5 Reasons You Should Consider a 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

It has been a few years since I had a Tacoma for a week-long loan; so when I was offered an opportunity to drive a Tacoma with the new TRD Pro package, I jumped at the chance to see what kind of changes were being made to the top-selling mid-size truck. The last time the Tacoma was refreshed was back in 2016. At the time of its update, the Tacoma was so far ahead of the other mid-size trucks in the segment that it was able to compete and almost beat all of the full-size trucks vying for the Texas Auto Writers Association's top award of Truck of Texas in 2016. Some four years later after the refresh, the Tacoma is still the top-selling sled dog in the mid-size category — a crown it started earning over 12 years ago.

Toyota has been making tweaks here and there to the Tacoma every year to encourage appeal and strengthen interest within the truck's core consumer demographic; and in doing so, they now can offer 32 different configurations of the Tacoma to meet just about anyone's specific need for a truck. A good example of this is the addition of the TRD Pro program to not only the Tacoma but to many of the other Toyota vehicles in the U.S. fleet. The TRD Pro truck package offers TRD styling and TRD off-road performance parts that have been tried and tested under extreme off-road racing conditions. All of this was done so the trucks could be shown as reliable and could be tailored for those adventurous owners who want more out of their truck than just a comfortable daily commute that will occasionally pull grocery-getter duties. Whether you are a weekend warrior who consistently looks to live life to the fullest off the grid or are someone who is looking to build a desert racer; here are 5 reasons why you should take a seriously look at the Tacoma TRD Pro.

Off-Road Capability (TRD Pro vs. TRD Off-Road)

Currently the Tacoma has two off-road packages from which a buyer can choose. Figuring out which package is right for you will depend on how often you want to be off the grid and how adventurous you want to be. Either way, you can be confident that whether you choose the Tacoma TRD Pro or the TRD Off-Road package they both will be ready for anything you throw at it. All Tacoma models are equipped from the factory with double wishbone coil-spring front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shocks. Both models will feature a selectable, electronically-controlled locking rear differential to provide supreme traction in off-road environments. Both trucks will come standard with the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Kevlar-reinforced tires mounted on TRD Pro 16-in. black alloy rims.

Both off-road models will come standard with a Multi-Terrain Select system (automatic transmission only) which gives the driver options to choose between the different types of terrain they will encounter on their great adventures such as loose rock, mud, sand, or snow. Each input regulates wheel spin by adjusting throttle and brake pressure to provide maximum traction on almost any terrain for a safe and successful ride. Both off-road models also come standard with one of the best off-road innovations to have been introduced by the TRD engineers back 2016. This innovation was so forward thinking that it has taken 3 years for another OEM to emulate it. I am talking about the Crawl Control function. When the Crawl Control mode is engaged, you are able to choose one of five low-speed settings according to your off-road situation; then the computer system automatically shifts the power away from wheels that are slipping and over to wheels that have more traction. This allows the driver to keep focus strictly on navigating across the challenging off-road terrain instead of being concerned with throttle control.

Here is where the differences start, however. The Tacoma TRD Off-Road truck was designed for the weekend warrior in mind. For that reason, it comes with an off-road tuned suspension that includes a Bilstein shock package. The Bilstein shocks are designed for the weekend adventurer who plans to use their truck not only for high-speed desert running and slow-speed rock crawling, but who will also require a nice and comfortable Monday morning drive to work. The Tacoma TRD Pro is designed for the person who is living off the grid, has off- road adventures every weekend. or has aspirations of participating in off-road competitions. This person will want and expect top-tier, professional-level off-road features like the 2.5-inch FOX®-patented Internal Bypass shocks that are specifically tuned for each truck by TRD engineers. The FOX shocks are designed to handle the high-speed suspension movement that is common when driving in dirt, sand, or extreme terrain. They also help provide more ground clearance, increased suspension travel, maximum damping, and fade-free performance. Because each shock package is tuned specifically for the truck, the TRD Pro off-road package is only available on the Double Cab with the 5.5-foot bed.

Tough Foundation

Whenever you are looking to do something successfully, you must first start with a strong foundation. Since 1979, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) engineers have been developing frames, engines, and parts; so before the Tacoma ever becomes TRD capable, it will start off like every other Tacoma in the fleet. All Tacomas use high-strength steel for the frame and hot-stamped, ultra high-strength steel for the body which is also the same foundation that Toyota's professional off-road racing teams use for their trucks.

Options Under the Hood

When a consumer is looking at the Tacoma, there are a couple of engine options available. The engine in my test model TRD Pro was the Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V-6 featuring Toyota's innovative VVT-iW technology. The engine also utilizes Toyota's D-4S injection system which incorporates both direct injection and port fuel injection. This unique design provides a cooling effect in the cylinders which allows the engine to create a very high compression ratio for maximum power. The injection system coupled with the Atkinson-cycle system produces a very efficient engine that delivers a healthy 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of peak torque. I found it more than capable for zipping around an urban setting; so if I had to translate that speed to the off-road racing world, that is more than enough power to get you into trouble. There is one important addition that many off-road warriors forget about - unless you have had one ripped off or crushed — and that is the exhaust system. The TRD Pro comes with a mandrel-bent, black-chrome-tipped, stainless steel cat-back exhaust pipe bolted to the underside to help maximize performance and efficiency.

Tow Package

If you are looking to tow a camper, boat, or even trailer full of jet skis or snow mobiles, you will need to purchase your Tacoma TRD Pro with the V-6 Tow Package. All Tacoma models are equipped with double wishbone coil-spring front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shocks, but the Tow Package also provides a Class IV Towing Receiver Hitch, ATF Cooler (not available on manual transmission), engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with converter, and Trailer-Sway Control (TSC). The V-6 Tow Package also includes the Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with either the six-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) or with the 6-speed manual transmission. The suspension and power combination that comes standard on any Tacoma will give you up to 6,800 lbs of towing capacity (per the SAE J2807 tow standard).

TRD Pro Accents

You want your TRD Pro off-road truck to look unique and distinct as it drives down the road, so here a few additions that will separate your Tacoma from the others.

• TRD Desert Air Intake designed to provide cleaner airflow to the engine even in the dustiest environments.
• TRD Pro aluminum front skid plate with red TRD lettering.
• 16-inch TRD black alloy wheels.
• Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Kevlar-reinforced tires.
• Black trademark TOYOTA heritage grille.
• TRD Pro hood scoop and black overfenders.
• Black TRD Pro and 4x4 rear tailgate badging.

With all Toyota vehicles, safety is priority one. That is why all Toyota vehicles, no matter its trim level, comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P). Here is a list of the safety features available on the full line of Toyota Tacomas. Tacoma offers the active safety system Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) standard on every single grade. TSS-P provides owners with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Sway Warning System, Automatic High Beams and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). Along with standard TSS-P, Tacoma also touts the Star Safety System as standard equipment, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop brake override technology (SST). Every Tacoma has the driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger knee airbags, and front and rear Roll-sensing Side Curtain Airbags.

If you are someone who is looking to push your suburban boundaries and want to start chasing some adventure by maybe camping and fly fishing off the grid in the mountains or perhaps pitching a tent on some remote beach so you can wake up and explore your surroundings on a 4 wheeler, then do yourself a favor and go to a dealer and check out the Tacoma TRD Pro. It will take you to places without needing 1.21 gigawatts of power.

Test Model Details

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 4x4 Double Cab

Color: VooDoo Blue

MSRP: $48,480.00

For additional information, stop by a local dealership or visit online at:

Toyota | Tacoma