A brand new era of Toyota Tundra has been a very long time coming, however it’s right here, and Toyota hasn’t made us await a TRD model. The off-road succesful Tundra TRD Professional comes with the anticipated drivetrain enhancements for off-roading, like FOX suspension components and a locking differential, however completely with the hybrid engine. The V8 is now not accessible for the Tundra, and the hybrid-assisted twin-turbo V6, dubbed i-Power Max, is probably the most highly effective accessible to the Tundra, making 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque.
As standard, TRD means aesthetic modifications over the common fashions, and for 2023, that features outsized Toyota lettering, a lightweight bar constructed into the brand new grille, and a few attention-grabbing sample selections within the plastics on the surface and the seats. We’re unashamed TRD followers, so we could not wait to get it on and off the street to see how the therapy works on the brand new Tundra.
Model: Significantly Orange
When the Tundra TRD Professional arrived, it took some time to have the ability to see previous the paint that we dubbed Security Vest Orange, however has a a lot better identify in actual life: Photo voltaic Octane. There may be nothing delicate in regards to the new design, vivid orange paint or not. The fenders bulge, the grille is true in your face with its large Toyota lettering, and it rolls on all-terrain tires wrapped round 18-inch TRD Professional wheels in matte black. Look nearer, and the cladding is stamped with a novel sample mixing camo and faux-carbon fiber collectively.
Premium LED headlights trimmed in black, twin black exhaust suggestions, and the TRI Professional LED mild bar units it other than different fashions. Add the additional trip peak, about an inch further width, and entrance skid plate, and the TRD Professional is a severe assertion of intent.
Inside: A Blended Bag
It’s a blended bag contained in the Toyota Tundra TRD Professional, however that is principally intimately, as Toyota has nailed the fundamentals: The seats are wonderful, the dashboard is simple to learn, the infotainment display is large (14 inches), and there is loads of storage with a day’s value of cupholders accessible. Toyota additionally will get factors for the in-cabin ergonomics, as each management you need or want is logically positioned. You do not typically must RTFM in a Tundra.
The camo sample seats will likely be a matter of style, as is the enormous Toyota badge on the passenger facet of the dashboard. We do want to handle the experiences of construct high quality from different publications and house owners, however we did not expertise something however a sticky passenger window. We got here throughout no squeaks, and the one rattles from behind have been anticipated when going off-road and bumping round. Talking of the rear seats, you’ll be able to match a few tall, burly individuals again there, and so they will not complain about legroom in any respect.
Infotainment: Larger and Higher
Google is taking up infotainment methods all through the business, and Toyota is without doubt one of the newest automakers to succumb. The Tundra TRD Professional’s display is large, which is ideal for displaying Google Maps, however overkill for every little thing else as a result of you’ll be able to’t (but) break up the display exterior of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Hopefully, an replace will repair that quickly. The Tundra TRD Professional additionally comes with a 12-speaker JBL system, which may normally be hit or miss, however sounds nice within the giant cabin.
The brand new infotainment system works nicely general, together with Google’s assistant, though we could not get it to show the heating up as you’ll be able to in Lexus fashions. Once more, hopefully, that is one thing that may be modified with an replace. It is an enormous and welcome improve over the outgoing and critically dated system.
Powertrain: Loads of Energy
The Toyota TRD Professional mannequin comes solely with the extra highly effective hybrid drivetrain consisting of a twin-turbo V6 and electrical motors producing a complete of 437 hp with 583 lb-ft of torque. That additionally provides the Tundra TRD Professional an 11,175-pound max towing capability. The hybrid system is there for its energy advantages fairly than gas financial system, however it ought to nonetheless get you round 20 mpg metropolis and 24 mpg freeway.
The drivetrain places its energy all the way down to all 4 wheels through a easy ten-speed automated transmission and digital locking rear differential. It additionally options Toyota’s wonderful Multi-Terrain Choose and Crawl Management know-how for when circumstances get severe.
That torque is straight away obvious off the road, however it comes into its personal when off-road and pushes on by way of absolutely anything. On the street, it is one of many Tundra’s smoothest powertrains but. Toyota pipes in a throaty V8 sound to the cabin that doesn’t symbolize the true exhaust noise. Fortunately, it may be turned down.
On And Off The Highway: Greatest Tundra TRD Professional But
Essentially the most putting factor about taking the Tundra TRD Professional on the street is the steering. There is no getting away from the very fact you might be steering a heavy body-on-frame truck, however Toyota has someway acquired the steering really feel and accuracy to an nearly crossover-like really feel. The FOX suspension additionally does a superb job on the street, even absorbing the worst of California freeway surfaces. The cabin is comfy, the JBL sound system within reason good, and the display is sensible for navigation. It is a genuinely pleasurable, and typically enjoyable, truck to drive on the street – proper up till it is advisable to park it anyplace close to a metropolis.
You do not purchase a TRD Professional for its on-road expertise, although. Off-road, the Tundra TRD Professional is a beast. The drivetrain’s wealth of energy leaves loads of headroom until you end up towing uphill within the mud. With out further weight, and utilizing the off-road modes, it will plow by way of absolutely anything. We realized this in a snowstorm on the high of Massive Bear Mountain in California.
The torque is a giant deal relating to maintaining momentum in deep mud or slushy ruts. Nevertheless, it is simply as at residence hustling round filth tracks. Whereas it is no high-speed runner just like the Ford F-150 Raptor, it is comfy and sure-footed on nearly any floor. The steep method and departure angles are good for nearly anyplace , for those who’ll be completely satisfied to threat a brand new truck fairly than an already battered and modified truck.
Ought to You Significantly Think about The Tundra TRD Professional?
When you’re on the lookout for an explosively quick desert runner, simply go forward and purchase the Ford F-150 Raptor. In case your off-roading is a extra methodical affair, the Tundra TRD Professional is a beast that’s not simply overwhelmed. It is also a pleasure to cruise round on filth tracks and, with its pulling energy, would swimsuit somebody working land all the way down to the bottom. With its half-decent gas financial system, wonderful security scores, much-improved infotainment system, and on-road manners, it can work nicely as a every day driver as nicely.
The underside line is that the Tundra TRD Professional is a well-rounded bundle with few compromises between on and off-road capability. It does every little thing nicely and will preserve going for years. It is also a truck with a mattress, making it a worthwhile and versatile addition to your storage. When you’re on the lookout for an all-terrain truck, go take a look at drive this one.