Given the Tacoma is bigger and more powerful than the Toyota Hilux, will it be better?
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is fully redesigned, marking the next chapter in the Japanese brand’s decades-long dominance of the mid-size pickup truck market. Built on Toyota’s TNGA-F platform, the Tacoma is engineered for rugged off-road adventures. It is also slightly bigger, more powerful and more refined inside than the Hilux. Should we get it here in Malaysia?
The new Toyota Tacoma is equipped with a high-strength steel boxed ladder frame and improved suspension systems, including an available multi-link rear coil suspension for better handling. 2 turbocharged four-cylinder engines power the Tacoma, either a 2.4-litre engine producing 228 to 278hp and about 329 to 430Nm of torque, and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid option, offering 326hp and 630Nm of torque.
Moreover, the i-FORCE MAX hybrid pairs the engine with an electric motor, providing impressive torque, ideal for climbing steep grades and tackling tough terrains. The Tacoma’s towing capacity reaches 2,948kg., with an increase in bed volume, and it offers useful features like a 400W AC inverter and trailer backup assist.
Design-wise, Toyota’s CALTY Design Center drew inspiration from Baja race trucks to create a “Badass Adventure Machine” with a bold stance, narrow body, aggressive skid plates, and distinctive design elements like high-mounted headlamps and a hexagonal grille.
The Tacoma is also available in a variety of trims, including the off-road-focused TRD Pro and Trailhunter, the latter being a new addition that comes pre-equipped for overlanding, featuring specialized shocks, a steel rear bumper, and an integrated air compressor.
On top of that, the Tacoma’s off-road capabilities are enhanced with features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control and an electronic rear locking differential. The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro model, designed for high-speed desert racing, includes FOX shocks and a new IsoDynamic Performance Seat, which stabilizes the driver’s body to reduce fatigue on rough terrain.
Inside, the Tacoma boasts updated tech, including an available 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, JBL audio, and a Smart Key system. Toyota offers several configurations for the Tacoma, including the new XtraCab for utility and the Double Cab for versatility, making it more well equipped than the Hilux.
With a wide range of trims and options, from sporty to luxurious, the 2024 Tacoma caters to a broad spectrum of truck buyers. It’s built to be the ultimate adventure vehicle, whether you’re off-roading, overlanding, or handling everyday tasks. So should Toyota replace the Hilux here with the Tacoma to compete with more pickup trucks in Malaysia?
