My First Impressions Of The New 4th Gen Tacoma
I remember seeing the 4th Gen Tacoma reveal while I was sitting at home looking up modifications for my then 2021 Tacoma Off-Road. I liked the look and updated technology, and I thought the seats in the TRD Pro were cool. At the end of the day, though, I went along with my business not giving it a second thought.
Fast forward 9 months and I found myself driving off the lot with a brand new 2024 Tacoma TRD Sport. Now that the odometer hit 5,000 miles, I want to give a real user review of Toyota’s latest-gen Tacoma. I will speak to the TRD Sport, but much of this article applies to the SR5 and Off-Road trim levels as well.
What I Like
Reliability
Toyota is known for reliability, so it’s no surprise when I say I love the peace of mind of driving a Tacoma. The i-FORCE 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with the 8-speed automatic transmission gives me more than enough power while shifting smoothly. It’s a bit odd hearing a turbo whistle coming from a Tacoma, but it’s a welcome change.
Off-Road Capability
I’ve been able to take the Tacoma into some muddy fields, sandy beaches, snowy mountains, and sketchy log roads since I’ve owned it. Not once have I had concerns that it might be too much for it to handle. Switching to 4Hi or 4Lo is a breeze and the truck does not hesitate.
Modifications
Odds are your Tacoma won’t stay in stock form for too long. The good news is the aftermarket world is growing every day for the 4th Gen. While there are plenty of universal products available, quite a few products specifically for the 2024 are already hitting the market.
Interior
One of my favorite things about the Tacoma is the interior. Most of my time with the truck will be spent in the cab, so I want to enjoy it. The upgraded interior looks and feels great, with plenty of phone charging ports, an option for a beautiful 14″ touchscreen, and a digital gauge cluster.
The safety features also got quite a boost with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including pre-collision and adaptive cruise control that in my experience, has worked flawlessly.
The front seats are comfortable and I have not felt the need to pick up a Seat Jacker, which was arguably a necessity in the 3rd Gen. The backseat does its job, but if you’re over 6 feet tall, space is tight.
Exterior
I love the modern look of the 4th Gen. The rear taillights look clean with the all-red covers, and the front has a refreshed, modern look.
But the best part? I can fit 33s without having to do any lifting, trimming, or cutting. I’ve even read posts from owners who have put 35s on with no modifications. That’s right, no rubbing and no modifications needed! This is exciting considering that the first mod is usually wheels and tires.
What I Don’t Like
Packages Galore
I have to be honest; as far as the truck goes, I don’t have any complaints. However, I do not like that you need to buy certain packages from Toyota to get things that should be standard in 2024.
One example would be the sliding rear window. If you want one in your Tacoma, you must pay for the Premium Package. Prices will vary on this but I’ve seen that range from $2500 to $10,000. That’s a lot of money for something that should be standard. Not to mention, the rear sliding glass leaves something to be desired. It looks more like a submarine window by 2024 standards.
If you have the money to spend, plenty of options and packages are available. The only two upgrades I wanted were the bigger infotainment screen and heated seats, so it was pretty easy to track one down.
For all the info you could need or want, including all the packages offered, check out Toyota’s truck comparison tool.
What Others Are Saying
If you go on any Tacoma Facebook group or forum, you’ll find no shortage of opinions on the new generation. Some claim they are too expensive and aren’t reliable. Then there are the purists who don’t like the thought of a 4-cylinder turbo.
However, it’s important to remember this isn’t Toyota’s first rodeo. Their reliability is second to none and I have all the confidence in the world that my Tacoma will be getting that 100k maintenance in the future. You can’t claim unreliability on a truck that’s been out less than a year.
Change is always a scary thing, but doing your research is vitally important. Many people will stick with their previous generations, and that’s OK.
Final Thoughts
My personal experience for the first 5,000 miles has been fantastic. I’ve taken Tacoma to various places throughout Oregon without any issues and look forward to many more adventures with it.
At the end of the day, doing your research on whether the 4th Gen is right for you is more valuable than strangers’ opinions on the internet. If I did that, I wouldn’t be having the fun I am driving my Tacoma.
