2024 Toyota Tacoma unveiled with a beefy 326 hp hybrid engine and new off-road variant

Off-road pickup trucks never fail to be mouth-watering eye candy for us, with their muscular looks and wide proportions, we can’t help but be enamored with these trucks. There’s no question that trucks with a focus on off-roading are massive market drivers, and Toyota is capitalizing on that pull with two off-road versions of its Toyota Tacoma pickup, the Tacoma Trailhunter, and the TRD Pro. These two trucks are fitted with all sorts of off-road equipment, exclusive features, and Toyota’s new i-Force Max powertrain, which we’ll talk about later.

Starting with the new Tacoma Trailhunter, this version of the Tacoma made its initial appearance as a concept at SEMA last year and is now an off-road-ready trim for the Tacoma. This version was made in collaboration with off-road equipment experts ARB and comes only in double-cab configuration with two size options for the truck bed.

Sporting a robust appearance, the Trailhunter exudes strength with its sturdy fender flares and 18-inch bronze alloy wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires. The rugged appearance goes further with steel bumpers, and steel skid plates, for extra protection when it hits the rough and rocky trails.

Designed specifically for Overlanding, the Trailhunter comes equipped with ARB bed racks capable of accommodating extra equipment such as roof tents and canopies. Notable exterior highlights include an air snorkel for enhanced off-road capability, a distinctive heritage front grille proudly displaying the Toyota lettering, and a seamlessly integrated LED light bar seamlessly integrated into the front fascia. In addition, Toyota gave the Trailhunter an onboard air compressor for ease in inflating and deflating the truck’s tires when the terrain calls for it.

Underneath, the Trailhunter boasts an Old Man Emu-engineered suspension system. Toyota also mentions other features, such as position-sensitive 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks featuring rear external remote reservoirs. Additionally, the vehicle incorporates forged aluminum upper control arms and a front stabilizer disconnect system. With a front lift of two inches and a rear lift of 1.5 inches, the Trailhunter shares a similar ground clearance configuration with the TRD Pro Tacoma.

Inside, unlike the rugged exterior, the Trailhunter offers a pleasant interior, with features including plush leather or SoftTex seats adorned with contrasting stitching and piping. Not only that but the front seats are equipped with heating and ventilation capabilities for added comfort. Other features include a perforated leather steering wheel, granite-like trim accents, a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, an equally sizable 14-inch infotainment system, a convenient heads-up display, and a JBL audio system, complete with a removable speaker.

Moving away from the Trailhunter, we have the TRD Pro Tacoma. Though the TRD Pro and Trailhunter are similar, Toyota emphasizes their distinct purposes. The TRD Pro is specifically designed as a "go-fast" desert runner, prioritizing high-speed performance. In contrast, the Trailhunter places its focus on overlanding adventures, catering to slow, off-road crawls.

Despite being built to literally go in different directions, the trucks share several notable features. Both models showcase a stylish Toyota-branded grille seamlessly integrated with an LED light bar, along with extended fender flares and a robust steel rear bumper equipped with red recovery hooks. What’s unique to the TRD Pro model though are some exclusive enhancements, such as a two-tone roof, a cat-back exhaust system, and a unique hood design featuring a functional performance air intake. Additionally, they are both equipped with an aluminum front skid plate, RIGID LED white fog lights for improved visibility, and black 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires.

Underneath the TRD Pro has some special work done to its suspension system, these include red aluminum upper control arms that optimize front geometry while reducing unsprung weight. Working together with these control arms are advanced Fox internal bypass 2.5-inch manual modal Quick Switch 3 shocks, which provide three levels of adjustment, allowing for fine-tuning according to the terrain. On top of that, the TRD Pro is equipped with FOX Internal Floating Piston bump stops, designed to effectively mitigate the impact of rough and challenging terrains.

Interior equipment for the TRD Pro is quite the same as with the Trailhunter except for its awesome IsoDynamic Performance seats. These seats go beyond the ordinary, offering a unique air-over-oil damping system that ensures a comfortable and composed ride. This innovative design not only dampens body movement but also provides stability and support for the neck and head. 

Finally, with all of that wrapped up, we can talk about the powertrain. Both the TRD Pro and Trailhunter share the same powertrain, Toyota’s new 2.4-liter turbocharged i-Force Max powertrain. This new powertrain is a hybrid, assisted by a 1.87 kWh battery pack and an electric motor, resulting in a combined system output of 326 hp and 630 Nm of torque. To transmit all the power to the ground, both models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a highly capable four-wheel drive system that includes locking differentials, providing enhanced traction and control across diverse terrains. 

It’s still a long time before these trucks hit the market, but we can’t help but feel a bit jealous of the countries which will get a hold of these two powerhouses from Toyota.