4th-Gen Toyota Tacoma Summed Up in 4 Cool Features and Details

Following a long series of teasers, Toyota finally introduced the redesigned 2024 Tacoma late last month. The best-selling midsize pickup in Canada is significantly transformed, but then again, it didn’t have much choice.

Ford is about to launch the North American variant of the next-generation Ranger, while GM’s new-for-2023 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon continue to raise the bar with increasingly rugged and capable trucks.

What does Toyota bring to the table? We won’t go over every detail and feature, obviously, but here are four that make this fourth-generation Tacoma stand out:

1. The only hybrid powertrain in the segment

First, let’s start with the most important thing: the V6 is gone. The 2024 Tacoma comes standard with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft. of torque when paired with the new eight-speed automatic transmission, or 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. with the returning six-speed manual gearbox.

Optionally, the Tacoma’s new i-FORCE MAX powertrain gives customers the only hybrid pickup in the segment. It pairs the 2.4-litre engine with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission, resulting in a total system output of 326 horsepower and a whopping 465 lb-ft. of torque—nearly doubling the torque output of the old V6.

2. A Tacoma for remote trails and big adventures

The new Tacoma also marks the debut of the Trailhunter grade, which was first revealed as a concept at the 2022 SEMA show. It’s a purpose-built overlanding rig available right off the dealer lot, and it can be specified with a full bed rack to support additional gear like rooftop tents, canopies or a camp shower.

Riding on a new Old Man Emu (OME) 4×4 suspension from renowned Australian company ARB, plus 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires, this Japanese kangaroo boasts rock rails and a multitude of high-strength steel skid plates, as well as integrated bedside scene lights that help illuminate the area surrounding the bed for setting up camp at night.

3. The most sophisticated seats you can find

The suspension on the 2024 Tacoma is impressive enough, but get this: the TRD Pro model debuts segment-first IsoDynamic Performance Seats that stabilize the driver and front passenger’s field of vision to improve focus, comfort, and reduce fatigue while on demanding trails.

These advanced buckets feature an air-over-oil shock absorber system allowing for vertical and lateral seat movement simultaneously to dampen body movement and stabilize the head and neck to keep alignment with the spine. This dampening effect is tunable based on body mass and occupant preference and can be bypassed if desired via levers on the seatbacks. How incredible is that?

4. The life of the party

There are so many other cool things to discover when it comes to the new 2024 Tacoma, like a QR code in a hidden side pocket on the dashboard that directs owners to the Toyota website for dimensions to design and 3D print their own accessories such as a lantern, multitool or toolkit.

We’ll wrap this up with a feature that music lovers are sure to appreciate. The Tacoma now offers a premium 10-speaker JBL audio upgrade, including a new externally coupled subwoofer for improved output and a JBL FLEX portable speaker. When docked on the dash, the JBL FLEX charges and operates as the centre channel speaker. When undocked, it turns into a Bluetooth speaker that can run for up to six hours and pair with other JBL FLEX portable speakers. Heck, it can even be submerged in up to three feet of water.