What originally began as just a sponsored racing team in the 1960s then went on to create the first turbo racing car and win the first World Rally Championship. They knew after their success in racing they could do so much, not just in the world of racing but for the everyday consumer who likes adventure. Thus in 1979 expanded into creating the division of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) to build racing accessories for race drivers and the average consumer.
The philosophy for this division of their company is to create high-quality off-road vehicles meant not just for racing but also for everyday off-roading. Toyota's first-ever car to have the new "TRD Pro" badge began with the 2010 Tundra TRD. A couple of years later they introduced the 4Runner and Tacoma models into the TRD lineup, the Sienna in 2017, and finally, the 2018 C-HR rounded out their TRD PRO series.
The Tundra is described by Toyota as being "In your element", meaning that it looks at home in the harsh elements out on the trails. The 4Runner, Tacoma, and Sienna are described as "Unapologetically Different", meaning that they're not ashamed of their uniqueness and like to stand out. The C-HR is described as "Uniquely You", again showing that the cars were created for individualistic tastes and expressions.
The 2021 Tundra TRD Pro comes with a 5.7L i-Force V8 engine that puts out 381 hp, 401 lb.-ft of torque. It has a ten-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting capabilities and a locking rear differential for maximum traversal abilities. The standard TRD Bilstein shock absorbers give the Tundra TRD Pro better stability when it travels at high speeds and then hits obstacles or other cars.
The 2022 4Runner TRD Pro also has a 4.0L V6 engine, but it outputs 270 hp and 278 lb.-ft of torque. The only major difference between the Tacoma and the 4Runner's drivetrains is that the 4Runner comes with a much shorter five-speed automatic transmission, so if you were to compare both vehicles performance-wise, the Tacoma would have better acceleration 0-100 times despite having less HP than its competitor.
The 4Runner does have several key advantages over its competitive counterpart, though: a more comfortable cabin for rear passengers by increasing legroom in the back seat and adding storage spaces for extra convenience when traveling, a better power-to-weight ratio, and the fact that it is about an inch wider than the Tacoma which could make a big difference in certain off-road scenarios.
The Sequoia is a large 7-passenger SUV that might seem like an odd vehicle to have in this lineup of trucks. Such is the beauty of Toyota's TRD Pro division: they constantly aim to provide high-quality offroad vehicles for everyone at competitive prices, including those who want to take the entire family off-roading. The Sequoia TDR Pro comes with an all-aluminum 5.7L V8 engine, Fox Shocks, and tuned anti-sway bars to ensure a smooth ride while on the highway. The adaptive Suspension system and Multi-Mode 4wd allow you to be able to handle any back road path you take while still offering the luxury features that one would expect in a modern vehicle.
Fortunately, Toyota knows what they're doing when it comes to making luxurious off-roading machines, so you can rest easy knowing that if you were to choose any of the models mentioned in this article, your next off-roading adventure would be unforgettable.