2024 Tacoma Buyers Guide: Making the Most of Toyota’s Long Awaited, All-New Taco
At long last the 2024 Toyota Tacoma has arrived, and as you read this the first deliveries should be happening any time.
If you haven’t been following, the new ’24 Tacoma marks the first ground-up redesign the Tacoma has had since the mid 2000s. We’re talking a brand new new platform, new engines, new tech, new trim levels and more.
Needless to say, this is a big deal given the strong love affair enthusiasts have for Toyota trucks, and the Tacoma in particular. And there are now more options than ever for a new Tacoma buyer.
So let’s take a quick through the trim levels and powertrain offerings to see if we can’t figure out the ideal spec for enthusiasts, budget buyers or those looking for maximum capability off the showroom floor.
Coil Springs, Leaf Springs and More
As before, the entry model continues to be the Tacoma SR. Like all ’24 Tacomas, it’s powered by a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but when paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission the engine is detuned to make 228hp and 243 pound-feet of torque.
Interestingly, if you opt for the six-speed manual transmission instead, your Tacoma SR will get a higher output 2.4 turbo that makes the 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque.
Right off the bat, that makes a base model SR with four-wheel-drive and stick shift a nice budget enthusiast pick, with an MSRP a little over $38,000.
Next up the chain comes the SR5 model, and here’s where things start get interesting. The SR5 doesn’t just add creature comforts and tech, depending on which version you choose it also comes with a different rear suspension.
The SR5 Xtra Cab gets the same leaf spring rear suspension as the SR, while the SR5 Double Cab gets the a new multi-link, coil spring rear suspension (still live axle of course).
Stepping up the SR5 (and and model above it) also gets you the more powerful version of the 2.4L turbo with 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. No manual transmission is available on this model. Look for a no-option SR5 4x4 to have an MSRP just under $42,000.
Pick Your TRD
Next comes an interesting option: the TRD PreRunner. As its name suggests, it comes only in two-wheel-drive with an auto transmission, and is only available in the smaller, Xtra Cab body style. It also gets the leaf spring suspension, which could be a pro or a con depending on what you want to do with your truck.
It gets some nice upgrades, like an electronically locking rear diff, skid plates, and unique wheels with larger tires. If you want a PreRunner or don’t need a 4x4 (or the larger cab) the PreRunner has a base price under $40,000.
Next up the chain is the Tacoma TRD Sport. Geared more for on-road driving, this one naturally gets the new coil spring rear suspension, along with larger 18-inch wheels and can be had with the six-speed manual transmission if you’d like.
In 4x4, Double Cab trim with the eight-speed auto, a ’24 Tacoma TRD Sport will have an MSRP just over $44,000 before you start adding options.
TRD Off-Road: Still the Sweet Spot?
Typically, the Tacoma TRD Off-Road has been the sweet spot for 4x4 enthusiasts as its offers some great hardware and unique looks without the excessive price of the TRD Pro. And that should continue to be the case for 2024.
All TRD Off-Roads come with the Double Cab layout and four-wheel drive, and it can be had with either the eight-speed auto or the manual.
The Off-Road trim brings a lot of substantial upgrades, including skid plates, locking rear diff, larger tires, multiple terrain modes and more. For an extra $1230 you can also add disconnecting sway bars.
Before you add options a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Road automatic will be a little over $44,000 before you start adding options and opting for the manual transmission will save you around $1200 if you are so inclined.
If you still think of a Tacoma being the “cheap” truck it was 10 or 20 years ago, that price might sound high, but by brand new pickup truck standards we’d say the TRD Off-Road is reasonably priced for what you get.
Last but not least (for now) is the Tacoma Limited. This is the luxury trim, with nicer seats, a sunroof and all the other amenities like a power tailgate and power running boards.
Available only as a Double Cab 4x4 with the automatic transmission, the fully loaded Limited will set you back over $53,000.
Hybrids, TRD Pro and Trailhunter?
If you’ve been following new Tacoma news since last year, you’ll probably notice a few things missing from this list. First is the available i-Force Max hybrid option, which improves both output and fuel economy of the 2.4 turbo engine.
Toyota is rolling out the hybrid models after the normal ones, but when it arrives the hybrid powertrain upgrade will be available on the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and Limited trims. Pricing for the hybrid option hasn’t been released yet, but expect it to be at least a few thousand dollars more.
The i-Force Max powertrain will also be standard on the two upcoming top Tacoma trims, the popular flagship TRD Pro and the new Trailhunter, which is aimed to be a factory-built overland machine.
The MSRP for the ’24 Tacoma TRD Pro, with its suspension seats and all its other off-road toys could be in the $60,000s when it arrives at dealers. That not only makes it a lot more expensive than before, but really more of its own dedicated model. The same goes for the new Trailhunter when it arrives.
When they do arrive, they’ll only serve to top off a Tacoma lineup that has more options than ever before. And that's all before you get to the endless aftermarket paths for taking it even further.
Now if we can just get Toyota to bring back the old X-Runner, maybe rebranded as the “GR Tacoma” for street performance…
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