It’s always a fun week when a pickup truck lands in my driveway.
And it was more fun than usual when the 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro 4×4 Double Cab, America’s #1-selling mid-size for 17 consecutive years, paid a visit.
Designed in the U.S., the third-generation Tacoma inherits its design inspiration and “work hard, play hard” ethos from Toyota’s legendary desert race trucks. Familiar trims include SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro, Trail Edition and Nightshade Edition.
Tacoma’s structure is built from extensive use of high-strength steel in the frame and hot-stamped, ultra-high strength steel in the body. All models are equipped with double wishbone, coil-spring front suspension, and the rugged leaf-spring rear suspension uses staggered outboard-mounted gas shocks. This setup is designed to deliver a steady on-road ride and helps bolster Tacoma’s off-road driving capability.
My tester was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with Toyota’s VVT-iW technology and Atkinson-cycle combustion to help maximize efficiency. The V6 serves up 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of peak torque and is paired with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that delivers 20 miles per gallon in combination city/highway driving.
Tacoma can pull up to 6,800 pounds, depending upon the model grade. The package includes a Class IV towing receiver hitch, engine oil cooler, transmission fluid cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with converter, and Trailer-Sway Control.
4WDemand part-time four-wheel drive uses an electronically controlled transfer case and locking rear differential with multi-terrain select: crawl control and hill start assist control.
TRD Pro is Toyota’s flagship off-road model. The bold look starts with an exclusive “Solar Octane”, or neon orange in layman’s language, coat of enamel. Let’s just say you can see the TRD Pro coming.
TRD Pro wears a heritage-inspired front grille with big “TOYOTA” lettering and color-keyed surround. The package continues with a blacked-out hood scoop and graphic, color-keyed power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, color-keyed door handles, and a color-keyed rear bumper. A TRD-tuned exhaust adds a throaty growl.
Tacoma seats five adults with a second-row rear bench. Or you can throw a couple golf bags back there, like I did, to protect them from the rain. And the five-foot short-box bed was large enough to transport a love seat to the nearby transfer station along with assorted odds and ends expelled from the garage.
High capability doesn’t preclude comfort in the Tacoma, which rides along quietly thanks to enhanced door seals, a multi-layer acoustic windshield, sound-absorbing headliner and a floor silencer pad. The cabin exudes a high-quality feel with soft-wrapped trim and metallic accents.
Creature comforts include leather-trimmed and heated front seats, premium eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, JBL audio with six speakers, subwoofer and amplifier, and power rear window.
Every Tacoma is also equipped with the Star Safety System, which includes vehicle stability control, traction control , anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist and smart stop brake override technology.
Other safety technology includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, rear parking sonar, lane departure alert, blind spot monitor and a multi-terrain monitor.
Base Price: $50,625
Price As Driven: $51,150
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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