The Toyota Tacoma has long been one of the more popular choices among mid-size pickup trucks thanks to its capability, value and reliability. A redesign for the 2024 model year helped the Tacoma leapfrog from being one of the oldest designs in the class to one of the most modern and high tech. Among other upgrades, the Tacoma gets the first hybrid powertrain in any mid-size pickup.
Related: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Review: A Lot More Power, a Little More MPG
The Tacoma’s redesign also makes it more sophisticated and easier to live with, with improved drivability and a nicer interior, yet Toyota has not messed much with the truck’s overall dimensions or mission. That should help keep loyalists happy as the automaker seeks to broaden the Tacoma’s appeal in the face of increased competition from others, such as the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford Ranger.
The biggest news is under the hood, where the available new hybrid powertrain brings effortless acceleration and a big increase in power and torque, along with smooth and refined operation. Just don’t expect a huge bump in fuel economy.
Cars.com Senior Road Test Editor Mike Hanley had a chance to sample the new Tacoma hybrid in several trims and configurations. Tap the link above to read his expert review — or read on for a quick look at four things we like about the 2024 Toyota Tacoma hybrid and three things we do not.
Things We Like
1. Hybrid Happiness
The new i-Force Max powertrain adds a 48-horsepower electric motor to the Tacoma’s turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder powertrain for a total of 326 hp and 465 pounds-feet of torque. That’s a notable increase over the 278 hp and 317 pounds-feet available with the non-hybrid Tacoma, and the hybrid delivers strong acceleration with abundant low-end torque that makes it feel like there’s a much larger engine under the hood.
2. Increased Refinement
While the added grunt is welcome, what’s also impressive is the degree of refinement Toyota has baked into the i-Force Max powertrain. The gas engine and electric motor work seamlessly together, and the eight-speed automatic transmission makes smooth shifts. Though the powertrain can operate on electric power alone for short periods, the gas engine stayed on most of the time during our testing.
3. Easy Handler
While the redesigned Tacoma brings improved drivability and refinement, there’s still no doubt that you’re driving a pickup truck. That’s OK, though, because the Tacoma is easy to drive, and even though it has grown in size, its relatively tidy dimensions help with maneuverability. The steering and brakes don’t offer much feedback, but the Tacoma goes where it’s pointed and visibility is good all around. Thankfully, the legs-out driving position of its predecessor is now gone, making for greater comfort on trips.
4. Off-Road Ready
We also had a chance to sample the Tacoma in the off-road-focused Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims, both of which are offered exclusively with the i-Force Max powertrain. In off-road environments, the hybrid’s abundant low-end torque pays off, as do the Trailhunter’s 33-inch off-road tires, 2.5-inch Old Man Emu shocks, and an assortment of tech features like a variety of cameras and crawl control to help smoothly traverse rough terrain at low speeds.
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Things We Don’t Like
1. Fuel Economy
Unlike the hybrid powertrains in Toyota’s passenger cars, don’t expect a big boost in fuel economy with the Tacoma hybrid. Like the hybrid systems in Toyota’s recent SUVs and the Tundra full-size pickup, the i-Force Max hybrid is more about added grunt than maximum mpg. The Tacoma Limited hybrid with four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined, which isn’t bad for the mid-size truck class but only 3 mpg better than the gas-only version.
2. Towing Capacity
With its big increase in torque and horsepower, you might expect the Tacoma Hybrid to be a towing champ. But the i-Force Max powertrain offers a maximum of 6,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped, which loses out to the gas-only version. Gas-only trucks are rated to pull up to 6,500 pounds.
3. Hybrid Price
Stepping up to the hybrid powertrain adds a hefty $3,700 to the price of a Tacoma pickup in any of its lower trims, but it’s standard with the Trailhunter and TRD Pro. That’s a significant chunk of change that would take up to 16 years of driving to recoup in fuel costs, according to our calculations. But 24 mpg isn’t bad for a pickup, and many buyers will probably find the added grunt justification enough for the added cost.
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