Toyota USA launched the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma last May 19th as the pioneer of the 4th-generation "Taco." The North American pickup truck community still has to wait until the latter months of 2023 for the first production Tacomas to roll out of dealerships, but many fans are already preparing their budgets.
For almost 20 years now, the Toyota Tacoma has reigned as the sales leader of the US midsize truck class. Judging from the successful launch of its fully-redesigned model, the Toyota Tacoma is poised to maintain its lead over rival pickup trucks like the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier. Among the new offerings in the all-new Taco lineup, the Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter has drawn in a significant amount of interest.
Toyota showcased the Trailhunter truck grade back in 2022 at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show (SEMA). The Tundra-based Trailhunter Concept came with exclusive features such as a revised suspension system, special bumpers, skid plates, exterior lighting, a rooftop tent, a roof rack, and even a refrigerator. All these unique Trailhunter features are designed to make the truck grade a complete overlanding package straight out of the showrooms.
After 2 years, the Trailhunter concept became a reality, albeit using the Tacoma as the base vehicle. If you're eyeing the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter as the next addition to your garage, then you're in the right place. Here are 5 advantages and 5 disadvantages that the Tacoma Trailhunter brings to the table.
10 Pro: The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Uses The Same Platform As The Revered Land Cruiser
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma uses the Toyota New Global Architecture – F (TNGA-F) platform, which also serves as the foundation of the newest Toyota and Lexus body-on-frame nameplates like the Land Cruiser, Tundra, Sequoia, Lexus LX, and the 2024 Lexus GX. TNGA platforms combine lighter yet stronger chassis and body materials with new powertrains to achieve a lower center of gravity, better on-road and off-road performance, higher fuel efficiency, and improved fuel economy.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma will come in 8 different trims – the SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, Limited, and the new range-topper, the Trailhunter. Each trim will leverage the TNGA platform to provide features and benefits that cater to their respective target customers. Tacoma Trailhunter buyers, as an example, may not be as interested in the fuel economy improvements, but they will certainly be drawn to the truck-based platform, the upgraded powertrains, and the enhanced off-road capabilities provided by the TNGA-F platform.
9 Pro: The 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter Comes With The Most Powerful Taco Engine Ever
The 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter will come exclusively with the redesigned Taco's top-spec powerplant: the i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine system. Using a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine paired with a 48-hp electric motor that draws power from a 1.87-kWh hybrid battery, the i-FORCE MAX system will produce 326 horses and 465 lb-ft of torque – the highest output on any production Tacoma to date.
With the i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine, the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter will outclass not only its predecessors but also its rivals like the Ford Ranger (270 hp, 310 lb-ft) and the Chevy Colorado (310 hp and 430 lb-ft). A hybrid 2024 Tacoma will even out-torque the upcoming 2024 Ford Ranger Raptor (405 hp, 430 lb-ft).
Toyota Tacoma Engine Output 2023 VS 2024
Toyota Tacoma Model Year | Engine | Displacement, Liters | Layout | Horsepower | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 2TR-FE | 2.7 | I4 | 159 hp | 180 lb-ft |
2GR-FKS | 3.5 | V6 | 278 hp | 265 lb-ft | |
2024 | T24A-FTS | 2.4 | Turbo I4 | 228-278 hp | 243-317 lb-ft |
T24A-FTS Hybrid | 2.4 | Turbo I4 Hybrid | 326 hp | 465 lb-ft |
8 Pro: The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Is An Overlanding Beast
As Toyota geared the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro more towards competitive off-road activities (high-speed desert racing, mud running, rock crawling, etc.), the Tacoma Trailhunter will now be in charge of the growing overlanding community. With the wide range of overlanding terrain in mind, Toyota gave the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter 2 additional inches of ride height at the front and 1.5 inches at the back. Taco designers achieved this elevation using Old Man Emu position-sensitive, forged monotube shocks (co-developed with Australian off-road expert ARB) and new 33-inch Goodyear Territory rugged terrain tires mounted on exclusive 18-inch, bronze-themed Trailhunter rims. These new Trailhunter tires are 2 inches larger in diameter compared to those of the 2023 Tacoma TRD Pro.
For even greater overlanding capabilities, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter also comes with an electronically-locking rear differential, a front sway bar disconnect feature, ARB steel bumpers and recovery points, a high-clearance exhaust tip, a high-mount air intake, high-strength skid plates, rock rails, an integrated high-output air compressor, and RIGID LED exterior lighting, among others.
2023 Tacoma TRD Pro VS 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter Tire Size
Tacoma Trim/Model Year | Tire Specifications | Rim Size, Inches | Overall Diameter, Inches | Tread Width, Inches | Sidewall Height, Inches | Tire Brand And Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 TRD Pro | 265/60/R16 | 16 | 30.6 | 10.4 | 7.3 | Goodyear Kevlar All-Terrain (A/T) |
2024 Trailhunter | 265/70/R18 | 18 | 32.6 | 10.4 | 7.3 | Goodyear Territory Rugged-Terrain (R/T) |
7 Pro: The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter's Overlanding Accessories Are Covered By Toyota's Warranty
Aside from providing a powerful engine, a rugged suspension and underbody setup, and off-road upgrades, the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter trim also offers a multitude of overlanding accessories from Toyota and other accredited third-party manufacturers. The 2024 Trailhunter comes standard with a bed utility bar with Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) panels, a 2,400-watt AC inverter, and strengthened frame cross members in preparation for the installation of overlanding accessories from Toyota Genuine Parts and the Associated Accessory Program (AAP).
Trailhunter buyers can improve their overlanding experience further with the addition of useful accessories such as the ARB bed rack, a rooftop tent, a canopy, a camp refrigerator, and even a camp shower. Furthermore, the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter can be outfitted with over 100 accessories from the AAP lineup, thus allowing Trailhunter buyers to customize their trucks to their own tastes and purposes. As icing on the cake, all these accessories can be added to the Tacoma buyer's monthly payments, and they will also be covered by Toyota's warranty.
6 Pro: JBL FLex Speakers Are Standard On The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter
To let Tacoma Trailhunter owners enjoy their music better at campsites or tailgate parties, Toyota outfitted the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter with a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system that includes a JBL Flex speaker and an externally-coupled subwoofer.
The JBL Flex speaker acts as the center channel speaker while docked on the dashboard. When undocked, the JBL Flex speaker will use its 6-hour battery to continue functioning as a portable, dirt-resistant Bluetooth speaker that can operate under 3 feet of water and can pair with other Toyota JBL Flex units. The externally-coupled subwoofer, on the other hand, mounts on the Tacoma's sheet metal body and vents to the outside air to provide decent low-frequency audio without needing a bulky enclosure.
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5 Cons: The 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter Didn't Get Toyota's New 10-Speed A/T
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter comes exclusively with a new 8-speed ECT-i. Although this new TNGA transmission definitely trumps the previous generation's 6-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with Intelligence (ECT-i) option, many Tacoma fans were expecting a better one – the 10-speed ECT-i that the current Tundra and Sequoia have. This expectation has good grounds, considering that the 2023 Nissan Frontier currently offers a 9-speed A/T and the 2023 Ford Ranger comes with a 10-speed A/T.
4 Cons: The 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter Doesn't Come With A Stick
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma will offer the new 6-speed intelligent manual transmission system (iMT2) that comes with automatic rev-matching and anti-stall functionality. Using the iMT2's "clutch start cancel" feature, drivers can start their engines while still in gear, thus discarding the need to depress the clutch pedal fully before engine ignition. This feature will prove its usefulness during tricky off-road situations.
Unfortunately, the iMT2 option is not available for the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter or any other i-FORCE MAX hybrid trim. Of course, full hybrid systems – those that can run on pure electric power for certain periods of time – are currently limited with regard to their transmission options. However, it is still quite ironic that the Trailhunter – an off-road-oriented variant – does not have a stick option.
2024 Toyota Tacoma Transmission Options
2024 Tacoma Trim Level | 8-speed A/T | 8-speed Hybrid A/T | 6-speed M/T |
|---|---|---|---|
SR | Standard | N/A | Optional |
SR5 | Standard | N/A | N/A |
TRD PreRunner | Standard | N/A | N/A |
TRD Sport | Standard | Optional | Optional |
TRD Off-Road | Standard | Optional | Optional |
Limited | Standard | Optional | N/A |
Trailhunter | N/A | Standard | N/A |
TRD Pro | N/A | Standard | N/A |
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3 Cons: The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Has A Lower Towing Capacity Than The Previous Year's Model
The 2023 Tacoma has a maximum tow rating of 6,800 lbs for the SR trim and 6,400 lbs for the top off-road variant, the TRD Pro. With the 2024 Tacoma's TNGA-F platform and its powerful hybrid engine, it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect the redesigned Taco to surpass the previous generation's towing capacity. However, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma only gets a 6,500-lb maximum towing capacity for its gas-only variants. Hybrid trims, like the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter, are rated even lower with 6,000 lbs.
2023 VS 2024 Toyota Tacoma Towing Capacity
Model and Trim | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
2023 Tacoma SR | 6,800 lbs (max for 2023) |
2023 Tacoma TRD Pro | 6,400 lbs |
2024 Tacoma SR5 | 6,500 lbs (max for 2024) |
2024 Tacoma Trailhunter | 6,000 lbs |
2 Cons: The 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter Will Cost A Pretty Penny
Toyota has yet to release the 2024 Toyota Tacoma's official sticker prices, but Kelley Blue Book forecasts that the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter will now be the most expensive trim in the Taco lineup. KBB estimates that the erstwhile range-topper TRD Pro will start at $49,000, while the Trailhunter will command $52,000 without any optional features.
The 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter will be much more expensive than the full-size 2023 Toyota Tundra SR, which starts only at $38,965. In fact, for the Trailhunter's forecasted $52,000 starting price, you can already get a brand-new Toyota Tundra in its posh Limited trim ($50,565 starting price).
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1 Cons: The 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter Has A Cramped Rear Legroom
The 2023 Tacoma's front legroom was a squeeze for drivers over 5'8" in height. Toyota hasn't released the 2024 Taco's final exterior and interior dimensions, but based on vehicle reviews during the launch event, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma's front-row legroom is now sufficient for 6-foot drivers. The 2nd-row legroom, however, seems to have suffered a bit.
Due to the 2024 Tacoma's front-row space adjustments and the placement of the hybrid traction batteries under the 2nd-row seats, all hybrid trims like the 2024 Tacoma Trailhunter seem to have sacrificed some rear passenger legroom.
