2024 Toyota Tacoma revealed: A hint at the next HiLux?

Here's the new 🌮

Ahead of Australia’s anticipated news of the next-gen Toyota Hilux, expected no sooner than 2025, Toyota’s American outpost has unveiled its newest mid-size pick-up - the 2024 Toyota Tacoma.

Newly based on Toyota’s global TNGA-F platform, the same expected for next Hilux, the 2024 Tacoma shows off a bold new design language in line with its larger pickups and SUVs.

Elsewhere, there’s updated powertrains, revised suspension layouts and the expected uptick in safety and technology – all things that might give a clue to what Australia’s next-gen Toyota ute could have.

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Chassis and suspension

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma steps into modernity with Toyota’s TNGA-F global truck platform providing the underpinnings across the range.

It was back in 2021 when Toyota announced that the next-generation Hilux and Fortuner would share Toyota’s TNGA modular platform with the American Tacoma and 4Runner.

The fully-boxed steel ladder frame chassis also currently provides the bones of the large Tundra ute (and LandCruiser 300).

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Compared with outgoing platforms, Toyota’s TNGA-F architecture brings an improvement to rigidity, thanks to developments in laser welding, and improved weight efficiencies thanks to an aluminium upper body section. A new, more rigid front crossmember was also developed in order to facilitate electric power steering.

The modular nature of the platform allows American Tacomas to be produced in two- and four-door cab configurations with either a 1.52m (5’ft) or 1.82m (6’ft) beds.

A number of suspension designs have been developed for the Tacoma’s TNGA chassis, with simple and dependable leaf-sprung rear ends still found lower in the range, along with a new multi-link coil-sprung rear end.

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Coil sprung rear ends are not currently found in Hilux from the factory, but would be a very welcome addition to the next-gen range, and bring the HiLux into step with rivals like the Ranger and Navara.

Rear-drive Tacomas are equipped with an automatic limited-slip rear differential, while 4WD models gain a two-speed transfer case with an automatic LSD. More off-road oriented TRD models also gain electronic locking rear differentials, along with uprated suspension packages including remote reservoir units from Bilstein, and three-way adjustable internal bypass shocks from Fox.

American Tacomas boast 279mm of ground clearance, with approach, breakover and departure angles running 33.8, 23.5 and 25.7 degrees, respectively, on the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.

A new front stabiliser bar can be disconnected to improve axle articulation, while four-wheel disc brakes also make their debut for this new vehicle generation.

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Powertrains

Powertrains for the new 'Taco' include a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine providing 170-207kW and 329-430Nm, depending on trim and spec.

This is matched to either a six-speed manual, with anti-stall and automatic rev-matching, or an eight-speed automatic.

Pertinently, perhaps for Hilux, is the debut of the hybridized 2.4-litre turbo-four unit that adds a single electric motor and a petite 1.87kWh battery pack to the Tacoma TRD Pro and Trailhunter. Toyota has already hinted that a mild hybrid Hilux 'looks likely', and the adoption of the Tacoma's system would be the path of least resistance from a development point of view.

The hybridised powertrain can only be matched with an eight-speed automatic, and produces 243kW and 630Nm.

Fuel figures have not yet been released, likely awaiting US EPA validation.

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Design, interior and technology

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma for America treads a bold, modern design with an upright turret and nary a curved line anywhere to be found.

The hexagonal grille and small headlight arrangement feel most identifiably RAV4 for the Australian market, but given the frequently best-selling Ford Ranger’s adoption of ‘big American’ styling, don’t be surprised if the 2025 Toyota Hilux follows a similar path.

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The cabin is anchored with a strong, horizontal dashboard, centred around a digital instrument cluster; 7.0 inches in the lower Tacoma range and 12.4 inches in higher-grade variants, and a landscape infotainment screen; measuring 8.0 or 14.0 inches depending on spec.

Their infotainment systems will support wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sounding off through a ten-speaker JBL audio system.

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Tacomas gain a wireless charging pad along with several USB-C ports.

Packaging-wise, there’s also a-near 300 per cent improvement to the Tacoma’s under-seat storage (for non-hybrid models), along with a neat QR code in the cabin to help owners 3D print their own accessories.

Bed storage has grown by a claimed seven per cent over the outgoing Tacoma.

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But it's not for Australia, right?

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is a North American model, and is expected to hit showrooms in its native domestic market later this year.

The Tacoma, however, is closely related to Australia’s hotly-anticipated, next-gen Toyota Hilux. Given the modular nature of its development and platform, many of the Tacoma’s features, powertrains and designs may very well appear on what’s sold here from 2025.