For a long time, we were discussing which off-road truck is the best – Tacoma with TRD Pro package, or Chevy Colorado ZR2. Now, there is a new player on the horizon – Ford Ranger Raptor. The Blue Oval company will introduce its muscle truck next season. It will speed up the development of the new off-road Japanese pickup. Nevertheless, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will come unchanged, while the bigger portion of modifications, including this package, is going to be available in 2022.
Toyota added a new paintjob and a few modifications around the body for the current edition. Everything is going to be carried over to the 2021 MY. So, the TRD Pro package remains the same. Still, it will be one of the most capable off-road models you can find. Its price will tell a lot about upgrades and what does it offer. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will be at the same cost as the premium Limited edition.
No Diesel For the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
All the fans were looking forward to seeing the TRD Pro package in combination with a diesel engine. Well, the company didn’t shut down this idea yet, as bosses did it with the full-size Tundra. Again, we will have to wait beyond 2021 and hope the company will change its mind. In a matter of fact, Toyota is looking at other directions. The new Tacoma could adopt a hybrid drivetrain, instead of diesel. We can see this configuration is based on the existing V6 engine, but not a 4.0-liter displacement the mid-size pickup is currently using. Instead, engineers will use a 3.5-liter mill, which was the base for Highlander SUV hybrid before it replaced a V6 with a four-pot powerplant.
What Makes TRD Pro so Special?
When the TRD Pro lineup appeared in 2015, Toyota gained a huge boost in sales. There were three vehicles available for this upgrade. Besides Tacoma, another Toyota truck was there (Tundra), as well as the 4Runner SUV. Now, Sequoia full-size SUV also joined the lineup.
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will bring a lot of upgrades which will make the truck more capable of off-roading. First of all, the pickup is lifted, leaving more space under the body for obstacles. Then, there are special suspension and shocks setup. Of course, all-wheel drive is standard. When AWD is not needed, the transmission will shift more power to rear axle. Since you will spend more time in tough terrain conditions, Tacoma TRD Pro needs a better body protection. Skid plates, special wheel arches, and bedliner are standard.
2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro vs Ford Ranger Raptor
Raptor came back to the US market and now it is ready for the next upgrade. As we assumed, the Raptor model is coming very soon, and it will introduce a new engine. It will be either a turbodiesel or a V6 gasoline unit. Either way, this is going to be a big addition to the segment where 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro should be one of the leaders. We will see how buyers are going to accept a new muscle truck by Ford.
Read more: 2021 Ford Ranger – V6 or Raptor