First Drive: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Proves Modern and Feature-Rich

The up-level Max hybrid engine will help the Tacoma stand out among its chief body-on-frame competitors, all of which have been redesigned in the past two model years, starting with the Nissan Frontier. While turbocharged four-cylinder engines have become the norm in this class, the 326-horsepower hybrid is quite unique. It’s designed primarily to increase power and torque but will likely increase fuel economy slightly as well. For reference, the larger Tundra hybrid gets a 2 mpg increase overall compared with the non-hybrid version.

Another distinguishing feature is that the base SR truck is again a two-door extended cab with a 6-foot bed, now with a 228-hp turbo four-cylinder, making it a lower-cost configuration well suited for value shoppers and commercial use. Most trims come configured as four-door crew cabs with a 5- or 6-foot bed.

Throw in several off-road-focused trim levels, some serious adventure-ready hardware, and big screens, and the new Taco promises to be much more compelling than the outgoing version, much of it due to a fully boxed frame instead of the rear C-sectioned frame in the outgoing Tacoma. That enables a stiffer frame and in turn a quieter, more comfortable ride.

There’s a long list of trims, especially for the first year: SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro. Usually, specialized trims are added as vehicles age and buyers make their desires known. Toyota is coming right out of the gate targeting a range of off-road performance levels, a strategy aided by tapping two manufacturing plants for building the Tacoma.

Most versions of the Tacoma go on sale in December 2023, with the hybrid powertrain (and consequently the two top trims) scheduled to follow in the spring of 2024. 

Prices start at $31,500 for the SR XtraCab in 2WD configuration. They ladder up from there with the SR Double Cab 4WD ($36,900); TRD PreRunner XtraCab 2WD ($38,100); TRD Sport Double Cab 4WD ($40,900); TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4WD ($42,900); and Limited Double Cab 4WD ($52,100). Pricing for the top trims (Trailhunter and TRD Pro) with the hybrid engine will be released closer to their on-sale date. 

There are many trims, engines, and options for shoppers—and even writers—to parse through. Below, we’ll share the highlights and our initial experience with a Limited 4WD. 

If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert assessment of the Toyota Tacoma is available to you below. We have since purchased our own model, and we are completing the essential 2,000 break-in miles, after which we’ll put the Tacoma through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including empirical measurements of acceleration, braking, handling, car seat fit, and usability. CR members will have access to the full road-test results as soon as they’re available.

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What we rented: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Limited Double Cab 5’ Bed
Powertrain: 278-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine; 8-speed automatic transmission; 4WD 
MSRP: $52,100 
Options: Adaptive suspension ($395)
Destination fee: $1,495
Total cost: $53,990