At the top of everyone’s priority list when it came to the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma was an upgraded interior. The people demanded heightened headroom, a higher hip position, improved tech, and a more spacious second row. Basically, a pickup interior that didn’t feel like it came straight out of the Middle Ages.
Did Toyota deliver? Yes, for the most part.
Standard Versus Optional
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport central to this interior review features a 12.3-inch digital driver cluster, cloth six-way manually adjusted front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, an auto-dimming day and night rearview mirror, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, a blind-spot monitoring system, and the full Toyota Safety Sense package as standard.
As for available options, features such as the 360-degree panoramic camera, 14.0-inch infotainment screen, powered front seats upholstered in synthetic leather, heated front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone front climate controls, power rear windows, and front and rear parking assist are all bundled together into respective packages.
A glance at cabin volume figures reveals nearly identical measurements: Outgoing Double Cab Toyota Tacomas had 39.7 and 38.3 inches of front and rear headroom, respectively, 42.9 and 32.6 inches of front and rear legroom, and 57.2 and 56.3 inches of front and rear hip room.
New Double Cab Tacomas retain 39.7 and 38.4 inches of front and rear headroom (slightly less if you want the moonroof), 41.8 and 33.7 inches of front and rear legroom, and 56.8 and 56.3 inches of front and rear hip room. On paper, rear legroom grew by about an inch while everything else essentially remained the same.
However, measurements floating in a vacuum rarely tell the whole story as to how we experience a vehicle; headroom might remain the same if both the seat height and roof are raised. In this case, the new Tacoma does feel roomier than the old one. Improved seats mean you no longer feel like you’re sitting on the floor, yet it also seems like you have more headroom. The rear seats have a couple of degrees of recline adjustment, too. Mostly, the only thing that makes the cabin feel a touch cramped is how wide the center console is, like the front passengers are sitting in a fighter jet’s cockpit.
The Hits and Misses
The TRD Sport Tacoma is tall, and I am not, so I would have appreciated running boards to help with getting in. The driver side also lacks a grab handle, but at least they are provided for all other passengers.
The truck we borrowed was upholstered in cloth seats and black plastic, and as we observed in our First Test review , it’s an interior that welcomes you to live your life in it. The materials feel durable, scuff-resistant, and easy to clean. The manually adjustable front seats slide back and forth quickly but might take a second longer to adjust if you frequently change between drivers of varying heights.
All the touchpoints have a great sense of heft to them. The big steering wheel feels good in terms of ergonomics, as does the substantive transmission selector. There is a plethora of hard buttons spread between the steering wheel and center console, and, blessedly, Toyota added a physical volume knob. Crucially, climate controls are handled via their own dedicated cluster below and away from the central touchscreen. These are tied to a full suite of physical knobs and buttons that make adjusting things simple and non-distracting.
Unfortunately, the newfound roominess of the front seats doesn’t quite extend to the second row. Although the seat cushions are comfortable and supportive, the seats themselves are benchlike and low to the floor. With average-sized adults in the front row, second-row passengers might find their legroom somewhat limited. Parents of children who need car seats might also discover things are a little tight. Finally, there are no climate vents or controls for the second row, which seems like a curiously lacking detail for a vehicle Toyota ballparked at almost $46,500.
Upgraded Tech
Toyota’s UI forms the basis of the 2024 Tacoma’s infotainment system. A step up from the outgoing version, its strongest qualities are unfussiness and staying out of the way. The only thing you must do upfront is take a few minutes to input all your favorite channels because it lacks a home screen, and navigating between radio stations isn’t intuitive. Beyond that, there’s always wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to default to; below the climate controls is an excellently placed nook for devices, and it’s fitted with a wireless charging pad.
If you get the massive, top-mounted 14.0-inch screen, the tappable icons are hilariously gigantic but honestly useful, considering the size of the real estate you’re dealing with. The high-resolution glass is clear to read and slick to use, too, lending the cabin an additional sense of modernity—you just feel like you’re sitting really close to a TV.
Overall, this system will fulfill those who are looking for in-cabin tech worthy of existing in the 21st century.
The Verdict
The relatively cramped second row is a little disappointing in a pickup that has otherwise grown in every conceivable external dimension. Beyond that, though, the new 2024 Toyota Tacoma’s interior is a breath of fresh air. The spacious and comfortable front row, along with its intuitive screen, match the all-new powertrain’s ability to provide a truck that feels significantly overhauled. Fresh and crisp, the 2024 Tacoma is as enjoyable to drive as it is to ride in. Upper trims will see even more creature comforts, but for something that’s meant to get a little dirty, the Tacoma TRD Sport delivers.
