evilfij
Well-known member
On the big manufacturers v. small, Toyota announced the 2024 tacoma yesterday. TLDR 2.4 turbo 4 or same plus hybrid (same hybrid as tundra), 8 speed auto, 6MT available on non-hybrid 270hp/310ft/lbs (278/317 with auto), tundra chassis, looks almost all new (second and third Gen tacos were same platform 2007-2023), factory ARB made bumpers etc. “trailhunter” edition with all those bolt ons from the factory.
This is the best video as it is in depth.
Bringing it back to Grenadier, most interesting to me was at the end when they go over the manual (blue truck, few seconds after 25 minutes in). Toyota keeping a manual in the tacoma is a win. If you read between the lines, what they did was use auto-rev match for downshift (they don’t say if it is defeatable, but I bet it is or maybe like my GT3 you have to turn it on) to reduce reduce emissions and manual will be available on the TRD Pro. And it has adaptive cruise control — with a manual! Not sure why Grenadier did not do the same.
I am not interested in getting a new taco (my 2016 taco is my last pick up) but the thoughtfulness of the design I admire. For example, in addition to what I mentioned, you can get mechanical suspension seats that are adjustable with heating and cooling. They have a factory installed air compressor option that is built into the bed. While it’s a carry over from 3rd Gen, they slap a low air dam on to juice the MPG numbers a hair, but you can pull it off in 5min with some screws and looks perfect without it. You can still get a two door extra cab. Composite bed carry over too. No dents, no rust, no chipped paint.
The 2.4 turbo has been around for a while in front drive applications, and given where Toyota is (all the Prius, hybrids etc give them good cafe numbers and they tend to price competitively) you can probably pick one up for half the cost of a Grenadier with a manual and a rear locker and, other than the safety, a pretty basic truck. I would (well I did) go out and buy a GX460 (or 4runner although that stays the same for 2024 so you have a little time) if you want ultimate reliability in an SUV, but I am not hating the new taco as much as I thought I would.
This is the best video as it is in depth.
Bringing it back to Grenadier, most interesting to me was at the end when they go over the manual (blue truck, few seconds after 25 minutes in). Toyota keeping a manual in the tacoma is a win. If you read between the lines, what they did was use auto-rev match for downshift (they don’t say if it is defeatable, but I bet it is or maybe like my GT3 you have to turn it on) to reduce reduce emissions and manual will be available on the TRD Pro. And it has adaptive cruise control — with a manual! Not sure why Grenadier did not do the same.
I am not interested in getting a new taco (my 2016 taco is my last pick up) but the thoughtfulness of the design I admire. For example, in addition to what I mentioned, you can get mechanical suspension seats that are adjustable with heating and cooling. They have a factory installed air compressor option that is built into the bed. While it’s a carry over from 3rd Gen, they slap a low air dam on to juice the MPG numbers a hair, but you can pull it off in 5min with some screws and looks perfect without it. You can still get a two door extra cab. Composite bed carry over too. No dents, no rust, no chipped paint.
The 2.4 turbo has been around for a while in front drive applications, and given where Toyota is (all the Prius, hybrids etc give them good cafe numbers and they tend to price competitively) you can probably pick one up for half the cost of a Grenadier with a manual and a rear locker and, other than the safety, a pretty basic truck. I would (well I did) go out and buy a GX460 (or 4runner although that stays the same for 2024 so you have a little time) if you want ultimate reliability in an SUV, but I am not hating the new taco as much as I thought I would.
