4G Tacoma 6-Speed Manual – Who Went Old School | 4th Gen Tacoma Forum

TRD JON · 2025-06-18T02:15:34+00:00

Now that the 4th Gen Tacoma is here, a lot of us are deciding between the i-FORCE turbo 4-cylinder and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid setup. Both use the same 2.4L engine, but the MAX adds an electric motor for a combined 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. If you’ve driven both, how do they compare in real-world driving? Is the hybrid worth the extra cost and weight? Any noticeable difference in throttle response, towing, or MPG? I’m leaning toward the i-FORCE MAX for the torque alone — that number beats most full-size trucks. But I also want to know how it feels off-road and if the added complexity is worth it for long-term reliability. The normal i-FORCE still packs a solid punch, but for me personally the hybrid is were it’s at! Let’s hear from those who’ve driven both, especially in TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims.

TRD JON

Administrator

Staff member

Today at 3:19 AM

#1

Toyota surprised everyone by keeping a 6-speed manual transmission option on certain 4th Gen Tacomas (TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road). Who here actually went for it?

I’ve been driving manuals for years, and it’s awesome to see Toyota keep it alive. The clutch feel is solid, maybe a little long though for it to grab, and the gearing feels pretty dialed for trail use. Only downside? You lose some features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select.

Still — if you’re in it for the driving experience, it’s a blast. Anyone else daily-driving the manual or using it on the trails?

Let’s show some love for the third pedal — and share tips for break-in and shifting sweet spots.