Tacoma
Claimed by the automaker to be the “best-selling mid-size pick-up for 14 years”, the Americanised version of the Hilux benefits from a new grille, model specific alloy wheels and an LED light integrated into the loadbay. In terms of safety, all models are equipped as standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense P that includes Pre-Collision Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Auto High Beam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Sway Warning.
Model-wise, the Tacoma will be offered in six trim levels with the entry-level SR’s additions consisting of darkened taillight clusters and a new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system incorporating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio and Amazon Alexa.
Moving one up, the SR5 receives satin finished dark 16-inch alloy wheels, optional daytime running LEDs, new seat fabrics and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the most accessible sport model, the TRD Sport, gets LED fog lights, keyless entry, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome taillight surrounds and a panoramic reverse camera system.
Serving as the most accessible off-road model, the TRD Off-Road benefits from the same updates as the SR5, but adds a Multi-Terrain Monitor, LED headlights with daytime running LEDs, TRD bespoke Bilstein shocks, Hill Assist Control, locking rear differential and the Multi-Terrain Select system with Crawl Control. On the top-spec Limited, newly designed 18-inch alloys and standard LED headlights and daytime runners complete the changes.
A brand new addition to the Tacoma range however is the TRD Pro which the automaker rates as one of its most capable pick-ups to date. Using the TRD Off-Road as a base, the TRD Pro swaps the 18-inch alloys for 16-inch rollers wrapped in Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain tyres, and further comes with Fox springs and shocks, the Multi-Terrain Select system, 10-way electrically adjustable front seats, an electronically controlled low range transfer case and a new colour, Army Green, that joins the existing Super White, Midnight Black Metallic and Magnetic Grey Metallic hues.
Available in two cab styles, the Access Cab that comes with a wheelbase of 3 235mm and loading bed of 1 871mm, and the Double Cab that offers the same wheelbase but with a 1 536mm bed or with a wheelbase of 3 571mm and bed measuring 1 871mm, the Tacoma carries over its predecessor’s drivetrains; a 118kW/245Nm 2.7 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox or a 3.5-litre V6 that makes 206kW/359Nm and which can be teamed to the automatic ‘box or a six-speed manual. A Tow Package that comes with a rating of 3 084kg is standard on the latter.
Production will continue to take place at Toyota’s San Antonio Plant in Texas and in the Mexican state of Baja California, but as before, only for the United States.
RAV4 TRD Off-Road
Arriving on local shores during the first quarter of this year, the surprise off-road paraphernalia applied to the RAV4 includes 18-inch matt black alloy wheels wrapped in Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tyres, a TRD off-road suspension, re-valved twin-tube shock absorbers and red coil springs, a dark grey front facia with standard LED lights, front and rear skidplates and a choice of seven colours; Super White, Ruby Flare Pearl, Midnight Black and Lunar Rock with an optional contrasting Ice Edge roof,and Magnetic Grey Metallic with the Ice Edge roof as standard.
Based on the top-spec Adventure that offers up to 218mm of ground clearance, the TRD Off-Road’s interior additions are more minor and consists of SofTex trimmed seats with TRD embossed headrests, red stitching, TRD all-weather floor mats and a TRD all-weather boot matts.
Like the Tacoma, the RAV4 is equipped as standard with the Safety Sense P that includes Pre-Collision Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Auto High Beam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Tracing Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Braking.
As before, the TRD Off-Road comes with Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive system that can send as much as 50% of the available torque to the rear wheels, the innovative Driveline Disconnect system that uncouples the rear axle to improve fuel consumption and the Multi-Terrain Select mode selector with two settings; Mud/Sand and Rock/Dirt.
Able to tow 1 587kg, the TRD comes powered by the same 2.5-litre Dynamic Force petrol engine as the standard RAV4, which produces 152kW/243Nm with an eight-speed automatic gearbox entrusted with sending the amount of twist to the black stuff.
Sequoia TRD Pro
Now one of the oldest models in Toyota’s SUV range having been around in its current second generation guise since 2007, the Sequoia joins the Tacoma in benefitting from a series of off-road fittings, which in its case consists of a new grille with prominent TOYOTA badging, full LED headlights, forged black BBS 18-inch alloy wheels, a TRD cat-black exhaust, a TRD branded front skidplate, roof rails, aluminium side boards, special TRD badges and a choice of four colours; Super White, Midnight Black Metallic and Magnetic Grey Metallic and Army Green.
As with the RAV4, the Sequoia’s interior add-ons are minor and mainly comes with black leather seats featuring red stitching and with TRD Pro embossed headrests, and TRD Pro branded all-weather floor mats. Standard spec is otherwise unchanged from the standard TRD on which it is based, with the same applying to the Safety Sense P system.
Fitted as standard with Fox shocks, the Sequoia still provides seating for seven and comes powered by a 5.7-litre V8 that produces 286kW/544Nm, hooked to a six-speed automatic gearbox incorporating not only a low range gearbox and Torsen limited slip centre differential, but also a Two/Haul function and ability to tow up to 3 220kg.
Like the Tacoma however, the Sequoia TRD Pro is reserved for the United States only and will be produced at the automaker’s Princeton Plant in Indiana.
