2024 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD OFF ROAD

Solid Capability At An Affordable Price

By Mike Vieira

The Toyota Tacoma has gained a lot of fans over the years, especially in the off-roading community, and after checking out the latest generation, we’re happy to say that there’s more than ever to like about the all-new pickup.

As before, it's available in a wide variety of configurations, and our particular test truck was a four-wheel-drive Double Cab Short Bed with the TRD Off Road Premium Package.  That setup gave us a nice blend of rugged-use features, along with a good dose luxury and convenience items.

Power came from a turbocharged 2.4 liter inline four-cylinder, putting out 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque.  It was hooked to an 8-speed automatic transmission and used a part-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case.  The combination provided us with strong, smooth performance and fuel mileage of just over 18 miles per gallon in our blend of off-pavement, highway, and suburban driving.

There's also a top-level TRD Pro model uses a hybrid system that adds an electric motor to the mix, and raises horsepower to 326, and torque to 465, while also improving fuel mileage by a bit.  That model also includes a number of other goodies to further improve its capabilities as well, but our TRD Off Road Premium was still very well equipped.

Functional items on our truck included an off-road-tuned suspension with Bilstein shocks, an electronically locking rear differential, and a multi-terrain selector to optimize performance in varied situations.  The Premium Package then added an array of comfort and convenience features like heated and ventilated power front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 14-inch display screen, JBL premium audio with a portable speaker, an integrated trailer brake control, a moonroof, a power sliding rear window, and a power tailgate. Our truck also had an optional electronically disconnecting rear stabilizer bar to enhance the coil spring rear suspension’s articulation when stepping over obstacles.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

Toyota trucks have become known for the solid feel they exhibit in rough going, and this latest generation carries on that tradition.   In all of our driving, our Tacoma delivered a very solid feel, regardless of what was going on under the wheels, inspiring confidence over the toughest terrain.  We found no notable flex in the vehicle’s structure, making it feel like it was up to whatever we might dish out.  We appreciated the front-view camera when cresting steep hills, as the rather high hood in relation to the low-ish seating position can restrict your line of sight.

On the pavement, the Tacoma tracked straight and true, with no wandering or vagueness that’s sometimes found with such off-pavement-capable vehicles, making it a pleasure to drive to your favorite off-road fun spots.  The ride did feel a bit on the stiff side at times, but certainly wasn’t objectionable, and the comfort and support provided in the front seats was much appreciated, whether we were running around town or bashing about in the dirt.

The LED headlights provided good illumination on both low and high beam, and the LED fog lights did a good job of brightening and widening the view near the vehicle. Included in the Premium Package are three pre-wired switches for easily installing additional lighting or other accessories.

Our Tacoma featured Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 with a long list of electronic safety features such as pre-collision braking, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, steering assist, and road sign recognition, and so on.

INSIDE

The Tacoma provides plenty of space for the legs, arms, and shoulders for front seat occupants, and the seats keep you fresh even after long hours on rough roads.  Rear seat legroom is on the short side, however, if those folks in the front seats want maximum space.  The control layout is straightforward and easy to use, and the giant screen for navigation and various camera views was easy to see, even when bouncing around in the rough.  A row of physical switches for climate-related controls made operation quicker and safer than having to use a touch screen to make adjustments.

We found plenty of storage spaces for smaller items in the cabin to keep things handy and in place in rough driving, as well, and that’s always a nice plus. 

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

The as-tested price of our Tacoma TRD Off Road came to $54,784, with $8,800 of that being for the Premium Package.  At that, it's still over $9,000 lower than the cost of the top-level TRD Pro, which includes the hybrid power train, among many other items.  Because of the basic strength and popularity of the Tacoma platform, there are a wealth of aftermarket improvements available to boost off-road capabilities for those who would rather pay a lower initial price for the actual truck, then add items to meet their specific needs and budgets.

Overall, the new Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road represents a sturdy, very capable off-pavement warrior that also makes for pleasing driving and practicality in daily use, whether you want it fully set up from the factory, or want to build it up with your own personal touches. Either way, it has what it takes to have fun and treat you well, whether you’re in the dirt or on the street. Watch the video of our report.