Toyota is back at it again, teasing us with more details about the all-new 2024 Tacoma. And would you look at that, it’s only the second time this week, and we’re not even halfway through! This time, Toyota has finally confirmed the big reveal date: mark your calendars for May 19th, folks.
They also dropped some shadow-y new teaser images showing off the silhouettes of four different body styles. We’re talking crew cab, extended cab, short wheelbase, and long wheelbase. This is in stark contrast to GM’s decision to stick with a single body style for the new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. [Updated May 4]
Yeah! A Six-Speed Manual Will Continue To Be Offered
Perhaps one of the more interesting tidbits shared by Toyota is that the Tacoma will keep the manual gearbox alive offering a six-speed unit. While no other details were shared, we expect it to be a revised version of the existing row-it-yourself transmission found in the outgoing model.
Portable JBL Bluetooth Speaker Option
The new Toyota Tacoma will boast a range of new features, including a (likely) optional Toyota-branded JBL Bluetooth speaker. This speaker comes with its own special storage area behind the infotainment screen, built into the truck’s dashboard.. We know, we know – try to contain your excitement.
TRD Pro Gets Fox Shocks And (Finally) Disc Brakes
Toyota has also showcased some of the TRD Pro model’s new features. One photo displayed the adjustable Fox QS3 shocks, while another showed the chunky all-terrain tires that reveal the presence of rear disc brakes. This is actually novel feature for the Tacoma, as the current generation relies on archaic drum brakes instead.
Read: 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Teaser Confirms Electrified i-Force Max Powertrain
New Trailhunter Overland Trim
Toyota has already confirmed the addition of a new trim level named the ‘Trailhunter,’ which is designed for off-road adventures. According to the automaker, the Tacoma Trailhunter is “developed from the ground up with purpose-built engineering and robust components”.
Toyota teased the new trim model with a front shot featuring the headlight housing with the “Trailhunter” nameplate engraved on it, while the rear view provides a more detailed look at the truck. In addition to the compass located on the lower left side of the tailgate, the rear view of the Trailhunter reveals an ARB bumper and a red recovery point. As the largest manufacturer of 4×4 accessories in Australia with almost 50 years of experience in off-roading, ARB is known for producing rugged and durable components that can handle the toughest terrain.
However, ARB isn’t the only company with a storied name. Trailhunter can also trace its origins back, albeit not as far. In 2021, Toyota applied the name to a Tundra concept at SEMA, where it envisioned the Trailhunter as a no-compromise overlanding vehicle. The automaker had described the Trailhunter model as “purpose-built” to appeal to “outdoor enthusiasts who crave off-the-grid expeditions.” With its heavy-duty suspension, brush bar, roof-mounted lights, bed tent, and more, the Trailhunter was ideally suited for long drives off the beaten path.
The aforementioned concept truck also featured ARB accessories. At the time, Toyota promised that the Trailhunter concept previewed a line of vehicles based on its trucks and SUVs. It had stated that these vehicles would serve as the “flagship offering” for each respective model, indicating that they could be even better equipped than the current TRD and TRD Pro variants.
Electrified Powertrain In The Tacoma TRD Pro
While the exact date of the unveiling of the new 2024 Tacoma remains unclear, Toyota’s teaser campaign is in full swing, suggesting that the event is imminent. Toyota has already confirmed that the Tacoma TRD Pro will be offered with a hybrid i-Force Max Powertrain, though it has not provided any additional details. The name indicates that while the lesser Tacoma models could get the four-cylinder-based Hybrid Max powertrain found in the Crown sedan and Grand Highlander as an option, the TRD Pro may be offered with the Tundra’s six-cylinder-based hybrid powertrain.
Additional reporting John Halas