Toyota's Top-of-the-Line Tacoma Is Trail-Ready But Also Surprisingly Supple in the Suburbs

It’s not often that a truck makes you feel like you could star in your own action movie just by merging onto the highway. But the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro manages to do exactly that. With its bold stance, trail-rated hardware and desert-runner DNA, this truck oozes off-road capability—even when you’re mostly just running errands in the suburbs.

And that’s exactly what I did. Sadly, my time behind the wheel of the new TRD Pro was entirely pavement-bound, which feels a little like ordering a tomahawk steak and then just admiring it through the glass. Still, even without a single trail conquered, the TRD Pro makes an impression. It's the kind of truck that turns heads in parking lots and makes you sit just a bit taller behind the wheel.

Rugged Looks, Refined Powertrain

Let’s start with the styling, because Toyota didn’t exactly go subtle here. The TRD Pro sits atop the redesigned Tacoma lineup like a climber perched on a ridge—confident, capable and fully geared up. The forged aluminum upper control arms, lifted suspension, wide track and 33-inch Goodyear all-terrain tires on 18-inch TRD black alloy wheels send a clear message: this truck is ready to boogie through Baja. Add in the functional hood scoop, thick skid plates and blackout trim, and you’ve got a midsize truck that looks like it was born at a desert race tech inspection.

Under the hood, Toyota’s new i-Force Max hybrid powertrain makes its TRD Pro debut. It’s a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor, good for a combined 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. That’s a huge improvement over the outgoing V6, and more torque than any Tacoma has ever had. On the road, it makes itself known early—especially when pulling away from stoplights, where the instant torque from the electric motor gives the TRD Pro a surprisingly eager step.

The 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth and decisive, and the truck cruises easily at highway speeds. Passing power is always available, and while the engine can sound a bit coarse under full throttle, it never feels strained. You won’t confuse the TRD Pro for a luxury vehicle, but Toyota has come a long way in refinement here.

Related: You Won't Believe What Car I Just Took Backcountry Camping

On-Road Manners with an Off-Road Soul

If you’re expecting this lifted, trail-hardened truck to feel bouncy or vague on asphalt, think again. The Fox QS3 adjustable shocks—one of the TRD Pro’s signature features—do a pretty remarkable job of balancing capability and composure. Around town, the ride is firm but far from punishing. It handles broken pavement and potholes with confidence, as if to say, “Is that all you’ve got?”

Steering is nicely weighted and reasonably direct for a truck of this size, though the TRD Pro’s elevated stance and chunky tires mean you’re not exactly carving corners. Still, body roll is well controlled, and the brakes are solid and predictable. Parking in tight city spots requires a bit of patience (and the help of the excellent 360-degree camera system), but visibility is generally good, and you sit high above traffic.

While the TRD Pro is truly purpose-built for off-roading—think locking rear differential, crawl control, terrain modes and over 11 inches of ground clearance—I didn’t get a chance to test any of that in this drive. And that’s a shame, because this truck clearly wants to get dirty. It’s like wearing hiking boots to the grocery store: they’re overkill, but you still feel pretty good in them.

Interior: Function Over Flash

Inside, the TRD Pro balances ruggedness with a healthy dose of tech. The front seats are firm and supportive, finished in a grippy synthetic leather with TRD logos stitched into the headrests. They’re headed and ventilated—a nice touch for a truck aimed at all climates. And they’re also “IsoDynamic”— which means they have an air-over-oil shock absorber system built into the seat to dampen body movement and stabilize the driver’s field of vision to improve focus, comfort and reduce fatigue while on rugged trails. Pretty sweet.

Toyota’s new 14-inch touchscreen is the centerpiece of the dash, running a slick infotainment system that’s quick and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the optional 10-speaker JBL sound system—complete with a removable Bluetooth speaker in the center console—is a fun, if slightly gimmicky, party trick.

Storage is plentiful, and the rear seats in the crew cab are usable for adults on shorter trips. If you’re planning to haul gear instead of passengers, the flip-up seat bottoms and under-seat storage help keep things organized.

The Verdict: A Truck That Feels Like a Statement

Starting at just over $63,000, the Tacoma TRD Pro isn’t cheap—but it’s not trying to be. This is a specialty trim for buyers who want real off-road chops in a factory-built package. And even if you never leave the pavement, there’s something undeniably cool about driving a truck that could pre-run some desert trails tomorrow morning.

Sure, it would’ve been great to take this truck off-road. That’s where it truly belongs, and where it would shine brightest. But even limited to the daily grind, the TRD Pro brings a level of character and capability that few other midsize trucks can match.

It’s not for everyone. It’s big. It’s bold. And it’s built to do things most owners will never attempt. But if you’ve ever looked at a rock-strewn trail and thought, “Maybe next weekend,” this truck will speak to you. Even in the school drop-off lane, the 2025 Tacoma TRD Pro feels like a rolling adventure—and yeah, I felt pretty cool behind the wheel.

2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Specs

• Engine: Turbocharged hybrid i-Force MAX 2.4L 4cyl

• Transmission: 8-speed automatic

• Horsepower/Torque: 326 hp/465 lb-ft

• Towing Capacity: Up to 6,000 lbs

• Payload Capacity: Up to 1,400 lbs

• MPG: 22 city/24 highway

• Price: From $63,735

Related: This New SUV Pickup is an Incredible Off-Roader

Toyota's Top-of-the-Line Tacoma Is Trail-Ready But Also Surprisingly Supple in the Suburbs first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 30, 2025