A Week With: 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

A good craftsman uses the right tool for the job, according to the adage. And if you want to help friends move or need to get gardening supplies to spruce up your home this summer, then the Toyota Tacoma would be an excellent option. However, if you want to climb rocks, ford streams, and head out to the middle of nowhere, you need the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which we spent a week with.

To be fair, I fall more into the former description than the latter, but who turns down a week in perhaps the baddest midsize truck on the road. Besides, I play golf in a league that I need to traverse TWO dirt roads to get to, of course I needed a full-blown off-road beast!

First and foremost, when you come upon any TRD Pro, it’s impossible to miss: white with red and black accents. I mean, you can get them in other colors, including something called Mudbath this year, but there is no mistaking the white, red and black livery of the TRD Pro. It gets the heart pumping.

And since it rained both days while I was at the golf course, it was good to know that I’d have no problem getting home on those now muddy, rutted roads with Tacoma TRD Pro. And how many sets of golf clubs can I carry??? My entire league’s … although I just carried mine and, um, my playing partners. But still … I could have and that’s the point with a pickup like the Tacoma TRD Pro.

Big power

After pulling yourself into the cab, which I’ll address later, you get access to either the i-Force 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder putting out 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque or what we got, the i-Force Max, a 326-hp 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid that also pumps out 465 lb-ft of torque.

Both are matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which offers smooth shifts and certainly helps on fuel economy. Both versions of the powerplant get an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined, although the non-hybrid fares better on the highway 26 mpg versus 24 mpg for the hybrid.

The Tacoma TRD Pro will tow up to 6,000 pounds, when properly equipped. Given that it sits higher than the average pickup, you’re gonna need to take a few extra steps to ensure you can tow safely. But if you’re taking this truck off the beaten path, you’re likely towing a camper or a trailer of some sort and it’s good to know it’s capable of doing so.

Big fun

While towing some toys is certainly an added benefit, the TRD Pro is set up to make sure you can make memories while sitting in the cab. It looks prepared to handle just about anything.

The i-Force Max TRD Pro comes exclusively in the Double Cab configuration with a 5-foot bed. The TRD Pro comes fitted with TRD-tuned FOX QS3 three-way adjustable internal bypass shocks with remote reservoirs for improved high-speed off-road performance, and external FOX Internal Floating Piston (IFP) rear bump stops to improve bottom-out feel.

Additionally, the Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism, or SDM, ensures you get through or, more precisely, over just about anything. Standard equipment on the TRD Pro, the SDM increases articulation of the suspension across the entire truck by simply pushing a button.

Also, you can view potential obstacles while you drive using the Multi-Terrain Monitor, especially on the optional 14-inch touchscreen in our test vehicle. For the sketchiest of situations, Tacoma offers standard underbody protection and front recovery points, with additional protection and rear recovery points standard on TRD Pro.

Again, the entrance to the golf course was flat, but if I needed to get in some other way because the gate was locked or blocked, getting over rocks, trees and whatnot wouldn’t have been a problem.

Big tech

In the past, off-roading was more art than science. However, the Tacoma TRD Pro comes with a bunch of technology that makes things, if nothing else, more convenient than they used to be. Let’s start with Multi-Terrain Select.

The driver can choose truck settings based on the conditions. It is functional in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low, offers adjustable settings to help control wheel spin on a variety of terrain such as Mud, Dirt, and Sand. Tacoma also makes available Toyota’s next-generation CRAWL Control technology that acts as a low-speed, off-road cruise control.

When traction is extremely limited, the available electronically activated locking rear differential can help split power sent to the rear 50/50 between the rear wheels. Downhill Assist Control is another off-road feature available and helps the driver navigate descents by limiting the speed of the vehicle.

Additionally, since the Tacoma TRD Pro is a hybrid, it enjoys a standard 2400W AC power supply to both the cabin and the bed, which is handy for air compressors, power tools … or a small television for outdoor events.

Big cabin

Since the Tacoma TRD Pro sits on big tires and wheels, be prepared to have to pull yourself up into the cabin. In the Tundra TRD there’s a grab handle on the driver’s side A-pillar to help with that. However, our test model didn’t offer that amenity. On a good day, I’m 5-foot 10-inches tall and I needed to use the steering wheel to pull myself into the driver’s seat. Proving that not even Toyota is perfect, I guess.

The cab is laden with technology you’d find in any upscale sedan or SUV. A 14-inch touchscreen makes it easy to use Toyota’s native infotainment system (which is not bad) or Apple CarPlay, which I use regularly. I suspect Android Auto is available, but an Android phone … nooope.

Another complaint though … the Qi wireless charger is great if you have a longer/taller phone. However, if you have a shorter one, it won’t sit high enough to actually activate the charging pad — or at least our particular vehicle wouldn’t.

The Cockpit Red SofTex seats are immensely comfortable and well bolstered. You aren’t going anywhere while bouncing around on non-tarmac adventures. They’re also heated and cooled, which has been nice here in Michigan as each has soared into the 90-degree-plus range. They also use an air-over-oil shock absorber system to help reduce body movement and stabilize the driver’s field of vision, which is pretty impressive.

Big question

My week with the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro left me wanting more. It’s powerful, comfortable, fuel-efficient and tech forward. Even the rear seats offered a decent amount of space for adults and as long as I’m driving, I’m not really worried about them.

Getting an off-road-ready beast straight from the factory is going to cost big money. But you get the benefit of the warranty and the time savings of having to send your truck to multiple places to get all of the work done to bring it up to TRD Pro spec — and it’ll cost you more than what Toyota is charging, which is $66,410, including destination fees.

Money well spent.