This 2024 Toyota Tacoma Feature Could Be the Reason You Don’t Want a Ford Ranger
In 2023, there’s a bit of a dilemma going on with new truck models. There are just two new pickup trucks you can get with a manual transmission: the Toyota Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator. In the past, most trucks offered a standard transmission, including full-size and heavy-duty ones. Thankfully, Toyota is giving the 2024 Tacoma something the 2024 Ford Ranger probably won’t have, and that is a manual gearbox.
What is the newest truck with a manual transmission?
The newest truck with a manual transmission is the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. If you are like me, you might have been worried that a redesigned Tacoma would drop the ability to row your own gears. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Per Toyota itself, the new Tacoma will come with three pedals and a manual gearbox.
In the 2023 Toyota Tacoma, certain trims do offer a six-speed manual transmission—specifically the off-road-oriented TRD models. We don’t know exactly what the standard transmission will be in the 2024 Tacoma truck. But it will probably be a modified version of what you can currently get.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma can come with a six-speed manual transmission. It is mated to the i-Force 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. And that will get you 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It’s an option on the Tacoma SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road.
A new Ford Ranger is coming
The 2024 Ford Ranger is set to reveal on May 10th, which at the time of publishing this article, is tomorrow. Notably, that’s before the world will get to see what the 2024 Tacoma is all about. While we do know that the United States is finally getting a Ranger Raptor, Ford’s midsize truck might lose to Toyota in one way.
It’s unlikely that the redesigned Ranger will feature a manual transmission. And for a certain type of consumer, that could be the deciding factor on which midsize truck to go with.
I have a friend who got a new Toyota Tacoma in recent years, and the key reason that went with that pickup was its six-speed manual transmission. In a world where the majority of folks want a new vehicle with an automatic transmission, some people are still fighting to save the manuals.
Toyota hasn’t turned its back on enthusiasts
From making a manual Supra to the GR Corolla, Toyota is making legitimate enthusiast vehicles. And if you are someone who prefers a pickup truck bed, the 2024 Tacoma can come with three pedals.
This isn’t to say that Ford isn’t making enthusiast cars. Who would have thought that the Ford Bronco would come with a seven-speed manual transmission? But unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the 2024 Ranger will get that feature. That’s nothing new though, it’s been years since you could buy a new Ranger in the States with a manual. The last midsize Ford truck you could get with a standard transmission here was in 2011.
At the same time, we are going to get a Ford Ranger Raptor. And we should learn all of the details tomorrow. Maybe Ford’s midsize truck will get a manual transmission. Stranger things have happened.
Personally, I’m not holding my breath for that to happen. According to Ford Authority, there is little indication that hand-made shifts will make their way to this pickup.
