The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is the Swiss army knife of mid-size trucks as it offers multiple powertrains, two cabs, and two bed lengths. However, we’re focusing on its six-speed manual today.
During a deep dive at Toyota’s North American Research and Development Center in Michigan, officials told us keeping the manual was important as Tacoma owners are enthusiasts who wanted to see the gearbox return. This makes the truck a bit of a rarity as the only other option is the Jeep Gladiator.
Besides being a member of an exclusive club, the 2024 Tacoma has automatic rev matching, an upshift hold function, and a clutch start-cancel system. The latter has been around for awhile, but it’s worth bringing up again as it enables you to start the truck, in gear, without using the clutch.
Instead, you simply hit the ignition button and the starter gets the truck moving forward. This is a huge asset when off-roading as sometimes hitting the clutch and sliding backward would spell disaster.
More: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Starts At $31,500 And Hits $52,100 In Limited Trim
The manual is available exclusively with a slightly detuned version of the turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 270 hp (201 kW / 274 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque, instead of the usual 278 hp (207 kW / 282 PS) and 317 lb-ft (429 Nm).
The shifter is located next to a multi-function rotary controller, which provides easy access to drive modes as well as iMT (intelligent manual transmission) goodies. Despite looking familiar, the Tacoma trades the Tundra’s four-wheel drive slider for a slightly more convoluted setup that requires drivers to push a release and then choose between 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low.
Automatic variants have a different knob, which incorporates even more controls into the top. Among them are buttons for tow/haul mode, drive modes, multi-terrain select, and crawl control / downhill assist control. You apparently hit one of them and then twist the knob to make your desired selection.
Speaking of settings, multi-terrain select can now be used in 4WD High and 4WD Low. Engineers also noted the system has a number of other improvements as it can now adjust accelerator pedal response, engine torque, and gear selection to best deal with the situation at hand.
