It’s 1995: the first Toy Story film arrives in theaters, Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” is dominating the music charts, and Windows 95 is introduced to the world. It’s also the year that Toyota retired the generic sounding “Toyota Pickup” and replaced it with a brand new truck with the interesting new name: Tacoma. It was a truck built for adventures, embracing a mystique of ruggedness and strength. 30 years later, the Tacoma is still known for all those things – strength, ruggedness, built for the outdoors – but the world of trucks is very different than it was in 1995.

Functionality has long been the most important aspect of a truck but drivers have evolved and now expect more out of our pickups. Comfort, technology, and innovation are just as important to trucks in 2025 as they are sedans. That’s why the new 2025 Tacoma TRD Pro is a milestone in the Tacoma lineup. It’s firmly rooted in adventure but it also brings some pro-level enhancements that prop this truck firmly in the premium truck category. Is the truck still family friendly and versatile to take on the challenges of family life?. We spent a week with the Tacoma TRD Pro to figure out what 30 years of innovation has led to.

 

What This Dad Digs about the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

An on-road/off-road Engine – The 2025 Tacoma certainly looks modern but it also drives like a modern truck, thanks to the new hybrid powertrain. At the heart of this powertrain sits a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 4 Wheel Drive that comes standard, the Tacoma has all the components needed to power through just about any terrain. There is a reason why Toyota calls this the most powerful Tacoma ever built. 

On the road, the Tacoma has never felt stronger and more capable. This pickup has always been known for being tough and reliable, especially offroad, but personally, I’ve always felt they were a bit sluggish and bouncy when on paved roads. This is where the new TRD Pro makes things interesting. On city streets, its drives noticeably more refined, polished, and comfortable while still remaining powerful and confident. It’s quick too, thanks to the incredible torque available at lower gears. This helps the Tacoma feel bright and nimble on city streets, capable of weaving in and out of traffic.

Of course, the real joy of the Tacoma TRD Pro comes in driving it off road. The longer wheelbase and redesigned chassis not only make for a comfortable ride on urban streets but combined with the FOX suspension equipped on the TRD Pro, the whole system absorbs rough terrain beautifully. Factor in the 33-inch off-road tires and camping trips with the family suddenly become adventures on new paths.

IsoDynamic Performance Seats – The most unique part of this Tacoma’s interior is both visually interesting and a magnet for attention from kiddos riding in the backseat. Like something out of a sci-fi movie, the back of the driver and front passenger seats use a shock-absorber system designed to reduce head and body movement during rough off-road driving. Toyota says they help stabilize occupants when traveling over washboard roads and uneven terrain. They get the job done, because I noticed that I bounced and bobbed in my seat much less than I expected when traversing over bumpy, dirt roads. There is a trade off, however, which we’ll get to later.

Speaking of Off-Road – The goodies don’t stop at shock absorbing seats. In fact, Toyota doubles down on the off-road bad-assery in the TRD Pro and it all works in unison to create a package that would make any adventure-seeker Dad Driver giddy. 

  • FOX QS3 Internal Bypass shocks
  • Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism
  • Locking rear differential
  • Multi-Terrain Select
  • Crawl Control
  • Skid plates
  • 33-inch Goodyear Territory tires
  • 11.5 inches of ground clearance

This means, straight off the factory floor, the TRD Pro can easily be classified as one of the most capable midsize trucks available for off-road enthusiasts.



Ready for Baja, Sittin’ in the Driveway – Because it’s wider, taller, and more planted than a standard Tacoma, the TRD Pro looks like a scaled-down desert racing truck that happened to wander into the school pickup line. The Tacoma has always been a handsome truck but I prefer the exterior flair that the TRD Pro packages brings to the table. This includes the large heritage-inspired TOYOTA badging up front surrounded by an all black grille. The TRD signature hood scoop sits high and looks aggressive. The Rigid Industries LED fog lights and the red recovery hooks complete the front end’s tough, capable looks.

Overall, this year’s Tacoma has sharper body lines, more angular fenders and more pronounced character lines. I really dig the squared off wheel openings and the black trim accents throughout. New for 2025, the Toyota offers the TRD Pro in a new exclusive tan/brown color inspired by desert terrain called “mudbath”. It looks sharp and compliments the black accents beautifully.


Technology and Safety – Loaded with the latest tech, the TRD Pro has a few unique features you won’t find anywhere else. The removable JBL FLEX Bluetooth Speaker is always a neat party trick and great for outdoor adventures. The 14-inch infotainment screen is a breeze to use and wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto come standard. One particular piece of tech on the exterior of the TRD Pro caught my daughter’s fascination: the push button truck bed opener. Three buttons spread across the rear make for easy access and it actually came in hand when approaching the vehicle with my hands full.

While it’s built for the off-read, the TRD Pro still comes with Toyota’s tried and true safety tech package: the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. 

Fuel economy – You would think because the TRD Pro utilizes a hybrid engine system that it would be chasing Prius-level efficiency. Instead, Toyota uses electrification to deliver massive torque and improved performance. The payoff is that while the TRD Pro delivers 465 lb-ft of torque it still returns a respectable EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon combined. That equals out to 22 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

What Gets This Dad’s Down Vote

The Rear Seat is Still Tight – While this version of the TRD Pro has the double cab, it only offers 33.7 inches or rear legroom – lower than some competitors. Add in the IsoDynamic seats and you lose even more inches. Not much but every inch counts when you have sprouting kids that seem to grow taller with every car ride.

Premium Truck = Premium Pricing – The TRD Pro sits at the top of the Tacoma lineup and comes with an immensely impressive off-road package – but your wallet will take a hit. The TRD Pro can reach heights at or above $65,000 after options and destination charges are added in. This price range easily falls in line with full-sized truck pricing and some luxury SUVs. This can be a tough pill for some to swallow considering this is still a mid sized truck.

Party Like Its 1995

The 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is a pickup that’s looking both back into the past while forging forward into the future. It throws enough premium features into the mix to remind people that sturdy, dependable midsize trucks can also deliver a comfortable ride, cool tech amenities and head turning stylings. Toyota understands the popularity of its flagship truck and with trims like the TRD Pro its opening it up to a new audience.


The TRD Pro is built for the off-road but Dad and Mom Drivers can rejoice in the fact that the hybrid engine and the refined suspension also make this a truck built for the everyday. The price tag is something to consider though. If you want to party like it’s 1995 in the 2025 Tacoma TRD Pro, you better be making a more modern salary. But if you enjoy off-roading on the weekends or family trips to far reaching camping locations, the TRD Pro might be the perfect truck, regardless of price. Just remember to prep that 1995 playlist, starting with Gangsta’s Paradise.

Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.