Tundra Jr: All-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma unleashed
Next-generation Toyota Tacoma revealed with i-Force Max turbo powertrain
After a long and tedious teaser campaign, Toyota has officially revealed its all-new midsize pickup truck. Say hello to the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, and boy does it look lean and mean than its predecessor.
Borrowing some inspiration from its bigger brother the Tundra, the next-generation Tacoma is bulkier, more chiseled, and is equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology from Toyota. In addition, it now sits on Toyota's new global truck platform and is powered by the i-Force turbocharged engine.
Starting with its design, the Tacoma features a more chiseled exterior with a bold grille at the front, aggressive LED headlights, flared wheel arches, a vented hood, new LED taillights, and more defined character lines. Depending on the trim, the 2024 Tacoma can come with 17-inch steelies or stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, generous bits of chrome or blacked-out accents, as well as rugged bumpers for the toughest of off-road conditions.
Inside, more styling elements from the Tundra can be seen with its more rugged-looking cabin. From the flat-bottom steering wheel, digital instrument cluster available in 7- or 12.3-inches, two-tier dashboard, and redesigned center stack, the 2024 Tacoma looks loaded.
Other available amenities include an 8- or 14-inch touchscreen infotainment, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a host of USB-C charging ports, cargo space underneath the rear seats, ventilated front seats, a moonroof, a 10-speaker JBL sound system, a digital rearview mirror, a heads-up display, hidden storage bins, and MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) panels.
The 2.7-liter naturally-aspirated inline-four that powered the Tacoma through the years has been retired. Replacing it is a new 2.4-liter i-Force turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It makes 231 PS with 329 Nm of torque when coupled to an 8-speed automatic. When mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, however, the turbocharged engine cranks out 274 PS and 420 Nm of torque. What's more, the manual gearbox benefits from rev-match and anti-stall technology for ease of driving.
But for those who really want a powerful Tacoma, there's also the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. It too comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four but is assisted by a 1.87 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery and an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic. The result is a total system output of 331 PS and a meaty 630 Nm of pulling power.
Regular models of the 2024 Tacoma will come in RWD and a limited-slip differential as standard. Meanwhile, 4WD variants will get a two-speed transfer case and active traction control for improved capability off-road. But for those who need something in case the going gets tough, there's the full-time 4WD version that's reserved for the TRD and Trailhunter variants. They come with a center locking differential and an electronic locking rear differential for improved traction over any terrain.
In case we haven't mentioned it yet, the all-new Tacoma now sits on the TNGA-F global truck platform shared with the Sequoia and Tundra. It now comes with a high-strength boxed steel ladder frame and a redesigned coil rear suspension that they claim improves ride and handling characteristics.
For the first time, the all-new 2024 Tacoma has been fitted with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 This gives the pickup truck a bevy of intelligent driver aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, a pre-collision system, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and road sign assist.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma will go on sale later this year, with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain coming at a later date. Toyota Motor Philippines might not be offering it officially in the country, but expect gray market importers to get their hands on one very soon.
