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Jun 04, 2023

10 Changes Confirmed For The 2024 Toyota Tacoma's Interior And Redesign

The eagerly anticipated 2024 Toyota Tacoma is finally here, and we have all its

The eagerly anticipated 2024 Toyota Tacoma is finally here, and we have all its juicy details.

It's official – the 2024 Toyota Tacoma has launched, and "Taco" fans are brimming with excitement. The Japanese automaker has been building up the excitement with a series of official teasers about the new specs, features, and trims of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma since early April of this year. Most recently, a leaked photo of a white production Tacoma circulated online, but we've gone pass that, as we now have the official images.

Pickup trucks accounted for roughly 20% of America's passenger vehicle sales in 2022, and in this highly competitive segment, the Toyota Tacoma leads the midsize class against rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and GMC Canyon. In fact, the Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling midsize pickup truck for almost two decades now. Among the competing pickup trucks, the Tacoma has been a market favorite due to its affordability, utility, design, reliability, good resale value, and off-road performance.

The 2024 Tacoma is designed, engineered, and assembled for North America, and it will be available on sale later in the year. According to Toyota, the i-FORCE MAX models will be available in early 2024. As a completely redesigned all-new model, what does the 2024 Tacoma bring to the table this time around? From what we now know about the new Tacoma, it's a lot. If you're a Taco fan, this is the perfect read for you. Here are 10 confirmed changes that the 2024 Toyota Tacoma got.

RELATED: Why The Next-Gen 2024 Toyota Tacoma Reveal On May 19 Is Such A Big Deal

Before the circulation of the supposedly leaked Tacoma image, our HotCars team has released some digital renders of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Both the leaked image and the digital renders point to a new body based on the Toyota New Global Architecture – F (TNGA-F) platform – the same one used by other full-size Toyota models like the Sequoia, Tundra, Land Cruiser 300, and Lexus LX. Our render was spot on. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma adopted the TNGA-F global truck platform. By using lightweight and more durable body construction elements with new powertrains, the TNGA platform produces a lower center of gravity, better fuel efficiency, and overall, better on-road and off-road performance for Toyota vehicles.

Also, Toyota strengthened the frame crossmembers for more durability and to help handle Toyota-available overlanding gears.

Powering the 2024 Toyota Tacoma are two potent and incredibly efficient powertrains that both adopts a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This turbocharged engine is good for 228 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft. of torque in the entry level SR grades. Of course, the output only gets better in the higher grades as it boasts 278 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque when mated to the newly developed eight-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).

Because of the new I-4 engine's respectable horsepower and torque, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma will be at par with the current Ford Ranger (270 hp, 310 lb-ft). However, both of them will still lag behind the current Chevy Colorado (up to 310 hp and 430 lb-ft). Fortunately, Toyota has an electrified solution for this: the i-FORCE MAX Hybrid engine system. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain is standard on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models, but also available on the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited.

This is the most potent powertrain ever offered on Tacoma. The 2024 Tacoma hybrid powertrain features the 2.4-liter engine paired with a 48-hp electric motor and a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery pack, mated to an eight-speed transmission for a total output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque.

There is a newly available multi-link rear suspension on the 2024 Toyota Tacoma for improved ride and handing characteristics. Toyota adopted a set of coils as against the leaf springs available in the previous Tacoma model. Nonetheless, Toyota hasn't completely ditched the leaf springs as they are standard on the feature on SR, SR5 XtraCab, and TRD PreRunner grades.

Also, the new Tacoma now has suspensions that are specially tuned for each grade. There's the more responsive sport-tuned shocks for better feel on the TRD Sport. Monotube Bilstein remote reservoir shocks for the TRD Off-Road grade provides better heat release and extended wheel travel, while the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro has FOX's QS3 three-way adjustable internal bypass shocks for a better high speed off-road performance.

For many pickup truck owners – especially the traditional and hardcore off-road enthusiasts – you're not really driving a truck if you're not driving a stick. These manual transmission fans are a dwindling breed, but in the world of performance off-road machines, they are still very influential. For decades, the Taco has been a highly-appealing midsize pickup to this group because the Toyota midsize truck still offers a 6-speed M/T option.

Impressively, driving enthusiasts have a reason to be happy - the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is available with a manual transmission. To be precise, it's a six-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT2) provided with automatic rev matching and anti-stall technology, helping the Tacoma to an output of 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque.

RELATED: 2024 Toyota 4Runner Redesign: All The Changes You Need To Know

In 2022, Toyota announced the development of a new Trailhunter grade of its trucks using a Tundra-based Trailhunter Concept vehicle at the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show (SEMA). The Toyota concept truck displayed at this show got equipped with a Trailhunter-exclusive suspension setup, a roof rack, skid plates, bumpers, exterior lighting, a rooftop tent, and even a refrigerator – all engineered specifically for overlanding activities. Toyota's vision is to make the Trailhunter grade a complete package that adventurous campers and overlanders can get straight out of dealerships, with Toyota Genuine and available Associated Accessory Products all covered by Toyota's vehicle warranty.

This has become a reality with the 2024 Tacoma with a factory-developed overlander straight from Toyota. Notably, for the Trailhunter, features like forged monotube shocks, bed utility bar, steel rear bumper, and robust rear recovery point, among others were co-developed with renowned ARB – Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of 4×4 accessories.

The 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro is renowned for its go-fast, desert running attributes, and these attributes have only been improved in the 2024 model. Thanks to Fox's internal bypass 2.5-inch manual modal Quick Switch 3 (QS3), the Tacoma TRD Pro's shocks can be set to three different modes through the dials on the shock bodies. For a highly optimize front geometry and reduce unsprung weight, Toyota did well to fit the model with red aluminum front TRD upper control arms.

Anyone behind the wheels or on the passenger's front seat of the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro get to have a smooth, confidence-inspiring ride, thanks to the segment-first IsoDynamic Performance Seat. This seat stabilizes the driver's field of vision using an air-over-oil shock absorber system for improved focus, comfort, and a reduction of fatigue on difficult trails.

Toyota is offering the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the latest suite of active safety features and driver-assist systems from the company. The safety suite includes system sensors with upgraded detection capacity, while the features on the suite include Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full, Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and newly added Proactive Driving Assist.

Other features in the suite include Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Hill Start Assist Control (HAC).

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma's interior has been significantly upgraded with the latest technology and information screens. The model features a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster on higher grades, while the lower grades have a 7-inch gauge cluster. Toyota's latest Audio Multimedia system is displayed through either Toyota's new 8-inch or 14-inch multimedia touchscreen. The multimedia system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Furthermore, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma is available with a Smart Key System with push-button start as standard on all grades. With a compatible smartphone and active Remote Connect, a connected Digital Key allows vehicle entry, tailgate access, and vehicle starting.

RELATED: 10 Reasons To Trade In Your Old Toyota For The 2024 4Runner

To allow Tacoma off-roaders and overlanders to enjoy their music (or radio news) better during camping and tailgate parties, Toyota gave the 2024 Tacoma a JBL premium audio system with accompanying JBL Flex portable speakers. These Flex speakers can get detached from their dashboard docks and brought outside the cabin to pump out the infotainment system's audio, presumably via Bluetooth connection.

The system also features a new externally coupled subwoofer for the most effective output even when outdoors. The JBL FLEX can be charged when it's docked on the dash, while it also simultaneously serves as the center channel speaker. With a full charge, the JBL FLEX speaker can last up to six hours, and it can also remain functional three feet underwater.

Ron has worked in the strategy and marketing departments of a few automotive brands. When he's not writing about cars, he likes to analyze auto industry data to share with fellow enthusiasts.. or his pet dogs.