Last year, I compared the new Toyota Tacoma against the Ford Ranger. In that review, I did not like the new Tacoma mainly because of the horrible feeling 6-speed manual transmission. So are things better with this hybrid 8-speed automatic and is this Trailhunter Tacoma better than my 2024 Truck of the year, the Ranger Raptor?
Performance
Engine – Let’s start with the hybrid powertrain. The 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder engine produces 278 hp & 317 lb-ft of torque (207 kW & 430 NM) which is plenty powerful for the Tacoma. The hybrid portion of the powertrain includes an electric motor which can deliver 48 hp & 184 lb-ft of torque (36 kW & 250 Nm) for a total system output of 326 hp & 465 lb-ft of torque (243 kW & 630 Nm). It is a fairly hefty truck at 2,454 kg (5,410 lbs) but not once did it feel as though the engine was struggling to get it up to speed with the low end grunt of the turbocharger and the instant torque of the electric motor.
Fuel Economy – Though this is a hybrid pickup truck, it does not return the type of fuel economy that one would expect. This hybrid powertrain was designed for power rather than efficiency. As a result, I’ve only managed to achieve 13.3 L/100km (17.7 MPG) during my time with the truck and that was with mostly highway driving. That is a far cry from what the truck is officially rated to achieve; 10.5 L/100km (22.4 MPG) in a city and 9.9 L/100km (23.7 MPG) on a highway. Furthermore, I was able to get better fuel economy in the 6-speed manual Tacoma from last year. How Toyota managed to get such good rated numbers is something that had me scratching my head.
Transmission – Now to the transmission. This 8-speed automatic is a far better transmission compared to the 6-speed. There are a number of reasons why I don’t like the manual transmission but the biggest is the amount of rev hang. When pushing in the clutch pedal to upshift, the engine’s rpms would remain at their current position for a hood 2 or 3 seconds before dropping. Obviously, there’s no such issue with this 8-speed automatic. The gear changes are smooth and if there were any poor changes, it’s hidden by the electric motor. Granted, the non-hybrid 8-speed automatic may be a bit different as I have not had a chance to fully experience it but I’m willing to bet that it’s a lot better than the 6-speed manual. This 8-speed also has an “S” mode with notches for the driver to manually select the gears.
Braking – The brakes on the 2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid feel strong and provide a firm pedal feel. This new generation Tacoma moves away from the drum brakes of the old Toyota Tacoma by replacing them with modern disc brakes. The 0.9 kWh battery is partially recharged by regenerative braking and by the engine. There’s no other regen mode to change the amount of regen force.
Handling – The Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Hybrid is not meant to be a sporty driving truck. The steering is direct but slow. It takes some movement of the steering wheel to get the truck to turn. The Trailhunter trim is equipped with Old Man Emu shocks absorbers (yes, they’re really called that) which provide a good amount of body resistance through corners. Just like many other trucks, the Tacoma hybrid has Eco, Normal & Sport drive modes. It comes with a locking rear differential and CRAWL control with Multi Terrain Select. There’s also a disconnecting front sway bar for better wheel articulation when driving off the beaten path. The Trailhunter trim also gets 33” tires to tackle off-road trails but this demo truck came equipped with winter tires instead as I drove it in late December.
Capability – The Trailhunter trim is only available with the 6’ bed option here in Canada. It has a tow rating of 5,950 lbs and a payload rating of 1,425 lbs. The tailgate is power operated and has buttons on either side for opening or closing. The Trailhunter trim comes equipped with an onboard air pump and an air hose inside a compartment on the other side of the bed.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – The Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter’s ride is a little on the stiff side when compared to the the ride of the Ford Ranger Raptor. The suspension resists body roll very well but it’s a bit more jiggly over bumps on paved roads.
The front seats, however, are supportive and comfortable for my body type. Both seats have 8-way adjustments including lumbar support for both the driver and passenger.
Interior Space – The new Tacoma has an improved seating position compared to the previous generation. In the old one, it felt as though you were sitting on the floor. In the new Tacoma, the seating position is normal and like as though you’re in a normal truck. The floor is still a little high for shorter individuals and unfortunately this Trailhunter trim comes equipped with rock rails rather than side steps. Additionally, the steering wheel is tilt and telescopic now. The rear seats of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma are still tight. For my above average height, it’s very tight back there. Furthermore, the battery takes up the storage space that is found in the non-hybrid models of the Tacoma under the rear seats.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The cabin of the Tacoma is not quite as quiet as some other mid-size trucks. Noises from the tires and engine are not too intrusive but if you drive the Tacoma and the Ford Ranger back to back for example, you’ll notice that the Ranger’s cabin is just a little bit quieter.
One noise that I didn’t mind in this particular Tacoma Hybrid is that of the turbocharger. This Trailhunter comes equipped with a snorkel which is positioned right next to the passenger window. Under throttle with the window slightly cracked open, you can hear the turbocharger sucking in air and the blow off valve dispersing the air when lifting your foot off the throttle pedal. It’s a nice sound that makes me feel like a teenager again.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – Getting your hands on the hybrid version of the Toyota Tacoma is not going to be cheap. It starts at $63,390 CAD ($46,320 USD, TRD Sport) while this fully loaded Trailhunter trim will cost you $82,950 CAD ($62,735 USD).
Gadgets – The Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter Hybrid is equipped like many other top spec mid-size trucks. It has heated & ventilated front seats along with a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, 12.3” driver display and 14” infotainment touchscreen, a wireless phone charging pad, a head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and an 8-speaker JBL audio system.
Interior Design – When I previously drove the new generation Toyota Tacoma, I thought that the cabin design was straightforward but plastic. The mid-trim TRD Sport did not have the interior quality of a $50,000 CAD truck. The interior of this Trailhunter trim is a little bit better with more surfaces covered in SofTex material but it still doesn’t feel as well as one would expect considering the amount of money it costs.
Exterior Design – The outside of the Tacoma Trailhunter is a head turner, particularly among other Tacoma owners. It has flared arches, roof rack, LED light bar, and plenty of steel skid plates to protect the underbody of the truck. Some of the design elements of the new Tacoma are taken from the Tundra. Other design details are new and will be implemented on the upcoming 4Runner. The Tacoma definitely looks more aggressive than before.
Safety – The base SR5 trim is equipped with quite a few standard safety & driver aids but it does not include every available feature. Some, such as the panoramic view monitor and intuitive parking assist with auto braking, are part of a package. However, front seat side airbags and front side curtain airbags are not available on any trim except those with the hybrid powertrain.
Warranty – The 2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Trailhunter is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km basic warranty and a 5 year / 100,000 powertrain warranty. The hybrid battery is covered by a 10 year / 240,000 km warranty while the hybrid components are covered for 8 years / 160,000 km. For more information on Toyota’s Canadian warranty, click here. For information on USA warranty, click here. (Scroll to bottom of page)
Conclusion – Getting back to the questions I posed at the start of the review, yes, the 8-speed automatic is far superior to the 6-speed manual and I can’t figure out why Toyota made the manual transmission such a horrible driving experience. As for the 2nd question, this Trailhunter trim is impressive but the Ford Ranger Raptor is a more exciting truck. I’d stick to the Hybrid Limited or hybrid TRD Off-Road trims of the Tacoma.
Thank you to Toyota Canada for providing the Tacoma Hybrid. www.Toyota.ca
2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Trailhunter Gallery
