The 2024 Toyota Tacoma Keeps Its Manual—But Only These Trims

After weeks of cryptic—and sometimes hilarious—teasers, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma has been revealed! We have boots—flip flops?—on the ground at the launch event in Hawaii and we have a ton of information to share. But we know what hardcore Taco fans have been waiting for: Confirmation of, and details about, the available manual transmission. That the pickup continues to offer a stick shift at all is surprising, given how virtually none of the Tacoma's midsize truck competition offers one, and the transmission type is fast disappearing from the market overall. So, while it will no doubt please many of you that the new Tacoma will indeed come with three pedals—that depends on which trim you buy.

Before we get into which boxes to check to get your clutch pedal, let's talk a little bit about the six-speed's features. It will include the second-gen version of Toyota's intelligent manual transmission (iMT2) automatic rev-matching and anti-stall technology. The iMT2 also allows the user to start the Tacoma without having to press the clutch in first—a throwback to older Tacos, which offered a similar Clutch Start Cancel feature enabling you to start the engine while in gear. Why remove the clutch-start interlock? Say you stall out on a steep hill, while in four-wheel-drive Lo, and want to get going again—pressing in the clutch pedal could let your truck roll back, risking traction and, well, your butt. Hey, that may not sound like much but don't knock it until you try it! By the way, manual transmission can be had in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations so no matter you're preferred mode of off-road traversal, you're covered.

Also, if you want the six-speed manual, you'll have to be okay with Toyota's midgrade i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo I-4 gas engine. The available hybridized version of this same engine (which puts out 326 hp), is automatic-only. Ditto the lower-spec i-FORCE I-4, which delivers less output and is limited to the lowliest Tacoma SR extended-cab models.

Speaking of the SR, it's the cheapest version of the Tacoma—and it offers the manual, albeit only with the double cab, which will cost slightly more than the extended-cab variant. The SR also comes standard with twin tube shocks, leaf spring rear suspension, 17-inch wheels, a smart key system, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, and LED lighting. The next trim available with the manual transmission option is the TRD Sport double cab, which also throws in TRD-tuned twin tube shocks, 18-inch black TRD wheels, aluminum pedals, the obligatory hood scoop, a larger 12.3-inch gauge cluster display, and JBL audio system that includes a removable Bluetooth speaker.

Finally, the TRD Off-Road double cab trim provides the six-speed transmission option, just as it did last year. Along with the manual gearbox the TRD Off-Road comes with most of the same gear found on the TRD sport with the exception of Bilstein monotube remote reservoir shocks, a "multi terrain" select feature, electronically activated rear locking differential, composite skid plates, and 33-inch tires.

Considering there are eight total trims for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, only three of them having the option for a manual transmission might seem like a bit of a bummer. It would have been nice to see the range-topping Trailhunter get the six-speed gearbox as well, or the TRD Pro (as the previous-gen TRD Pro did), but again, both of those get the more powerful, hybridized i-FORCE MAX powertrain, and thus are auto-only.

So, to recap which, 2024 Toyota Tacoma trims come with the six-speed gearbox?