The 2024 Toyota Tacoma vs. Toyota Tundra

Aside from producing some of the best SUVs and passenger cars on the road, Toyota is also the automaker behind two of the world’s finest pickup trucks: the Tacoma and the Tundra. Both are highly capable and widely loved workhorses, but they offer different performance levels and largely appeal to separate audiences. If you’re in the market for a new Toyota pickup and are wondering about the distinctive qualities of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma versus the Tundra, let our team at Longo Toyota in El Monte, California, guide you through the differences so you can make a well-informed decision between them. 

Exterior Design

You may be happy to know the 2024 model year represents a transition into a new, fourth generation for the Toyota Tacoma if exterior design is a selling point for you. It’s now built on a version of the same body-on-frame platform that the Tundra had boasted for years. The chassis is lighter and stronger than ever, while the exterior styling features sharper lines and crisper edges than the outgoing model. The front end is bolder in an understated way, lending a more muscular and modern appearance.

The Tundra, however, had already undergone a redesign in 2022, so the 2024 model year is a carryover in terms of styling. It maintains the bulky and edgy look that is now common among vehicles of its class. 

Class and Dimensions

When we talk about a vehicle’s class, we’re referring broadly to its size. The Tacoma and the Tundra are both Toyota pickup trucks but belong to different classes. The Tacoma is a midsize pickup, a class that generally measures at least 210 inches long and 73 inches wide. The 2024 Tacoma slightly exceeds those minimum measurements, coming in at an overall length of 213 inches and a width that ranges from 77 to 78 inches, depending on the trim. Also, it’s worth noting that the Tacoma is the leader in its class, outselling others by a huge margin.

The Tundra is a full-size truck, so it’s noticeably larger. Some full-size pickups measure more than 22 feet long, but the Tundra is more reasonably sized than that. Short-bed models have a length of around 233 inches, while long-bed versions range from approximately 245 to 252 inches. The Tundra also measures 80.2 inches in width, except for the TRD Pro trim, which is 81.6 inches wide.

Being the larger vehicle, the Tundra can better handle large hauls and perform those archetypal work site activities for which full-size pickups are renowned. That being the case, it’s likely your better option if such activities are part of your day-to-day use. Otherwise, you might consider the Tacoma instead as a versatile daily driver.

Powertrains and Performance

Power is another distinguishing category between the classes, with full-size pickup engines tending to be more powerful and robust than their midsize counterparts. That’s certainly the case with the 2024 Toyota pickups, so keep the following in mind if you need a brawnier vehicle.

With the Tundra, the standard powertrain option is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque — good enough to get you from zero to 60 mph in a hair over 6 seconds. There’s also a hybrid version of the Tundra that’s even more powerfu, with 437 hp, 583 lb-ft of torque, and a zero-to-60 speed in around 5.7 seconds.

The 2024 Tacoma features a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder across all trims, but the output varies depending on your transmission choice and, to some extent, your trim. The SR trim, which is strictly automatic, makes 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque; other automatics put out 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The manual transmissions generate 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. There is also a hybrid version of the Tacoma, which gets you 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers can’t match the Tundra but are still good for zero-to-60-mph times of around 7 seconds.

Towing Capacity

According to Toyota’s official spec sheet, when appropriately equipped, the 2024 Tacoma can pull 6,400 and 6,500 pounds with the double cab and XtraCab configurations, respectively. That’s quite good for recreational hauling, and you should have no trouble pulling items such as car trailers, boat trailers, motorboats, and campers.

Unsurprisingly, the heavier-duty Tundra can tow significantly more. Even on the low end, you’re looking at a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds for the base SR trim. From there, the pulling power ranges up to 12,000 pounds — nearly double that of the Tacoma. 

If you need the kind of ruggedness that can hold up on a work site, the Tundra is the better bet. The Tacoma, however, would be ideal for just about any other everyday activity.

Price

Their differences in size and performance amount to a pretty large difference in price points. The 2024 Tacoma is the more affordable model, with the following starting MSRPs:

• SR: $35,000.
• SR5: $36,200.
• TRD PreRunner: $38,100.
• TRD Sport: $39,400.
• TRD Off-Road: $41,800.
• Limited: $52,100.

Toyota has announced there will be Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims as well, but price points for those have yet to be released.

In contrast, pricing for the 2024 Toyota Tundra looks like this:

• SR: $39,965.
• SR5: $45,500.
• Limited: $51,855.
• Platinum: $61,775.
• 1794 Edition: $62,460.
• TRD Pro: $72,130.
• Capstone: $78,845.

The pricing accords with the overall character of each vehicle. The more egalitarian Tacoma is accessible to a broader audience, while the utilitarian Tundra is more of an investment for those who need the added power and rugged force to tackle heavy-duty work.

Get an Up-Close Look at the 2024 Tacoma and Tundra in El Monte, California

At Longo Toyota, our new vehicle inventory includes the 2024 model years for both the Tacoma and the Tundra. You can schedule a test drive by messaging us online or calling our sales department at 626-539-2113. Alternatively, you can drop by our dealership and speak to one of our sales associates. Should you need financial assistance purchasing your new Toyota pickup, consider Toyota SmartPath, a tool that lets you complete much of the vehicle-buying process online. Browse the dealer inventory, customize your payment estimates, apply for financing, finalize your purchase, and arrange for pickup or delivery without ever leaving home.

Tags: 2024 Toyota Tacoma, 2024 Toyota Tundra
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