At Least 1 2024 Mid-Size Pickup Truck Will Have a Manual Transmission
Some Toyota loyalists are less than pleased that their beloved Toyota Tacoma is joining the 21st century with its new hybrid powertrain. However, the same grumpy boys may be pleased to learn that the 2024 Toyota Tacoma will keep its six-speed manual transmission, and that, my friends, is good news. At least one 2024 mid-size pickup truck will have a manual transmission.
Does the new Toyota Tacoma come in manual?
We are pleased to confirm that Toyota keeps the manual transmission for the 2024 Tacoma. The Drive reports that while we still don’t know which trim will get to keep the third pedal, we have some pretty good ideas on that.
The only confirmation we have about the transmission, as of now, is that it will be a six-speed. We doubt this will come on the top-trim Tacoma with the hybrid engine, but I guess it’s possible.
More likely to get the six-speed manual transmission is the rumored turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder. This is one possible change that makes the ‘yoda folks grumpy. This 2.4-liter would replace the decades-old 3.5-liter V6.
Toyota’s four-pot engine makes 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in the new Highlander crossover. This little engine makes that power without adding the electrical assistance from the hybrid. Compared to the Tacoma’s V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft, it doesn’t seem like the best upgrade. However, a minor tune could help the little guy dominate the dinosaur six-cylinder. Tunning aside, this little engine would be far more efficient and lighter than the old six. That said, this is still speculation.
What mid-size trucks have manual transmissions?
The mid-size pickup truck segment has expelled the manual box like the body expels gas station sushi. The Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, and Chevy Colorado all dropped the third pedal. The Jeep Gladiator still rocks a manual box. Thanks, Jeep! That and the Tacoma are keeping the faith.
When will the 2024 Toyota Tacoma be revealed?
Toyota has hinted at the 2024 Tacoma reveal coming sometime in the next month. In the meantime, we can pour over the details we have so far; a new hybrid engine, an electrified TRD Pro model, FOX Shocks, upgraded disc brakes, and now the great news about the six-speed manual living to fight another day.
We still don’t have a great picture of the interior or really many details on engines, but we have a decent picture of the overall product. It seems that Toyota has worked hard to revamp a crowd favorite without completely erasing the model’s history. Despite the disappointment that some feel about the new engines, the six-speed manual retention has got to be a pretty good consolation.
