Despite Toyota having revealed the redesigned mid-sized Tacoma pickup for the 2024 model year last spring, the company has waited until now to announce pricing. That may have been because the brand’s best-selling truck is accompanied by some unhappy price increases. Though the pickup has also been modernized, potentially softening the blow for some who liked the vehicle’s reputation for reliability and simply thought it was a little rough around the edges.
The base Tacoma now costs nearly $3,000 more than it did last year. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma starts at $32,995, with more desirable trims seeing even larger disparities with the 2023 model year.
For example, the SR5 is seeing over $5,000 added to its bottom line.
However, a large portion of that can be attributed to Toyota swapping to a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder engine that makes 270 horses and 310 pound-feet of torque paired to the eight-speed automatic transmission (you get a little more if you option the manual). While the 2023 model year’s base 2.7-liter four was famous for its reliability, it was also woefully under-powered at just 159 hp and 180 pound-feet.
While your author has long believed that Toyota’s under-stressed and over-built powertrains are a big reason why it has been so successful over the years, emissions regulations and competition have encouraged it to run with forced-induction. The new motor also gives the Tacoma the ability to offer the similar performance specs as the formerly optional 3.5-liter V6 while likewise serving as the truck’s singular powertrain.
Some models may only offer 228 horsepower while others receive a hybridized 326 hp and 465 pound-feet (by way of the iForceMax). But they’ll all be based around the same 2.4-liter turbo engine.
Though there doesn’t appear to be a lot of ways to configure the model to cost the same as it used to. Even when compared to V6-equipped Tacomas from last year, the 2024 model year still tends to be a couple grand more on average. There’s just too many ways to equip the truck to do direct comparisons and too many changes made. Some models come with revised suspension systems while extended cab variants might still use holdover hardware. Meanwhile, certain cab configurations have been nixed in favor of bringing back legacy trims like the TRD PreRunner (starting at $39,595).
If you want a comprehensive look at all the changes made, check out our rundown on the 2024 Toyota Tacoma debut. Otherwise, know that optioning all-wheel drive will set you back about $3,200 in most cases. Selecting an automatic transmission will also add $800 unless the trim only comes with an automatic and opting for the longer bed will also set you back a few hundred bucks. Ditto for going with the bigger cabin.
Though if you want to jump straight into a package that offers the big mechanical upgrades and a crew cab, the TRD Off-Road starts at $43,295 — which is about $3,900 more than the previous model year.
The pickup comes with 33-inch BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A tires and the new multi-link suspension with Bilstein external-reservoir dampers. But there are plenty of other off-road goodies you might want to consider and selecting the eight-speed automatic is a little dearer at $1,100.
Higher trimmed models, like the Tacoma Limited, do come with the most standard features. But they also see the highest pricing disparity against their predecessors. This is partially due to Toyota having decided to give them standard all-wheel drive and adaptive dampers.
However, the Limited also receives things like power running boards, heated/cooled seats, a 14-inch infotainment screen, and some exterior chrome for you to polish. Sadly, the Limited is poised to start at $53,595, which is about $11,000 more than it was in 2023.
Woof.
Even if Toyota managed to improve upon the previous-gen Tacoma’s ancient-feeling automatic transmission and ironed out the ride a little, that’s a lot to add to the truck’s bottom line. This is especially true without the V6, as the Toyota forums are absolutely loaded with people concerned about the long-term reliability of the new engine. Toyota nerds (including myself) often select vehicles based around motors and the 2GR-FE 3.5-liter V6 is right up there with the 2JZ-GTE, 4A-GE, and 2ZZ-GE. The hype around those motors is very real and the new Tacoma powertrain hasn’t had time to prove itself.
At any rate, the Limited will serve as the most expensive non-hybrid/iForceMax Tacoma available until the Trailhunter and TRD Pro are released early next year.
The Trailhunter (above) is supposed to be the pinnacle of tackling technical terrains at modest speeds while still working as an everyday vehicle and expected to start around $58,000. Meanwhile, the TRD Pro (below) is focused on hitting the dunes at speed and showing off and expected to retail closer to $65,000.
[Images: Toyota]
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