Toyota has released many off-road vehicles that are fun to drive. Any Toyota SUV or truck with the TRD badge is capable of taking you off the paved road. The Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup truck can be equipped with a variety of TRD trims to help you navigate less-traveled roads. Most of these TRD Trims have four-wheel-drive as an option. Many trims also come with four-wheel-drive standard.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD PreRunner, unlike other TRD vehicles is the only one available with rear-wheel driving as its sole drivetrain. Although some may think that this makes the model less capable, it is still a truck that is capable of going almost anywhere.
The Tacoma TRD Pro is the top-of-the-line Tacoma TRD truck. It starts at $38,520, before destination fees. The top-of the-line Tacoma TRD Pro starts at nearly $65,000. The TRD PreRunner also features an extended cab and a six-footbed. Other TRD models offer six-foot bed options, but these are optional and the trucks only have a double cab. This makes the TRD PreRunner stand out from its competitors, but it’s not the end of the story.
Why is the Tacoma TRD PreRunner so special?
The Tacoma TRD PreRunner offers the most affordable and convenient way to own a Toyota off road truck. The TRD PreRunner is powered by a turbocharged, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 278 horsepower and a torque of 317 pound feet. This engine is shared with the majority of the TRD line-up. The Tacoma TRD Pro trim and i-Force Max feature a hybrid powertrain that is more powerful.
The Tacoma TRD PreRunner’s cabin is similar to any other Tacoma TRD. It has TRD-specific badging and an 8-inch touchscreen, which is standard in all TRD trims (except the Limited trim) as well as standard cloth seats. The TRD PreRunner upgrade package adds some niceties in the cabin. The suspension system is similar to that of its non-TRD stablemates, with leaf springs instead of coil springs. Off-road truckers prefer coil springs because they allow the truck to move more than leaf springs.
The TRD PreRunner can easily drag its driver over minor road blocks and trails. The leaf spring suspension may make the ride a little stiffer than on other TRD models. This truck is for drivers who are looking for an entry-level truck for off-road use. However, it may not be a good option for those who experience inclement weather during the winter. Alternatives to the Tacoma TRD PreRunner (19659004)
There are several direct competitors to the Toyota Tacoma and the Tacoma TRD PreRunner in particular. Jeep Gladiator trims can be compared to the Toyota. Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado also offer off-road-specific trims. The Jeep Gladiator makes the best direct comparison because every trim level of the Jeep truck offers at least decent off-road capabilities.
The Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss trim is the most capable offroad trim in Chevy’s midsize truck line-up. The Trail Boss trim comes with a two-inch lift over the original Colorado truck, 18-inch wheels, and an automatic locking differential. Ford Ranger, one of the newest midsize pickup trucks in the class, offers an impressive off-road trim. The Ford Ranger Raptor starts at just under $56,000, and comes with off-road goodies such as steel front and rear bumpers to provide extra protection, a trail control system for tricky situations, 2.5-inch Fox Live Valve shocks, and more.
The Nissan Frontier Pro-X offers a similar off-road-ready pickup at a more affordable price. It is also the best direct comparison with the Toyota Tacoma TRD PreRunner. Both trucks start at around $38,000. They both offer rear-wheel drives with no option for four-wheel drive. They are considered the entry-level options for off-road trucks.
