2024 Toyota Tacoma First Drive Review: A Comfy, Capable Midsize Tundra

Redesigning a best-seller can be a daunting job. That's especially true if you're talking about a best-seller in a segment as crucial as the midsize truck category. Screw it up and you can kiss that sweet, sweet market share goodbye; get it right, though, and you can gain even more. I'm nearly positive the latter will be the case with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma.

Fresh out of the box, the new Taco aims to defend its title by offering customers more of what they've always loved while ushering in new features to put rivals on their back foot. It has long set the bar for midsize trucks, meaning when the Tacoma does something, the competition listens. And while much of the traditional pickup formula stays the same, Toyota has gone to great lengths to roll out a truck with the best trends and technologies available.

It's too early to say without getting more seat time, but the 2024 Tacoma surely seems like a winner.

The Basics

The Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling midsize truck for years, besting its rivals from Ford, GM, and Nissan. Really, it hasn't been close, even as the previous generation grew old and outdated. Toyota's smaller truck is finally new for 2024, however, and now it's built on the same TNGA-F platform as the full-size Tundra as well as the Sequoia and Land Cruiser SUVs.

A complete exterior and interior redesign are the headlining changes for the pickup, along with a new optional hybrid power plant. There's also a new hardcore off-road trim called the Trailhunter. The front fascia is styled in a way that makes the Tacoma look taller than it actually is, and there's also a huge air dam under the front bumper that looks a bit silly. Toyota says the uptick in fuel economy is enough to justify it. The front lighting elements are quite stylish, making the grille and headlight ensemble look like something from the Lexus side of the company. The profile and rear of the truck scream "Mini Tundra," which is ultimately what the Tacoma feels like. More on this later.

The cabin has been completely redone with modern comfort in mind. Even the base SR trim feels surprisingly nice and well-appointed with a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and an 8-inch center touchscreen. The chunky controls feel good to the touch and are easy to operate. Buyers can opt for a 14-inch touchscreen as they climb the lineup ladder, and they can also spec a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Lastly, the seats have been redesigned and are considerably more ergonomic than before, while Toyota claims there's now three times more under-seat storage space in the rear, at least for non-hybrid models. Tacomas come in two cab configurations: XtraCab, which offers two opening doors with more room behind the seats, and the traditional Double Cab with four opening doors.

All Tacomas are powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, though there are a couple of different versions. Boasting 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque, the engine in base-model SR trucks can be had in rear-wheel- or four-wheel-drive configuration but can only be paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission. SR5 trucks and up can be equipped with this engine in both automatic and six-speed manual configurations, as well as with rear- and four-wheel drive. Power output jumps to 270 hp for the manual and 278 for the automatic. Limited trim trucks can be equipped with the hybrid engine that adds a 1.87-kilowatt-hour battery and a transmission-mounted electric motor to make 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 6,500 pounds.