Toyota Tacoma 4-Cylinder Engine: The New Normal
4-cylinder engines are now commonplace among the modern Tacoma. Here are the details!
Key Points:
- Only a 4-cylinder engine is offered on the 2024 Tacoma.
- Turbochargers are standard with all engine options: i-FORCE and i-FORCE MAX hybrid.
- Engine HP now ranges from 228 to 326 in 2024.
- Toyota's 4-cylinder engines have been historically proven to be very reliable.
When you think of a pickup truck, you may not always equate the vehicle type with efficiency. Yet, that’s what a powerful 4-cylinder engine can do. The new Toyota Tacoma 4-cylinder engine has a lot to offer drivers that want power and efficiency.
I walk you through the history of the Tacoma 4-cylinder motor. I also reveal the benefits of the new 4-cylinder in Tacoma trucks. Some may prove to be surprising.
Overview and Background
How Does the Tacoma 4-Cylinder Engine Work?
Let’s begin with how a 4-cylinder works in the first place.
An air and fuel mixture enters the cylinders through intake valves. Pistons in the cylinders compress this mixture while the spark plugs ignite it, leading to combustion. As the piston travels back up, exhaust escapes through the valves.
The tiny explosions cause the pistons to move, which powers the crankshaft. This action creates the power needed to move the wheels via the transmission. With a 4-cylinder engine, there are four cylinders versus six or eight, which can be found in other motors.
The 4-cylinder engine has many benefits, including:
- Better fuel economy
- Smaller carbon footprint
- More affordable to manufacture
- Lower maintenance costs
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma comes with the option between the 2.7L 4-cylinder or a 3.5L V6. However, the 2024 Tacoma only offers a 4-cylinder motor.
Evolution of the Tacoma 4-Cylinder Engine
How did the 4-cylinder begin with the Tacoma trucks? Let’s get a brief history.
- 1995-2004 (1st Gen): 3 engine options, two of which were 4-cylinder (2.4L & 2.7L). 2.4L engine was rated at 142 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque.
- 2005-2015 (2nd Gen): 2.7L 4-cylinder was placed in less expensive models and the 2.4L I4 was discontinued. New 4-cylinder rated for 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.
- 2016-2023(3rd Gen): 2.7L I4 creates 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.
- 2024+ (4th Gen): 3 engine options
- 4-cylinder i-FORCE turbo: 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque.
- 4-cylinder i-FORCE turbo: 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.
- 4-cylinder i-FORCE MAX turbo hybrid: 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
Redesigned Tacoma 4-Cylinder Engine
There will be some changes for the 2024 Tacoma model year. The new 4-cylinder (i-FORCE) will be available in two different grades. The entry-level SR produces 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. All other trucks are rated for 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, with the new 8-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).
If you prefer the 6-speed intelligent manual transmission (iMT2) with automatic rev-matching and anti-stall technology, you can expect 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.
However, there is a new i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. It’s the most powerful ever offered with a Tacoma. This powertrain is available with these trim levels:
- TRD Sport
- TRD Off-Road
- Limited
It also comes standard with the TRD Pro and Trailhunter halo trims.
The iFORCE Max combines the 2.4L engine with a 48-horsepower electric motor powered by a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery to create 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. This nearly doubles the torque output of the current truck with the V6 engine.
When using the i-FORCE Max system, the Tacoma can ascend an 8% interstate grade without downshifting.
Availability
You can’t get the 4-cylinder engine with every 2023 Tacoma. It’s only available with these models.
- SR 4×2 5ft bed double cab
- SR 4×4 6ft bed access cab
- SR5 4×2 6ft bed access cab
- SR5 4×2 5ft bed double cab
- SR5 4×4 6ft bed access cab
With the other 2023 Tacoma models, you get a V6 engine instead. The 4-cylinder engines may have been available on older models with lower-end trim levels.
Moving forward, all 2024 Tacoma trucks will have a 4-cylinder engine. It is no longer available with a V6, but the configuration depends on the trim level. Here are the options.
- SR
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (228hp & 243lb-ft) (5ft. Bed)
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (270hp & 310lb-ft) (5ft. Bed, Manual Transmission)
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (228hp & 243lb-ft) (6ft. Bed, XtraCab)
- SR5
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (278hp & 317lb-ft)
- TRD PreRunner
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (278hp & 317lb-ft)
- TRD Sport
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (278hp & 317lb-ft)
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (270hp & 310lb-ft) (Manual Transmission)
- i-FORCE MAX 2.4L Turbo Hybrid I-4 (326hp & 465lb-ft)
- TRD Off-Road
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (278hp & 317lb-ft)
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (270hp & 310lb-ft) (Manual Transmission)
- i-FORCE MAX 2.4L Turbo Hybrid I-4 (326hp & 465lb-ft)
- Limited
- i-FORCE 2.4L Turbo I-4 (278hp & 317lb-ft)
- i-FORCE MAX 2.4L Turbo Hybrid I-4 (326hp & 465lb-ft)
- Trailhunter
- i-FORCE MAX 2.4L Turbo Hybrid I-4 (326hp & 465lb-ft)
- TRD Pro
- i-FORCE MAX 2.4L Turbo Hybrid I-4 (326hp & 465lb-ft)
(Toyota)
New i-Force Engines
With the arrival of the new 2024 Tacoma, the iForce hybrid technology makes its appearance. Here’s what to expect from the new lineup.
- The base i-FORCE powertrain produces 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque on the SR, but most trims offer the same powertrain with 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque.
- The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain produces 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb-ft of low-end torque at 1700 rpm. This configuration, with the 8-speed automatic, creates instantaneous torque.
- The i-FORCE MAX hybrid is the most powerful powertrain ever offered in the Tacoma. It’s available standard on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models.
- i-FORCE MAX includes a 48-hp electric motor integrated into the 8-speed transmission powered by a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery pack to output 326 horsepower and a 465 lb-ft of torque
- i-FORCE MAX nearly doubles the torque output of the current-gen Tacoma with the V6 engine.
- The Tacoma with the i-FORCE MAX can ascend an 8% interstate grade without downshifting.
(Toyota)
Performance and Power
Let’s examine the differences in power between the available powertrains on both the 2023 and 2024 Tacoma models.
2023 Tacoma 4-cylinder specs:
- Horsepower: 159
- Torque: 180 lb-ft
2023 Tacoma V6 specs:
- Horsepower: 278
- Torque: 265 lb-ft
2024 Tacoma I-FORCE:
- Horsepower: 228 (SR 5ft.-bed A/T), 278 (SR 6ft.-bed, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited)
- Torque: 243 lb-ft (SR 5ft.-bed), 317 (SR 6ft.-bed, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited)
2024 Tacoma I-FORCE MAX:
- Horsepower: 326
- Torque: 465 lb-ft
Fuel Efficiency
Depending on the configuration of the 2023 Tacoma, here are the fuel economy estimates.
- 4-cylinder 4×2: 20/23 mpg (city/highway)
- 4-cylinder 4×4: 19/22 mpg (city/highway)
- V6 4×2: 19/24 mpg (city/highway)
- V6 4×4: 18/22 mpg (city/highway)
As you can see, the 4-cylinder tends to be slightly more fuel efficient because of its compact nature and because it has fewer cylinders to fire.
The upcoming 2024 Tacoma is supposed to be even more fuel-efficient, although I am still waiting to see EPA estimates.
Towing Capacity
While a smaller engine is typically more efficient, it can’t usually tow as much as a larger engine. Look at these examples from the 2023 Toyota Tacoma.
- 4-cylinder 4×2: maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds
- 4-cylinder 4×4: maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds
- V6 4×2: maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds
- V6 4×4: maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds
While the 4-cylinder is lighter, making it more efficient, it can’t normally pump out as much power as a V6. Therefore, it’s not usually a good option for towing.
Yet, the new lineup of 2024 Tacoma engines is able to match the capabilities of the old V6 with a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.
(Toyota)
Cost and Affordability
There’s also a big difference in cost between a 4-cylinder and V6 Tacoma. While MSRP varies by location, trim level, and options, here are some prices to consider for 2023.
- 4-cylinder 4×2: $28,250
- 4-cylinder 4×4: $31,325
- V6 4×2: $30,510
- V6 4×4: $33,975
For 2024, we’re still waiting on additional pricing information, specifically for i-FORCE MAX engines on the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and Limited trims
(Toyota)
Reliability and Longevity
According to RepairPal, there are very few problems with the 4-cylinder Tacoma engine. If it’s properly cared for and maintained, you could easily hit 250,000 miles with this truck.
On older models, there were reports of a faulty front crankshaft seal. This problem occurred in 2008 Tacomas and older, so most of these defective parts would have already been replaced.
On models 1998 and older, there were also issues with burnt valves, usually occurring around 160,000 miles. This problem created a rough idle, backfiring, and the Check Engine Light. Sadly, this repair requires a rebuild of the cylinder heads, which is normally too expensive to perform on a truck this old.
However, when it comes to Toyota reliability, there’s very little to worry about, whether you choose a 4-cylinder or V6 engine. Toyota has consistently been rated as one of the most reliable brands, and the Tacoma continues to exceed expectations.
Iseecars.com did a study to see what vehicles lasted longer than 200,000 miles. In this study, the Tacoma ranked within the top 15 vehicles, and it was the 3rd for longest-lasting light-duty pickup truck, with the Tundra taking 2nd place.
In fact, this study proved that Toyota continues to be a leader in reliability, with many models sweeping the rankings. Maybe that’s why Toyota was ranked the second leading car brand in the United States in 2022, just slightly behind Ford.
(Statista)
Related Content
New Tacoma Bringing Great Changes
Several years ago, I may not have been excited about the Tacoma only offering a 4-cylinder engine. Yet, times are changing, and technology makes the V6 unnecessary.
Looking at the numbers alone, there’s a lot to be excited about with the upcoming Tacoma lineup. I imagine many enthusiasts are going to fall all over this new truck when it arrives.
