2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road displayed in Solar Octane color

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is now on sale, but the first-ever 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is yet to be launched. At the Houston Auto Show 2024, I got to see the upcoming hybrid pickup truck in the TRD Off-Road grade, sporting the Solar Octane pop color. The fiery orange shade was the signature color for Toyota’s TRD Pro models in the previous model year, and having seen it from all angles, I think it’s the coolest option in the 2024 Tacoma Hybrid’s color palette.

The Solar Octane may not be the most popular choice among American buyers, but I see younger drivers preferring this shade. It was developed by Toyota’s Calty Design Research team here in the U.S., and the vibrant orange is inspired by a beam of sunlight. It has a splash of pearl, which makes it appear either bright orange or red depending on the lighting.

The Tacoma TRD Off-Road has more off-road capability than the standard model. Toyota says the latest model, part of the fourth-generation Tacoma, is more capable than any previous Tacoma TRD Off-Road. It is equipped with a monotube Bilstein remote reservoir shocks for extended wheel travel and better heat dissipation. The included end stop control valve or ESCV gives the suspension increased damping force when it comes to a full-bound stroke.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is only available in the Double Cab version, with either a 5-ft- or 6-ft bed. Available skid plates protect its engine, transfer case, fuel tank, and rear differential. Under the hood, there’s either an i-Force 2.4-liter turbocharged engine or an i-Force Max 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid engine. The Solar Octane-colored unit I saw had the latter, which produces 326 hp at 6,000 rpm and 465 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,700 rpm.

The hybrid system pairs the gas engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, supported by a 48 hp electric motor for seamless assistance. It regenerates electricity when coasting or braking and saves that energy in a 1.87 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This motor supplements the engine when it may not be at its peak output, and thus, it can help mitigate the initial turbo lag.

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Expect the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid to arrive at U.S. dealers starting April 2024. In addition to TRD Off-Road, it will be available in TRD Sport, Limited, TRD Pro, and Trailhunter grades.