Is the 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Still the Best 4×4?
The Toyota Tacoma has long been the brand’s midsize truck. It offers various trim levels, including the popular TRD Pro model. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is focused on giving folks off-road capability directly from the factory. And it builds on a long legacy of producing 4×4 trucks. With serious competitors coming to the scene, is the Tacoma TRD Pro still considered the best off-road pickup?
Is the 2023 Tacoma TRD Pro a good off-road truck?
In terms of being an off-road pickup truck, the TRD Pro Tacoma does a good job. It comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, making 278 horsepower and 265 pound-foot of torque. While it might not be the most efficient midsize pickup, this engine has been around for some time. And it is known for being able to pack on the miles.
According to MotorTrend, while a six-speed automatic transmission is available at an extra cost, the standard transmission is actually a six-speed manual. And in a world where you really can’t find a new truck that lets you row your own gears, that is a good thing.
Of course, an off-road truck needs more than just that to be the best. The TRD Pro comes from the factory ready to hit the trails. Its suspension is improved, and skid plates are standard fare. Plus, it has more aggressive approach and departure angles.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro has some competition
Toyota is known for keeping things old-school. For the most part, the brand relies on proven technology and components to keep things reliable. But other manufacturers like Chevy and Nissan have updated their midsize trucks.
The 2023 Chevy Colorado is all-new for 2023. And it has a range of off-road trims, including the ZR2. While the Colorado does not offer a V6 engine anymore, it does come with more power and torque through its inline-four powerplant.
On the other hand, there is the 2023 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, a truck that is also newer than the current Tacoma. It is with these newer pickup trucks that Toyota has to compete with. And because they are more recent, it’s possible that the Tacoma TRD Pro could fall behind.
When will there be a new Tacoma?
It’s not really clear when Toyota has plans to release the next-gen Tacoma. The third-generation Tacoma was introduced for the 2016 model year. So, it has been around for a while. It is rumored that we could see the fourth-gen Tacoma come in 2024 or 2025.
With the competition heating up, one would have to assume that Toyota is hoping to update its midsize truck sooner rather than later. Especially to help it remain competitive with the other off-road rigs out there.
At the end of the day, only Toyota knows when the next-gen Tacoma is coming. Another notably old vehicle in the brand’s lineup is the Toyota 4Runner. And that’s one of the oldest new SUVs that you can get today.
