Toyota recently unveiled their 2024 model year Tacoma, the first in the fourth generation of Tacoma mid-size trucks. The pick-up has undergone a complete overhaul, which in a lot of ways it desperately needed. Just from looking at its new design, it's obvious that Toyota has modernized the truck and listened to what fans wanted, while at the same time not deviating too far from the established motif of the third-generation Tacoma. The new generation comes with plenty of updated features and some new trim levels; the most exciting of which is the offroad-centric Trailhunter.
The most interesting change, however, and possibly the biggest reason that some buyers would rather buy a Tacoma now than wait for the next generation is the powertrain. The V-6 engine of the past has been abandoned, and the truck now sports a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This change in approach to powertrains is something that has become more and more common in this class of pick-up trucks and Toyota has finally followed suit.
Using data from Toyota we've compared the 2023 and 2024 models years of the Tacoma to show you the benefits of owning one over the other.
The 2024 Tacoma Ditches The V-6 For A New Turbo Four-Cylinder
If you’re thinking about buying a Tacoma, and you’re unsure as to whether you should wait for the 2024 model, It's highly likely that the biggest factor in your decision is the new powertrain that Toyota has opted for.
2023 Tacoma Powertrain And Performance
I-4 | V-6 | |
Engine Layout | 2.7 Liter Inline Four Cylinder | 3.5 Liter V-6 |
Aspiration | Naturally Aspirated | Naturally Aspirated |
Horsepower | 159 HP | 278 HP |
Torque | 180 lb-ft | 265 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual or 6-Speed Automatic | 6-Speed Manual or 6-Speed Automatic |
2024 Tacoma Powertrain And Performance
Base | iForce | iForce MAX | |
Engine Layout | 2.4 Liter Inline Four Cylinder | 2.4 Liter Inline Four Cylinder | Hybrid 2.4 Liter Inline Four Cylinder |
Aspiration | Turbocharged | Turbocharged | Turbocharged |
Horsepower | 228 HP | 278 HP | 326 HP |
Torque | 243 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-speed Manual or 8- Speed Automatic | 6-speed Manual or 8- Speed Automatic | 8-Speed Automatic |
A normal first impression when hearing that a truck is moving from a V-6 to a four-cylinder is that you’re going to be sacrificing power. In more and more cases, though, this isn’t reflecting reality. However, if you’re planning to buy the entry-level SR, the 2023 model is going to provide 50 more horsepower over the 2024, which is a huge margin and a good argument to stay with the old model. Entry-level buyers need to be aware of the power sacrifice they will be making if they wait for the 2024 model.
That being said, the 2024 trim levels that feature the iForce and iForce max engines will be providing you with extra power over the 2023 model. If you have the extra money to spend, then it may be worth the wait.
2023 Tacoma Pickups Are Cheap And Available Right Now
The 2024 Tacoma looks to be an attractive option in a lot of ways. However, there is a catch. Not only do you have to wait until December to get your hands on the regular trim options, but you're also looking at an even longer wait if you want the serious Trailhunter or TRD Pro models. Toyota has said that the high-level off-roaders will only be available in the middle of 2024. Meaning that if you want to buy a Tacoma soon, you can't even consider the iForce MAX because you'll be waiting an entire year to get your hands on it.
Meanwhile, the 2023 Tacoma is sitting in dealer yards and for fairly competitive prices too. From our research, we've seen new Toyota Tacomas on sale at dealerships close to MSRP, and even slightly under it in a lot of cases. However, this isn't going to be the case for long. Toyota has made it clear that after the 2024 Tacoma comes out, all manufacturing of the third-generation Tacoma will cease. So if you're looking for a high-trim Tacoma and you can't wait a year then you need to move fast.
Some Sacrifices Have Been Made To The 2024 Tacoma’s Towing Capabilities
While there isn’t a lot of data fully released yet on the capabilities of all the trim levels of the 2024 Tacoma, they have released the towing capacity of the automatic transmission iForce as well as the iForce Max.
Towing and Payload
2023 Tacoma | 2024 Tacoma | |
Max Towing Capacity | 6800 lbs | 6000 - 6500 lbs |
Max Payload Capacity | 1685 lbs | 1709 lbs |
Overall, the Tacoma is losing about 300 pounds of towing capacity in general. For a lot of people, this may be a negligible amount but it's still a factor to consider when choosing between new and old. If you compare the iForce Max in the 2024 TRD Pro to the V-6 in the 2023 TRD Pro, you lose another hundred pounds of towing capacity for the extra power you get.
You do get an ever so slight upgrade to payload capacity in the new model year Tacoma. This is in part due to the increased bed size, which many will see as a huge bonus. However, if hauling and towing is something you put a large value on, then the 2023 Tacoma is going to come out ahead.
The Tacoma Has Always Been An Off-Roader And That Hasn’t Changed
The off-road performance of their trucks and SUVs has always been something that Toyota has taken pride in. The 2024 Tacoma carries on this legacy and does so brilliantly; its blend of technology and engineering bring the badge up to speed in terms of the competition. However, once again you're faced with a long wait.
Approach and Departure Angles
2023 Tacoma | 2024 Tacoma | |
Ground Clearance | 9.4 in | 9.5 in |
Approach Angle | 33.8 Degrees | 36.4 Degrees |
Departure Angle | 25.7 Degrees | 24.7 Degrees |
While you may be gaining a degree in terms of your departure angle on the new 2024 Tacoma, you're also losing 2.4 degrees on your approach angle. For those invested in overlanding or off-roading, this may not be something that you can overlook.
However, when you start to look at specifics, it’s obvious how competitive Toyota has gotten in this class of vehicle. For one, Toyota has traded in the old-school leaf-spring rear suspension for coil springs on higher trims. It also features disc brakes on all four wheels now, replacing the rear drum brakes of the previous generation. This is along with a slew of other off-road centric options Toyota now offers for enthusiasts. The Tacoma also now runs the TNGA-F platform, the same platform as the Tundra and Sequoia. This brings improved rigidity to the mid-size truck through high-strength steel utilized throughout the chassis.
There are strong arguments for both year models of the Tacoma here, but once again you only gain access to the really high-level off-road equipment on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models. This means waiting a whole year for the upgrades.
Availability And The V-6 Mean The 2023 Model Remains King
There is definitely an argument to be made for the 2023 Tacoma. If you are buying an entry-level model, the additional 50 horsepower is a lot and may be enough to sway some buyers to buying now instead of later. The older model Tacomas are also cheaper and readily available. You're not going to be able to get your hands on the top trim levels of the 2024 model. This Means that the 2023 Tacoma has the edge in terms of the top and the bottom trim levels, at least for now.
2024 Tacoma Pros
- More powerful in iForce and iForce MAX trims
- Upgraded tech and trim
- Better off-road capability on high trim models
2023 Tacoma Pros
- Readily available
- Cheap
- Better powertrain on the SR trim
- Better approach angles
- Better Towing Capacity
The new Tacoma shows that Toyota is dedicated to challenging the likes of Ford and Chevrolet. Toyota has made huge strides to bring the Tacoma into the modern age. It's such a shame that the peak trims of the mid-size truck are going to take so long to hit the market. For now, the 2023 model is an excellent choice for entry-level or serious buyers.