LAST JAPANESE PICKUP TRUCK IN AMERICA WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Manual transmissions are slowly being phased out. While there are still a few models out there that offer the six-speed manual gearbox, they are becoming harder and harder to find. This is particularly true in the 4x4 or pickup truck world. In fact, there is only one option left if you’re looking for a Japanese truck with a manual transmission in 2024.

For the 2024 model year, the Toyota Tacoma has been redesigned from the ground up. For the most part, this has meant filling it with new technology to make it as modern as possible and to help it compete with its impressive rivals. The one place where they have kept things traditional is that you can still get a Taco truck with a manual.

We’ve taken a look at the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, and we’ve uncovered how the six-speed manual fits into its new design. We’ve also found out exactly which models can be equipped with the manual. We also look at how the new design and modern equipment might affect one of the Tacoma’s biggest selling points, its reliability.

Only Three Of The 2024 Tacoma Trims Can Be Equipped With A Manual

With the updated Tacoma, one thing Toyota has ensured is that the trim lineup remains diverse enough to offer buyers plenty of options. There is a plethora of Tacomas to choose from, and they can all be equipped differently. In this sea of customizability, only three Tacoma models can be had with the manual transmission.

Trims

The trim lineup for the 2024 Tacoma is one of the most diverse lineups of any truck on the market right now. There is more than a $30,000 gap between the most affordable and the most expensive Tacoma and each trim comes with varying equipment that justifies each jump in price.

The Tacoma can be had as either an XtraCab or double cab, with the latter being the way to go if you want a second row of seating. A five-foot bed is standard, but you can opt for a six-foot extended bed on certain models.

Which Trims Have A Manual

The three trims that can be equipped with a manual are the SR, the TRD Sport, and the TRD Off-Road. The SR5, PreRunner, and Limited models can all only be had with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Also, it is important to note that any Tacoma equipped with the i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain also only has the automatic.

There are further conditions to equipping your Tacoma with the six-speed manual transmission. You will have to opt for the Double Cab model as XtraCab Tacomas can only be had with the automatic. You also have to equip your truck with four-wheel drive instead of the standard rear-wheel drive. The manual transmission also costs an additional $2,200. Overall, an SR Tacoma with a manual transmission costs you an additional $10,800 over the stock standard model.

Toyota Pairs Its Transmission With A New 2.4-Liter Turbo-Four

The manual transmission is a hotly sought-after option for motoring purists. However, Toyota has shaken up the game a little bit with the new Tacoma by not offering any V-shaped engines. Every single 2024 Tacoma comes fitted with a turbocharged inline-four, a controversial choice at best.

Engine Options

There are three output versions of the new 2.4-liter engine in the Tacoma. The first and least powerful is only found in the entry-level SR model. Every other solely gas-powered model comes equipped with the 278-horsepower version. The models equipped with the i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain get a ton more power and an insane amount of torque. The i-Force MAX powertrain is a really attractive option. It's just a bummer that you can't get any of these models with a six-speed.

The Tacoma is a pretty capable truck, even with a four-cylinder engine. Models that are equipped with the more powerful gas-only engine have a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The hybrid model takes a hit in this regard and its maximum sits at 6,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy

Toyota has clearly aimed to get a good mix of performance and efficiency with this new four-cylinder engine, especially considering they've added a hybrid option. All the many different layouts of the Tacoma produce differing fuel efficiency ratings, all of which can be seen in the EPA's testing.

The EPA only tested a single Tacoma with the manual transmission, and it averaged 18 miles per gallon in the city, 23 miles per gallon on the highway, and 20 miles per gallon combined. The same model with the automatic transmission achieved better efficiency in every area by a single mile per gallon.

The Most Capable Tacomas Only Feature An Automatic

For those who are looking to get the biggest and baddest versions of the Tacoma, there is some bad news. The most capable Tacomas only come with an automatic transmission. The Trailhunter and the TRD Pro models feature the i-Force MAX powertrain and, therefore, don't give you the option of a manual.

Trailhunter

New for the 2024 model year is the Tacoma Trailhunter. Toyota markets the Trailhunter as a truck that is ready to go overlanding straight off the showroom floor. It features plenty of impressive equipment, and it ought to as it is the second most expensive Tacoma model this year.

Toyota has fitted the Trailhunter with a high-clearance front bumper as well as an ARB steel rear bumper. There is also plenty of steel underbody protection. Toyota has fitted the Trailhunter with 33-inch rugged-terrain tires and 18-inch bronze-finished wheels. Old-Man Emu suspension also gives the Trailhunter plenty of flex.

TRD Pro

While the Trailhunter feels more like the slow-and-steady go-anywhere option, the TRD Pro takes a more fierce approach. It's unique rugged styling makes it obvious that this Tacoma likes to go fast, ready to kick up rocks and dirt wherever it may go.

The TRD Pro sits on premium TRD-tuned FOX shocks. Toyota claims these use race-proven technology that makes adventuring as well as everyday driving as smooth as possible. The TRD Pro features the same wheel and tire setup as the Trailhunter. It also features IsoDynamic performance front seats which use hydraulics to absorb any kind of shock.

Toyota Is Taking Reliability Risks With The New Generation Tacoma

While we can't deny that the 2024 Toyota Tacoma shows a lot of promise, there is one area of concern for long-term fans of the truck. The Tacoma may not have always had the most modern equipment, but it has always been one of the most rugged and durable vehicles that money can buy. With the changes to the platform, powertrain, and internals, will the Tacoma be able to uphold its reputation for reliability?

Reliability

J.D. Power utilizes a mixture of internal testing alongside the reviews of certified owners to rank vehicles. One of the most important factors in a vehicle's ranking on the site is quality and reliability. This score is determined by the number of defects, malfunctions, or overall issues that a vehicle has. The 2023 Tacoma scored an 83 out of 100. Historically, it is also perceived as one of the most reliable trucks ever made.

The 2024 Tacoma takes a lot of reliability risks. Just about everything has been complicated from the outgoing model; from the electronics to the powertrain. This is especially true if you get the hybrid i-Force MAX models, as they add even more moving parts to the equation. We can't make any real predictions as of yet, but we hope that time proves the new generation of the Taco truck to be just as sturdy as the generations that have come to pass.

2024-08-28T10:04:51Z dg43tfdfdgfd