The mid-size pickup segment is as hot as ever and the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road makes things even hotter! The Blue Crush Metallic color that the loaner came in, had me crushing hard for it. With this being the TRD Off-Road trim, the lower bumper kicked back a little more to allow for a better approach angle when off-roading. In TRD tradition, this Tacoma came with flat black 17-inch wheels with all terrain tires. One of my favorite things about this Tacoma was the power tailgate that opened and closed. If your hands are full while unloading, you can simply perform a high knee to activate the tailgate to close.

Although this one didn’t come equipped with side steps or rails, there are multiple options from Toyota and more from the aftermarket world to help getting in. Once you’re in, you’ll be treated to a lot of tech and luxuries which is surprising for a segment that is usually simplistic in nature. Don’t worry though, it is still easy to use and as rugged as ever. The seats had a cool 3D looking design on them and were very comfortable for everyday usage. The JBL speaker were extremely loud and clear to play all of your favorite tunes from your wireless Apple CarPlay connected device. I also loved the JBL FLEX speaker which is the center dash speaker that’s detachable and had bluetooth connectivity. One thing that was difficult to overlook was the very small rear seating area. Even with my seat set for my 5’7” height, my 10-year old kid felt he had limited legroom.

Under the hood, this had the 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Long gone is the V6 option which I honestly don’t miss. To me, the power felt hollow with it and the new turbocharged engine actually feels more responsive. When doing the 0-60 test, the 0-30 numbers were actually impressive which is the important part when you’re off-roading and needing a kick of power for obstacles. I was also impressed with the off-road tuned suspension that has the Bilstein shocks. They were perfectly tuned for on road driving and for bumpy roads that I encountered.

Overall, I had a blast with the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. It would honestly sit as my top choice for the mid-size truck segment if I didn’t have a need for a backseat for my kid. At a $54,829, it is also hard to justify it as just a  toy and not as a primary vehicle. Other than that, It was such an incredible package.