2024 Toyota Tacoma Safety Features (Explained)

With some recent updates, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma has a lot to offer those seeking advanced safety technologies.

With the updated Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system, the newest Tacoma trucks come well-equipped with comprehensive driver-assist technology. Learning the differences and functionality of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma safety features doesn’t have to be as difficult as it looks.

In this guide, I explain the basics of the top features, looking at what’s standard and optional. I also evaluated the differences between the Tacoma and the other top competitors.

Standard Safety Features

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma comes standard with the Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) suite of driver-assist technology. There’s also the typical lineup of safety features, such as:

• Anti-lock brakes
• Multiple airbags
• Stability control
• Seat belt pre-tensioners
• LATCH child seat system

With TSS 3.0, you can expect to receive the following innovative features. 

Pre-Collision w/ Pedestrian Detection

The Tacoma pre-collision system with pedestrian detection contains camera technology to determine if a collision will occur so it can reduce the severity or mitigate the chances. The enhanced technology has new system sensors with intersection support, as well as pedestrian and bicyclist detection, that now alerts about motorcycles as well. 

Modern vehicles typically include this technology standard now, as it can be one of the most important to avoid an accident. From a safety standpoint, this is a technology that should be included with every new car. 

Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist

Toyota’s lane departure alert tells drivers when they are veering from their spot on the road. Recently upgraded with Steering Assist and enhanced lane recognition, the Tacoma now detects some 3D objects better, such as guardrails. The steering assist technology helps gently guide the Tacoma back into its spot on the road.

There have been mixed feelings about steering assist technology. It’s only been offered on the newest Tacomas, so it could take some more time to determine how valuable it can be. 

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

Adaptive cruise control helps drivers maintain an appropriate speed and distance from other vehicles. Recently updated with Full-Speed Range and a fourth distance setting, it can detect more than one vehicle, as well as those in nearby lanes. It’s meant to provide better speed adjustments and a smoother change. 

I would say that adaptive cruise control may be one of the best thought-of safety features. Over the years, the technology has been fine-tuned, allowing for a better ride. 

Lane Tracing Assist

Brand new to the Tacoma is lane tracing assist, which helps maintain the lane positioning if clear-cut lines are seen. It uses the radar and camera sensor to control the steering wheel so the truck stays in its lane.

Emergency Driving Stop has been included with Lane Tracing Assist, monitoring the driver inputs to determine if they are non-responsive, such as during a medical emergency. If the driver doesn’t respond to alerts, the feature will bring the vehicle to a stop. 

For this feature to work, the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control has to be enabled and the lane markings must be well-defined. It could prove to be beneficial in keeping the truck away from other vehicles in the neighboring lanes as it allows for better spacing. 

Road Sign Assist

Also brand-new to the Tacoma is Road Sign Assist, which is meant to detect various road signs and alert the driver.

This system notifies for the speed limit, yield, stop, U-turn, Do Not Enter and other signs. The warning is then shown on the Multi-Information Display (MID). 

This function could sometimes become more of a distraction than an asset. If the driver is paying attention, there’s no reason for the signs to signal an extra alert. 

Automatic High Beams

With automatic high-beam headlights, the truck automatically detects when other cars are approaching or passing.

The high beams toggle on or off as needed, ensuring that other drivers aren’t blinded while still offering optimal visibility in the Tacoma.

As someone who regularly forgets to turn off the high beams after driving on a long stretch of road with no cars, this feature is extremely beneficial. I’m sure that others heading towards me appreciate it as well. 

Proactive Driving Assist

The brand-new Proactive Driving Assist technology provides gentle braking and steering motions to ensure adequate distance between objects and the truck.

It also detects vehicles or motorcycles that cut off the truck, stopped pedestrians, vehicles or bikes, and crossing pedestrians and bikes. While it sounds similar to the Pre-Collision System, the two programs operate in differing circumstances, both designed to eliminate accidents.

I see how this technology would prove to be as valuable as the Pre-Collision System and am thankful to see it included with the Safety Sense suite. 

Hill Start Assist Control

If you’ve ever had the truck roll backward on a hill while taking your foot off the brake, then Hill Start Assist Control is sure to ease your mind.

This technology maintains the positioning of the truck for a few seconds once the brake pedal is released on an incline. With this system, you don’t have to panic if another vehicle is on your bumper.

When driving in a mountainous or hilly region, I could see this being the most used feature on the Tacoma. With so much else to consider in these moments, not worrying about the rollback is worth its weight in gold.

Optional Safety Features

Toyota offers some specific trailer functions that increase safety, such as the following:

• Trailer Backup Guide: offers steering control for backing up straight
• Trailer Blind Spot Monitor: alerting if there’s a vehicle in the blind spot of the trailer
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller: includes a brake type selector and manual output controls
• 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM): selectable front, rear and side views for better visibility
• 3D Panoramic View Monitor: gives a clear view of everything around the truck 

Drivers can also select these optional features outside of what’s offered standard with every Tacoma grade.

Blind Spot Monitor

With blind-spot monitoring technology, the system warns drivers of any vehicle that’s approaching or positioned in the next lane. This software ensures safer lane changes, especially when the vehicle next to the truck is smaller and hard to see.

It’s still important to look in the mirrors before making any lane changes, but some people solely rely on the blind spot monitor, which is a dangerous idea.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

For added protection while backing up, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert sends out a visual and audible alert if other vehicles are approaching the truck or next to it. This system can reduce the number of accidents that occur while moving in reverse.

This feature can be beneficial in parking lots because of how much higher the Tacoma sits above smaller cars. It makes backing out of spots less worrisome. 

(Toyota) 

Comparison to Competitors

How do the safety features in the 2024 Toyota Tacoma compare with other trucks? Let’s take a quick dive into the differences worth mentioning.

Chevrolet Colorado

The new Chevy Colorado comes with many of the same standard features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and automatic high-beam headlights. However, adaptive cruise control isn’t a standard feature and will cost extra.

Chevy excels by offering the Teen Driver system that allows users to set speed limits and audio volume for younger drivers. This is a technology that Toyota should look to add in the future.

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger has very little to offer with its base model. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Everything else is extra, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning or automatic high-beam headlights. 

Also, Ford doesn’t offer a long list of available technologies with the Ranger either. Instead, it sticks to being low-budget and not well-equipped. 

Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier has an advanced safety suite included with the base trim. It includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, pedestrian detection and a rearview camera. 

However, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic high-beam headlights are all an extra cost. Nissan does offer something that isn’t found with the Tacoma though – an available dashcam. 

GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon is very similar to the Chevy Colorado and comes with many of the same features. It even has that Teen Driver system that I talked about earlier.

Where it lacks is with adaptive cruise control, adding it as an available feature instead of standard. One would expect this feature to be standard for the higher price of the Canyon. 

Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline offers many of the same standard features as the Tacoma. The one difference is that the automatic high-beam headlights are optional. 

For this model, it goes back to the price. It costs a lot more to get into a base Ridgeline, so more equipment should be included.

Summary

For the price of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, it’s hard to argue with how many safety features are installed in the base grade. With the updated TSS 3.0 suite, occupants are well-protected. Toyota also offers a wide range of available features that further enhance safety.