2027 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Review: A Powerful but Pricey Pickup
The 2027 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid offers a powerful i-Force Max powertrain, but its higher price and minor fuel-economy gains make it a questionable value.
Key Takeaways
- The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid features a powerful i-Force Max powertrain with 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
- The hybrid model offers minor fuel-economy gains, with an estimated 22 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
- The Tacoma Hybrid’s higher price and added weight make it a questionable value compared to the nonhybrid model.
- The truck’s ride is firm but agreeable, and it features a modern design with decent space and high-resolution screens.
- The Tacoma Hybrid’s towing and payload capacities are competitive, but the nonhybrid model tows slightly more.
What’s the Tacoma Hybrid’s Powertrain Like?
The Tacoma Hybrid’s powertrain is called i-Force Max, and it combines a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. The result is 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most powerful options in the mid-size segment.
The hybrid system features a small nickel-metal hydride battery and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Pro trim comes with a standard disconnecting front anti-roll bar and unique 2.5-inch dampers with remote reservoirs.
How Does the Tacoma Hybrid Handle?
On the road, the Tacoma Hybrid’s ride is firm but agreeable. The TRD Pro exhibited a surprising amount of refinement, delivering the smoothest ride of the models we sampled. However, the hybrid models are heavier than their nonhybrid counterparts, meaning that the i-Force Max’s extra power doesn’t make for quicker acceleration.
In our testing, the Tacoma Hybrid TRD Off-Road got to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, and the TRD Pro did the deed in 7.7 seconds. Those results are both several ticks slower than the nonhybrid Tacoma models we’ve tested.
What’s the Tacoma Hybrid’s Interior Like?
Inside, the Tacoma Hybrid offers a modern design and decent space. Every model offers a raised seating position with plentiful headroom. The dashboard boasts nice materials along with high-resolution screens and easy-to-use traditional button-and-knob switchgear.
The rear accommodations are tolerable but tight, and the Tacoma Hybrid’s battery pack rides in the space beneath the rear seat. Interior storage is limited, with only average-sized door pockets and a small center console to hold trinkets.
What Are the Tacoma Hybrid’s Safety Features?
Every Tacoma Hybrid has a host of standard driver-assistance technology, including forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also available.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder + electric motor |
| Horsepower | 326 hp |
| Torque | 465 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive |
| Towing Capacity | 6000 pounds |
| Payload Capacity | 1709 pounds |
| Fuel Economy (city/highway) | 22/24 mpg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Tacoma Hybrid’s powertrain?
A: The Tacoma Hybrid features a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
Q: How does the Tacoma Hybrid handle?
A: The Tacoma Hybrid’s ride is firm but agreeable, and it features a modern design with decent space and high-resolution screens. However, the hybrid models are heavier than their nonhybrid counterparts, meaning that the i-Force Max’s extra power doesn’t make for quicker acceleration.
Q: What are the Tacoma Hybrid’s safety features?
A: Every Tacoma Hybrid has a host of standard driver-assistance technology, including forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
