SEMA's 2024 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner Concept Promises a Sport Truck Resurgence

Back in 2005, Toyota did something that nobody was prepared for: it built a mid-sized pickup truck with some actual road-holding manners. They called it the Tacoma X-Runner and it remained a rather popular street truck available right up until 2014. Now, nearly a decade later, it seems that Toyota is ready to unleash a new X-Runner with a new concept at the 2023 SEMA expo.

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X-Runner Pickup Legacy

If there is a single potential flaw in the original X-Runner execution, it's the fact that it had a rear leaf spring suspension. Yes, it was lowered and came with front and rear sway bars, but the performance of a traditional leaf spring rear suspension leaves much to be desired in handling. Even with that caveat, we pitted the original Tacoma X-Runner against a contemporary field of competitive sport trucks that included the Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab, and the Toyota won. It was the fastest in the slalom (beating the Ram SRT-10 by 1 mph) despite its power gap and 0.3 second slower 0-60 mph time. It showed just how monumental the original X-Runner was and the hill this concept will have to climb if put into production.

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The New X-Runner Concept

Thankfully, Toyota knew it couldn't rest on the laurels of the original and the new Tacoma X-Runner concept takes things up to 11. The engine puts out 176 greater hp and 197 lb-ft more torque more than the original 4.0-liter V-6 the 2005 X-Runner came equipped with. This is thanks to some updated engine technology we get from Toyota with its 3.4-liter twin-turbo i-Force V-6 and its TRD Performance package-boosted output of 421 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. You'll note that the 3.4-liter i-Force Max V-6 is exclusive to the larger Tundra pickup and Sequoia three-row SUV and isn't offered in the new Tacoma, whose most powerful factory engine offering is a turbocharged 2.4-liter i-Force Max hybrid engine. At least, the V-6 isn't offered in the new Tacomayet—hopefully a production X-Runner might change that...

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X-Runner Transmission

Sadly, the new X-Runner does not get a six-speed manual, instead opting for the 10-speed automatic transmission that's also found under the Tundra. We'll just have to see how that impacts its fun-to-drive factor, but it does come with a set of paddle shifters to join with its unique X-Runner interior. It wouldn't be the first time an OEM moved on to more gears and automatic shifts for potentially quicker results.

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Tundra, Tundra Everywhere

Another part that is technically borrowed from the bigger Tundra truck is the rear axle, which has been customized to fit the Tacoma and its four-link rear suspension. It's fitted with a 4.30:1 final drive and electronic locking differential for some guaranteed smokey times and possibly burnouts for days.

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Further Suspension Changes

The axle is supported by a set of custom suspension arms that match the Tundra's suspension geometry and works with its air suspension system. (Regular 2024 Tacomas inherit a version of this coil-sprung design, but minus the air suspension bits.) This is then fully controlled by a set of custom-valved Bilstein 2.5-inch dampers with remote reservoirs. The front suspension uses a set of stiffer front springs rather than the air suspension found in the rear. These suspension changes also increase the track width of the Tacoma by just over three inches.

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One-Off Wheels

One of our other complaints about the original Tacoma X-Runner was the massive gap between the top of the tire and the fender opening. It looks like the concept will address that with the suspension drop, but also by using a set of 285/45R21 Michelin Sport Tires. The crazy part are the custom wheels made by Lacks Enterprises. The 21x9.5-inch sizing isn't the crazy part as these wheels are constructed out of carbon fiber with forged aluminum centers. These extremely lightweight wheels are mounted over a set of Tundra 13.9-inch rotors with four-piston calipers in the front and 13.6-inch rotors with two-piston calipers in the rear.

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It's One Special Pickup Truck

Just like the original 2005 X-Runner, the 2023 concept gets a full body kit to enhance its character and give it a proper street truck look. This separates it from a regular Tacoma and lets you know that you're probably in for a world of hurt if you want challenge it.

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Custom Kit

The Calty-designed kit includes new front and rear facias, an aerodynamics package, and lower rocker panels. The original X-Runner came with a hood scoop, but the 2023 concept is fully functional and includes the ducting to the intake.

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Unique Lighting

Like other special Tacomas, the 2023 X-Runner concept features a pair of XB LED projector headlights with the "X-Runner" logo on the blacked-out housing for the running lights.

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Familiar Blue Hue

To celebrate the original X-Runner concept from the 2004 Chicago Auto Show, the 2023 concept is shot in the original Speedway Blue, but with the addition of blacking out a portion of the hood, the roof, and mirrors.

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Custom Hood

The hood is joined by a red accent stripe and the hood scoop has a red-colored inlet.

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Build It Toyota

The only thing we want now is to see this 2024 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner concept become reality. So far, Toyota hasn't said if it will make it past the 2023 SEMA Show, but based on the original 2005 production version, this midsize pickup truck will be an absolute riot on the roads and tracks across the U.S. Come on, Toyota, do the damn thing.