Auto Industry News: Toyota Tacoma Finally Debuts, Polaris Goes Overlanding, & Airbag Supplier Says ‘No’ to NHTSA

After months of teaser photos and at least one (orchestrated?) sneak peek, Toyota finally revealed its all-new Tacoma pickup truck last week. Bold and brawny-looking, with more off-road capability and a host of options for customers, the new truck throws down the gauntlet to competitors in the midsize segment. Keep reading The Engine Block for all the details on what’s new and exciting.

Plus, meet the new overlanding-ready UTVs from Polaris, get the scoop on Chevy’s impressive range for its new electric Silverado, and find out why a Tennessee-based automotive supplier is refusing to comply with a NHTSA-ordered recall on airbag parts.

Toyota Tacoma Finally Debuts

After what felt like an endless amount of teasing, Tacoma has finally, finally pulled the covers off the fourth-gen Tacoma. Friday’s premier confirmed the new mid-sizer will come in a variety of flavors, including multiple cab and bed configurations.

Unlike domestic competitors, who are limiting new mid-sizers like the Ranger and Colorado to crew cab/short bed setups, Toyota is taking the Baskin-Robbins approach and offering customers a whopping eight trims, two cab and bed configurations, automatic or manual gearboxes, and three versions of the model’s new 2.4-liter turbo four engine.

So, What’s NEW?

Toyota rolled out a lot of upgrades for this new generation – some expected, some a pleasant surprise.

Fresh Trailhunter, Revised PreRunner

Starting with the trims, two new options join the lineup: the overlanding-oriented Trailhunter, which was teased awhile back, and the resurrected TRD PreRunner, which fans may remember from the late 90s/early 00s.

As expected, the new Trailhunter trim comes dripping in camp-ready accessories from renowned aftermarket brands, as well as a bevy of rugged off-road equipment.

Toyota borrows some impressive features from the TRD Pro to outfit its new factory overlander, including a beefier suspension setup that provides a higher and wider stance. However, the Trailhunter gets Old Man Emu position-sensitive remote reservoir shocks to ensure optimum ride control while carting around sustained heavy loads of off-grid kit.

The Trailhunter also enjoys the same standard powertrain setup as its premium off-roader sibling: the i-FORCE MAX hybrid. By sandwiching a 48-hp/184-lb-ft electric motor between the turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a new 8-speed automatic transmission, Toyota creates 326 ponies and 465 lb.-ft of torque.

By contrast, the resurrected TRD PreRunner trim returns for 2024 with a recognizable formula – 4WD styling and off-road chops painted onto a two-door, 2WD model.

The throwback trim features a lifted front suspension, larger diameter BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, and an electronically locking rear differential. The familiar V-6 is gone, replaced by a 278-hp i-FORCE turbo four that makes 317 lb.-ft of torque and comes mated to an automatic-only transmission.

Smart Upgrades Across the Board

The rest of the trim lineup returns largely the same, but with some tailored upgrades that are sure to please customers.

Power

While Toyota’s application of the i-FORCE MAX to the mid-size pickup segment is buzzy, the automaker didn’t leave its entry-level customers hanging. The base model SR trim might be the only Tacoma to get the base version 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but it makes a whopping 70 more horsepower than last year, turning out 228 hp and 243 lb.-ft. of torque.

All other grades step up to higher-output i-FORCE variations, as noted above.

Toyota finally did away with the lackluster six-speed automatic, offering a new eight-speed auto and a six-speed manual on the SR, TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road trims. Manual transmission models produce 270 hp and 310 lb.-ft. of torque.

Handling & Ride Control

All models now get four-wheel disc brakes, with higher trims gaining a larger setup. Interestingly, the beloved mid-sizer made do with cheaper drums for years. More interesting, however, is that all crew cab Tacomas from the SR5 up now get a five-link, coil-spring rear suspension. (Extended cab SR, SR5 and TRD PreRunner models still have leaf spring setups.)

In fact, Toyota now offers suspensions specifically tuned to each grade of Tacoma.

For instance, TRD Sport has red TRD sport-tuned shocks for a more responsive feel, while the TRD Off-Road wears monotube Bilstein remote reservoir shocks for extended wheel travel and greater heat dissipation. The TRD Pro, meanwhile, comes fitted with FOX’s new QS3 three-way adjustable internal bypass shocks with remote reservoirs for improved high speed off-road performance.

This new generation of Tacoma also uses Toyota’s TNGA-F global truck platform, which it shares with the all-new Tundra and Sequoia. A new application of high-strength steel and aluminum creates a more rigid chassis with increased durability but less weight.

Off-Road Chops

To ensure the Tacoma maintains its reputation as an indomitable little off-roader, Toyota bumped up capability. An all-new available front stabilizer bar disconnect increases articulation by 10% over the last-gen model, and will be compatible with Toyota-approved lift kits.

Other improvements noted across the trims include bigger tires and bulkier fender flares, along with a new low-speed, off-road cruise control and multiple camera angles visible on the upgraded dashboard screen layout.

Did You Know…?

EPA-estimated range is now available for the upcoming electric Silverado Work Truck – and it’s impressive.

According to official numbers, Chevy’s new EV will get 450 miles on a full charge. That’s over 100 miles more than the current longest-range electric pickup, the Rivian R1T, as well as the bowtie badge’s main competitor, the Ford F-150 Lightning. The model is set to launch in late spring 2024, and Chevy says it is targeting a starting price of $39,900 – though, we expect that number to rise dramatically by the time the truck actually hits dealer lots.

Polaris Goes Overlanding

Polaris also made an interesting debut last week, introducing a new line of overland-ready “Xpedition” UTVs. Based on the popular side-by-side configuration, the 2024 Xpedition models are bigger, bolder, and built from a clean-sheet design geared toward rugged, off-grid travel.

A host of features ensure customers can go further off-road for longer, including innovative storage solutions, modular folding seats, a customizable enclosed cab with heat and AC, and over 100 all-new accessories. Oh, did we mention the 200+ miles of range and 2,000-pound towing capacity??

Polaris Xpedition UTVs come in two and five-seat configurations, with three trims available: Premium, Ultimate and NorthStar. Customers can opt for the XP model, which features an open cargo space, or the ADV which encloses the rear cargo area.

Polaris says the Ultimate and NorthStar trims will begin shipping to dealers in Summer of 2023, while the Premium trim will be available in 2024. Prices start at $29,000 before options.

In Case You Missed It…

America’s nationwide vehicle fleet just hit a new milestone. According to a study by S&P Global Mobility, the average age of light vehicles in the U.S. is now 12.5 years old. That’s just over 3 months older than the 2022 average, and marks a new record. Data shows this is the sixth straight year of increase, as well as the highest yearly increase since the 2008-2009 recession. Supply constraints coupled with inflation and high interest rates have pushed up average vehicle age, as less folks opt to purchase a new vehicle.

Airbag Supplier Says “No” to NHTSA

According to NHTSA, more than 30 million drivers in the U.S. are operating vehicles with defective airbag inflators but few are aware of the issue because the automotive supplier responsible is refusing to recall the parts.

NHTSA is demanding the recall of 67 million airbag inflators manufactured by Tennessee-based supplier ARC Automotive, arguing they pose a safety risk during crashes. The agency cites two deaths and seven injuries in connection to the inflators, which occurred when the parts failed to inflate the airbags and instead shot metal shrapnel at vehicle occupants.

In a bold move, ARC Automotive has said no to the recall. It insists there is no safety defect, instead claiming any issues are the result of “one-off manufacturing anomalies that were properly addressed by vehicle manufacturers through lot-specific recalls.”

ARC’s Argument

ARC Vice President of Product Integrity Steve Gold argues that NHTSA’s conclusions were drawn on hypothesis around welding debris, rather than objective fact. He contends that only five inflators ruptured while in use, and none can be conclusively connected to welding defects.

Furthermore, he says five incidents “among the 67 million … inflators produced for the U.S. market during the 18-year period … across multiple manufacturing lines in different plant locations does not support a finding that a systemic and prevalent defect exists across this population.”

The company insists it has been unable to replicate this type of rupture during extensive field testing and claims NHTSA does not have the authority to demand recalls from equipment suppliers, only automakers.

What Happens Next?

NHTSA was quick to clap back on the matter of its safety enforcement powers, noting it can seek recalls from parts makers – especially when they are responsible for supplying multiple automakers.

The agency still needs to issue a final ruling on the matter, and then hold a public hearing. After that, it has the option to take ARC to court and seek a recall order.

As for consumers, they’re left wondering since the full list of affected vehicle models is not yet known. Some automakers, like Chevy, Ford, BMW and VW, have already issued recalls, but the danger – hypothetical or no – extends to at least a dozen brands in total.

The Engine Block is your one-stop source for any and all auto industry news. Keep an eye on our weekly round-up of enthusiast coverage, product reviews, vehicle spotlights, auto show/expo features, and more. Be sure to check back Wednesday for our look at retractable tonneau covers. Are they worth the high price tag? We unpack the benefits to find out. Then, come back Friday for our monthly round-up of can’t miss auto events in Competition Corner.