2024 Toyota Tacoma | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #449

We share our first impressions of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4WD we just purchased for our test program. A popular and traditionally reliable midsized truck, we discuss the Tacoma's 2024 redesign, and how it compares to other pickups in this competitive segment. We also give expert advice on sourcing parts for older vehicles, and the reliability of newer turbo 4-cylinder engines that are seemingly everywhere in the market. 

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 - Intro

0:24 - Audience Question, Gavin from Utah: Will we ever talk about trucks on Talking Cars again?

2:31 - 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR5 overview

6:43 - Updates for the 2024 model year

10:41 - 2024 Tacoma hybrid powertrain

13:56 - SR5 Ride comfort

17:00 - Handling

18:24 - Front Seat comfort

19:38 - Rear seat comfort

22:02 - Infotainment/controls

23:29 - Which midsized pickup would our experts buy?

27:23 - Poll: Which midsized pickup would YOU buy?

28:55 - Video Question, Ken from Eglin AFB: How long can you source parts for vehicles that are no longer in production?

33:49 - Audience Question. Ron from Cranston, RI: Will smaller displacement turbo 4-cylinders last in larger vehicles for 10+ years?

[brians.]

Love the round table discussion, you guys ever consider wearing mics and maybe doing the podcast around the vehicle you’re discussing vs rolling the same B footage over and over. Might be nice perspective for the viewer to see you guys pointing out likes and dislikes physically on the vehicle in front of camera. Keep up the great work as always.

[terrybirch]

My 2001 Tacoma Limited v6 automatic double cab 4x4 I bought in Nov 2000 is still going strong at 190, 000 miles and I still love it.

[smallfactry]

As a 2022 Tacoma owner, I’d purchase a Nissan frontier if I had to get into a new midsized truck today. After getting burned on my wife’s 2019 civic 1.5, I will never own a eco-turbo motor again.

[kurthunter]

I'm not a truck guy so I would go for the Honda Ridgeline partly because Jen Stockburger likes it.

[thembzman]

The Honda Ridgeline is a very solid choice. We have a current generation model in the family and it does most everything a truck needs to do. The Tacoma lacks a full-time/auto 4WD setting on almost all trims, which is not ideal when driving in inclement weather. Ridgeline is a better on-road driver too. The V6 in the Ridgeline is smooth, refined and quiet.The Tacoma cabin always felt cramped. The Ridgeline cabin is wide and roomy in comparison. The only reason I could see going with the Tacoma is if you needed more off-road capability or slightly higher tow capacity, or just really like the feel of a traditional body on frame pickup. Looking forward to see what Honda does with the Ridgeline in a few years when it gets refreshed.

[ItsAlive]

$47k plus taxes for an SR5 with fabric seats 😮

[Mjln]

I test drove a 2024 Tacoma Offroad. I found the seats not all that comfortable. The seating position was good, but the seat bottom was flat and not very supportive. The new turbo-4 has plenty of power with lots of low-end torque. But I also found the engine to be rather loud and coarse when pressed. i also found that the ride wasn’t very comfortable either. I decided it was not for me.

[bryanangelov]

I do like the Tacoma, but I still consider the Ridgeline the best mid-size truck, even though it's the oldest in its class. If money weren't an issue, my top choice would be the Ranger Raptor, followed by the ZR2 (excluding the Bison due to its high price, despite my earlier comment about cost not being a factor). The Tacoma is a good-looking truck with a large following, but its competitors have made significant strides.

[brolyx]

Just bought a new SR5 Tacoma last week. I love it. But it’s replacing a 97 Chevy C1500. So to me it drives better. And I agree with some people, that mid-size trucks are basically full size trucks from back in the day.
One of the reasons I went with the Tacoma was Toyota reliability. And even if it has issues down the line I have faith in Toyota to stand by products just like the Tundra engine recall. I just don’t get that sense from the other brands.

[mitshumarner]

Interesting how this crew struggled with the reality that Toyota made a new product with flaws.

[daveallen]

I DO love my Tacoma - it's a 2001 SR5 non- Prerunner truck with a 4 cyl stick. I bought it new and it now has 225000 miles and runs just like new. I would love to have a new truck but nobody makes a real small truck anymore. Tacomas have gotten way too big and too expensive. Guess I'll just keep driving mine - I don't seem to be able to wear it out...

[Stevo]

In 2010 I bought a 2011 Toyota Tacoma V6 access cab 4x4 with the TRD Off-Road package. With a couple of other add ons (floor mats, drl’s) MSRP was $30, 400. I know prices on vehicles have gone up over the years but it still blows my mind when I see just how much they have increased. With that out of the way, my truck now has just over 140, 000 miles on the odometer. With the exception of an AC system repair that needed to be done early in my ownership, this truck has performed flawlessly. Also, you guys (and other reviewers) always talk about how poor the driving position is in Tacoma’s, I have had zero problems with it. At 5’11”, maybe it was built exactly for a person of my size. And, I’m glad Mike Quincy brought it up, it is a truck. It drives/handles exactly how I would expect it should. My only complaint would be with the Tacoma is it’s rather horrendous gas mileage. I average about 16-17 MPG when friends with full-sized V8 powered trucks, get better mileage.
Still, for all the other earlier reasons, if I were in the market for a mid-sized truck today, the new Tacoma would be at the top of my list.

[nolangoldberg]

I love the chat about Steve Elek’s choice of the Chevy Colorado over the Tacoma with the comment that he might only keep it 5 years and then get a B5 S4. I’m a forever in love 02 Audi B5 S4 Avant 6MT original owner. Mine is in close to new condition and I plan to keep it unit I can’t drive anymore. My daughter will keep it into antiquity! It not cheap to maintain but what a ride!

[christophernovak]

Hi, I think I would choose the naturally aspirated Nissan Frontier V6. It’s old school but reliability doesn’t seem to be a factor.

[Dusdaddy]

Of the three new designs, I like the GMC Canyon best. The looks and interior are done better than the others. The Honda is not a player because I need to tow over 5K.

[craigt]

I have a 21 Sport(loaded) and really like it. Recently purchased a 24 Sport premium . Like it a whole lot more . I will be keeping the 21. My new truck gets 25-28mpg on the freeway and >20 in town. Ride quality is awesome . My butt dyno tells me the new truck has more power than the 21. IMHO the new truck is worth every penny I spent on it.

[kurthanushek]

I don't want any midsize truck. I want a small truck with a real bed. If they took out the back seat, they could do it with the Maverick. Without making it too much longer they could give it an 8' bed or shorten it and give it a 6' bed that I view as standard.

[TheUsflow]

How can Toyota be so stupid not to make a fuel-efficient small hybrid and/or PHEV truck sized like the Maverick or Santa Cruz or even smaller? Mid-size today used to be what we called full-size. I don't have the garage or even driveway space for a now large 2024 Tacoma nor do I want to spend an hour making an 18 pt turn to park my truck.

[jimkonopetski]

I think the Ridgeline might be the best choice.

[joemazzei]

I bought a "17 RIdgeline when the new body style first came out. I still really like the truck. It is perfect for my use and drive nice too. Have taken serval long trips in it.