- Style: Seriously Orange
- Interior: A Mixed Bag
- Infotainment: Bigger and Better
- Powertrain: Plenty of Power
- On And Off The Road: Best Tundra TRD Pro Yet
- Should You Seriously Consider The Tundra TRD Pro?
On-road manners and off-road chops all in one truck.
A new generation of Toyota Tundra has been a long time coming, but it's here, and Toyota hasn't made us wait for a TRD version. The off-road capable Tundra TRD Pro comes with the expected drivetrain enhancements for off-roading, like FOX suspension parts and a locking differential, but exclusively with the hybrid engine. The V8 is no longer available for the Tundra, and the hybrid-assisted twin-turbo V6, dubbed i-Force Max, is the most powerful available to the Tundra, making 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque.
As usual, TRD means aesthetic changes over the regular models, and for 2023, that includes oversized Toyota lettering, a light bar built into the new grille, and some interesting pattern choices in the plastics on the outside and the seats. We're unashamed TRD fans, so we couldn't wait to get it on and off the road to see how the treatment works on the new Tundra.
Style: Seriously Orange
When the Tundra TRD Pro arrived, it took a while to be able to see past the paint that we dubbed Safety Vest Orange, but has a much better name in real life: Solar Octane. There is nothing subtle about the new design, bright orange paint or not. The fenders bulge, the grille is right in your face with its huge Toyota lettering, and it rolls on all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch TRD Pro wheels in matte black. Look closer, and the cladding is stamped with a unique pattern blending camo and faux-carbon fiber together.
Premium LED headlights trimmed in black, dual black exhaust tips, and the TRI Pro LED light bar sets it apart from other models. Add the extra ride height, about an inch extra width, and front skid plate, and the TRD Pro is a serious statement of intent.
Interior: A Mixed Bag
It is a mixed bag inside the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, but that's mostly in detail, as Toyota has nailed the basics: The seats are excellent, the dashboard is easy to read, the infotainment screen is giant (14 inches), and there's plenty of storage with a day's worth of cupholders available. Toyota also gets points for the in-cabin ergonomics, as every control you want or need is logically placed. You don't generally need to RTFM in a Tundra.
The camo pattern seats will be a matter of taste, as is the giant Toyota badge on the passenger side of the dashboard. We do need to address the reports of build quality from other publications and owners, but we didn't experience anything but a sticky passenger window. We came across no squeaks, and the only rattles from behind were expected when going off-road and bumping around. Speaking of the rear seats, you can fit a couple of tall, burly people back there, and they won't complain about legroom at all.
Infotainment: Bigger and Better
Google is taking over infotainment systems throughout the industry, and Toyota is one of the latest automakers to succumb. The Tundra TRD Pro's screen is huge, which is perfect for showing Google Maps, but overkill for everything else because you can't (yet) split the screen outside of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Hopefully, an update will fix that soon. The Tundra TRD Pro also comes with a 12-speaker JBL system, which can usually be hit and miss, but sounds great in the large cabin.
The new infotainment system works well overall, including Google's assistant, although we couldn't get it to turn the heating up as you can in Lexus models. Again, hopefully, that's something that can be changed with an update. It's a huge and welcome upgrade over the outgoing and seriously dated system.
Powertrain: Plenty of Power
The Toyota TRD Pro model comes only with the more powerful hybrid drivetrain consisting of a twin-turbo V6 and electric motors generating a total of 437 hp with 583 lb-ft of torque. That also gives the Tundra TRD Pro an 11,175-pound max towing capacity. The hybrid system is there for its power benefits rather than fuel economy, but it should still get you around 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.
The drivetrain puts its power down to all four wheels via a smooth ten-speed automatic transmission and electronic locking rear differential. It also features Toyota's excellent Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control technology for when conditions get serious.
That torque is immediately apparent off the line, but it comes into its own when off-road and pushes on through just about anything. On the road, it's one of the Tundra's smoothest powertrains yet. Toyota pipes in a throaty V8 sound to the cabin that does not represent the real exhaust noise. Thankfully, it can be turned down.
On And Off The Road: Best Tundra TRD Pro Yet
The most striking thing about taking the Tundra TRD Pro on the road is the steering. There's no getting away from the fact you are steering a heavy body-on-frame truck, but Toyota has somehow got the steering feel and accuracy to an almost crossover-like feel. The FOX suspension also does an excellent job on the road, even soaking up the worst of California freeway surfaces. The cabin is comfortable, the JBL sound system is reasonably good, and the screen is brilliant for navigation. It's a genuinely pleasurable, and sometimes fun, truck to drive on the road – right up until you need to park it anywhere near a city.
You don't buy a TRD Pro for its on-road experience, though. Off-road, the Tundra TRD Pro is a beast. The drivetrain's wealth of power leaves plenty of headroom unless you find yourself towing uphill in the mud. Without extra weight, and using the off-road modes, it'll plow through just about anything. We learned this in a snowstorm at the top of Big Bear Mountain in California.
The torque is a big deal when it comes to keeping up momentum in deep mud or slushy ruts. However, it's just as at home hustling around dirt tracks. While it's no high-speed runner like the Ford F-150 Raptor, it's comfortable and sure-footed on just about any surface. The steep approach and departure angles are good for almost anywhere , if you'll be happy to risk a new truck rather than an already battered and modified truck.
Should You Seriously Consider The Tundra TRD Pro?
If you're looking for an explosively fast desert runner, just go ahead and buy the Ford F-150 Raptor. If your off-roading is a more methodical affair, the Tundra TRD Pro is a beast that is not easily overwhelmed. It's also a pleasure to cruise around on dirt tracks and, with its pulling power, would suit someone working land down to the ground. With its half-decent fuel economy, excellent safety ratings, much-improved infotainment system, and on-road manners, it will work well as a daily driver as well.
The bottom line is that the Tundra TRD Pro is a well-rounded package with few compromises between on and off-road ability. It does everything well and should keep going for years. It's also a truck with a bed, making it a valuable and versatile addition to your garage. If you're looking for an all-terrain truck, go test drive this one.
Keyword: Driven: 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Is Is Close To A Perfect Package