2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
The go-anywhere TRD Pro variant of the Tacoma midsize pickup is the top trim in the lineup and the most hardcore TRD-badged model. Compared to the previous generation, the truck is much improved, delivering more output, greater capability, and updated tech. Off-road midsize truck rivals include the Ford Ranger Raptor, Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, and Jeep Gladiator.
What’s New
This Tacoma TRD Pro was new for 2024 and received red front bumper tow hooks, additional wiring for auxiliary switches, and a new Mudbath brown exterior color last year. Updates for the 2026 truck should be light, possibly limited to a new exterior color or appearance package.
What We Think
With its well-balanced, agile handling, the most extreme Tacoma Toyota will sell you is just as good to drive on canyon roads as it is on rutted trails. Panic stops on pavement from high speeds trigger some undesired chassis movement, though. For a hybrid model, fuel economy isn’t all that great, either, but the TRD Pro is quicker than its non-hybrid TRD Off-Road and TRD Sport 4x4 siblings.
This Tacoma is already a looker, and the TRD Pro handsomely embellishes with more aggressive sheetmetal and running gear, as well as the addition of underbody armor and a heritage-style grille. Be ready to settle for the 5-foot short bed if you want one, though—you can’t get one with a 6-foot bed. The TRD Pro is also the priciest of its rivals by a lot, besting similarly specced Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Ford Ranger Raptor. That said, the Tacoma TRD Pro is one of our favorite trucks for its awesome mix of practicality and off-road-readiness.
Performance and MPGs
Every Tacoma TRD Pro features an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-liter turbocharged I-4 and electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four is rated for 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, and 4WD is standard with the top model. The truck can sprint to 60 mph in as little as 7.1 seconds. Fuel economy ratings for last year’s model came in at 22/24 mpg city/highway and should be similar for the 2026.
TRD Pro Off-Road Hardware
The top-tier Tacoma TRD Pro is equipped with Fox dampers all around, featuring 2.5-inch QS3 adjustable internal bypass shocks with remote reservoirs, along with Fox's Internal Floating Piston bumpstops at the rear. It comes standard with red forged aluminum TRD front upper control arms, 18-inch wheels, and 33-inch all-terrain tires. Compared to the Tacoma SR5, the TRD Pro sits 2 inches higher at the front, 1.5 inches higher at the rear, and is 3 inches wider overall. Additionally, the TRD Pro includes an automatic limited-slip and locking rear differential.
Safety Ratings and Features
Crew-cab versions of last year’s Tacoma like the TRD Pro receive an IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick, the institute’s second-highest award. Hybrid four-wheel-drive versions of the body style don’t perform as well in incomplete NHTSA testing, earning four stars out of five in the side impact test and only three stars in the frontal crash test. This year’s truck should perform similarly.
As the top Tacoma, every driver assist offered for the truck is standard. That starts with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which features Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Proactive Driving Assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high-beams, road sign assist, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Parking sensors, automatic headlights, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert are also included. For off-roading, the pickup is equipped with 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor with selectable front, side and rear views.
Payload and Towing
The TRD Pro’s 1,680-pound payload capacity is on the higher end of the range for Tacoma 4WD with the i-Force Max powertrain. Maximum payloads vary from 1,420 to 1,710 pounds, depending on configuration. Towing capacity is pegged at 6,000 pounds.
Technology
The Tacoma TRD Pro comes equipped with a 12.3-inch driver display and 14.0-inch touchscreen that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For off-road adventures, trail-ready tech for hill descent control, crawl control, and various off-road modes (Dirt, Sand, Mud, Snow, Rock, and Auto) is included. The 10-speaker JBL audio system, which includes a removable, dash-mounted speaker for campsite entertainment, is another standout feature. For added convenience, the bed is equipped with multiple power outlets, including USB A and C ports, a 12-volt DC socket, and a 120-volt household outlet capable of providing up to 2,400 watts. The Tacoma TRD Pro can also be outfitted with up to four prewired auxiliary switches for further customization.
