That is a nice surprise about the manual transmission. Before I decided to wait for a 2024 I tried to find a 2023 with a manual and I never could locate one. I hope they will make more manuals available in the new Taco, but I am not holding my breath.
I really doubt that Toyota will ever offer a hybrid with a stick, so I agree that it will probably only come with the base engine, which would be a nice drivetrain.