Driven: The All-New Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Transforms from Basic to Exceptional

      The Toyota Tacoma has always been a reliable choice. Looking for good resale value? It delivers. Need reliability? Just check the emblem on the grille. Prefer simplicity? It's moved away from rear drum brakes just last year. While my evidence is purely anecdotal, I believe this is why the Tacoma has consistently led its segment in sales for over twenty years. But what’s the result now that Toyota has changed things up by transforming the Tacoma TRD Pro into a sophisticated hybrid performance truck?

      It's too soon to make a definitive judgement, but early impressions are strong. I'm uncertain about how the electrified 2.4-liter turbo engine will perform in the long term, nor do I know how durable the interior's red leather will be. However, one thing I can confidently say is that the front seats are equipped with air shocks—how wild is that?

      There are alternative trims for those who lean towards a more traditional Toyota experience, but the TRD Pro Tacoma stands apart. It's designed to take on the Ford Ranger Raptor and Chevy Colorado ZR2, and it actually offers more torque than both. However, that performance comes at a premium, making it the most expensive option in the range. This marks a shift from the Tacoma we've all known, whether that’s a positive or negative thing, and it’s made to impress, if not necessarily to last.

      The Basics

      With this new generation, the Tacoma shares more features with the Tundra than ever before, and this is clear in the truck's design. Although they have distinct differences, like variations in headlight design and side profiles, it wouldn’t be difficult to mistake the Tacoma for a Tundra from a distance. Both trucks showcase angular designs with sharp lines extending from the front fenders to the sides and the beds. While the Tacoma is smaller, it's not significantly so, and they now share the same body-on-frame structure.

      If you were to glance at the interior, distinguishing between the Tacoma and Tundra would be nearly impossible—especially in the hybrid versions. The TRD Pro models feature red upholstery throughout (the Tacoma also has a black option), along with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.0-inch infotainment display. Thankfully, the lower center stack still has buttons and switches. The only significant difference—admittedly a major one—is the unique pneumatic suspension integrated into the Tacoma TRD Pro's seat backs.

      The Tacoma lineup includes two engine options: a gas-only 2.4-liter turbo four and a hybrid variation of the same engine. As expected, the TRD Pro model exclusively offers the hybrid engine, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission manages shifts and distributes power to either the rear wheels or all four via a genuine two-speed transfer case. It can operate on electric power alone for a limited duration, and when the internal combustion engine kicks in, it produces an impressive growl. It’s quite enjoyable if you have a youthful sense of humor, like I do.

      Having just driven a new Land Cruiser equipped with the same powertrain a week earlier, I wondered if the Tacoma TRD Pro would feel equally dull. It doesn’t appear to be boring, but I didn’t enjoy the performance from the 2.4-liter hybrid in the Land Cruiser due to its lackluster dynamics. I’m pleased to say that this spirited truck proves otherwise, which supports my theory that Toyota intentionally reduced the fun factor in the Land Cruiser to maintain interest in the 4Runner.

      Apologies, I’m supposed to focus on the Tacoma. It performed admirably in various scenarios, with its robust frame and elevated body easily navigating different terrains. I appreciated its height multiple times while driving it around my family’s property along the creek, as I never scraped the undercarriage—a remarkable achievement given the rough conditions where I live. The terrain consists mostly of loose gravel and deep pits, which allow for testing ground clearance, approach angles, departure angles, and suspension articulation.

      You can witness that performance in the TRD Pro. At six-foot-five, climbing back in after photographing was quite a stretch, but the truck handled it without difficulty.

      I had the Tacoma's transfer case in 4LO, using its Multi-Terrain Select system set to Loose Rock mode. It seemed almost purpose-built for such conditions! This MTS technology manages wheelspin at low speeds by automatically adjusting throttle and braking. It’s useful if not entirely essential, much like the Crawl Control feature—an off-road cruise control for navigating steep hills, which has seen significant improvements in this latest generation.

      Nothing on my property posed a challenge for the TRD Pro. This is expected with a $67,000 vehicle, but it also highlights the truck's extravagance. Unless you live near a desert (or drive a semi, I suppose), when might you really need air spring seats? Probably never, and I couldn't test their performance