You’re not about to get bombarded with the usual recitation of specs or features on the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid which is plastered everywhere else on the web. In this article I’ll walk you through the 7 ‘different’ features that I spotted on Toyota’s mid-size truck. I’ve seen the truck in the Trailhunter, TRD Pro, TRD Off Road, and the Limited trims, and here are my close observations:
Two positions to hold up the hood
There are two positions that you can settle the hood stand/hood rod when the hood is raised. I’m not googling the benefits of dual securing points, because it became evident when I tried raising the bonnet of the new Tacoma. For some, the weight of the bonnet could be a bit much, and docking it in the lower position would be easy.
The second reason is to accommodate the height of the technician servicing the truck. No more accidental hood head-bumps for the taller folks among us!
Power-operated side-step
Here’s a feature that is not offered by the competition. The powered side step is a good feature to have to ease up the ingress and egress of passengers. Whether it’s children or the elderly, the side step offers that added convenience and is easy on the knees when climbing into the vehicle.
Then there are enthusiasts who wish to install a lift kit to improve the truck’s outdoorsy personality. Here, the side step would smooth the process of entering the cabin. Of course, one drawback that I can immediately point out is that it does subtract from the car’s ground clearance, possibly posing a hindrance during off-roading.
Triple Shark Fin Antenna
Here’s why the Tacoma Hybrid comes with three shark fin antennas on the roof. While the middle antenna’s use is obvious, the outer two sync with the trailer-mounted rear camera (if hitched) to feed the 360-degree camera view offered on the 2024 Tacoma. This makes it easy to maneuver and park the truck even when the trailer is blocking the view.
Single rear map pocket
I am curious to know why only the passenger seatback gets a pocket. If I have to guess, during development Toyota’s market study team asked Tacoma owners about the features that they hardly use, and among the items, this was probably the least controversial one to delete in the interest of saving cost. That said, the omission does not feel glaring, as you can simply use the pocket on the other side or get it fitted from an accessories store.
Portable Bluetooth speaker
This removable and portable speaker rests on the dashboard of the Tacoma Hybrid. When in position, it functions as part of the audio system of the truck. When detached, it could be used to pair with a device via Bluetooth. I can see this feature coming in handy during an outdoor chill session around a campfire with friends, drinks, and tunes.
Suspension for the seat
I’ve come across a fair bit of wizardry in the area of automotive seating in passenger cars, in these last 15 years. Seats with integrated headrests, carved-out backs for extra knee room, massage functions, multiple adjustable settings, a fold-out function for stretching legs, and even a design that connects the front and rear seats to form a bed.
However, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid takes the cake with exposed shock absorbers built into the seats. The vertical and lateral shock absorber system has a fast 1.5-inches of travel to keep the driver feeling steady and comfortable for hours in the harshest of off-road terrain. This feature is reserved for the Tacoma TRD Pro.
White & Yellow foglamps
The LED foglamps on the Tacoma are customizable to stream either yellow or white light depending on the conditions. The driver can change the color using a switch in the instrument cluster. In rainy or snowy environments, the yellow light is preferable as it reduces glare, while the white light provides optimal illumination in clearer conditions.
Also See: I explore the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid Facelift: U.S.-bound in 2025?
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.
