Toyota unveils 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro: an exciting revival of its midsize off-roader

Quimby Mug Bayou Florida Headshot
Updated Mar 2, 2016
square 2017_Toyota_Tacoma_TRD_Pro_05_3B240C24FE3F176F9BF00BFAF155CE05491B8199 copy

Toyota has given the latest iteration of its midsize pickup the Pro treatment with the unveiling of the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro.

The second-generation off-road offering from Toyota Racing Development pairs a 3.5-Liter V6 DOHC 24-valve direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with either a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

Standard features include black TRD Pro leather-trimmed heated front seats, four-wheel drive with an auto limited slip differential, crawl control and 5-mode multi-terrain selection, locking rear differential and a ¼-inch thick aluminum skid plate.

2017_Toyota_Tacoma_TRD_Pro_24_9B2FBBA4AB9DB4972F8F7AE181D8BB2A0613E6DFNew suspension lifts up the truck an additional inch with TRD tuned 2.5-inch Fox coil-overs in the front paired with TRD springs. Fox 2.5-inch shocks in the rear come with remote reservoirs and are paired with TRD leaf springs.

Also standard on the truck is a V6 Tow Package with a Class-IV towing receiver hitch, ATF cooler (automatic only), engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with convertor, and trailer-sway control.

The 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro will take on terrain with its Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires that wrap around 16-inch TRD black alloy wheels. TRD engineers went for a more aggressive offset which widens the track by an inch and is designed to give the truck a more powerful-looking stance.

And just to give you an idea of this truck’s capabilities, without any modification, just watch Toyota drivers Andy Bell and Ryan Millen take the Tacoma TRD Pro all the way up the frozen Dalton Highway and well into the Arctic Circle.

“There’s no doubt that the new Tacoma is a beast, but holding true to Akio Toyoda’s vision of ever better cars, chief engineers Mike Sweers and Araya-San along with their team, searched for ways to raise the bar yet again, and they nailed it!” Bill Fay, Toyota Group vice president and general manager told the audience at the truck’s unveiling Thursday.

The TRD Pro’s interior features black leather-trimmed heated front seats and a TRD Pro shift knob. A 4.2-inch multi-info display features an integrated inclinometer and tilt gauge, outside temperature, odometer, trip meters and average fuel economy.

Partner Insights
Information to advance your business from industry suppliers
How High Fuel Prices hurt Your Business
Presented by EquipmentWatch
Selecting the Correct Construction Tire Solution
Presented by Michelin North America
8 Crucial Elements of a Tire Safety Program
Presented by Michelin North America

The 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro will be available in three exterior colors: cement, Barcelona red metallic and super white.

Each Tacoma TRD Pro will also come equipped with a heritage-inspired Toyota front grille with color-keyed surround, blacked out hood scoop and graphic, color-keyed power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, color-keyed door handles, black over-fenders and a color-keyed rear bumper.