AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING8.5/10
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Safety9.5/10
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PRACTICALITY8.0/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8.0/10
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FEATURES8.0/10
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POWER8.0/10
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COMFORT7.5/10
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DRIVING FEEL7.5/10
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FUEL ECONOMY8.0/10
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VALUE8.5/10
Toyota has a reputation for building durable pickup trucks that can withstand many years of hard work without skipping a beat.
While the 2024 Toyota Tacoma marks the debut of a new generation of the brand’s midsize truck, the overall formula is mostly unchanged except for a new engine under the hood. The V6 of old has been replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder that packs a big punch with smaller displacement. Graciously, a manual transmission is still available.
Styling: 8.5/10
After nearly a decade without a new body style, the 2024 Tacoma has a fresh new look. There’s more aggression overall, with a few extra creases and bulges to give it a more muscular appearance. The large lower air dam under the front bumper that comes with this tester’s TRD Sport+ package ($,3800) looks a little goofy, but the aerodynamic function over form is there to help highway fuel economy. The interior design gets a more angular look to complement the exterior, but like the rest of the truck, the overall flavour is similar to the old truck’s.
Safety: 9.5/10
The new Tacoma has a full suite of advanced driver aids, which are standard across the lineup. The systems include forward collision system with automatic braking, lane departure warning and tracing assistance, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, oncoming vehicle detection, pedestrian detection, road sign assist, automatic high-beam control, and adaptive cruise control.
As with many pickups, child seat installation is a challenge. If the lower anchors are attached (even loosely), there is zero access to the top tether anchor point for forward-facing seats.
Features: 8/10
Even the most affordable Tacoma trims come with a decent list of desirable features. Alloy wheels, touchscreen infotainment, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all included, while the TRD Sport+ package comes with extras like a wireless smartphone charger, automatic climate control, a power sunroof, and power rear window. The front seats have eight-way power adjustability, plus there’s a 10-speaker stereo with a removable Bluetooth speaker.
User-Friendliness: 8/10
The new Tacoma replicates most of the user-friendliness of the previous truck. Tailgate and bed access is a cinch, and the power sliding rear window is useful for ventilation in weather. Ingress and egress are reasonable, while visibility is better than it is in a larger half-ton pickup. The Tacoma’s smaller size will also help with manoeuvrability in parking lots and other environments.
There are plenty of hard buttons and knobs for everyday controls, and for the most part, they're laid out intuitively. The 12.3-inch digital instrument display is bright and legible, although its configuration is significantly more distracting than the system it replaces.
Practicality: 8/10
The Tacoma can still be a decently practical truck despite the five-foot bed fitted to this tester — the only one available with a manual transmission. Regardless of transmission choice, the Tacoma with the base engine can tow 2,905 kg (6,404 lb), which is more than the hybrid's 2,699 kg (5,950 lb). While these figures are lower than the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger are capable of, they closely match the Nissan Frontier’s 2,989 kg (6,590 lb).
Given that the Tacoma has earned a real-world reputation for toughness and durability, Toyota's lower ratings may have a thing or two to do with long-term reliability as opposed to overall capability. Ground clearance is 279 mm (11.0 in), and payload capacity is a fairly standard 690 kg (1,521 lb) in this tester’s configuration.
Comfort: 7.5/10
While the fancy off-road suspensions offered on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models ride noticeably better, the TRD Sport+’s sport-tuned combo still offers enough daily comfort. The new 2.4L four-cylinder engine is quiet, unobtrusive, and doesn't feel or sound buzzy compared to the old V6.
The double cab configuration is spacious enough to accommodate four adults, and front-seat comfort is significantly improved over the outgoing model, especially when it comes to thigh support for even those of average height. When child seats are installed, both front- and rear-seat legroom becomes compromised, but beyond that, interior dimensions are nearly unchanged in terms of leg-, head-, and shoulder room.
Interior plastics and materials feel hard and cheap to the touch but should wear well over time. At the same time, like almost every Toyota, fit and finish is impeccable.
Power: 8/10
When equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, the new 2.4L four-cylinder engine pumps out 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is a slight loss versus the 278 hp and 317 lb-ft with the eight-speed automatic. In either case, low-end torque is greatly improved over the old engine’s. While the old engine also had 278 hp, it had to make do with 265 lb-ft of torque at a much higher 4,600 rpm. In practice, this means less throttle and fewer downshifts are required for merging and passing.
Driving Feel: 7.5/10
The new engine is smaller and mightier than the V6 that it replaces. It takes full advantage of the newly added turbocharger and gives the Tacoma much more punch than ever before. While the V6 was smoother and sounded better, it needed to be revved much higher to achieve the same acceleration and felt much more laboured.
With the manual transmission, the shifter and clutch are easy to work with, but the pedal lacks any feedback at the engagement point. That’s fine in everyday driving, but it's a bit too easy to over-slip the clutch when towing and hauling.
The TRD Sport+ package comes with more conventional road-oriented 18-inch tires. They did well at highway cruising speeds regarding noise, handling response, and straight-line stability, especially compared to the more aggressive TRD Off Road, TRD Pro, or flagship Trailhunter. A move from hydraulic to electric power steering reduces steering effort at lower speeds. While previous Tacomas tended to have a long brake pedal that didn't inspire confidence, the 2024 has a better initial bite and a more responsive pedal.
Fuel Economy: 8/10
Compared to the old V6 with a manual transmission, the new Tacoma's engine improves the nominal fuel economy in the city (13.2 L/100 km) by just under five per cent. On the highway, there's a bigger improvement (10.3 L/100 km).
After a week of mixed driving, the observed economy came in at 11.2 L/100 km, which would have been unheard of in the days of six- and eight-cylinder trucks. While the more expensive hybrid models do a bit better in each metric, they're geared more towards power rather than economy. As with the handling and highway-speed stability, expect worse consumption numbers from Tacoma models that feature knobbier off-road rubber. Fuel tank capacity is 69 L, and regular-grade gas is acceptable.
Value: 8.5/10
At an as-tested price of $54,270 before tax, this tester represents a sweet spot in the Tacoma range regardless of transmission or bed size selected. Pricing for higher grade models such as the Limited, TRD Pro, or Trailhunter can escalate very quickly, and while they look a lot cooler, this version offers a lot of truck for the money.
The Verdict
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is a formidable updated alternative in the midsize pickup segment. The outgoing model had strong demand throughout its run between 2015 and 2023, and there's no reason the 2024 model won't do the same. With more bravado in its styling and under the hood, the Taco is ready to work and play hard as a right-size truck for most consumers.
| Engine Displacement | 2.4L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 270 hp @ 5,400 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 310 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 13.2 / 10.3 / 11.9 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 5’0” / 1,532 mm bed |
| Model Tested | 2024 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 6M |
| Base Price | $48,540 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $1,930 |
| Price as Tested | $54,370 |
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Optional Equipment
$3,800 — TRD Sport+ package, $3,800
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