, the new truck has proven well deserving of the clout it claims. But it’s arguably the completely fresh Trailhunter model that enthusiasts are most intrigued by. We took one off-road and through the back roads of West Virginia to see how it stacks up to the rest of the pack.
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The Lowdown
The Trailhunter is marketed as a more overland-friendly alternative to the similarly priced TRD Pro trim package. It comes with a different suspension setup but otherwise packs the same engine, transmission, off-road hardware, and mostly the same body components.
More Specs
Turbocharged 2.4 inline-four hybrid
323 hp
465 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Eight-speed automatic, part-time four-wheel drive
5410 pounds
22/24/23 MPG (hwy/city/comb)
How Does It Drive?
from the previous-generation versions. Everything has been improved, from the interior quality to the transmission, yet Toyota has still maintained the truck’s go-anywhere ethos. It’s a gas-drinking mule that combines practicality with off-road ability. The Trailhunter only adds to that legacy.
both the Ford Ranger Raptor and Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison in our extreme, dune-jumping off-road test. While the Trailhunter is as capable, comfortable, and cool as its rowdy sibling, it is aimed at a different buyer. The TRD Pro is more Baja-focused, while the Trailhunter is for the overlanding camper, combining the sick-looking metal off-road body gear with a far more forgiving suspension setup. For daily driving or forest-trail-focused off-roading, the Trailhunter is the right call.
Much of that is thanks to the impressive compliance that this truck’s suspension setup delivers. The Trailhunter comes with 2.5-inch Old Man Emu shocks in the front and rear versus the TRD’s Fox internal-bypass hardware, and the difference between the two is distinct. While both are impressively capable in multiterrain environments, the Old Man Emu setup is far more comfortable, soaking up deep ruts and broken pavement alike. In the TRD Pro and base Land Cruiser I was also testing that day, I found myself getting tossed left to right and into the driver’s side window often while traversing rough trails. That happened far less in the Trailhunter.
What’s It Like to Live With?
At this point, I’ve spent time with three different versions of the new Tacoma in three different environments. I had the TRD Sport in New York City, road-tripped and off-roaded the TRD Pro in the sand in Michigan, and tore up some tree-lined dirt trails and paved back roads in West Virginia with the Trailhunter. All three trucks left me pleased in all environments, but there are some things to know.
in the TRD Pro, but if you plan on regularly hauling multiple passengers in your truck, the Taco still might not be the move.
Then, there’s its size. Neither the Trailhunter nor the TRD Pro are wider than their main competitors, but they feel large from the driver’s seat. It might be an optical illusion caused by the upward-bulging hood, but it takes some getting used to on tight trails and narrow country roads. The Tacoma feels like a lot of vehicle to manage, even if—by pickup standards—it is far from large. Fortunately, it feels wieldy when you actually need to negotiate corners or maneuver in tighter environments.
Otherwise, from the front seat, the Trailhunter maintains the new Tacoma’s impressive level of interior comfort and quality. Materials are nice to touch, not too plasticky, and distinctly different from the TRD Pro’s macho vibe. The “Mineral SofTex” (light-blue leather-like seat upholstery) and slate-composite-looking dashboard materials look and feel lovely.
Should I Buy One?
, which is in a different league from this thing.
has quoted the TRD Pro at. These trucks are punchy but definitely not sporty. Of course, this does mean that Toyota has left some space for another, even more extreme variant to follow. Let’s hope that happens.
Highlights and Lowlights
We Love:
We Don’t:
Favorite Detail:
The snorkel, of course. Some hate it, but I love it. It feeds boost noise almost directly into the cabin, and that brings me joy. Would it get old after some time? Maybe. But I couldn’t tell you how long that might take.
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