Toyota raised the bar for off-road performance with the debut of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma Trd Pro, a pickup truck engineered to dominate challenging landscapes. Building on Toyota’s legendary off-road heritage and the success of the TRD Pro series, this Tacoma was designed for enthusiasts who demand extreme capability and ruggedness from their vehicles.
The TRD Pro series, born from Toyota’s victorious history in grueling Baja off-road races, has consistently delivered vehicles capable of tackling the toughest conditions. The 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro took this legacy further, offering a new level of factory-installed off-road equipment developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD). This second-generation TRD Pro product was specifically aimed at those who push their trucks to the limit, providing the performance and features needed to excel in extreme off-roading scenarios.
Aggressive Exterior Design for Uncompromising Off-Road Performance
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro was not just about brute strength; it was also about making a bold statement. Based on the Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4×4 Double Cab Short Bed model, it was available with either a 6-speed manual transmission (featuring a clutch start-cancel switch for added control in tricky situations) or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose from three striking exterior colors: Cement, Barcelona Red Metallic, and Super White, ensuring their TRD Pro stood out both on and off the trail.
Beyond color choices, the exterior was packed with functional and aesthetic upgrades. It rode on distinctive 16-inch TRD black alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler® All-Terrain Kevlar®-reinforced tires, providing exceptional grip and durability in rough terrain. A TRD Pro aluminum front skid plate offered crucial underbody protection, while Rigid Industries® LED fog lights illuminated the path ahead in low-visibility conditions. Projector-beam headlights with black bezels, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and an auto on/off feature added a modern touch and enhanced visibility. Black bezel taillights, TRD Pro badging on the front doors with a unique diamond-pattern knurled finish, and black TRD Pro and 4×4 rear tailgate badging further distinguished this model.
The heritage-inspired TOYOTA front grille with a color-keyed surround was a prominent design element, complemented by a blacked-out hood scoop and graphic. Color-keyed power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, color-keyed door handles, black overfenders, and a color-keyed rear bumper completed the cohesive and rugged exterior look of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.
Interior Comfort and Advanced Technology
While built for extreme conditions, the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro didn’t compromise on interior comfort and convenience. The cabin seamlessly blended sporty styling with practical technology, ensuring a pleasant driving experience even on the most challenging trails.
Standard features included black TRD Pro leather-trimmed heated front seats, embossed with the TRD Pro logo in the headrests. The driver’s seat offered 4-way adjustability with lumbar support, while the front passenger seat also provided 4-way adjustability. The Entune™ Premium Audio system with Integrated Navigation and App Suite kept drivers connected and on course, while a TRD shift knob and TRD Pro floor mats added exclusive interior touches. A leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth® hands-free phone controls provided convenient access to essential functions.
For enhanced safety and convenience, the Tacoma TRD Pro included rear parking assist sonar, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). The analog instrumentation featured a 4.2-inch color Multi-Information Display (MID) that incorporated an inclinometer and tilt gauge – essential tools for off-road navigation. The MID also displayed outside temperature, odometer, trip meters, and average fuel economy. Catering to adventure enthusiasts, a GoPro® mount was integrated on the windshield, allowing drivers to easily capture their off-road excursions.
Pro-Level Performance and Off-Road Prowess
The heart of the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro was its exceptional off-road performance. Powered by a robust 3.5-Liter V6 DOHC 24-valve direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) intake and VVT-I exhaust, it delivered ample power and efficiency.
However, the TRD Pro truly distinguished itself with its TRD-engineered suspension and exhaust enhancements. FOX 2.5 Internal Bypass shocks, tuned by TRD, were a key component of the upgraded suspension system. These advanced shocks, along with TRD-tuned front springs providing a 1-inch lift and TRD-tuned rear suspension with progressive-rate off-road leaf springs, delivered superior off-road control and ride quality.
Every Tacoma TRD Pro featured 4WDemand part-time 4WD with an electronically-controlled transfer case and Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD). A standard V6 Tow Package further enhanced its capability, including a Class-IV towing receiver hitch, ATF cooler (automatic only), engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with convertor, and Trailer-Sway Control (TSC). An electronically controlled locking rear differential provided maximum traction in challenging low-grip situations.
For automatic transmission models, Crawl Control (CRAWL) was included, an advanced system that automatically modulated the throttle and brakes at five low-speed settings, allowing drivers to focus solely on steering through difficult terrain. The Multi-terrain Select system, also for automatics, offered five modes to regulate wheel spin by adjusting engine throttle and traction control. Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) on automatic models added further confidence on inclines. Manual transmission models benefited from Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), a 4WD traction control system that optimized power flow to the wheels without cutting throttle input, ensuring consistent traction.
TRD Pro Heritage and Toyota Quality
The TRD Pro series represented the pinnacle of Toyota’s off-road truck expertise, stemming from a lineage of TRD packages dating back to 1998. TRD, with its decades of experience in developing engines and chassis for Toyota’s global racing activities, brought motorsport-derived engineering and accessories to the Tacoma TRD Pro.
Like all Toyota vehicles, the 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro was backed by Toyota’s factory warranty, including a 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle warranty, a 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 60-month corrosion warranty with no mileage limitation. Toyota Care, a complimentary maintenance and roadside assistance plan, was also standard.
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. (TMMTX) in San Antonio, delivered on its promise of extreme off-road capability, blending rugged performance with refined comfort and advanced technology, solidifying its position as a leader in the off-road truck segment.
2017 TACOMA TRD PRO PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
| Tacoma TRD Pro | |
|---|---|
| Wheels | -16” TRD black alloy-Aggressive wheel offset widens the track +1.0-inches front and rear |
| Tires | -Goodyear Wrangler® All-Terrain Kevlar®-reinforced tires |
| Shocks | FOX 2.5 Internal Bypass shocks Tuned by TRD– Front: TRD-tuned FOX 2.5 Internal Bypass Coil-overs with TRD coil springs– Rear: TRD-tuned FOX 2.5 Internal Bypass Shocks with TRD Off-Road specification Leaf Springs– 2.5-inch diameter aluminum bodies– FOX patented Internal Bypass technology– Position-sensitive Damping– Internal Floating Pistons (IFP)– Hardened, oversized shock shafts are protected by redundant dust boots– Improved suspension droop travel and bottom out resistance |
| Springs | -Unique TRD-Tuned front springs provide a 1-inch lift-TRD-tuned rear suspension includes progressive-rate leaf springs from TRD Off-Road models. |
| Fog Lights | – Rigid Industries® LED fog lights– Cool white (6500K) light color-35-degree high intensity beam pattern– Instant On/Off |
| Skid Plate | – TRD PRO front skid plate – Constructed of ¼-inch aluminum |
| Exterior | – Unique heritage-inspired “TOYOTA” front grille with color-keyed surround– Blacked-out hood scoop and graphic– Black bezel headlights, taillights, and overfenders– Color-keyed mirrors, door handles, rear bumper– Black “TRD PRO” badge on front door with diamond-pattern knurled finish– TRD Pro and 4×4 rear tailgate badging |
| Exterior Colors | -Cement, Barcelona Red Metallic, Super White |
| Interior | – Black TRD Pro Leather-trimmed heated front seats– TRD Pro logo located in headrest– TRD Shift Knob– TRD Floor Mats |
