Refresh or new gen spotted?

https://jalopnik.com/toyota-keeps-its-updated-tacoma-truck-tests-under-wraps-1847800863

Seems a bit early for the 2024 to be out testing as many have alluded to as next gen year and early for a refresh. Interesting. Think they messed up and it’s a new Tundra based on design. @Carmaker1

 

If that's a Tacoma, the driver is what, 4'11"? I guess they could have completely reengineered the seating position. But that truck looks huge.

 

Right looks like a tundra to me.

 

Have to wonder if the pics are just recycled pre-2022 Tundra reveal, or even the Frontier just for clickbait.

 

One look and instantly you can tell that’s a tundra. The tail light covers give it away

 

...

Every manufacturer has a unique camouflage pattern and this one is unique to Toyota/Lexus for certain. Nissan's is different. The latter guess,

 

Right, I was like this has to be a Tundra based on front fascia, body lines and mirros, or is it not? You of all people would know here I'm sure.

 

excellent

 

Yeah, it's their trickery LOL. Make us believe it's a 22 Tundra out still testing, but a closer look shows that it's actually a mule and not even an actual full fledged prototype. I think they like having the new Tundra to now rely on, instead of struggling with fitting the old 3G body over the new internals.

I am really surprised they're bold enough to showcase that they're finishing it up, as if the people in charge read these forums LOL. There is nothing out there on actual 2023 redesigns coming before it (Sequoia, RX), yet Toyota doesn't mind driving early mules for the '24 Tacoma over 2 years before launch. Crazy.

I keep posting those photos, as it highlights some differences in dimensions.

 

The only way I can distinguish a Tacoma vs a Tundra test vehicle is by how often the auto transmission shifts on the highway

 

To me the truck in those pics looks way too small to be a Tundra. So that likely is the Tacoma. For a 2023 reveal they likely started working on this in 2019 or so if it's all new. Seeing first prototypes now makes sense.

 

Toyota is hiring Bro’s to run their test miles

 

Back in January 2019 in my first forum post, I believe they were already working on it, with expectation it would be a 2023 model since 2014, about 1 year prior to 3rd generation launch in September 2015. Since about late 2017 in terms of planning phase, progressively more in 2018 in terms of defining targets, and significantly since 2020, when it went into full production development.

If not for delays with TNGA-F, this would be on sale by August 2022. Ideally, you can buy one by end of January 2024, if production still pans out for early December 2023.