2023 Toyota Tacoma vs 2024 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was a midsize truck that offered a more compact alternative to full-size pickups like the Toyota Tundra. Despite being shorter by over half a metre compared to its larger counterparts, the Tacoma maintained an assertive stance with its upright grille and tall bed, giving it a substantial appearance without seeming oversized. Toyota provided a wide range of trim levels for the Tacoma, from the base standard package to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, offering 34 different combinations of powertrains, bed lengths, and cab styles. The TRD Pro trim, in particular, stood out with its bright Solar Octane paint, TRD-tuned suspension, and unique styling elements, making it a cool and capable off-road vehicle. Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic to well-appointed, with the TRD Pro featuring Softex leather-trimmed upholstery and heated front seats, though the steering wheel's limited extension posed a challenge for taller drivers.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Tundra was a full-size truck that aimed to impress with its bold design and robust capabilities. While its large grille was intended to enhance powertrain cooling, it received mixed reviews for its appearance. The Tundra's industrial design theme, with camo-pattern detailing, conveyed durability, though the use of plastic in the cabin detracted from its overall build quality. Available in various cab styles and bed lengths, the Tundra offered a range of trims, including the TRD Pro, which featured a hybrid powertrain for enhanced performance. Despite its size, the Tundra's interior was spacious, though the i-Force Max's battery limited rear underseat storage. The Tundra's cargo bed lacked some of the innovative features found in competitors, but it still provided decent storage space. Comfort was generally good, though the driver's seat caused some discomfort on long drives.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was equipped with a standard 3.5-litre V6 engine in Canada, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered decent performance, though it wasn't particularly quick. The Tacoma's off-road-oriented TRD Pro trim featured a TRD-tuned suspension and all-terrain tires, providing a capable ride on rough terrain. However, the truck's steering felt vague, and it tended to wander on paved roads. Fuel economy was a concern, with the TRD Pro delivering 14.4 litres per 100 kilometres in winter conditions, higher than the estimated 13.0 L/100 km in city driving. Despite increased competition from newer models, the Tacoma remained a solid choice for off-road enthusiasts, thanks to features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, on the other hand, boasted a hybrid version of the twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, producing an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4WD system, offered excellent performance both on and off-road. The Tundra's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a TRD front stabilizer bar, FOX shock absorbers, and a locking rear differential. With a towing capacity of 5,068 kilograms and a payload capacity of 725 kilograms, the Tundra was well-suited for heavy-duty tasks. However, its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 16.5 litres per 100 kilometres, despite the hybrid powertrain. The Tundra excelled in desert environments, though its size and poor forward visibility posed challenges on narrow trails.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered a variety of configurations, with the access cab featuring clamshell-style doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, while the double cab provided a choice between a long bed and a shorter five-foot bed. The access cab's rear seats were cramped, making the double cab a better choice for those needing more interior space. The front seats were comfortable, with ample cubby space, though the steering wheel's limited extension was a drawback for taller drivers. The Tacoma's bed was large enough to carry gear for a ski trip, demonstrating its practicality for outdoor adventures.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Tundra's interior was spacious, but the i-Force Max's battery eliminated rear underseat storage and a flat rear cab floor, limiting its practicality for carrying items inside the cab. The Tundra's cargo bed lacked some of the innovative features found in competitors, such as bumper corner steps and a trick tailgate opening method. Despite these shortcomings, the Tundra offered decent storage space and wide seats, though getting in and out of the TRD Pro was challenging for shorter individuals. The driver's seat caused some discomfort on long drives, but the heated and ventilated front seats were appreciated.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured a user-friendly interface with a 7-inch touchscreen in base trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. It offered Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, though the interface felt outdated compared to competitors. Higher trims included wireless charging and a premium JBL audio system, but the Tacoma lacked some of the advanced tech features found in rival trucks.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, on the other hand, boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a modern design within its cabin. The Tundra provided generous trial subscriptions to connected services, including Remote Connect, Drive Connect, Service Connect, and Safety Connect. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. Additional tech features included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera, and trailering assistance.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The TRD Pro also featured blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera, though it lacked more advanced safety features like lane-keeping assist. The Tacoma received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, missing top marks in frontal crash and rollover tests.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-centring assist. However, the lane-centring assist was less effective on winding roads. The Tundra received high marks from NHTSA, with five-star ratings for Crew Cab 4WD models, and earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the moderate overlap frontal-impact test for rear-seat passengers.