The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is the most off-road-focused version of the third-generation Tacoma, a mid-size pickup that Toyota sold from the 2016 through 2023 model years. It pairs a 3.5-liter V6 with serious suspension hardware and standard four-wheel drive. This review covers its real engine specs, off-road equipment, fuel economy and price, using figures from Toyota and independent specification sources.
Third-Generation Tacoma: The Basics
The third-generation Tacoma went into production in August 2015 and was sold as a 2016 through 2023 model. It was offered as an extended Access Cab or a four-door Double Cab, with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and in six main trims: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and TRD Pro. The TRD Pro sat at the top of the range and was sold exclusively with four-wheel drive. Two special editions, the Trail Edition and the Nightshade Edition, also appeared during the run.
Engine and Performance Specs
The TRD Pro uses Toyota’s 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6. Output is 278 hp at 6,000 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm, sent through either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The V6 uses both port and direct injection. The base Tacoma, by contrast, used a 2.7-liter four-cylinder making 159 hp and 180 lb-ft, which the TRD Pro did not offer. The V6 also powered the Tacoma’s maximum towing capability: Toyota rated properly equipped V6 models to pull up to about 6,800 pounds, though the off-road-tuned TRD Pro’s figure was lower because of its softer suspension.
- Engine: 3.5-liter V6 (2GR-FKS), dual injection
- Power: 278 hp at 6,000 rpm
- Torque: 265 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm
- Transmissions: six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: four-wheel drive (standard on TRD Pro)
- Curb weight: about 4,465 lb
Off-Road Hardware
The TRD Pro is distinguished by equipment aimed at rough terrain. It has TRD-tuned FOX internal bypass shocks, an electronically locking rear differential, a heritage-inspired “TOYOTA” grille with block lettering, a blacked-out hood and fender flares, Rigid Industries LED fog lights and exclusive TRD Pro skid plates. A multi-terrain monitor helps the driver place the truck on technical trails. For 2021, Toyota added an exclusive paint color, Lunar Rock, to the TRD Pro palette.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Tacoma TRD Pro’s EPA ratings were 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Those figures reflect the truck’s four-wheel-drive hardware and off-road tires, and they sit below the ratings of the more road-oriented two-wheel-drive Tacoma variants. Real-world consumption naturally varies with load, terrain and driving style.
Price
The 2021 Tacoma range started at $26,400 and ran to $44,325 for the TRD Pro, according to CarGurus’ pricing data. That made the TRD Pro the most expensive Tacoma of the year. Its combination of standard four-wheel drive, locking differential, upgraded suspension and unique styling explains much of the premium over the TRD Off-Road, which shares the platform and engine but uses different shocks.
Safety and Technology
Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) was standard on the Tacoma. The package included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. A backup camera was standard, and the TRD Pro added the multi-terrain monitor. On the technology side, upper trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a premium JBL audio system on some grades.
What the TRD Pro Is For
The TRD Pro is designed for drivers who want a factory-built truck that can handle trails without aftermarket suspension work. It is not as comfortable on the road as the Tacoma Limited, and its fuel economy trails that of mainstream pickups. Its appeal lies in the combination of Toyota’s reputation for durability, a standard V6, a locking rear differential and genuinely upgraded suspension. Buyers comparing it with the TRD Off-Road should note that the two share the engine and drivetrain; the TRD Pro’s advantages are the FOX shocks, the locking differential, the skid plates and the exclusive styling.
TRD Pro Versus TRD Off-Road
The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road share the 3.5-liter V6, the four-wheel-drive system and the locking rear differential, so the mechanical gap between them is narrower than their prices suggest. The TRD Pro adds TRD-tuned FOX internal bypass shocks, exclusive skid plates, a unique grille and wheels, and the Lunar Rock paint option. Buyers who mainly drive on the road may find the TRD Off-Road a better value, while those who want the most capable factory Tacoma will prefer the TRD Pro.
Interior and Cab Choices
The TRD Pro was offered only as a Double Cab, the four-door body style, with a short cargo bed. Inside, it featured black leather-trimmed heated front seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The cabin is functional rather than luxurious, with a strong emphasis on durability. Access Cab and longer-bed configurations were available on other Tacoma trims but not on the TRD Pro.
What Changed for 2021
The 2021 Tacoma received a handful of updates rather than a redesign. Toyota added the Lunar Rock color exclusively to the TRD Pro, while the broader range gained new styling and technology details. The third-generation truck continued largely unchanged until it was replaced by an all-new fourth-generation Tacoma for the 2024 model year, which ended the TRD Pro’s run on this platform.
