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Toyota's midsize pickup truck, the Tacoma, is in the top five most-sold trucks in North America – an astonishing achievement, considering the stern competition from local car manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, and RAM.
For the 2024 model year, Toyota debuted the fourth-generation Tacoma, and despite the hybrid powertrains shared with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, the Tacoma continues to be a model of dependability and ruggedness, similar to the old-school, yet still new, Toyota 4Runner.
With the fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma, the Japanese company is reviving an exciting old name, last seen in 2014 – the Toyota Tacoma X-Runner. Here's what we know about this new iteration of Toyota's midsize pickup truck.
Better than the original Tacoma X-Runner?
The Tacoma X-Runner was originally offered as a North America-exclusive option, with the second-generation Tacoma. It was produced between 2005 and 2014. It was based on the rear-wheel-drive Tacoma and featured a 1UZ-FE V-6 engine, making between 236 and 270 horsepower.
With the TRD supercharger kit, the power went over 300 horsepower. The X-Runner name was inspired by the x-brace that improved the truck's chassis rigidity, alongside a tweaked suspension – something the new Tacoma X Runner will also feature.
The 2025 Toyota Tacoma is previewed by Toyota's SEMA concept.
Toyota showed a production-ready, X-Runner, street truck concept at the 2024 SEMA show, and this will be one of the few exciting versions Toyota has prepared for the 2025 Toyota Tacoma.
What engine will power the 2025 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner?
By now, Toyota's focus on turbocharged, inline-four engines and hybrid powertrains is apparent. However, the 2025 Toyota Tundra X-Runner will stay true to tradition with V-6 power. It will share the Toyota Tundra's 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine, which currently makes 421 horsepower and 479 pound-feet. Toyota's TRD department will, likely, massage the powertrain for some extra oomph, just like they offered a supercharger kit for the original Tacoma X-Runner.
Toyota Tacoma keeps the manual transmission
The X-Runner is, without a doubt, the most driver-focused variant of the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. This is emphasized by the fact, the Tacoma is one of the very few pickup trucks still available with a six-speed manual transmission. The eight-speed automatic will be carried over, but the 2025 Tacoma X-Runner could get Toyota Tundra's 10-speed automatic.
The 2025 Tacoma X-Runner will share more with Toyota's Tundra
While the Tacoma features a coil-over, independent front suspension, the rear is a solid axle. The 2025 Tacoma X-Runner will share the Toyota Tundra's solid rear axle and will come with an electronic locking differential. The suspension will be lower compared to the regular Tacoma models and will feature Bilstein shocks and stiffer springs.
What else can we expect from the 2025 Toyota Tacoma?
In addition to the X-Runner, the 2025 Toyota Tundra is getting a TRD Pro and GR Sport variants. The familiar trims remain unchanged as is the price. That said, the 2025 Tacoma will feature better towing and payload capacity that would exceed the 6,500 and 1,709-pound figures of the current Tacoma.
About the author
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
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