It’s the latest Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, the rugged full-sized truck from Toyota, equipped with the gear needed to keep up with competitors like the Ford Raptor and Ram TRX, with varying degrees of success.
Oh right, this is Honeycomb, for those who like driving around in a gilded TRD. Still a step up from last year’s Baja-inspired “Wave Maker” teal, in our opinion, although the glitzy new finish lacks the ability to trigger our queso cravings, which is a strike against it.
Speaking of tall orders, it’s the hardware that makes this truck Baja-ready, not the paint scheme. In terms of hardware, the TRD Pro Tundra gets updated Fox shocks, the secret sauce behind its high-speed terrain tackling ability, integrated within the already substantial double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear setup.
Along with that, the Tundra gets a redesigned fascia that is more uniform with the rest of Toyota’s overlander lineup. There are new front tow hooks, too, presumably to facilitate the rescue of other, less capable off-roaders and surely not the other way around.
What’s under the hood?
Powering this Tundra is Toyota’s aggressively named 3.4-liter twin-turbo “i-Force Max” V6, a hybrid powertrain that delivers 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. For what you’ll be doing with it, that’s more than enough, whether it’s fast runs across dusty dunes or even the occasional berm jump. If it’s lacking in any particular department, it’s certainly the theatrics that suffer the most.
A contemporary like the Ram TRX is basically a supercharger with a lift kit, and as such, the explosive noise is part of the package. Here, it’s efficiency over showmanship, and what you hear more often than not are fans working hard to pull in as much air as possible.
A fair trade, we suppose, especially when considering the Tundra TRD Pro’s combined fuel economy rating of 20 mpg compared to the TRX’s 12 mpg. A 10-speed automatic transmission sends power to either two or all four wheels depending on the selected settings.
Engine & Performance
- Engine: 3.4-liter i-FORCE MAX Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid
- Configuration: Twin-turbocharged V6 engine combined with an electric motor
- Maximum output: 437 hp @ 5,200 rpm
- Maximum torque: 583 lb-ft (790 Nm) @ 2,400 rpm
- Electric motor output: 48 hp and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque
- Transmission: 10-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission (ECT-i)
- Drivetrain: 4WDemand 4×4 system with high- and low-range modes
- Rear differential: Electronic locking rear differential
Chassis & Suspension
- Platform: Fully boxed high-strength steel ladder frame
- Front suspension: Independent double-wishbone setup
- Rear suspension: Multi-link coil spring system
- Shock absorbers: FOX TRD Pro off-road shocks
- Front suspension lift: Approximately 1.1 inches
- Front brakes: Dual-piston calipers
- Rear brakes: Single-piston calipers
Off-Road Capability
- Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system
- Crawl Control (CRAWL)
- Downhill Assist Control (DAC)
- Multi-Terrain Monitor with exterior off-road cameras
- TRD aluminum front skid plate
- Underbody protection
- Falken Wildpeak All-Terrain tires
- 18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels
Dimensions
- Cabin type: CrewMax
- Length: Approximately 5,933 mm
- Width: Approximately 2,037 mm
- Height: Approximately 1,981 mm
- Wheelbase: Approximately 3,701 mm
- Ground clearance: Approximately 229 mm
- Truck bed length: 5.5 feet (approximately 1.68 meters)
Capacity
- Seating capacity: 5 passengers
- Maximum payload capacity: Approximately 1,600 lbs (726 kg)
- Maximum towing capacity: Up to approximately 11,175 lbs (5,069 kg) depending on configuration
Interior & Technology
- Infotainment display: 14-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- JBL Premium audio system
- Multi-Information Display with off-road data
- Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance system
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Trailer Merge Warning system
TRD Pro Exterior Features
- Signature TRD grille with “TOYOTA” lettering
- Integrated LED light bar
- Amber marker lights
- Front tow hooks
- Power tailgate with hands-free knee lift assist
- Exclusive TRD Pro colors, including Honeycomb and Wave Maker
Price
- Estimated starting price: around US$73,000 (before taxes, import fees, and additional costs)
The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro combines a powerful hybrid V6 engine, FOX off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, and advanced trail technology to compete with the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX. Its focus is not only on performance but also on durability and long-distance adventure capability, carrying Toyota’s reputation for toughness into the full-size off-road pickup segment.
Which we assume are plentiful.
Oh yes, Multi-Terrain Select is available to tackle all forms of terrain, from mud to rocks to sand. If your surface observation skills are a little lacking, you can leave it in Auto mode and let the Tundra figure things out on its own.
Separately from the software settings, the Tundra, being a proper off-roader, also comes with high- and low-range driving modes that are just as easy to use.
What is it like to drive, then?
As the biggest vehicle in Toyota’s truck lineup, the Tundra is appropriately hefty. While the TRD hardware makes it properly springy and composed, even standard Tundras have no trouble absorbing regular bumps and dips without breaking a sweat. Most things that would rattle the average driver are hardly noticeable with the additional equipment.
But you don’t buy a TRD Pro for average obstacles. You buy one to do absurd things at speed, like driving across a dirt bike course filled with whoops and ramps. We’re happy to report that your desire to do this in a full-sized pickup is absolutely achievable. Fun, even.
Among the vehicles in Toyota’s TRD family, the Tundra is perhaps the most predictable in terms of behavior. It feels as heavy as it actually is, and sometimes the truck leaves you wanting more in the acceleration department, although it eventually gets there.
When it comes to body roll and control at high speed over rough terrain, the Tundra does most of the flattening out for you. You’re often hanging on for the ride more than controlling every small movement.
Maintaining control is the responsibility of dual-piston front brakes and single-piston rear brakes, which hold up well through heavy abuse. They are especially useful when bringing this modified work vehicle to a firm stop after sending it airborne.
In the end, it’s capable and extremely planted, although the trade-off is that it’s not as playful as the TRD badge might suggest. More than other TRD models, it seems to do its job almost reluctantly.
Of course, you’re also getting Toyota-level toughness along with everything else. While we can’t yet speak about the Tundra TRD Pro’s long-term durability, it handled everything thrown at it without a single complaint.
Should we ask how it performs on the highway?
On paved surfaces, the Tundra remains a dependable truck that can do all the truck things it needs to do, and it drives exactly like one. It’s big, tall, and heavy, and much of what you’re paying for in a TRD Pro doesn’t really come into play unless the roads are damaged by storms or harsh conditions.
Most road imperfections are absorbed by the heavy-duty undercarriage, but at least the steering remains direct. While it handles like a truck, it’s rarely difficult to manage. That’s good news on the road, but even better news when you’re out in the sand, where a small mistake can create much bigger problems.
Equipped with 33-inch Falken Wild Peak tires, it performs better on pavement than competitors wearing more aggressive off-road tires by default. As a result, the transition between road driving and off-road adventures is fairly seamless, aside from adjusting tire pressure when necessary.
What’s going on inside?
Quite a lot, actually. Thanks to the full “CrewMax” cabin, it can comfortably seat four people, with enough room to squeeze in one more passenger if needed.
The cockpit feels as substantial as it is busy, featuring hidden compartments and numerous control inputs. Despite the TRD branding, the Tundra’s interior includes a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with numerous data screens built into the system.
This includes the Multi-Terrain Monitor, which uses exterior cameras around the vehicle to provide better visibility and awareness when driving on trails.
For storage, there is a 5.5-foot truck bed behind the cabin with a power tailgate that includes hands-free knee lift assistance to make loading and unloading easier.
Full specifications for the new Tundra are still pending, but the previous model had a maximum payload capacity of 1,600 lbs, so the final figure is expected to be close. While that capacity may be more than needed for high-speed adventures, it’s reassuring if you plan to carry a dirt bike or similar equipment in the short bed.
When it comes to technology, there is also a towing system that can identify your trailer and integrate it into the vehicle’s onboard system for improved control.
So what’s the final takeaway?
The Tundra TRD Pro is a substantial truck that can handle almost anything you can imagine throwing at it. While it doesn’t have the dramatic character of trucks like the Ram TRX or the sporty handling of the Raptor R, it remains worthy of the TRD Pro badge.
The Fox shocks can withstand repeated punishment, and the rest of the truck delivers the typical Toyota ruggedness that owners have come to appreciate. It may not be the most exciting off-roader available, but it will likely support your adventures longer than most competitors.
That said, there are more playful off-road vehicles available, even within Toyota’s own TRD lineup. Final pricing is still expected, but the Tundra TRD Pro is likely to arrive somewhere around $73,000, which matches the starting price of the current teal-colored model.
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