The unique TRD Pro grille of an orange Toyota Tundra pickup truck just visible through the grass on a hilltop.

Is the $66,805 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro a Ripoff?

Toyota's charging Raptor prices for a less capable truck. Find out more...

by Henry Cesari

Published on March 6, 2022 1:04 pm

3 min read

2022 is the first year of the third-generation Toyota Tundra. The all-new TRD Pro trim of this pickup truck also has an all-new price: $66,805. That’s $17k more than 2021’s model and nearly equal to the Ford Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX. So is it worth it?

What is the Tundra TRD Pro package?

TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development. Toyota builds Tundra, Tacoma, 4Runner, and Sequoia TRD Pro editions. These vehicles feature top-of-the-line off-roading technology.

How much will the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro cost?

The 2022 Tundra starts at $35,950 and its TRD Pro trim level commands at least $66,805. This price is for a 4WD truck with a 4-door cab and a 5.5-foot bed. Accessories such as side steps and a tonneau cover cost extra.

Toyota bumped the TRD Pro’s price by $17k in one year

The red leather interior of Toyota's flagship Tundra, the TRD Pro. — 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro interior | Toyota

The 2021 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro started at just $48,225. When MotorTrend reviewed this truck, it pointed out how badly the flagship 4WD needed a redesign.

MotorTrend revealed that the Tundra’s 5.7-liter V8 gave up power and fuel efficiency to everything in its segment. It also complained about the lack of t he Tacoma’s off-road driver aids such as multi-terrain select (MTS) and CRAWL. Finally, it pointed out that the Michelin tires were not up to off-roading.

For the 2022 model year, Toyota fixed all of these problem. It swapped the old V8 for a twin-turbocharged V6 out of the Lexus LS 500. Then Toyota installed a segment-leading 14-inch display with off-road driver aids. Finally, it even added spacers and wide Falken Wildpeak tires.

But all this progress comes at a cost. Toyota also bumped the TRD Pro’s price by an unprecedented $17k.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro rivals Ford Raptor and Ram TRX prices

An orange Toyota pickup truck throwing up clouds of sand while off-roading in the desert. — 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro | Toyota

The 2022 Tundra TRD Pro looks to be a major upgrade. But is it a $17k upgrade? I don’t think so.

When Toyota first released the specs of the 2022 TRD Pro, I predicted the truck would be a cost-effective Ford Raptor. Boy was I wrong.

I took the old TRD Pro’s price, added a few thousand, and predicted that the new truck would come in at $15k less than the Raptor. I admitted that without the Ford’s long-travel suspension and huge tires, the Tundra wouldn’t be nearly the desert racing trophy truck the OG still is. But the Tundra’s hybrid V6 makes more torque, so I figured it was a cost-effective substitute.

Then Toyota announced the TRD Pro’s price. The 2022 Ford Raptor starts at $68,675. The Ram TRX comes in at $70,325. The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is nowhere near as capable as these super trucks. But it’s nearly as expensive.

The $46k Tundra TRD Off-Road is equally capable

Red Toyota Tundra pickup truck cresting a hill in the middle of a wooded trail, rocks in the foreground and trees in the background. — 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited (TRD Off-Road equipped) | Toyota

	4WD Tundra SR5 (TRD Off-Road)	Tundra TRD Pro
Price	$46,165	$66,805
Output	389 horsepower, 479 lb-ft of torque	437 horsepower, 583 lb-ft of torque
Suspension	Tuned Bilstein shock absorbers	2.5-inch FOX Racing
Rims	18-inch TRD Racing	18-inch BBS Forged TRD Racing
Tires	Falken Wildpeak A/T (265)	Falken Wildpeak A/T (285)

Toyota appears to be aware of its overpriced Tundra TRD Pro. If not, it is at least aware of the market for a reasonably-priced off-road pickup truck. For 2022 you can buy a sub-$50k off-road Tundra to rival the Ford Tremor and Ram Rebel: the TRD Off-Road equipped Tundra SR5 or Tundra Limited.

On the 2WD Tundra SR5, the upgrade only costs $1,440. If you opt for a 4WD Tundra SR5, the upgrade will cost a bit more. The full cost of a 4WD SR5 TRD Off-Road is $46,165. That’s less than the 2021 Tundra TRD Pro cost. And with off-road driver aids and a locking rear differential, it is a whole lot more capable.

When TFL Off-Road put the TRD Pro up against the TRD Off-Road, it came away ambivalent. The TRD Pro has more torque and is a bit better at high-speed desert racing. But at 6,200 pounds, it could be a liability in low-speed maneuvers the TRD Off-Road handles with ease.

In addition, for the price of a new Tundra TRD Pro, you could buy an equally-capable Tundra TRD Off-Road AND a brand new Ford Maverick pickup truck. The Tundra TRD Pro comes with a swanky interior and cool badges. But most serious off-roaders will likely rate this truck a ripoff.

See for yourself how the TRD Off-Road stacks up with the TRD Pro in the video below:

Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.