2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro - A [Near] Perfect Truck

It's no secret to anyone that Toyota pick-ups are known to be virtually indestructible. On more than one occasion, we have seen them performing feats such as reaching the crater of an active volcano, led by James May, or surviving the most intense cold in the polar circles. And the new 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is here to honor that tradition.

As you can imagine, this variant reviewed by Toyota Racing Development is presented as the top of the range of this model and equips a series of unique utilities that will allow you to face off-road adventures with greater safety, whether for fun or work, you can always trust your Toyota truck.

The exterior is available in only four paint shades: Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic or Army Green. The latter is the color of the model we tested.

The body color is matched by LED headlights and fog lights, DRL lighting system, a new 2.5-inch raised Fox Racing suspension with anti-shock bypass.

The running system is complemented by off-road tires with 16-inch wheels that are aptly painted black to match the intimidating look of the truck.

Additionally, this truck features a four-door crew cab configuration with a 60.5-inch extended cargo bed.

Inside, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro shows an attractive upholstery that, in case you didn't know, is specific to this version and integrates black leather with the TRD Pro logo embroidered on the headboards.

The front seats have 10-way electronic adjustment with lumbar support and heating, while the rear bench is upholstered in the same material and has a 40/20/40 distribution, with the backrest of the central bench that can be converted into an armrest with cup holder included.

The driver has in front of him, a console that incorporates an analog instrument panel accompanied by a small 4.2-inch screen that shows information relevant to driving such as the odometer and fuel level.

In the central part we find an infotainment system, commanded by the 8-inch touch screen with Android Auto, Apple Car Play and Amazon Alexa connectivity, accompanied by a JBL premium audio system with six speakers and dual-zone climate control.

Meanwhile, under the hood of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro we find a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

This engine, coupled with the improved suspension and four-wheel drive with limited slip differential, allows the truck to have a payload capacity of up to 1,155 lbs and to tow up to 6,400 lbs in complete safety.

As you might imagine, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is a truck built to take on the toughest roads, but that doesn't stop it from behaving very well on the pavement and in the city.

During our off-road test drive, two systems helped us clear the obstacles: the new Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) and the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM).

Both systems are included as standard in the top-of-the-range versions of this truck and offer a view of the front and side cameras through the new infotainment screen, something very useful when you do not know how the road is in front of you.

To be honest, the ride quality of this model improved considerably over the 2019 Tacoma, although a better resolution on the rear camera would be appreciated.

On the pavement in the city, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro behaves in a very appropriate way. Despite being a truck designed for adventure, the cabin is silent; It doesn't matter that the engine is doing its best to go up a hill or that you are passing on the freeway, the drive is quiet and comfortable.

When it comes to safety, there is nothing to fear as this truck features Toyota Safety Sense , a set of active safety features that come standard on most new Japanese brand vehicles.

After several days of driving it, we came to the conclusion that this truck continues to maintain the quality of handling and performance that has characterized it for many years.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is available at the brand's entire dealer network. If you are looking for a mid-size truck with performance, on and off the tarmac, this truck is for you.