The 2027 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is a modern take on one of Toyota's greatest hits. The recipe is simple: take the popular mid-size Tacoma pickup and sandwich an electric motor between its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. The result is slightly better fuel economy and 326 horsepower, improvements of a mere one mpg in the city and 45 additional ponies compared to the standard, gas-only Taco.
While the fuel-economy improvement is minuscule, the horsepower bump makes the Tacoma Hybrid one of the most powerful options in the mid-size segment. The Tacoma Hybrid's lineup consists mostly of off-road-focused trims, but the fancy Limited model is offered for buyers who want to spend more time on the tarmac in comfort.
View Price on AmazonTowing and payload capacities are competitive with others in the mid-size truck class, but the nonhybrid might be a better choice for value-oriented buyers since it offers some lower-priced trim levels that the Hybrid doesn't. Expert Tip: Even without a hybrid powertrain, the Ford Ranger bested the Tacoma Hybrid in our 75-mph fuel-economy testing, and it has a higher towing capacity, too.
The Toyota Tacoma Hybrid arrived on the scene in 2024, which isn't very far in the rearview as far as vehicle lifecycles are concerned. For that reason, we don’t expect to see any significant changes for the 2027 model year. The Tacoma's hybrid powertrain is called i-Force Max, and it pumps out 326 horses and a strong 465 pound-feet of torque.
It features an electric motor between the engine and transmission and a small nickel-metal hydride battery. For the Trailhunter and TRD Pro trims, this hybrid setup is the only option, but it's possible to get the other trims listed above with a nonhybrid powertrain. But for off-road enthusiasts, the Tacoma Hybrid's top two trims are likely the most attractive.
During our test drive, we were able to sample several models, including a mid-range Limited, a TRD Off-Road, and a top-spec TRD Pro. 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.
Source: caranddriver.com
