Already a brute that can climb lumpy, rock-strewn hills, the top-selling Toyota Tacoma has changed the game with a hybrid powertrain — the first among its rivals.

Settle down, cynics. Toyota’s hybrid — boldly named i-Force Max — is the most capable powertrain ever built for Tacoma, combining a turbo four with an electric motor to build an enormous 465 pound-feet of torque. That’s 75 percent more than last year’s V-6 engine so few should miss the extra cylinders.

The i-Force Max is standard fare on the 2024 luxury-focused Tacoma Limited, so it includes niceties but can tackle some rough stuff, too, with full-time 4-wheel-drive, electronic locking differential and adaptive variable suspension. The package also is standard on the rugged TRD Pro.

Toyota has gone one better for hardcore adventurers with a new version called the Trailhunter. It was developed for long-term off-roaders and campers and has the most advanced technology and equipment in the lineup, like CRAWL (off-road cruise control), a snorkel intake for wading waters, and 3D multi-Terrain monitors for peak visibility.

Beyond the powertrains, the first major redesign in eight years also beefs up the exterior and boosts comfort, quiet and technology inside.

Taco retains its aggressive stance with bulky hood, broad hexagonal grille, big (though fake) vents up front, and functional air curtains at the corners. On the Limited, fender flares suavely match the body color while I-Force Max badges sit high on the hood sides. A chrome exhaust tip matches the 18-inch chrome wheels. Retractable sidesteps can be locked in place, in or out.

The hybrid Tacoma, available only as a four-door double-cab truck, borrows a platform from Tundra, Land Cruiser and Sequoia. Power comes from a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is paired with a 48-hp electric motor. It’s integrated into an 8-speed automatic transmission, which delivers the power to all four wheels. Feeding the motor is a 1.87 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery under the rear seat.

Combined output is 326 hp and the aforementioned 465 pound-feet of torque, and the beauty of this setup is the torque is delivered almost immediately — at just 1,700 rpm. You’ll feel the early thrust as it accelerates to 60 mph in just under 7 seconds, and the quarter-mile in 15.3.

Passing power on the highway is excellent, and the ride is smoother and quieter (thanks to thicker glass and better sound-deadening materials). Ride quality is especially refined with credit to its adaptive variable suspension system, which makes adjustments based on road conditions.

It also keeps the hybrid Taco balanced on corners. Steering is responsive and braking has been enhanced for ’24 with upgrades to brakes, pads and calipers.

Meanwhile, standard drive modes include Sport, Eco and Normal which adjust throttle, steering and suspension with the turn of a dial. The Limited adds three more: Sport-Plus, Comfort and a Custom mode to tailor the ride dynamics even further. The freedom is nice but, honestly, the changes are subtle.

In off-road conditions, the Taco Limited’s locking rear differential can help split power 50-50 between the rear wheels on uneven terrain; Downhill Assist Control limits speed.

Trailhunter and TRD Pro are even more capable with multi-terrain drive modes, CRAWL, skid plates and a stabilizer disconnect mechanism. Both sit two inches higher in front, 1.5 inches in the rear, and have 33-inch Goodyear Territory Rugged Terrain tires to build an 11.5-inch ground clearance. Enabling the Trailhunter on big lumps is a 35.7-inch approach angle, 25.3 departure, and 27.4 breakover.

The hybrid Taco has a tow rating of up to 6,000 pounds and there’s a Tow/Haul setting that enhances throttle and transmission function. Tacoma includes supporting features like a trailer-brake controller, digital rear-view mirror and even a panoramic-view monitor for a 360-degree top-down view.

As for fuel economy, it’s 3 mpg better than the gas engine but still nothing to brag about: EPA estimates a combined 23 mpg.

The double cab, as Toyota calls the crew cab, has been completely redesigned and seats four or five (if the fifth is a child). Visibility is improved with seating up front now about two inches higher, along with head room.

Front seats, separated by a hefty center console, are better contoured this year. They’re trimmed in leather, heated and ventilated, and offer eight-way power adjustments. The more rugged Tacos get performance seats that actually have shock absorbers and ball joints for rougher terrain!

Rear seat space is not as generous, even cramped by some standards. There’s a storage pocket in one seat back and only one seat gets under-seat storage — hey, the battery has to go somewhere. No center armrest in the rear, either. There are USB-C charging ports back there, and the seats do fold flat, so there’s that.

Toyota’s latest multimedia system appears on a 14-inch touchscreen in the Limited, and has compatibility with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is easy to learn and has sharp graphics but there’s no home button, for some reason. There are redundant physical controls for climate and audio.

The driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with selectable gauges, and a head-up display provides key driving data.

Other tech features in the Limited include a 10-speaker JBL premium stereo system with subwoofer plus a detachable Bluetooth speaker, wireless phone charger, power-sliding rear window and moonroof.

While interior space isn’t immense, the six-foot cargo bed is two inches deeper this year and has a payload capacity up to 1,709 pounds. The deeper bed can accommodate a small camping fridge with a tonneau cover closed. There’s a power outlet back there, too, and LED lighting for the bed and “scene lighting” for the campsite.

Beyond four fixed tie-downs, the composite bed has an available deck-rail system with movable cleats. But the coolest feature is the power-operated tailgate buttons cleverly built into the sides of the rear tail lights. And there’s a hands-free method: Just nudge the open tailgate with your knee and it will close automatically.

All i-Force Max Tacomas get Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 suite of drive-assist and convenience systems. That includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane tracing assist and lane-departure assist with steering. They also have Proactive Driving Assist which uses cameras and radar to gently steer and brake when needed.

Yes, there are worthy rivals out there, including the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, Ford Ranger Raptor and Chevy Colorado ZR2, to name a few. But the rugged i-Force Max Tacoma Limited adds efficient hybrid power, loads of tech, and an ultra-functional cargo bed with unique features.

There’s a reason Tacoma, born in 1995, has led the pack for so many years. This fourth-generation with the hybrid isn’t about let up on the pedal.

2024 Toyota Tacoma Limited iForce Max

BASE PRICE: $55,800 (Includes hybrid powertrain, full-time 4-wheel-drive with electronic locking center differential, adaptive variable suspension, multi-terrain select, 14-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster)

What's all the excitement about? Fourth-generation Tacoma better in every way, but new hybrid boosts power and efficiency. Cargo bed has power outlet, LED lighting, and can accommodate a mini fridge with tonneau closed.

Powertrain: Hybrid system has turbocharged 2.4-liter engine plus 48-hp electric motor integrated into an 8-speed transmission. Total output is 326 hp and 465 pound-feet of torque (75 percent increase over last year’s V-6 engine).

How's the performance? 0-60 mph in 7 seconds, well composed on corners and rougher pavement with adaptive variable suspension. Handles lumpy trails, dirt, mud and sand with multi-terrain select and CRAWL control technology.

Fuel economy: A few miles better than gas engine but unimpressive for a hybrid: EPA-estimated at 23 mpg combined

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