The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro has a special, jacked-up suspension and big, knobby tires for blasting through dirt and sand.
Once you scale the side to get in, you look out over a big hood bulge that makes this truck seem like it’s out of a postapocalyptic video game. One thing I loved was the exhaust rumble, which was especially impressive because this actually has a four-cylinder engine, albeit a very powerful one. Fuel economy is rated at a surprising 23 miles per gallon when combining city and highway driving.
The front seats are quite comfortable, but the rear is a different story. The front seat backs are extra thick because these special TRD Pro seats feature their own suspension to help you when dune-jumping. When driving on regular highways though, the seats take away valuable rear legroom, leading to a conniption from my squished 3-year-old during a long drive.
The interior is also eye-catching, with red leather that also has a subtle camo pattern to it. While there’s a big touch screen inside, there are also lots of welcome knobs and buttons for controlling things.
In the reliability department, Toyota ranks second in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Consumer Reports says Toyota has the third-best predicted reliability score off all car brands. When it comes to safety, the Tacoma gets top marks in front and side crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This truck’s obvious enemy, though, is parking because of its length and high seating position.
Still, I really enjoyed being in this truck while moving, sitting up high and soaking up bumps. Even if it never saw the desert.
The Tacoma TRD Pro I drove came in at $65,869.
