2024 Toyota Tacoma: The Truck That Thinks It’s Tougher Than You
The Toyota Tacoma has been the go-to mid-size truck for off-road enthusiasts, weekend warriors, and anyone who wants a vehicle that promises ruggedness in a world where most people buy trucks to drop kids off at soccer practice. It’s the truck that says, “I climb mountains and cross rivers on weekends,” even if your reality involves navigating city potholes and parking lots. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma, with its tough-guy image and long-standing reputation for reliability, comes into the market riding on the same wave of “indestructible” hype. But is it really the king of mid-size trucks, or is it just an aging warrior clinging to its throne?
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: the Tacoma’s design. Toyota hasn’t changed much here, and why should they? The Tacoma’s boxy, aggressive look is part of its charm. It’s got that “I’m here to get dirty” appearance that appeals to its loyal fanbase. The 2024 model still carries the squared-off fenders, bold grille, and high ride height that makes it look like it’s ready to scale a mountain or blast through a desert. But here’s where the controversy starts: while it looks rugged, it’s starting to look a bit dated.
The mid-size truck segment has evolved, with competitors like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado boasting sleeker, more modern designs. Next to them, the Tacoma’s rugged, old-school aesthetic is beginning to feel like it’s stuck in the early 2000s. Sure, it still looks tough, but it’s a little like that guy who peaked in high school and is still wearing his varsity jacket. The Tacoma hasn’t aged badly—it just hasn’t aged much at all.
But for many buyers, that’s the point. The Tacoma’s fans don’t want sleek and modern—they want a truck that looks like it can take a beating. And on that front, the Tacoma delivers. The TRD Pro version, in particular, takes this ruggedness to another level with its blacked-out grille, beefy tires, and optional snorkel. It practically dares you to take it off-road, even if your idea of adventure is driving through a muddy parking lot.
Inside the Tacoma, however, is where things really start to show their age. The 2024 Tacoma’s interior feels like it was designed by someone who’s never heard the words “luxury” or “tech.” The dashboard is covered in hard plastics, the buttons are large and chunky (great for gloved hands but not exactly premium), and the overall design is utilitarian to a fault. It’s functional, sure, but it’s also about as exciting as a rental car.
The infotainment system is serviceable, with a 7-inch or optional 8-inch touchscreen that gets the job done but doesn’t wow you. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, which is nice, but the overall user interface feels like it’s been lifted from a decade ago. The screen resolution is low, the response times are slow, and the whole setup feels like it’s lagging behind competitors, especially the more tech-laden interiors you’ll find in trucks like the Ford Ranger or Jeep Gladiator.
But let’s be honest: if you’re buying a Tacoma, you’re not doing it because you care about having the latest in-car tech. You’re buying it because you want a truck that can take a beating and go places where paved roads fear to tread. And in that department, the Tacoma still delivers. Its off-road credentials are legendary, and Toyota has done just enough to keep it competitive.
Under the hood, the 2024 Tacoma comes with two engine options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder that makes 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 that puts out 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Let’s be clear—if you’re buying the four-cylinder version, you’re doing it wrong. The base engine is underpowered for a truck of this size, struggling to move the Tacoma with any sense of urgency. It’s fine if you’re just using the truck to run errands around town, but if you plan to do anything remotely truck-like—towing, hauling, or even driving on the highway—you’re going to want the V6.
The V6, while better, still isn’t exactly a powerhouse. It’s adequate, but it’s not going to win any drag races. The Tacoma’s acceleration is fine for a truck, but it’s not what you’d call exhilarating. The 6-speed automatic transmission is also starting to show its age, with slow shifts and a tendency to hunt for gears, especially when climbing hills or overtaking on the highway. Again, it gets the job done, but it’s not particularly refined.
Where the Tacoma does shine, though, is off-road. This truck is built for the rough stuff, and it shows. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims come with all the bells and whistles you’d want for tackling trails—skid plates, Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, and off-road modes that adjust the throttle and traction control for different terrains. In the TRD Pro trim, you also get a higher ride height and beefier tires that make it even more capable in challenging conditions.
And that’s where the Tacoma earns its reputation. Take it off the pavement, and suddenly all the quirks and shortcomings make sense. The stiff ride that feels jittery on the highway suddenly becomes an asset when you’re bouncing over rocks and ruts. The lack of refinement becomes a strength when you’re plowing through mud, where luxury is the last thing on your mind. The Tacoma may not be the best truck for everyday driving, but off-road, it’s in its element. It’s a truck that doesn’t just survive rough terrain—it thrives in it.
Towing and hauling, however, are areas where the Tacoma’s “tough guy” image starts to unravel. The V6 model can tow up to 6,800 pounds, which is decent for a mid-size truck but falls short of rivals like the Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger, both of which can tow over 7,500 pounds. The payload capacity is similarly middling, with a max of 1,440 pounds. It’s fine for most people, but if you’re planning to use the Tacoma for serious work, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more capability.
On the road, the Tacoma’s ride is a mixed bag. The suspension is tuned for off-road use, which means it’s a bit stiff and bouncy on pavement, especially over rough roads. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s definitely more utilitarian than plush. The steering is light, but it lacks the precision you’ll find in some of the Tacoma’s more road-focused competitors. It’s great for off-roading, where you don’t need pinpoint accuracy, but on the highway, it feels a bit vague.
Fuel economy is another area where the Tacoma doesn’t exactly shine. The four-cylinder model gets up to 20 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway, while the V6 drops those numbers to 19 city and 24 highway. It’s not terrible, but it’s also not great—especially when compared to some of the turbocharged four-cylinder engines in rival trucks, which offer better performance and better fuel economy.
So, where does that leave us with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma? It’s a truck that’s great at what it’s always been great at: off-roading, reliability, and maintaining that tough-guy image. But when you look beyond the image, you start to see the cracks. The interior feels dated, the tech is behind the times, and the ride quality is more utilitarian than comfortable. It’s a truck that excels in the rough stuff but falls short in the day-to-day.
That said, the Tacoma has a loyal following for a reason. It’s a truck that’s built to last, and it’s a truck that can take you places where most vehicles would give up. If you’re someone who spends more time off-road than on, or if you value ruggedness over refinement, the Tacoma is still one of the best options in the mid-size truck segment. But if you’re looking for something that’s more versatile, more comfortable, and more modern, you might want to consider one of its more refined competitors.
In the end, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is a truck that knows what it is and doesn’t try to be anything else. It’s tough, it’s reliable, and it’s great off-road. But it’s also a little rough around the edges, and for some buyers, that might be part of its charm. Just don’t expect it to be the most comfortable or the most capable truck in every situation.
