The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is the Swiss military knife of mid-size vehicles because it affords a number of powertrains, two cabs, and two mattress lengths. Nonetheless, we’re specializing in its six-speed guide at present.

Throughout a deep dive at Toyota’s North American Analysis and Improvement Heart in Michigan, officers instructed us protecting the guide was essential as Tacoma homeowners are fans who needed to see the gearbox return. This makes the truck a little bit of a rarity as the one different choice is the Jeep Gladiator.

In addition to being a member of an unique membership, the 2024 Tacoma has automated rev matching, an upshift maintain operate, and a clutch start-cancel system. The latter has been round for awhile, nevertheless it’s value citing once more because it lets you begin the truck, in gear, with out utilizing the clutch.

commercial scroll to proceed

As an alternative, you merely hit the ignition button and the starter will get the truck shifting ahead. It is a big asset when off-roading as generally hitting the clutch and sliding backward would spell catastrophe.

Extra: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Begins At $31,500 And Hits $52,100 In Restricted Trim

The guide is offered solely with a barely detuned model of the turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It produces 270 hp (201 kW / 274 PS) and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) of torque, as an alternative of the standard 278 hp (207 kW / 282 PS) and 317 lb-ft (429 Nm).

The shifter is positioned subsequent to a multi-function rotary controller, which offers easy accessibility to drive modes in addition to iMT (clever guide transmission) goodies. Regardless of trying acquainted, the Tacoma trades the Tundra’s four-wheel drive slider for a barely extra convoluted setup that requires drivers to push a launch after which select between 2WD, 4WD Excessive, and 4WD Low.

Computerized variants have a special knob, which contains much more controls into the highest. Amongst them are buttons for tow/haul mode, drive modes, multi-terrain choose, and crawl management / downhill help management. You apparently hit one in all them after which twist the knob to make your required choice.

Talking of settings, multi-terrain choose can now be utilized in 4WD Excessive and 4WD Low. Engineers additionally famous the system has a lot of different enhancements as it might probably now alter accelerator pedal response, engine torque, and equipment choice to finest cope with the scenario at hand.

Reside Photos: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops