Toyota redesigned its full-size truck line less than two years ago to better compete with the big dogs of the Big Three and now it’s time for the Tundra TRD Pro to come play with the off-road ready pickups.
The new Tundra TRD Pro has a tough, new styling. A big grill with LED light bar illuminates what lies ahead on darkened trails. If you have seen other Toyota TRD Pro models, you notice the black wheels. The Tundra has 18-inch black BBS wheels shod with beefy all-terrain tires.
Behind those wheels are red springs and shocks and heavy-duty suspension pieces. The hood now sports TRD Pro badging and cool blacked-out vents to punctuate this tough truck persona. The Tundra TRD Pro I drove didn’t have running boards to maximize ground clearance on the trail. So it’s a big step up for children and adults.
This Toyota is ready to work with 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic works nicely in conjunction with the i-Force Max twin-turbo V6. If you want to get away from it all, the TRD Pro version is ready to oblige.
With an off-road ready suspension, FOX shocks and a reinforced composite bed the truck is ready to roll. The Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control take much of the guess work out of driving in different trail conditions.
Choose what type off-roading with a knob and the Tundra will be set up for you. Usually when you choose the off-road ready version of a truck, you make some sacrifices when it comes to the ride. Not here. It’s a compliant ride and upgraded shocks handle bumps nicely and it’s smooth on the highway for a bigger pickup. There is some extra noise from the all-terrain tires but it isn’t a deal breaker.
Hop inside the Tundra TRD Pro and there’s a big dose of luxury and bright colors in the cabin. Semi-aniline leather seats are more comfortable than previous Tundra TRD Pro models and look a bit more rugged than other Tundra models I’ve driven. The red seats with camouflage inserts set a more playful tone. There’s no skimping on comfort as the front seats provide plenty of cushion. A four-door pickup should have some space and Tundra has a ton of space for people. The Tundra will impress with updated technology like a 14-inch touchscreen with improved graphics. My tester came with a center console safe to store items you don’t want to lose, just don’t forget the combination.
Cost: $69,420; as tested $72,204
MPG: 18 mpg city; 20 mpg highway (sticker). I managed 15.1 mpg in 327 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $395 center console safe; $199 TRD Pro reflective bed lettering; $395 bed extender; $ 1,795 delivery, processing and handling fee
Safety: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection; full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control; lane departure alert with steering with steering assist; lane tracking assist; blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert; trailer backup guide with straight path.
Things to know: The Tundra TRD Pro is a tough truck — ready to play when the pavement ends — yet, it’s more refined, powerful and better equipped to take on the competition.
Pros:
- Plenty of power from twin turbo V6
- Plenty of space for the family to spread out
- Improved technology to help bring it up to standards of other trucks
Cons:
- Even with a smaller engine its fuel economy is lacking
- Not a big bargain in the full-size track market anymore. Prices are creeping up.
- Does not have special rear tailgate like other trucks
