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Three pedals! 2024 Toyota Tacoma manual transmission teased

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Another Taco Tuesday means another teaser image, and this time the 2024 Toyota Tacoma manual transmission has been announced. The short press release states the next-gen Tacoma will have a 6-speed manual transmission when it is unveiled.

2024 Toyota Tacoma manual transmission is fan pleaser

Most automakers have gone away from the manual transmission, preferring to rely on paddle shifters with automatic transmission for more precise shifting, but not Toyota.

For years, the Toyota Tacoma has offered a manual transmission even when competitors have dropped it. Toyota says this truck needs the manual.

“Legends are more than automatic; they always come in clutch,” the press release states. “The all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, available with a six-speed manual transmission.”

The MT is a big hit for the off-road crowd, although, my experience wasn’t so great with it the first time out.

Manual transmission in a hybrid?

A few weeks ago, Toyota announced the i-Force Max name will be applied to the Tacoma. This is a mild hybrid setup as seen in the 2022 Tundra. However, the big question is: Will a hybrid be mated to a manual transmission?

Managing Editor Jill Cimillo is skeptical and thinks Toyota might keep the MT mated to the current powertrain it’s paired with: the 3.5-liter V-6. This largely is due to the cost of developing a new powertrain/transmission option.

If Toyota only offers it in the Tacoma with the hybrid, it seems like a lot of money to spend for the clutch transmission which, currently, doesn’t sell well at all in the truck market. The volume leader by leaps and bounds is the automatic transmission.

Could the Tacoma come with two powertrains and the non-hybrid would be mated to the 6-speed manual for development cost savings? It is an insightful question.

What to expect for new truck

While the teasers are curious, here’s what (we think) we know about the 2024 Toyota Tacoma. It’ll have:

All of this is based on educated guesses and spy photos.

The bottom line

A manual transmission is a win for the enthusiast crowd and gives fans something to talk about before the truck is officially revealed. It also raises the question on whether competitors will follow suit trying to keep up with the midsize sales king.

 

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Tim Esterdahl

Automotive Journalist Tim Esterdahl has been a lover of trucks and SUVs for years. He has covered the industry since 2011 and has pieces in many national magazines and newspapers. In his spare time, he is often found tinkering on his '62 C10 pickup, playing golf, going hunting and hanging out with his wife and kids in Nebraska.

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