WAIMEA, Hawaii — The Toyota Tacoma, the top-selling midsize pickup in the U.S., has been retooled from top to bottom for 2024. Journalists had a chance to look it over here late Thursday. Here are six key things that stand out on the fourth-generation Tacoma, due in dealerships late this year. Pricing for the 2024 Tacoma will be announced later.
1. A choice of powertrains: The redesigned Tacoma will come standard with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine that produces up to 278 hp and 317 pound-feet of torque. Also available is an optional i-Force Max hybrid, similar to the hybrid setup in the Tundra full-size pickup, that adds a 48-hp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission and uses a 1.87-kilowatt-hour battery. The system boosts output to 326 hp and 465 pound-feet. Hybrid versions are expected to begin shipping to dealerships early next year, Toyota says.
2. A kitted-up, off-road ready trim: Toyota plans a Trailhunter factory trim level for extreme off-roading adventures, where midsize pickups have always shined. The Trailhunter trim will feature factory-installed specialty equipment from Rigid, ARB and Old Man Emu, among others.
3. Available long bed/extended cab combo: The two-door XtraCab cab configuration features extended storage behind the front seats, including lockable storage, paired with a 6-foot bed. It will be available on SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims.
4. Special driver’s seat that an over-the-road trucker would envy: The TRD Pro version will come equipped with what Toyota is calling an IsoDynamic Performance Seat. The adjustable seat uses an internal shock absorber system to dampen body movement and stabilize the head and neck to keep alignment with the spine, the automaker says, and can be fine-tuned or even bypassed entirely via levers on the seat back.
5. Improved infotainment system: The latest iteration of Toyota Connected’s Audio Multimedia System, developed in Texas, comes standard, either on the standard 8-inch touchscreen or an available 14-inch version. It supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system, which debuted on the redesigned Tundra, uses voice prompts to interact with the driver or passengers to control all of the infotainment and HVAC systems in the cabin.
6. DIY accessories: Borrowing a strategy from Ford’s successful launch of the Maverick compact pickup, Toyota says the Tacoma will have a hidden pocket on the driver’s side dash with a QR code directing owners to the Toyota website. There, they can get dimensions to “design and 3D print their own accessories such as a lantern, multitool, or toolkit.”