Why the 2024 Tacoma is Disappointing 

I'm a mechanic in California. Most of the "overland" or "offroad" Tacos I see on the road are clean and pristine. I think Toyota hit their target market correctly with this model. 😂

It all about making the cheapest truck that you will pay 50,000 for.

Looks like they allocated 90 percent of engineering to shocks in the seats instead of the suspension and drivetrain 🤣

You can't complain yet, until they announce the prices of each package. Then we can really complain!

You are correct sir! They don't want you to truly off road these new trucks. To me it looks like they designed them to look super cool and off roadish to drive around town. Cause they know 99% of the people who buy em will never drive on anything more then a gravel road.

I thought this was a pure clickbait video title, but pleasantly surprised by the well thought out reasoning and content. Hopefully others aren't offput by the title and give this video a chance. That said I'm still getting a Trail Hunter when I can, but I feel like there won't be any surprises. Thanks!

Love your channel. Came here from the shock test. Hope you get a lot of subscribers and views

That’s why I love Overland Outfitters videos. They straight up point out the concerns when you actually start modifying. I’m pretty much the same when I go to autoshows. I’m that weird dude that crawls under the vehicle before I check out the interior 🤣

All the things I had been waiting to hear from all the chamnels that got to go to the launch. Can't say anything negative when they flew you to Hawaii. Keep up the great work!!

This is solidly the most important and well informed video about the new Tacoma on the internet. Very well done. In addition to your list, here’s what I don’t like: (1) Electronic transfer case and diff actuators again (2) The bed appears to be a similar design to the cracky 2nd and 3rd gens (3) Are the gear ratios at all improved? Can we have a 3.25+ ratio t-case?! (4) The increased width and wheelbase length is so crazy dumb for off-road use, it’s useless. Longer is never better for off-road! Wider than 72” knock you off 50% of trails in the West. Wildly bad. (5) Can we put larger tires on, stock?! Did they pull a 2nd Gen and make it so 1.0” larger would require cutting?! It’s so wildly bad for the cult followers and off-roaders, they may have killed the platform. It’s now an improved road groomer. It’s so crazy what they did here, it’s hard to process. Your review is spot on!

I agree, like Kai mentioned in his video @tinkerer’s adventures, the LCA is the same on all models which means the trd pro doesn’t have a lot of wheel travel. They should’ve made it wider because there’s more wheel travel but it’s just an appearance package not performance

Do you like the overland torque tune for the current 3.5L v6?

Forced air engines work harder as they use higher compression and run hotter combustion chambers. Turbochargers are also lubricated and cooled by the same oil as the engine, leading it to break down at a quicker rate. This means more frequent oil changes. A Tacoma with no six cylinder engine but an overstressed and overworked four cylinder turbo means an engine that will burn out way too soon. Remember when Tacoma owners joked that we were breaking in an engine at 400K miles? Yeah... I think that's over.

Really enjoyed your critique. Thank you for presenting a reasoned and unbiased review of the Tacoma. Full disclosure I do intend to get one. I’ve been wanting a Tacoma for some years but wanted better fuel economy and the hybrid is the ticket. While I’m not an off-roader I like to be practical so your comments regarding the travel and welded hitch are very good to know. Thanks again

rear discs, rear coils, sway bar disconnect, and 327ftlbs of torque at 1400RPMs! and 1700lbs payload are IMO enough to call it a huge upgrade over 3rd gen TRD OR (which i have). dont even need the extra power/complexity/cost of the hybrid.

I've been planning on getting a 24 tacoma off road but I've been researching others also, considering the Colorado. WHICH TRUCK WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR OVERLANDING that would need the least mods straight from the factory? Thanks

What do I want to see on your site,30% towing, 45% off-road, 25% upgrades. Great site,just subscribed,why? Love the truthful facts,good & Bad ! Keep it coming!❤

I am disappointed no front locker and that the 3 inch wider did not involve longer control arms and better travel.

Would them pushing the rear wheels back further also cause I worse break over angle and cause it to bottom out more?

What are your thoughts on the new GX 550?

I wonder how long it will make maximum power climbing a hill loaded, and how quickly the associated battery will recharge? ie: pulling a trailer in the mountains. Waiting for that test.

Are the frames going to rust out like the last 3 gens?

Most Americans who shell out $40-$50,000 for a new truck isnt going to take it out and Send it sailing through the Air, Slide drifting it up a 40 foot sand dune or climb it up over 3 foot boulders and trees. Most will lock it into 4wheel drive and play in some mud or snow OR to just to have extra traction on thise snowy / icy mirning commutes to work. So $10,000 in custom lifting kits, tires and suspension systems isnt needed. Plus theres not much money left over for most Americans after the initial purchase

I will be keeping my 2021 access cab long bed taco for a very long time.

Glad you put this out, heard similar from another channel…Tinker’s Adventure or something…anyway, the disconnect sway bar is a big deal, new engine, new frame, etc. then probably engineering deadlines + limited resources + testing time kick in. The 4th Gen seems like they ran out of time and just threw on what was already proven & tested. I mean they put on under springs from…the 80’s(?), yeah just slap on something they already have years of testing & data.

Hey man, why was it rusting?

Ok, finished watching the video, good points you brought up. I want to see the new crawl control attack perform to see how it pairs with the FR locked bois in the market, and yeah commodities are nice but I’m not Doug demouro so idgaf. Keep up the good work homies!

Will the trd pro be available in the 6 ft bed as well ??

Great video. You should do the same style video for the new tundra vs old one.

Rest assured that Toyota has done it's homework on how people actually drive their trucks. The fact of the matter is only tiny fraction of these trucks will driven on true off road trails. Vast majority of these trucks will only be driven on paved roads or if they do drive off road it will be on easy gravel roads. Why build a true hard core off road oriented truck when only a tiny little fraction of people will actually take their trucks on those mystical rugged trails ? Most of the people just want a rugged looking comfortable truck that has the capability to take them on a gravel road if needed all though for most that will never happen.

I do like the old-school access cab.

Terrible powertrain. It will break. Look how messy it is.

THE F'N SUSPENSION SEATS in the TRD Pro is such a silly decision. Spend that money on better suspension...sheeesshhh.. Happy you got to check them out underneath. I appreciate the mechanic/fabricator's perspective. As a Toyota Fanboy, I do feel Toyota dropped the ball on this...need that front locker & better suspension. Chevy & Ford have some real nice trucks today....

All I cared about is more power and better brakes. The current Tacoma engine sucks when loaded up and driven up hill to the mountains. It’s drum brakes also suck compared to every other modern truck especially when loaded up going downhill. I like that it has twin turbos and disk brakes. I hate that the front bumper is horrible like the tundra. We have to cut the plastics to fit a winch bumper??? Wtf Toyota?

I appreciate the honest take, the technical insight, and not just being a fan boy! Subscribed

Great info...not the usual sales pitch. Its always the smart ones the non-thinkers are mistaken to believe that are misbehaving.

A Prerunner is originally just a vehicle that drives around a track/course and make sure the track is safe. That is where the Tacoma Prerunner model name originated from, back in 1998 to 2015. Toyota's use of the name has nothing to do with trophy truck racing lol, which we all relate to prerunners now, because Trophy truck drivers build up their Prerunners to be as close to the Trophy truck as possible, to practice courses without worrying about breaking their main sponsored rig before an event Just a fun fact 😁

The only thing that makes sense to me is some type of aftermarket partnership with Toyota and large Offroad companies. Whether there is some truth or not to that, there’s a ton of opportunities for those that want to back engineer parts that Toyota should’ve done in the first place

This is by far the best vid on the new tacomas. The whole track width issue is a real bummer. Like really? More offset and bigger fender flares wtf. And the shock location on the “pre runner” lmao

The jury is still out for me. Glad they kept the 3 pedals. The axis cab seems like an odd decision to me. Wish they had better factory travel numbers and spent more of the money on the suspension setup instead of the seats and interior

Great video. The doors disappearing on the access cab, making it an xtra cab is perplexing. First, that xtra cab config is not available on any upper level trim. Second, there was talk about "why" this was done -- "crash worthiness" -- but if you pull the seats out, making it storage only, don't the crash test dummies go away? "No occupants, no injuries"? In no hurry to replace my 2021 TRD OR AC with the 2024. I hope they rethink many of the design decisions you brought up.

Finally someone calling it like it is! Than you!

Great review! Appreciate the thorough rundown.

Finally an honest knowledgeable critique of the Tacoma, most journalists are usually glorifying mediocracy… way back when I was 16 and owned a modified first Gen bronco then bought a new 1987 Toyota pu, when I first took it off road i bottomed out so hard i bent my upper bump stop and was driving it really gently.. I double shocked it and increased the front spring rate and still blew through the 7” ish inch front suspension.. my second and third Toyota all ended up with bent upper bump stops, although this new Tacoma looks great, I wouldn’t have a hybrid, the batteries need replacement in 5 ish years at a cost of $6000. Ish Canadian.., I’d rather have a straight gas or diesel engine, I love the seats, the fully boxed frame, the larger tires are almost on par with the competition, Toyotas next step would be to put in a suspension comparable to the ranger raptor, sadly that would never happen 😢

10:47 when was the twin turbo model announced?

Vid proves that If your already balls deep in your current taco just keep going with it instead of lusting after the ipad dash, turbos. Hit that buy button w Magnussen and get that blower for your 3.5, regear the truck deeper and start cutting/welding more on it guilt free. And while your at it unbolt your front sway and throw it away, then save up for Marlin Crawler IFS

They probably can't raise the rear shock mounts because the tires would hit the shock mounts during full articulation of the rear axle, straight axle issues.

Looks like a challenge you should take on... you should get one so you can fix them up and show us the improved version .

Really appreciated this contrarian take, especially from someone who clearly knows what’s important for an off-road vehicle.

Good video guys! I am however, surprised that you are surprised. Tacomas have always been designed and built to be all rounders, not workhorse off-roaders, and certainly not crawlers. Approach, departure, and dreadful break over angles, peak torque and gearing, the list goes on. If I had to go new, i'd go for a Ranger and all the Auzzie proven mods and accessories . I'll stick to my 80's turbo diesel SUV for now.

You brought up some interesting view points. Do I agree? Not so much. But that doesn't matter. Front locker I feel isn't that big of a deal honestly. Other Features will act like a locker. The front suspension you thought they would upgrade from previous gen and sounds like they didn't. Now, I assume they didn't change much cause why fix something that isn't broke theory is what I'm guessing. Should they of gone with more travel? Yes. Does it matter if it's the same width? Not at all. I love this new tacoma. I love how the are finally listening to owners especially us tundra owner's. I'll trade in my 2022 tundra for a tacoma trailhunter. Anyways, hopefully this change a little before actual manufacturing. I think you should still get one. Do appreciate your opinion. Thank you.

seating position is a huge plus also. I would rather have a prop rod than hood struts that will fail eventually. no access cab door will make the prerunner a total failure. that was a huge mistake. it will probably be out for 1 year like the 2 door 2nd gen 4runner. what will the 2wd basic pickups look like? will they all only be offered in the unaccessible access cab? big improvement over the 3rd gen overall. if you think about it, besides trucks that came with the 3.0, the 3rd gen tacoma is arguably the least desirable toyota pickup sold in the states thus far. that mini van drivetrain (well, engine specifically)should have never been repurposed for a truck.

I'm looking forward to driving a trailhunter!

The background music is distracting, I have problems with comprehension of what being discussed.

no access cab killed it for me. I dont want 4 doors and 5 ft bed. This is soooo stupid and backwards. I was looking forward to upgarde my 2008 but they have offered me nothing i want.

Honestly 95% of the 4th gens look gimmicky to me

I am 75 years old and not an off-roader but I have had two Tacos and two Tundra’s and I really like Toyota vehicles but I don’t like the idea of a 4 banger with a turbo because I like the V-8 or the V-6 for a truck.

Just bc it’s Toyota it don’t mean it won’t come with faults. All reviews I’ve seen have praised the new Taco but it’s refreshing to see someone be critical about. I own a 1st gen and love that thing to death but seeing stuff that a new 2024 Taco doesn’t have from factory that I’ve upgraded on my 1st gen is a bit of a let down. You’d think they’d get the hint from all the aftermarket parts available to include certain stuff but idk. Maybe the leave it out to leave some fun for the owner? Still however a visually nice truck can’t deny that!

That’s gonna suck if you blow a seat shock and get oil all over inside😂

You said 4 cylinder twin turbo ?

How much better could they have done??? Please let us know… 🤔

Im still gonna buy one

It seem like everyone complained about the new suspension seat, I don’t care for it but it will benefit if you ever race in Baja 1000 or any desert racing.

The current generation is about to up in value. Just wait until the offroaders begin to comprehend what that frame in the 2024 means to them. They haven't caught on yet obviously no one brings it up. They'd be really upset if they understood the trucks engineering dynamics. Give it time. People are a bit slow if they don't know much about this (not their fault).

Right on with the Access Cab!, Does Toyota think no one owns a dog! What the heck!

I think they really took a step backwards. So much so I am replacing my gen 3 with a brand new gen 3. My current truck I was going to keep for another 2to 5 years. But I want to reset the clock on a new gen 3 access cab and then hopefully wait till they swing back around and get a little more realistic again on the gen 4. Lots of mistakes in my opinion on the gen 4.

No way I'm going to buy a first year new gen truck. Grabbed a 2023 and am going to give it 4 or 5 years to see how things turn out.

Overall I'm just disappointed with Toyota and I don't see myself ever wanting a 4th gen Tacoma. I'll stick with my 2nd gen. I look forward to getting the new Tundra though!

I agree Toyota missed, and if these new hybrids have disappointing mpgs were screwed 😂🙈🇨🇦 you should do an update like 6 months from now or every Toyota release of 4x4s

Good points...still want one 😆

Natural aspirated v6 choice would be better than turbos that will fail or kill engine sooner.

Old vehicles- Design an engine that can operate for 300,000 miles if used as directed, and 200,000 if modified to squeeze more power from said motor. New vehicles - Strangle a tiny 4 cyl for all it's worth knowing major expenses will be incurred after the warranty @ ~100,000 miles (those turbo's don't change themselves) exaggerate the power numbers, underdeliver, and overcharge. This was supposed to be the year of the midsize truck and instead it's the era of wishing somebody knew how to build a truck. Most SUV's are experiencing the same issues. Car/truck manufacturers have lost their way, and we as consumers need to show our discontent with their greed by not buying their junk. Honda is still churning out tens if not hundreds of thousands of cars with 1.5L 4 cyl that STILL have oil dilution issues. GM and Ford are rife with recalls and reliability issues and they have the same issues with their horse-whipped 4cyl that's slow to build power (and 14 mpg is pretty standard for mixed driving...wtf). Stellantis only exists because their buyers struggle to read. Toyota cars SUV"s and trucks are starting to feel like go-karts with their cheap materials, and now this pathetic excuse of a ..trucklette? TFL pulled a 3,000 lb medium profile trailer and the mileage dropped from 22 mpg to 12, and it was hunting for gears constantly. Toyota, this isn't a truck, it's an oversiezed trucklette. I usually swap new cars/trucks every 18 moths or so, but the current market of vehicles is depressing. The worst part is, Toyota will keep this trash trucklette for 7 more disappointing years. I owned 2 brand new third gen taco's off-road. They just needed a little more power and a transmission that wasn't garbage. Instead we get less power, fake numbers, and an equally bad trans. If you want bigger tires and wheel offsets with shocks you have to crawl around on the ground to adjust, that vehicle costs $65,000 before tax and dealer mark ups. Fake numbers= there's no way 326hp+460 ft lbs of torque produce these acceleration numbers. hahah, 7 seconds, and it can't pull a trailer. Before these numbers were released there was a Toyota "engineer" that was talking about those hp and torque numbers and said something along the lines of "and numbers like that only add up to one thing = speed." Wrong again. The Ranger Raptor has two more cylinders, lower hp, lower torque (reportedly) and is heavier, has real suspension, real tires, and it's full second faster for the on-ramp for $8,000 less? No, a truck is not designed to be a drag car. But this wasn't designed to be a truck (can't pull a trailer without crapping itself), a car (can't comfortably haul four passengers, is slow, terrible mileage), or an SUV (can't haul 4 passengers, slow, terrible mileage). Toyota just committed seppuku to their brand name for the sake of short sighted greed. There will be firiings at Toyota, but none of them will be high up in the C-suite where the problems really begin.

The new hilux rogue has longer arms wish they did that with his

Hitch is integrated into the frame

Thanks, great info

Try driving a loaded jeep diesel. I have been in and out of 4runners for years and had big aspirations on driving the jeep diesel wow what a let down. I knew the first 5mins of my test drive that there was nothing special about driving it. Oh well. As for the Tacoma looks waaay better than the previous generation. Some People that seen and sat in the new Tacoma are saying it's better than the Tundra and sequoia. That's impressive

I feel dumber for having watched this video.

No TRD offroad goodies on the xtra cab is disappointing. I dont need a double cab and want the 6 foot box on a shorter truck plus payload

the seats are such a gimmick. I'm sure they work, but it's something no one asked for or wanted. In the marketing video, the voiceover mentions something along the line of "tacoma still has the customizability l the Tacoma community loves" which means they know about the community, so you'd think they'd ask customers or do some reading to see what people are and aren't complaining about. Nothings perfect, but I think Toyota could've done better, much better.

My 2nd gen sr5 with a spacer level and 33's has taken me far further than the internet told me was possible and hasn't gotten stuck anywhere that 4 low and some throttle control couldn't get me out. I haven't hit the hitch on anything yet and I definitely tried to. My shitbox Izuzu broke down and the taco pulled it on a car trailer, about 6400lbs up a 10% grade gravel road without breaking a sweat. Not adding any travel and that rear shock position on this new one is wack but I'm still going to buy it and go just as far off road as I am already if not further yet maybe see more than 12 mpg on the highway so im okay with it. I can see how someone who off roads most of the time with their truck would be upset, but that guy isn't as likely to buy a brand new 60k truck and full send it. Mine will be use 90% for home depot runs and helping people move 😂 but when I want to go camping in some remote place I know it will be ready to go at a moments notice.

WTH they welded the hitch 🤦🏻‍♂️ it’s like you said they purposely don’t want you off-roading these trucks.

Right there with you on the extra cab not opening. That's why the old ones sucked (I owned 2) and this one will suck too. Had they built the extra cab model with suicide doors and a 7 foot box I'd be stoked about it's utility. I am glad to see a higher seat, roof and heated steering wheel.

8:20 They did it for better structural rigidity, not so much for "legacy". It's a compromise.

I'm just waiting to see how many of the new models ended up with cracked frames. Popcorn out. Nissan did the same thing. Lack of frame articulation. Little suspension travel. Things break. But toyota is even more interesting because they've never really been able to make a frame correctly. This is a serious endeavor for them. 😂😂

Admit bro, you're Seth Rogen's cousin

The truck looks great but what's under the hood is NOT what your average Taco Fans want!!! Toyota may be in for a shock if they don't keep that good old trusty V6!

Tacoma is designed by posers, not really 4 wheeling enthusiasts. Only posers will prioritize 3 inch offset versus suspension travel. Just look at its tie rods vs the gladiator, night and day.

Oooo this new fancy off road pavement princess wil take curbs nicely. They will become the next line of rentals and loaners when you drop off your 22’ or 23’ Tacoma for recall work.

Looks like i'll have my 2015 forever

Those seats are a gimmick for sure.

Keep the 3rd Gen!! It will be 2025 before we see the hybrid and with steeler-ship mark-ups or Port add-ons who could afford one! I think it's ugly as hell just get a Tundra with a 5' bed and it's the same length as the TrailHunter. With that you get leg room in the rear.

Seems like the ranger would be a better option

Well I’ve got a feeling that this may be the last generation where you can get a gas burner engine, as crazy as that sounds. I love Toyota but the federal government has caused them to be way over engineered.

The halfbreed motor and battery in high water crossings will probably go PPPPPPFFFFFFFSSSSSSSZZZZZZZ BOOM and I don’t want to be driving it

This or the Canyon?

I think the fender flares are too big and hideous, I mean the Tacoma is basically a mini Tundra and the ones on the Tundra are not that big.

My zr2 diesel off roads alot better than my trd pro just because the front locker that I'm now going to have to install on my damn tacoma

Nissan's 2024 frontier will have a 3.8 turbo V6..

It's almost like they build trucks for the general market and not specifically overlanding. Why are overlanders so narcissistic

When are you gonna start driving ford or Chevy?