the outgoing Taco was the only pickup truck (and on a very short list of other new vehicles in the US) to still use drum brakes in the rear. Luckily, all 2024 models are upgraded to the cutting-edge alternative known as disc brakes. Similarly, the ’24 now uses coils in its rear suspension (as long as you get the crew cab) rather than leaf springs, though in fairness, there are still plenty of other trucks using the latter. The TRD Off-Road model as tested also comes standard with Bilstein external-reservoir dampers and 33-inch BFG all-terrain tires.
Personally, I never thought the previous generation Tacoma looked particularly old inside or out. While it wasn’t as fresh as other midsize trucks in the last couple of years, I would still take one over a last-gen Ranger or Colorado all day long. Either way, the new Tacoma still isn’t a revolutionary redesign on the outside, and I suspect it will age just as nicely as the truck it replaces. Many of the styling elements are similar to the current Tundra, though the tailgate release button on the side of the taillight unfortunately isn’t found here.
Inside, the Tacoma remains a little light on technology — at least on the mid-level TRD Off-Road, judging by the amount of blank buttons. And the features it does have are a very mixed bag; Toyota’s standard safety suite is on board, there’s a digital gauge cluster and wireless Apple CarPlay, but the manual cloth seats aren’t heated and there’s no sliding rear window as standard. Not to worry, those features and more are included in the $4,840 TRD Off-Road Upgrade Package or the $9,000 TRD Off-Road Premium Package, either of which is a big ask on top of the already near-$45,000 MSRP. Strangely though, the aforementioned manual seats do have power-adjustable lumbar support, so that’s something.
Another way the 2024 Tacoma has been modernized (for better or worse) is the retirement of the tried and true 3.5-liter V6 engine. In its place is a rather rattly and unrefined 2.4-liter “i-FORCE” turbocharged four-cylinder putting out 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque (unless you get the base SR trim, in which case those numbers are slightly reduced). At around 7 seconds, the 0-60 time is roughly a half-second improved from the old truck, but longevity of the new turbo-four is still unproven — and it has an incredibly high bar to match. Additionally, EPA fuel economy only shows a single MPG bump over the 2023 model… I don’t want to sound like a boomer, but I thought the whole point of these new turbocharged engines was better performance AND efficiency.
On the road, the new Taco is lightyears ahead of the old one in most ways. The eight-speed automatic transmission is night and day different from the old, slow six-speed. I wouldn’t call it snappy, but it’s a huge upgrade. (And it’s super cool that the six-speed manual is still an option too!) The truck rides noticeably better, the cabin is marginally quieter, and the driving position is very much improved, despite rear seat room remaining rather tight.
Ultimately, the fourth-gen Tacoma is overall a big step up from its predecessor. But as I touched on, Toyota is really making you pay the price for it. The automatic, four-wheel-drive TRD Off-Road’s $44,395 MSRP before options is about $6,000 more than a similarly-spec’d 2023 model. However, going for a lightly-used one like the two I’ve tested is a much better deal at $38-39,000.
You know, you used to be able to buy a Tacoma, put 50,000 miles on it, and only lose a couple grand — if that. It’s almost like the secondhand market price reflects what the truck should have cost in the first place. Weird, that one.
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| Vehicle Tested | 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road |
|---|---|
| Color | Underground / Black |
| Drivetrain | 2.4L turbo I-4, 8-spd auto, Four wheel drive |
| HP / Torque | 278 horsepower / 317 lb-ft |
| Curb Weight | 4,800 lbs (est.) |
| Towing Capacity | 6,400 lbs |
| 0-60 mph | 7.0 seconds (est.) |
| EPA Fuel Econ | 19 city / 23 hwy / 20 combined |
| MSRP | $44,395 |
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