2024 Toyota Tacoma's hybrid power, efficiency separates itself from other midsize pickups

SAN DIEGO — Some ideas make so much sense you wonder why nobody's doing it. Then you wonder why everybody isn't doing it.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma hybrid midsize pickup is one of those. Gasoline powered versions of the Tacoma went on sale late last year. The hybrid will be in dealerships this spring. The hybrid shares its size, dimensions and most features with the pickups on sale now.

The hybrid engine combines a 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.

The hybrid drivetrain — Toyota calls it i-Force Max — is available on five trim levels:

• TRD Sport

• TRD Off-road

• TRD Pro

• Trailhunter

• Limited

Overlanding, anyone?

The Trailhunter is a new model, developed for overlanding, as long-term off-roading and camping is known. Engineered for overlanding, it’s built to crawl over rock while heavily laden.

Tacoma Trailhunter features include:

• Old Man Emu monotube shocks.

• High-mounted passenger-side air intake to reduce dust intake in the desert.

• 33-inch Goodyear Rugged Terrain tires.

• 18-inch bronze-finished wheels.

• 5- or 6-foot bed.

• Rock sliders rated for half the weight of fully loaded vehicle.

• Rear recovery loops.

• Front skid plate.

• Rear-differential and fuel tank guards.

• Onboard air compressor for airing tires up and down.

• 2,400-watt AC power.

2024 Toyota Tacoma hybrid trim levels and prices

• TRD Sport i-FORCE MAX Double Cab 4x4: $46,300

• TRD Off-Road i-FORCE MAX Double Cab 4x4: $46,600

• Limited i-Force Max Double Cab 4x4: $55,800

• Trailhunter i-Force Max Double Cab 4x4: $62,900

• Trailhunter i-force max Double Cab 4x4 6-foot Bed: $63,400

• TRD Pro i-Force Max Double Cab 4x4: $63,900

Source: Toyota. Prices exclude $1,495 destination charge.

Architecture shared with luxury SUVs, full-size pickup

The Tacoma uses Toyota’s GA-F architecture, which is also the basis of the Tundra full-size pickup, 4Runner and Sequoia SUVs and the Lexus GX and LX SUV.

That gives Toyota economies of scale it would never realize if the large and midsize vehicles had different architectures. That’s nice for Toyota’s bottom line, but to you and me it means the hybrid system could be adapted for any of those body-on-frame trucks with relative ease. There’s already a hybrid Tundra.

Toyota upgraded the Tacoma’s brakes and front drive shafts to accommodate the hybrid’s increased weight and torque output.

Toyota expects the Tacoma hybrid to score an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 23 or 24 mpg in combined city and highway driving depending on the model. That’s 2-3 mpg better than nonhybrid Tacomas, despite the hybrid’s significant power advantage. Gasoline-only models have a 400- to 450-pound higher towing capacity.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on hybrids. Gasoline models are an automatic and a six-speed manual.

Safety and driver assist features

• Adaptive cruise control

• Blind spot and rear cross traffic alert

• Automatic high beams

• Pre-collision alert and braking with pedestrian detection

• Lane departure alert and assist

• Front and rear parking assist

• Lane centering

• Road sign recognition

• Proactive Driving Assist

Driving impressions

I spent a day driving a four-door crew cab Tacoma TRD Off-Road hybrid with a 5-foot bed from Coronado Island in San Diego Bay over city streets, highways and mountain roads. The pickup is smooth and quiet on-road, with plenty of punch for passing. The suspension smooths rough pavement.

I also took a Trailhunter over a course that included rock climbing, steep inclines and descents, water and mud. It handled them with ease.

The Double Cab, as Toyota calls its crew cab, seats five with ease. The front seat has a big center console for drinks, devices and more.

Th 14-inch touch screen in the trucks I tested was big clear, and responsive. In addition to the touch screen, Toyota provides physical controls for volume, climate and drive train.

Features owners will appreciate:

• Connected navigation

• Head-up display

• Locking center and rear differentials

• Disconnecting front stabilizer bar

• Adaptive suspension on Limited model

• 14-inch touch screen

• 10-speaker JBL audio

• Wireless charging

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

What the numbers mean

A 2 or 3-mpg increase in combined city/highway fuel economy is small potatoes for a hybrid versus gasoline versions of the same vehicle, but the Tacoma hybrid looks a lot better when you compare it with other midsize pickups.

The Tacoma’s combined rating is 20% better than comparable models of the Colorado, Ranger, Canyon and Ridgeline. That’s a meaningful reduction in gasoline use and emissions, not to mention more than $500 a year off the typical owner’s fuel bill, according to EPA estimates. The Tacoma hybrid’s savings compared to a Ridgeline, which got 21 mpg, is 14%.

What do you call it when the worst thing you can say about a vehicle is it’s 14% better than the closest competition? Domination.

Why get a Toyota Tacoma?

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma hybrid is efficient, powerful, comfortable and good looking. The Tacoma has been America’s bestselling midsize pickup for years.

With the hybrid, owners have one more reason to keep it in first place.

2024 Toyota Tacoma hybrid at a glance

Midsize four-door pickup

Base price: $28,400 (excluding $1,495 destination charge)

Models tested: 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road with 5-foot bed.

Price as tested: $56,795 (excluding $1,495 destination charge)

Powerplant: 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor

Output: 326 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 465 pound-feet of torque @ 1,700 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 22 mpg city/24 highway/23 combined (manufacturer’s estimate). Regular gasoline.

Wheelbase: 131.9 inches

Length: 213 inches

Width: 76.9 inches

Height: 74 inches

Ground clearance: Up to 11 inches

Bed width between wheel wells: 44.7 inches.

Curb weight: 5,030-5,410 pounds

Towing capacity: 6,000 pounds

Assembled in Tahara, Japan

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2024 Toyota Tacoma hybrid: Mpg, price, features and why it dominates