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Summary
- Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road are off-road pickups designed for different driving conditions, with the Pro being more performance-focused and the Off-Road more durable and predictable.
- The TRD Pro comes with a more powerful i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and standard premium features, while the TRD Off-Road offers a less powerful engine, manual transmission option, and available upgrade packages for interior features.
- Choosing between the two depends on your off-road preferences, with the TRD Off-Road suited for rock crawling and adventuring, and the TRD Pro ideal for high-speed dune jumping and racing. Prices for the TRD Off-Road start at $41,800, while the TRD Pro with the hybrid powertrain has yet to be priced.
It’s no secret that Toyota Tacoma is an extremely capable machine, as observed in the nearly three-decade lineage of its “gettin’ the job done“. Yet, Toyota feels the Taco is more than just a rugged pickup with off-road abilities. Toyota believes the Tacoma to be an efficient, powerful, luxurious, off-road, trophy truck with sophisticated details throughout that makes it leagues above any other pickup on the market today. And they may just be on to something.
The latest line of mid-size pickups from the Toyota plant features the best of what the Japanese automaker has in its off-road performance arsenal. Chief among the popular Tacoma grades are the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro. These two grades include standard equipment that gives them a “go-anywhere” pass from the factory floor. Simply put, if you’re looking to take your adventure off-road, these are the models you want to focus on.
Though Tacoma’s off-road grades share similarities on the surface level, they each feature unique compositions and components that distinguish them based on their intended purpose. This ranges from powertrain and drivetrain options to suspension set-ups, and even interior layout and cosmetic flair. When you really dive into the features and functions of each grade, a glaring question emerges: Where do YOU want to take your adventure?
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Toyota, and Toyota Newsroom.

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What Sets These Two Superb Off-Road Pickups Apart: A Closer Look
As stated before, the visual similarities are easy to spot at first glance. For instance, the rugged contours, open grille, sleek headlights, and bulky-shouldered stance indicate that these two pickups come from the same family, but what makes them unique is what Toyota ingrained in their individual DNA. This includes off-road, performance, and technology upgrades that vary between grades. Let’s dive in.
For starters, it should be known that the Tacoma TRD Pro and Tacoma TRD Off-Road are designed for different driving conditions, though both are advertised as off-road machines. While this is true, there is a difference between off-road exploration and off-road performance. Think -weekend camping in the Rocky Mountains in the TRD Off-Road and trophy truck desert racing in the TRD Pro. Both are off-road actions, and both are very different in terms of the rigors they put on the vehicle as well as the equipment needed to conquer each terrain.
This is the bread and butter of Toyota’s pickup approach. Designated design and superb terrain management allow Tacoma to edge its way into just about every corner of the pickup market. Most notably, the off-road scene.
Performance Differences
Power-wise, the most significant difference between the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road is the Pro’s standard i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. The new i-FORCE MAX hybrid system combines the lesser i-FORCE turbo-four with a 48-horsepower electric motor located in the eight-speed auto transmission that draws power from a 1.87 kWh NiMH battery pack. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain pumps out a total of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful powerplant to feature in a Tacoma to date.
2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Road And TRD Pro Specs
TRD Off-Road |
TRD Pro |
|
Engine |
2.4-liter i-FORCE turbo four-cylinder |
2.4-liter i-FORCE MAX hybrid turbo four-cylinder |
Horsepower |
278 (A/T) / 270 (M/T) |
326 |
Torque |
317 pound-feet (A/T) / 310 pound-feet (M/T) |
465 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Eight-speed auto or six-speed manual |
Eight-speed auto |
Driveline |
RWD or 4WD |
RWD or 4WD |
Layout |
Front-engine, five-passenger, four-door truck |
Front-engine, five-passenger, four-door truck |
(Source: Toyota)
The powerful i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain isn’t standard on the TRD Off-Road, though it is an available option for those wanting to upgrade. The standard power source in the 2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Road is the non-hybrid i-FORCE turbo-four, which produces a respectable 278 horses when optioned with the eight-speed automatic transmission, and 270 horses when equipped with the optional six-speed manual gearbox. This would be a good time to mention that the TRD Pro does not include a manual transmission option. However, both models offer RWD and 4WD as available drivetrain options.
Just observing the powertrain and transmission option in the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road begins to reveal the true nature of each pickup. The straightforward power and performance nature of the TRD Pro shines through in both its top-grade engine and automatic-only delivery system. The TRD Off-Road, on the other hand, features a less powerful engine and a manual transmission option, which makes crawling over hills and rocky terrain more tactile and engaging. Keep these values in mind as we get to the suspension details.
Suspension Differences
In the suspension department, the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road are night and day. That is, in terms of component manufacturer, design, and purpose. Starting with the exuberant TRD Pro, high-spec 2.5-inch Fox QS3 adjustable dampers with remote reservoir shocks appear through the gigantic 33-inch off-road tires and wheel travel thanks to the front and rear suspension lift kits.
TRD Pro And TRD Off-Road Exterior Dimensions
TRD Pro |
TRD Off-Road |
|
Approach Angle (degrees) |
33.8 |
32.5 |
Departure Angle (degrees) |
25.7 |
26.6 |
Breakover Angle (degrees) |
23.5 |
24.7 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
11.0 |
11.0 |
(Source: Toyota)
The rear Fox IFP (internal floating piston) hydraulic bump stops within the new coil springs, which replaced the last gen’s outdated leaf springs, softening landings with superb cushion. When paired with a standard disconnecting front anti-roll bar and electronically locking rear differential, the TRD Pro exhibits next-level suspension articulation, which translates to better off-road traction and speed.
TRD Pro Key Suspension Features
- 2.5-inch Fox QS3 internal bypass adjustable shocks
- Remote reservoir rear dampers
- Fox IFP hydraulic bump stops
- 1.0-inch front and 0.5-inch rear suspension lift
- Disconnecting front stabilizer bar
Shifting focus over to the TRD Off-Road sees the Tacoma equipped with beefy Bilstein remote reservoir monotube shocks for better heat dissipation under stress. Standard on the TRD Off-Road is the push-button rear differential lock, high-level terrain management features, and TRD Off-Road-tuned suspension.
However, where the TRD Pro features the disconnecting front anti-roll bar as standard equipment, the TRD Off-Road lists it as an optional upgrade. Coil springs and large 33-inch off-road treads find their way onto the TRD Off-Road as standard equipment, as well as hydraulic end-stop controls that aid in softening landings when the coil springs are near full compression.
TRD Off-Road Key Suspension/Off-Road Features
- Push-button rear differential lock
- Advanced terrain management/drive modes
- Bilstein remote reservoir monotube shocks
- Coil-spring suspension
- Front skid plate and extensive underbody protection
In common terms, the TRD Pro features a flexible sport-tuned suspension that allows its powerful engine and auto transmission to excel on uneven terrain, while the TRD Off-Road features a more durable, predictable suspension setup and advanced terrain management functions that put control in the hands of the driver. Both models take advantage of the new coil-spring suspension and large off-road tires, as expected by any self-respecting off-roader.

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Important Interior Differences Change The Entire Atmosphere Of The Cabin
The cabin appointments and layout in both models border on the contemporary, though the quality and tech differences are where the two begin to differ. For example, the TRD Pro comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a 14-inch touchscreen, and a 10-speaker premium JBL audio system with a portable JBL FLEX Bluetooth speaker. All of these features are only available to the TRD Off-Road (seen above) via upgrade packages. It’s worth noting that the TRD Pro doesn’t list any available upgrades, indicating that it’s already got the best-of-the-best.
This includes heated and ventilated seats, advanced climate control, and just about every driver-assist feature under the sun. Many of these features are only available to the TRD Off-Road through upgrade packages. The main difference between the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road regarding interior features and tech is that the Pro gains most of the premium features available as its standard package, while the TRD-Off-Road leaves room to “spec it how you want it”.
The TRD Pro Features Futuristic Seats
The upholstery is another area of focus, especially in the TRD Pro, as it features the innovative IsoDynamic performance seats, which feature shock absorbers in the back. These incredible seats are eight-way power adjustable and lined with bright red SofTex, a synthetic leather that is durable, easy to clean, and involves no animal cruelty. The industry-first IsoDynamic performance seats are Toyota’s next leap in driver comfort and advanced features, and they are exclusive to the TRD Pro only.
The TRD Off-Road doesn’t reap the rewards of shock-absorbing seating, though it does offer upholstery options that rival the quality and convenience of the TRD Pro. Through upgrade packages, the interior of the TRD Off-Road comes to life, as in standard form, the fabric-lined, six-way manual seats are rather meh. Power adjustable and SofTex-trimmed seating are available options, as are the 14-inch touchscreen and JBL audio system. Otherwise, the TRD Off-Road comes with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system.

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Rounding Up These Two Off-Road 2024 Tacomas
There really is no right answer to that question. Both fare well in terms of terms of safety, power, economy, capability, and price point. In the case of the TRD Pro versus the TRD Off-Road, if you prefer rock crawling, mud bogging, and deep-wood adventuring, then the TRD Off-Road is the one for you. If you see yourself jumping dunes at high speeds and racing Ford Raptors at the stoplight, then the TRD Pro is definitely the one you’d choose.
Price-wise, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road retails at $41,800 MSRP. The TRD Pro, which features the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, has yet to be priced, though it is set to arrive in dealerships in mid-2024. The TRD Pro’s release timeline applies to all 2024 Tacoma with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain equipped. So, if you want a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off-Road with the fancy new hybrid engine, you’ll have to wait.
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