Talking Cars 449: Driving the Toyota Tacoma

Main theme: In this podcast episode, we’re talking trucks! We share our first impressions of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, a perennially popular and traditionally reliable midsized pickup truck. We cover the 2024 Tacoma’s clean-sheet redesign, which adapts the platform from the latest full-sized Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV. Mainstream Tacomas, such as the SR5 we purchased for our test program, have a 278-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

We discuss the ways the Tacoma has been improved over the outgoing model and delve into how it compares with other pickups in this competitive segment, which includes the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier. Yes, even the small but mighty Hyundai Santa Cruz gets a mention, along with a reference to the Chevrolet El Camino of yore. 

Our panelists also give their impressions of the Tacoma’s new optional 326-hp, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, based on a model we rented from Toyota. We wrap up the segment by giving our picks for which midsized pickup truck we’d purchase, whether that choice is the new Tacoma or a competitor. 

Audience Questions 
• I’d like to keep my 2003 Ford Thunderbird going for another 10 to 20 years, but parts are getting hard to find. Do you think technology such as 3D printing could help me keep my Thunderbird on the road? 

• Our most recent purchase was a 2022 Subaru Ascent. Although we enjoy it, I have a concern about the reliability of a large seven-passenger vehicle with a turbocharged four-cylinder. It seems manufacturers are making engines with smaller displacements that have to work harder in larger vehicles, and I’m curious what you think about the reliability prospects of owning one for 10-plus years.