10 REASONS WHY THE 2024 TOYOTA TACOMA HYBRID IS THE BEST MIDSIZE PICKUP TRUCK

Hybrid vehicles have come a long way since the Toyota Prius went on sale more than 25 years ago. These days, all types of road-going vehicles have hybrid versions, and the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is the newest addition to this lineup.

Toyota has long been a pioneer of hybrid vehicles. Following the full-size Tundra Hybrid released earlier, Toyota has unveiled a hybrid version of its mid-sized Tacoma truck. The Toyota Tacoma has been around for a long time and is entering its fourth generation in 2023. While it is the same quintessential mid-size pickup truck it has always been, the new generation gets a hybrid version too. The top-of-the-line Trailhunter and TRD Pro versions couple a battery pack and an electric motor with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine for a combined power output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. They also borrow the iForce Max branding from the Tundra Hybrid. Combine this with the increased fuel efficiency, and you get a mid-size truck like no other on the market right now. Even though it faces stiff competition from other trucks like the Ford Ranger, here are 10 reasons why the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid will be the truck to buy when it becomes available in spring 2024.

The New Tacoma Hybrid Comes With Killer Looks

The new generation of the Toyota Tacoma has received a complete redesign with the exterior now bolder and more aggressive than ever. At the front, you'll find a large grill and swept-back headlights that give it an aerodynamic look. The rear now features a new tailgate and LED taillights. The hybrid TRD Pro version gets some special features of its own in the shape of an off-road-designed front bumper, wider fender flares, a steel rear bumper, and unique wheels. The new Tacoma is also available in a ton of different color options, so you can really personalize your truck. Overall, the new Toyota Tacoma is a good-looking truck that offers both form and functionality while keeping a bold and aggressive stance.

The Tacoma Hybrid Offers A Lot Of Power

All versions of the new Toyota Tacoma are powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. The engine itself produces 228 horsepower for the SR version and 278 horsepower for the iForce version. The hybrid version dubbed the iForce Max combines this engine with a 1.9-kilowatt-hour battery back and a 48-horsepower electric motor for a combined power output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This means that the Tacoma Hybrid provides almost double the power provided by the base version in the outgoing generation. Even though it isn't as powerful as its direct rival the Ford Ranger Raptor which produces 405 horsepower, it still provides ample amounts of power and can make up for the deficit in the efficiency and torque departments.

It Offers Better Fuel Efficiency Than Ever

Hybrid vehicles always offer better fuel efficiency than their ICE-powered counterparts, and the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is no different. Thanks to Toyota's effective combination of electric motor and engine, the Tacoma can meet all your truck needs without being a gas-guzzler. Even though Toyota hasn't released the exact mpg figures yet, there has been speculation that the Tacoma hybrid could offer as much as 38 mpg. Even if that's a little ambitious, it will be much more efficient than the current-gen Tacoma rated at 21 mpg for combined city and highway. For the sake of comparison, the Toyota Tundra Hybrid is rated at 20 mpg city and 24 mpg city, and the smaller Tacoma Hybrid should be significantly more efficient than that.

The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid's Interior Is Loaded With Features

The new Tacoma Hybrid is the most high-tech Tacoma ever, and this is evident in the interior as well. The interior has been redesigned, so it looks more modern and upscale than before and the cabin is now more spacious thanks to the added legroom and headroom. The infotainment system now features a 14.0-inch screen inherited from the Tundra, and it even comes with physical buttons as opposed to the touchscreen controls being adopted widely in the electric vehicle industry. The highest trim levels offer heated and ventilated seats and even power running boards. Another new feature is the innovative camera system that allows for easier and more convenient maneuvering while off-roading, towing, or parking. Overall, the new Tacoma's interior is a significant upgrade over the previous generation and the hybrid version gets all the goodies.

The Tacoma Hybrid Offers Innovative Gimbal Seats

This is one of the most distinguishing features of the new Tacoma Hybrid. If you opt for the TRD Pro version, you will get what Toyota calls bucket seats but are essentially gimbal seats for the driver and front passenger. These seats are made of a durable fabric that is both water-resistant and stain-resistant, and they have been designed to provide both comfort and support. This is possible thanks to shocks mounted both vertically and laterally on the seats. These shocks help in isolating your body from bumps while going off-roading, and the experience should further be enhanced thanks to the Tacoma's new suspension. If that wasn't enough, the seats come with a built-in cooling system that helps to keep the driver and passenger cool on hot days. The bucket seats are one of the most innovative and practical features of the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid.

It Has All The Features You Would Want From A Truck... And More

The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is more fuel-efficient and environment-friendly than ever, but is still a very practical and usable mid-size truck. The cabin has plenty of leg and headroom, and the bed is large enough to haul cargo or a trailer. The added power and torque of the electric motor help enhance this even more. The towing capacity of the Tacoma Hybrid is rated at 6,000 pounds, and it can haul up to 1,709 pounds. This means that the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid comes equipped with everything you would require from a workhorse pickup truck, but it comes with the added bonus of fuel efficiency and extra power. Who can say no to that?

It Offers Exceptional Off-Road Capabilities

The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid comes in two versions: the TRD Pro and the Trailhunter. Both of these trucks have amazing off-road capabilities but, as the name suggests, the Trailhunter really shines in this department. This trim has been designed for off-road enthusiasts and comes with some exclusive features. This includes 18-inch bronze-colored rims with all-terrain tires, specialized shocks with a piggyback-style reservoir, and a multi-terrain select system. The TRD Pro version shares some of these features, as both the hybrid version come with a locking rear differential that helps in improving the distribution of power evenly to both rear wheels and, in turn, the traction. Rest assured, the Toyota Tacoma Hybrid will not let you down if you want to go off-roading.

It Will Be As Reliable As Ever

Toyota is well-known for making some of the most reliable vehicles ranging from cars to trucks, and the Tacoma has been the flag-bearer of this reliability for years. Everyone remembers the classic Tacoma Double Cab commercial, and the Tacoma has regularly been rated highly in reliability lists, so there's no reason to believe that the new generation won't be as reliable as the older ones. Even though the hybrid tech is a new addition to the Tacoma, Toyota is one of the pioneers in hybrid vehicles, and it has already proven its expertise in hybrid pick-up trucks with the Tundra Hybrid. If that isn't enough, the Tacoma Hybrid is also backed by a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for additional peace of mind.

The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Is A Very Versatile Truck

Toyota Tacoma enthusiasts are known to customize their trucks to enhance their capabilities, and the new Tacoma Hybrid should fit into that nicely as well. One of the activities that the Tacoma is especially suitable for is overlanding, which involves packing your vehicle and using it as a house while you explore off-road trails and remote destinations. Toyota has already equipped the Trailhunter version with everything you would need to do this, but the Tacoma has always been supported by a wide array of third-party accessories such as tents and roof-racks. This means that you can use the Toyota Tacoma for everything ranging from everyday driving and work to off-road adventures like overlanding.

The Tacoma Hybrid Is Expected To Be Priced Competitively

Price is almost always the biggest factor to consider while buying a vehicle and this is particularly true for an 'entry-level' truck such as the Toyota Tacoma. Toyota has not revealed the exact prices for the new generation yet but the base SR model is expected to start at around $28,000 while the two hybrid versions, namely the Trailhunter and TRD Pro, are expected to cost around $48,000 and $50,000 respectively. This would put them in the same category as the top-of-the-line models of the Tacoma's non-hybrid rivals such as the Honda Ridgeline and the Chevrolet Colorado. The Toyota Tacoma hybrid offers superior power and efficiency and power to both of them, so it is almost a no-brainer when it comes to value. This is all speculative at the moment, though, since we will have to wait for Toyota to reveal the final prices before giving a proper verdict.

2023-06-04T14:08:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd