- The Toyota Tacoma brings high-tech to the truck world
- Pricing starts at $32,995, including the destination charge | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Toyota Tacoma models for sale near you
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma arrives wearing a new look with a familiar vibe. There are two body styles this year and two bed lengths. The XtraCab models come with a 6-foot bed, while the Double Cab offers a choice between a 5-foot or 6-foot bed, depending on trim. Speaking of trims, the Tacoma provides eight distinct choices: base SR, sporty SR5, street-ready TRD PreRunner, sleek TRD Sport, rugged TRD Off-Road, the even more rugged TRD Pro, luxurious Limited, and trail-ready Trailhunter.
Like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, the newest Tacoma jettisons its V6 engine option in favor of a turbocharged 4-cylinder. In this case it’s a 2.4-liter that offers a hybrid boost with the i-Force Max option available on the TRD Off-Road, Limited, and Trailhunter. Naturally, optional 4-wheel-drive is expected, but a 6-speed manual transmission available on the SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road is a pleasant surprise. Standard is an 8-speed automatic.
But enough truck stuff — let’s take a gander inside and see what makes the Toyota Tacoma so user-friendly.
Passenger Room and Comfort
As the Tacoma comes in only two cab styles, everything we say about the Double Cab pretty much applies to the XtraCab from the front seats forward. If you go with the smaller XtraCab, just be aware it does not include rear seats of any kind, but rather ample open cargo space behind the front seats.
Our own Micah Muzio found the new Tacoma’s cabin significantly improved over last year’s design, with a higher driver’s seat cushion that provides an improved seating position over past models. This higher position gives a commanding view ahead and makes long trips more comfortable. The new positioning also makes it easier to exit and enter the truck.
With 33.7 inches of legroom, rear-seat accommodations in the Double Cab are snug, especially if the driver and front passenger are 6 feet or taller. Besides the somewhat upright seating position, we rate overall rear seat comfort as good, but only for the two sitting in the outboard seats. A third in the middle best be a child, or they won’t be happy for long.
Features and Tech
Regarding features, the Tacoma is highly impressive out of the gate. Even the base SR features power windows and door locks, push-button start, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Moreover, it comes standard with a full roster of active safety and driver assistance features that cost extra in other trucks, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, road sign assist, and more. Moving up the trim ladder brings a 14-inch touchscreen and a configurable digital instrument cluster like the one in the larger Tundra pickup.
Depending on the trim, Tacoma owners enjoy heated and ventilated front seats, a power moonroof, a power sliding rear window, and a heated steering wheel. Music lovers can wrap themselves in their favorite tunes courtesy of a 14-speaker JBL audio upgrade complete with a removable Bluetooth JBL speaker. The available head-up display lets the driver see important information without taking their eyes off the road.
Serious off-roaders can opt for a 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor providing a 360-degree view outside the vehicle, including a view from the front bumper. This upgrade is a no-brainer for anyone who has ever scraped a rock because they couldn’t see past the hood when ascending a steep hill.
Materials and Design
Toyota has stepped up its game with the Tacoma, using better plastics and soft-touch materials while maintaining the look and versatility truck buyers have come to expect. Base models use durable cloth upholstery, while higher trims get a synthetic leather-like covering called SoftTex. We like it for its water-resistant properties and easy-to-clean simplicity.
The dash design is equally simple, with large rotary knobs for the climate controls and a slighter smaller center knob controlling audio volume. They’re easy to operate when wearing work gloves, as is the rotary center controller operating the 4WD modes.
If you’re looking at the TRD Pro, you’ll get a set of IsoDynamic performance seats that employ air-over-oil shock absorbers built into the seat. The design allows for simultaneous vertical and horizontal seat movement, helping stabilize the head and neck when traversing cabin-shaking boulder-strewn trails.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
The Tacoma Double Cab models provide a rear seat with additional storage underneath. However, the batteries eat that space if you go with the hybrid engine. The XtraCab adds a durable plastic pegboard panel on the back wall and lockable storage bins on the floor.
Ever find yourself out at the jobsite with no place to spread out documents or work on a laptop? It’s not a problem in this cabin as the Tacoma’s passenger seat can fold flat, creating a small but usable work surface.
Moving to the truck bed, we find four fixed cargo bed tie-downs, but Tacoma buyers can upgrade to a deck rail system with adjustable tie-down cleats. Gas models offer a 400W/120-volt inverter in the bed and cab, while hybrid models go further with a 1200W/120-volt setup. Depending on the trim, there are also additional lockable bed storage systems.
An available power-operated tailgate makes loading the bed much more accessible, with clever quick-release buttons built into the taillight assemblies. Hands full and can’t reach the buttons? No problem. Just start the gate moving upward with your knee, and it will automatically close.
Build and price your own version of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma to see this week’s Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price, or check out Toyota Tacoma models for sale near you.
