The Toyota Tacoma is amongst the most capable trucks one can buy. It has long been America’s best-selling mid-sized truck and is a very common sight on the toughest trails in the country. TRD Pro models have taken people to the harshest environments possible and back home again safely and successfully countless times. Oh, and let’s not forget the immense aftermarket support that this legendary vehicle has.
After more than a decade, the company has now released the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, and we are pleased to say that this model will be more capable than ever. It features changes that not only address some of some key setbacks, but brings some never before seen features to the segment, and here's why it is now more capable than before.
The New Tacoma Features A Great Drivetrain
When we say that the new Tacoma is more capable than ever, we don’t mean it’s just better off-road. What we do mean is that it is better at every single aspect of being a truck. Its new powertrain options are perhaps one of the biggest and most significant changes toward making the new truck much more capable than the old one.
We now have just one engine option and that is a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder which is offered either as a gas model or paired with a hybrid system that increases power and reduces fuel consumption. The least powerful Tacoma produces 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque while the most powerful hybrid version is good for 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. One area where the new Tacoma falls short is with the towing numbers. Where the old model offered a max towing capacity of 6,800 pounds, the new model is 300 pounds shy at 6,500 pounds.
Both the base and highest trim level engines are big upgrades when compared to what was offered with the outgoing Tacoma. However, the biggest improvement here is the transmission which in the new vehicle is either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. As you may know, the transmission in the old Tacoma was ancient and this new eight-speed paired with the more powerful engines will not just improve the Tacamo's capability, but it will also result in a more refined driving expereince.
Its Suspension And Brakes Have Been Modernized
Most trucks still utilize leaf-spring rear suspension paired with drum brakes. This setup works a but it dates to a time when vehicles were still towed by horses. Leaf springs really are ancient! So, it was about time manufacturers started moving away from the choppy riding leaf springs to the more supple coil springs.
Aside from a better ride quality and handling, coil springs also perform better off-road as they provide superior wheel articulation which helps keep the wheels in contact with the ground over rough terrain. While lowertrims of the new Tacoma still have a leaf spring setup, models higher up in the Tacoma model range offer a coil spring setup at the rear. Of course, the fact that the Tacoma now has disc brakes on all four corners will also lead to better braking and also prolonged off-road life as drum brakes tend to get filled with mud. Disc brakes can be cleaned out easily.
It Offers Even More Trim Levels
Until now, the most off-road-worthy Tacoma was the TRD Pro. However, the 2024 Tacomal adds another off-road-worthy trim dubbed the Trailhunter. The Trailhunter is mostly aimed at long-distance expeditions. This is the concept of overlanding which has been drastically gaining popularity lately. People love to kit their trucks with tents, racks, and aftermarket suspension to take on big adventures across the globe.
Toyota saw this demand and decided to partner with ARB for a factory-modified overland base that can be bought from the showroom floor and taken straight onto the trails. This enables buyers to finance the truck and modifications as one while also saving the hassle of looking out for aftermarket parts and finding a reputable shop that is willing to install them.
The TRD Pro And Trailhunter Are Two Of The Most Capable Off-Roaders On The Market
The old Tacoma was a capable off-roader but the new one takes it a step further and this is due to the hardware the Trailhunter and TRD Pro come equipped with. The TRD Pro is now equipped with upgraded control arms and 2.5-inch bypass manual modal Quick Switch three shocks with rear piggyback style remote reservoirs that ensure the vehicle stays composed through rough terrain high-speed driving.
As has always been the case, the underbody of the new Tacoma is covered in steel skid plates and the vehicle offers a rear diff locker. A first for the Tacoma is the sway-bar disconnect button which enables the vehicle to gain even more articulation over rough terrain. We can't wait to see how the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro stacks up against the all-new Ford Ranger Raptor, the GMC Canyon AT4X, and the upcoming Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison.
The Trailhunter edition features similar equipment but does have a few differences. First and foremost, its suspension has been swapped out for an Old Man Emu remote reservoir unit which better fits the overland charter of the vehicle. Then, we receive a roof rack and sports rack with mole covers. The rear bumper is the same steel product in both vehicles. Rated recovery points and a high lift jack port are available in the rear but not in the front. This, admittedly, is rather disappointing.
One of the most impressive and unique features of the Trailhunter is the air compressor that is integrated into the bed. This is there to enable buyers to air up their tires after off-roading. You see when on rough terrain, it is common practice to air down your tires as this increases the contact patch which in turn provides more grip. Also, an aired-down tire is harder to puncture. The only problem with airing down is the fact that you need to air back up, but who cares when you have onboard air?
The New Tacoma Was Certainly Worth The Wait
As you can probably tell, the fact that the new Tacoma is more capable than ever is rather obvious. Toyota seems to have done a great job in making the truck even better and has even addressed the weird driving position of the old one. So, the Taco can now be enjoyed at its fullest by everyone regardless of how tall or short.
The new powertrains are a drastic improvement over the outgoing model and the newer off-road tech should enable the Taco to go further into the unknown. Sure, this is a much more complicated vehicle than the old one and therefore, it may not be as reliable. However, this is something that only time will tell us. So far, we are impressed with Toyota’s latest creation.