Toyota on Thursday revealed a brand new technology of its mid-size Tacoma pickup truck that, eventually, improves just about every little thing concerning the lineup—and provides a hybrid—whereas remaining in a package deal that everybody will immediately determine as a Tacoma. 

The brand new Tacoma gained’t fairly fulfill everybody. Though with rather more tech inside and extra variations than ever—particularly for off-roading—the Tacoma is now not for Luddites. The brand new variations are no longer than the outgoing ones, however they don’t seem to be going again to their compact-truck roots both. Additional, Toyota hasn’t precisely positioned the Tacoma hybrid for breakthrough mpg. However for a lot of of this badge’s loyal fanatics, it might reply what they had been on the lookout for in a subsequent truck. 

What hasn’t been talked about but is the Toyota Tacoma EV that was teased in idea kind in 2021 however not but confirmed as production-bound—despite the fact that, as one survey discovered final yr, millennials actually need to make it so. 

The demand for that mannequin arguably already exists. In accordance with current knowledge from CarMax, the Tacoma is among the commonest fashions traded in for a Tesla. 

2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport

2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport

2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport

Toyota Tacoma hybrid mpg

As for the Tacoma hybrid, don’t guess on it to greatest the 40-mpg metropolis Ford Maverick Hybrid in gas financial system. Given the i-Power Max badge just like the bigger Tundra hybrid, Toyota seems to be casting it because the workhorse of the lineup. Its focus could also be extra towards towing and hauling—and changing the bigger outgoing V-6 engine—than in establishing trend-setting gas financial system. Toyota says that the Tacoma hybrid is ready to ascend an 8% freeway grade with out the necessity to downshift, and it’s highlighting the torque of the system in centered off-road variations. 

The Tacoma hybrid will pair a 2.4-liter inline-4 with a 48-hp motor built-in into the 8-speed automated transmission—primarily at its enter shaft, however permitting the engine to be clutched out. A 1.87-kwh nickel-metal hydride battery pack shops away extra vitality from braking and idling, boosting the engine when accelerating, and certain providing some low-speed electric-only operation. Altogether it’s probably the most highly effective alternative within the Tacoma, making a mixed 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. 

Toyota hasn’t revealed gas financial system numbers for the Tacoma lineup but, and it says estimates for all variations will likely be revealed nearer to their on-sale dates. For reference, the Tundra hybrid charges as much as 20 mpg metropolis, 24 freeway, and 22 mixed, though that greater truck has a probable thirstier 3.4-liter V-6 as a substitute. 

2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Professional

Tacoma variations shift the main target off-road

The brand new Tacoma is obtainable in two-door XtraCab kind with the six-foot mattress, or in four-door prolonged cab kind with both a five-foot or six-foot mattress, and with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. As within the present mannequin, the 2024 Tacoma will proceed to be provided in an enormous vary of variations to swimsuit makes use of starting from fundamental work vehicles to specialised off-road machines—together with SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off Highway, Restricted, TRD Professional, and a brand new Trailhunter model. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are included in all fashions, with a base 8.0-inch touchscreen interface. Restricted variations get an influence sunroof, a head-up show, an enormous 14.0-inch touchscreen, JBL audio, and a brand new adaptive variable suspension. A Sensible Key system is included on all grades, whereas smartphone-based Digital Key and credit-card-like Sensible Card techniques can be found. And a conveyable JBL Bluetooth speaker is on the market as a coordinated accent with the JBL audio improve. 

Security tech can be modern, with the Tacoma getting the automaker’s Security Sense 3.0 suite that features automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lively lane management, road-sign recognition, an enhanced adaptive cruise management system, and extra. 

2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD PreRunner

2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD PreRunner

2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD PreRunner

Tacoma hybrid: Plug in for two.4 kw

Hybrid fashions include a 2,400-watt AC inverter, whereas non-hybrids get a 400-watt AC inverter. Toyota notes that there’s a cargo shelf constructed into the sprint, and non-hybrid variations get thrice extra cargo stow area beneath the rear seats versus the outgoing fashions (the hybrid stows its battery in that area). 

Toyota additionally jumps aboard the overlanding craze with a Trailhunter trim that comes with its personal specifically tuned suspension geometry, Fox inside bypass shocks with three completely different settings, and a multi-link rear suspension with Fox bump stops. A TRD Professional model sits a number of inches larger and wider, with rugged terrain tires, skid plates, and high-clearance bumpers. It even comes with its personal shock-absorbing efficiency entrance seats. 

The Tacoma will likely be made in Mexico and is because of arrive later this yr, with hybrid variations arriving early in 2024.