2024 Toyota Tacoma Restricted I-Pressure Max
Engine Turbo 2.4L 4-Cylinder Hybrid
Output 326 Horsepower / 465 Pound-Toes
Weight 5,030 Kilos
Towing 6,000 Kilos
Trim Base Value $57,295
On Sale Now
You will not discover a fanbase extra rabid than Toyota Tacoma Stans. They love their dinky outdated vehicles. Even in a changeover yr with the outdated Tacoma heading out and the brand new one coming in, Toyota nonetheless moved greater than 237,000 items in 2023. That was fifth-best for all vehicles and prime amongst its midsize classmates by greater than 200,000 items.
The brand new Tacoma provides followers much more motive to flock to dealerships; A pointy redesign, a contemporary pair of turbocharged engines, and relying on which trim you go for, a premium inside with considerate upgrades. On this case, the Tacoma Restricted has a complete host of niceties for a nonetheless cheap (no less than, within the bigger truck scope) $57,295 to start out. And it is fairly improbable.
Name it blasphemy, however the brand new four-cylinder hybrid engine is method higher than the outdated V-6. It fixes one of many Tacoma’s largest points: Torque—or lack thereof. The clunkily named I-Pressure Max hybrid powers this top-end Tacoma Restricted mannequin and combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 1.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a single electrical motor. That ends in a hearty 326 horsepower and a class-leading 465 pound-feet of torque at simply 1,600 rpm. That is a giant enchancment over the outdated V-6’s underwhelming 265 pound-feet at 4,600 rpm.
Lastly, blissfully, the Tacoma has torque. These quick-acting electrons from the 48-hp electrical motor add fireplace to the tires and transfer the Taco off the road rapidly earlier than the gasoline engine kicks in for extra oomph. Regardless that Toyota would not record an official 60 mph time for this truck, my butt dyno suggests someplace within the seven-second mark. It is fast.
Even at 70 miles per hour, you barely must dip into the accelerator to uncork extra energy. The combo of a turbocharger and an electrical motor means you at all times have torque whenever you want it, and the four-cylinder engine feels extra strong even than the outgoing V-6. And there is nonetheless sufficient energy to tow as much as 6,000 kilos on this Restricted trim.
The whole powertrain is silky clean; There wasn’t a single unsettling jostle from the powertrain in my week with this truck. The gasoline engine does get a little bit loud whenever you get on the throttle exhausting, however so accomplish that many different 4 cylinders. It is all paired to an equally seamless eight-speed automated transmission.
Execs: Lastly Some Torque, Refined Drive, Premium Cabin, Nonetheless Succesful Sufficient
The most important enchancment to the Tacoma is the way in which it handles. The now-electronically assisted steering is mild and direct. No extra mysteries as to the place the nostril is pointed. The experience feels plush set to the truck’s Regular setting and simply stiff sufficient in Sport to maintain issues attention-grabbing. And the chassis is well-balanced.
Commonplace four-wheel drive with an digital middle locking differential means you can even take this truck off most overwhelmed paths. The TRD Professional or Trailhunter trims are nonetheless probably the most succesful, and have fancier suspension tech, however even the Tacoma Restricted nonetheless has reasonable off-road chops.
Because the fanciest Tacoma of the bunch, and in step with Restricted trims throughout their total truck lineup, Toyota went heavy on the chrome right here—the grille, wheels, door handles, and mattress deal with all get the shiny stuff. In the meantime, the font splitter dips down thus far beneath the bumper that it appears to be like like prime Jay Leno. For such an in any other case aggressive-looking, engaging truck, the Restricted trim would not do the Tacoma justice.
And for those who have been hoping for various mattress and cab sizes, sorry—the Restricted is barely out there within the Double Cab configuration with the five-foot mattress. Even with the bigger cab, the again seat feels tight for my six-foot body.
A minimum of the inside is correctly premium. The Tacoma Restricted is loaded with good supplies. Toyota’s SofTex fake leather-based covers the seats and it is almost as gentle and supple as actual cowhide. These seats are heated and ventilated. You do get actual stitched leather-based on the steering wheel, no less than, and the steering wheel can also be heated.
A pleasant, chunky walnut-burled wooden accent stretches throughout the sprint with a “TACOMA” badge stamped on the passenger facet, simply in case you forgot. And a large 14.0-inch display sits atop the sprint. It runs Toyota’s newest and biggest infotainment system, which has crystal-clear graphics, a clear residence display, and fundamental capabilities proper the place you want them. It is the second-best factor to Apple CarPlay—though, you’ll be able to nonetheless entry CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly for those who so select.
Cons: Too A lot Chrome, Tight Again Seat
The very best factor concerning the Tacoma Restricted is that it is absolutely loaded from the soar. The fake leather-based seats, adaptive suspension, and 14.0-inch touchscreen all come commonplace. You additionally get Toyota Security Sense 3.0 at no further price, which incorporates adaptive cruise management, a lane-departure alert, high-beam help, and many extra.
When you’re not a fan of all that chrome, Toyota does supply most of these options on different Tacomas—however provided that you’re keen to pay a bit further. The TRD Off-Highway, for instance, provides you the massive touchscreen for an additional $845 and heated seats for an additional $585. It simply doesn’t have the adaptive suspension.
However the Tacoma Restricted makes a robust case for itself. Look past the chrome and it excels as a premium mid-size truck. Most all the pieces you need and want comes commonplace, it’s good to drive, snug inside, and simply succesful sufficient for the occasional path. When you have been frightened the brand new Tacoma wouldn’t dwell as much as the hype, don’t be.
38 Pictures
Jeff Perez / Motor1