The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is generating significant buzz, and for good reason. Toyota recently lent me this top-tier off-road truck for a week to experience it as a daily driver. This real-world test provided a stark contrast to the typical off-road course reviews. Living with the Tacoma TRD Pro day-to-day revealed aspects you simply can’t grasp from a short off-road excursion.
This article dives into the pros and cons of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro as a daily driver. While its off-road prowess is undeniable, daily usability presents a different set of considerations. For a deeper dive, you can also check out my YouTube channel review embedded at the end of this post.
Spoiler alert: the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro truly shines off-road, but compromises exist when confined to pavement.
The Upsides: Pros of the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro
Front view of the Ice Cap 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro highlighting its bold grille, wide fenders, and integrated light bar
If you’re considering a 2024 TRD Pro, there’s a lot to appreciate. This model year marks a significant leap for the TRD Pro, finally justifying the “Pro” moniker. Past Tacomas offered minor upgrades over the TRD Off-Road, but the 2024 version elevates the game considerably. Here are three standout features that define the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro:
Commanding Road Presence
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro exudes a powerful presence. Its aesthetics are assertive, demanding attention wherever it goes. The wide fenders, gloss black accents, integrated light bar, ARB rear bumper, red recovery hooks, TRD skid plate, black roof accents, and striking cockpit red interior all contribute to its bold statement.
For Toyota aficionados, the TRD Pro designation is instantly recognizable. However, the 2024 design leaves no room for mistaking it for a standard TRD Off-Road model. The moment it arrived in my driveway, its imposing stance and aggressive styling were immediately apparent. Compared to even my own TRD Off-Road, the Pro model clearly means business.
Potent Hybrid Powertrain
The 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro boasts the standard i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, delivering an impressive 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This engine is a game-changer. After a week of daily driving, the hybrid system won me over completely. My next truck will undoubtedly feature this powertrain. While the standard 2.4L turbo engine is competent, the hybrid offers a noticeable surge in power and responsiveness.
Despite occasionally pushing the engine to its limits to assess its performance, and without employing fuel-saving driving techniques, I still achieved 21 MPG on the standard 33″ tires. Skepticism towards a 4-cylinder engine in a truck is understandable, but the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro’s hybrid powertrain delivers performance that will change your mind.
Surprisingly Tuned TRD Exhaust
Toyota has engineered a remarkable exhaust note for the 4-cylinder 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro. While aftermarket exhausts can enhance sound, the TRD exhaust is surprisingly refined straight from the factory. Compared to my previous 2022 V6 TRD Pro Tacoma, the 2024 model’s exhaust produces a pleasingly deep, raspy rumble at low RPMs without any droning at highway speeds. While there’s some augmented sound through the interior speakers, the core exhaust note itself is genuinely impressive.
The Downsides: Cons of Daily Driving the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro
Limited rear passenger legroom in the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro due to the IsoDynamic Performance Seats
Despite its striking looks and exceptional off-road capabilities, the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro does present some drawbacks as a daily driver.
Annoying Hood Rattle
During the initial press release event, the hood rattle issue went unnoticed. However, on my first drive in the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro, the faux hood vent vibrated excessively. Checking online forums and owner groups confirmed this wasn’t an isolated incident, with numerous owners reporting the same hood rattle while driving. Toyota should address this with improved hood bracing in future production runs.
Noisy Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud Terrain Tires
The Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires, while excellent off-road, are noticeably loud and contribute to a somewhat bouncy ride on paved roads. Switching to the BFG tires found on the TRD Off-Road model would improve on-road comfort and noise levels. However, it’s worth noting that many owners typically replace factory tires anyway, especially those seeking specific performance or aesthetic upgrades.
Impractical ISO Dynamic Performance Seats
While acknowledging the engineering innovation behind the ISO Dynamic Performance Seats, their practicality for daily driving is questionable. These seats significantly reduce rear-seat legroom and feature aggressive bolstering and fixed headrests, potentially causing discomfort for larger individuals. The manual lever for seat recline also feels less premium in a top-tier trim.
The ISO Dynamic Performance Seats are undoubtedly beneficial for aggressive off-road driving, mitigating body jostling. However, the reality is that the majority of a 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro’s life will be spent on city streets and highways, where these seats offer limited benefit and introduce compromises in comfort and space.
Final Verdict
Real-world review of the 4th Generation Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, emphasizing its blend of on-road presence and off-road capability
Despite these daily driving compromises, my week with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro was overwhelmingly positive. Whether it was the impressive hybrid powertrain or its undeniable road presence, this truck left a lasting impression. The week went by too quickly, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to drive, or perhaps even own, a 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro in the future. Until then, my current TRD Off-Road provides a similar Tacoma experience at a more accessible price point.
