2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter 4x4 - Bottom Line Review

OUT- BACKED OVERLANDER: Pre-rail era Australian cattle drives, known for long distances, inspired the development of the first post World War Two automotive trails into the remote interior Outback.

By the mid 1970s, Anthony Ronald Brown was renowned for overlanding the Aussie Outback in a custom upfitted Land Rover. His namesake, ARB, developed a reputation as a welder of high strength steel bull bars (for stray bovines) and roof racks that could endure the inhospitable terrain, later morphing into a tuned suspension and front locking differential supplier.

Among automakers invested in off-road performance tuned light trucks, Japanese brand Toyota has built an extensive reputation with Toyota Racing Development Pro models and accessories. Even so, zero compromise overlanders have continued to source tuning from the aftermarket. Thus, for their redesigned fourth generation mid-size pickup truck, Toyota called up ARB to upfit the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter 4x4 at the factory floor.

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WHAT: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter 4x4 Double Cab, is the factory upfitted overland performance version of the Japanese brand's fourth generation mid-size pickup truck for North America. The N400 "Taco" replaces the third generation N300. It is built on the modular TNGA-F platform, thus is related to the J250 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road - Bottom Line Review

GARAGE -A- BILLY GOAT: In an American world the crew cab half ton pickup trucks garner all the the heavy towing and glamour accolades. However, praise for the full size pickup truck ends in front of a typical Yankee house garage, perpendicular parking space or narrow rutted dirt road where

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

Standard Powertrain: i-Force MAX 2.4T 16V DI, SEFI DOHC gas I-4, 1.8 kWh NiMH hybrid battery electric 36 kW PSM motor, 8-speed direct shift planetary automatic transmission, part time 2-speed transfer case four-wheel drive.

• Net Hybrid Power: 326 hp / 465 lb.-ft @ 1700 r.p.m.
• By Comparison:
  • -79 hp, +35 lb-ft vs. Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0T
  • +16 hp, +35 lb-ft vs. Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): Mid-size though it may be, the fourth generation Toyota Tacoma casts a new big rig presence in the shadow of the full size Tundra. A fully darkened broad new front scowl, filled with wide honeycomb cells, topped by a single upper bar with TOYOTA lettering, replaces the traditional inverted trapezoid grin. A mammoth trapezoid lower valance is part filled by cross hair intake. Dark straked corner folds have been recessed, supporting slim swept back headlamps. Hood side valleys bow to the middle power dome.

A lower body crease rises from rocker panel to cheat line. C-pillars indent at the roof. Fender and rear quarter panels flare and then recede outlining wheel arches lined with dark cladding. Darkened door handles have been enlarged.

An upper spoiler lip has been retained, though, an upper grab lip has been added to a revised liftgate. Bold dark contrast TACOMA lettering is stamped in the middle. New outboard "C" taillamps (similar to Ford F Series), cleverly incorporate redundant outboard pushbutton releases for the power liftgate. The lower rear quarter panel cants forward to the bottom of the rear wheel arch, making room for more powerful corner bumper folds. The center bumper step area, descends in a marked bowl below the bumper line.

Tacoma Trailhunter Swag:

• Front lower diffused rising silver bash plate valance
• ARB 2.5" thick powder coated steel rear bumper, with license plate bowl, matching brushed metallic center insert
• Front grille off-road high beam light bar
• Lower rocker panel rock rails
• ARB cargo bed chase rack with Molle attachment panels, 300 lbs. capacity & Sport Bar with 2.5" side support bars
• ARB red, frame attached rear recovery bars
• Door and liftgate compass with red arrow north emblems

WHY: ARB was already an aftermarket legend among overlanding Tacomans so partnering with the Aussie upfitter for a fourth generation factory Tacoma overlander makes perfect sense.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Winter 2023-2024

WHERE: Toyota new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato, Mexico

WHERE TO: A twist of the chunky corporate transfer case selector knob, relocated to the center console, garners high four-wheel drive on the fly. Tapping the left button on that is but a twist of the electronic two-speed helical gear transfer case selector knob. Where paved roadway ends, the amply articulated all-terrain Goodyears dig in while a TRD alloy skid engine plate protects below.

• MULTI-TERRAIN SELECT: adjusts throttle + transmission for Loose rock, Mud, or Sand conditions
• e-LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
• CRAWL Mode automatic acceleration & braking in rough terrain - overhead console dial
• OLD MAN EMU overland suspension
  • forged 2.5" diameter mono-tube dampers, front coilover springs, rear piggyback reservoir
• Terrain cameras, vehicle attitude, traction displays
• Disengaging front stabilizer bar
• Off road driving lights
• ARB off-road protection & recovery equipment

HOW STRONG: The available Hybrid MAX turbo petrol four-pot is standard on the new Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter and it doesn't lack for deep low end torque, both on and off road. It's also considerably less noisy getting underway than the old 3.5L V-6. Not completely muted, the Tacoma Trailhunter air intake snorkel, mounted along the passenger side A-pillar, announces turbocharger blow-off like a public restroom automated urinal flush. The move from six to eight speed automatic transmission means additional ratio spread to cope with the extra torque and cut consumption. Refined in swapping that the new gearbox is, it hesitates on passing kick-downs. On the efficiency end of things, with a long-ish high speed highway romp and abundant stop and go schlepping, the tested Tacoma Trailhunter returned high teens miles per gallon.

HOW LIMBER: The most apparent chassis evolution for the all new fourth generation Toyota Tacoma comes in the rear, where coils replace the live axle leaf springs and vented disc brake rotors replace drums & shoes. Rear wheel articulation rises with more camber control and softer pedal action.

The front double wishbone coil-over suspension continues with enhanced caster for more accurate steering. Tacoma Trailhunter's own unique Old Man Emu forged piggyback oiled 2.5" inch monotube dampers provide generous compression for obstacle clearing stiffness but with sharp rebound response for higher speed control. To further billy goat over uneven terrain, wheelbase extended in the front clears the firewall sufficiently to accept 33" inch diameter tires and active front sway bar release is included.

The newest Tacoma also makes the switch from hydraulic to electric rack & pinion steering assist, to adopt lane trace following. There is reduced wind heft at slower speeds and surface feel has been anesthetized.

HOW FAR: 19 mpg combined fuel economy; 437 miles highway range on 87 octane unleaded gasoline

• +12% vs. Ford Ranger Raptor ; +12% vs. Chervolet Colorado Bison ZR2

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ Still can nest inside a 20 foot garage; √ Space for five average sized occupants

• +/- Improved floor to seat cushion height vs. Mk. 3 Tacoma
• -1 Stingy DoubleCab 2nd Row seat knee room

HOW USEFUL: √ Power sliding backlight window; √ Box J-Channel sliding cleats; √ standard Composite bed liner; √ Full cab length rock rails; √ Folding wing mirrors with embedded directional lamps; √ Power action tailgate + integrated taillamp switch buttons; √ White LED overhead bed, under-rail & exterior bed perimeter lights; √ Trailer tow hitch connector, brake control, back-up guide & braking, √ 60:40% split 2nd Row bench w/ fold-forward cushions

♦ 115VAC, 2400W outlet, 12V, USB-C in bed; ♦ Cargo bed programmable air compressor; ♦ Three (3) upfiited accessory driver's left side mid dash pre-wired switch panel; ♦ 1st & 2nd Row door pocket management; ♦ 1st Row overhead console retracting sunglasses bin

ARB Upfitted: ♦ Bed chase rack; ♦ Tow bars

-1 No 2nd Row sub-cushion storage

• By Comparison:
  • Towing = +490 lbs. vs. Ford Ranger Raptor 3.0T ; +500 lbs. vs. Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison

HOW SAFE: IIHS Top Safety Pick;  STANDARD: √ 8 airbags; √ Rear camera w/ predictive grid; SAFETY SENSE P: √ Audible front & rear park warning; √ Roll mitigation; √ Post collision S.O.S. alert; √ Adaptive cruise control, partial; √ Forward collision avoidance braking w/ pedestrian detection; √ Lane departure warning, audible w/ slight tug.

AVAILABLE (included in test vehicle)

• ♦ Multi-Terrain view cameras; ♦ Blind Spot, rear cross traffic warning; ♦ Front & rear sonar audible/ visible park warning; ♦ Digital display rear view mirror; ♦ HUD

HOW FRIENDLY: Twenty-first century Toyota truck occupant modernity finally drapes the new Tacoma's cabin. Gauges & screens have grown massively and controls have been condensed into more ruggedized knobs and shift levers. The age old parking brake hand lever is replaced by a e-toggle switch, freeing up considerable center console space, adding a passenger side grab handle. Contrasting finishes appear in a tiered dashboard, padded glovebox and door cards, shiny bezel corner climate ducts and tandem contrast stitching.

√ Softex seats, 1st Row heated, cooled, 8-way power, lumbar; √ Pillar grab handles x 2 (2nd Row); √ 12.3" variable Digital Meter instrument cluster; √ Power locks, windows, express driver's; √ Proximity keyless entry, push button ignition; √ Tilt/ telescoping heated leather wrapped steering wheel w/ horizontal spoke ventral side MFI & driver assist controls; √ 2-zone auto climate control; √ 2nd Row privacy glass; √ Cupholders x 4, Door bottle holders x 12; √ Molle door pocket storage; √ Heads Up Display

Cool Gizmos: JBL Flex bluetooth speaker; Cargo bed air compressor

Details Done Right: Improved seat cushioning; Tiered dash board; Padded glove box door; Tandem contrast seat, padded mid dash & upper door card contrast stitching; Ruggedized drive control knobs; Elegant framed infotainment screen, 1st Row corner climate vents; Wet suit style door pull & pillar covers

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 No 1st Row A-pillar grab handles

HOW CONNECTED: √ Toyota Connected 14.0" touch LCD media screen; √ Voice command, hands-free communications x 6 devices; √ GPS HDD cloud Navigation + voice guidance; √ SMS text messaging; √ 6-speaker, 180 Watts HD radio streaming audio; √ USB-C x 4 (2 x 45W), 12V x 1; Qi inductive wireless device charging tray.

• +1 Mammoth, keenly finished infotainment display
• -1 Low infotainment display color contrast

Audibly Speaking: JBL Premium audio - 10-speaker, 440 Watts, 8 channel DSP + ClariFi HD radio streaming audio;

• JBL Flex detachable dash top cradled bluetooth speaker (the one from the tester was missing)

HOW "APP" -LICABLE:

Free Apps: ♦ Toyota Connected; ♦ wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay projection ♦ Amazon Alexa

By Subscription (trial): ♦ Sirius XM radio (3 months); ♦ WiFi by AT&T (2 GB trial); ♦ Toyota Connected Services including remote functions (3 years); ♦ available Connected Navigation

• -1 Toyota Connected voice query sometimes stalls

HOW MUCH: $64,944 for a 2024 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter 4x4 Double Cab

WHAT'S MISSING: 1st Row A-pillar grab handles; Greater second row legroom

ANY COMPETITION: Ford Ranger Raptor: +1 quicker desert racer; Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison: +1 wheel articulation; Jeep Gladiator Mojave X: Wrangler look