I recently spent a week behind the wheel of the all-new 2024 Tacoma Trd Pro, courtesy of Toyota. This press loan allowed me to experience this top-tier trim in real-world daily driving scenarios, a stark contrast to the usual off-road test tracks. Let’s be honest, navigating rush hour traffic is a world away from tackling rugged terrain at high speeds.
In this review, I’ll delve into the aspects of the 2024 TRD Pro that stood out, both positively and negatively, during my week-long daily commute and errands. For a more visual perspective, be sure to check out my detailed YouTube video review embedded at the end of this article.
Ultimately, while the TRD Pro is built for adventure, the question remains: how well does it function as a daily driver? Let’s explore the pros and cons.
The Upsides: Why the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro Shines
Considering upgrading to the 2024 TRD Pro? There’s a lot to appreciate in this premium Tacoma trim. In my opinion, this generation truly earns the “Pro” badge, setting itself apart from previous models. Past TRD Pros often felt like slightly upgraded TRD Off-Roads, but the 2024 model elevates the experience significantly. Here are three key advantages that impressed me.
Commanding Road Presence
The 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro makes a bold statement. Its aggressive aesthetics are undeniable. The wide, muscular fenders, sleek gloss black accents, integrated light bar, robust ARB rear bumper, eye-catching red recovery hooks, durable TRD skid plate, distinctive black roof, and vibrant cockpit red interior all contribute to its attention-grabbing design.
For Toyota aficionados, spotting a TRD Pro is usually easy. However, the 2024 redesign makes it instantly recognizable even to the casual observer, clearly distinguishing it from the TRD Off-Road. The first time I saw it arrive at my home, my immediate thought was, “Wow, that’s one impressive truck.” Even parked next to my own TRD Off-Road, the Pro model exuded a more serious, capable presence.
Potent Hybrid Powertrain
The 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro comes standard with the revolutionary i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, delivering a remarkable 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Let me tell you, this truck has power to spare. After a week of daily driving, the hybrid system won me over completely. My next vehicle will definitely feature this hybrid engine. While the standard 2.4L turbo engine is competent, the hybrid offers a noticeable boost in performance.
Despite occasionally pushing the truck to experience its full power, and not focusing on fuel efficiency, I still managed to achieve 21 MPG with the standard 33-inch tires. Regardless of any preconceived notions about 4-cylinder engines, the performance of this hybrid powertrain is genuinely impressive and delivers both power and respectable fuel economy.
Surprisingly Tuned TRD Exhaust
Toyota has achieved something remarkable with the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro’s exhaust system. They’ve managed to make a 4-cylinder engine sound genuinely good. I recently installed a MagnaFlow exhaust on my own 4th Gen Tacoma, which improved the sound significantly over stock. However, the TRD exhaust on the Pro seems to have some sort of acoustic magic. It even sounds better than my previous 2022 V6 TRD Pro Tacoma, producing a satisfyingly deep, raspy rumble at lower RPMs without any annoying drone at highway speeds. While there is some sound augmentation through the interior speakers, the base exhaust note itself is genuinely well-tuned and adds to the driving experience.
The Downsides: Daily Driving Drawbacks of the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro
While the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro excels in aesthetics and off-road capability, there are a few drawbacks to consider when using it as a daily driver.
Annoying Hood Rattle
This is an issue I didn’t detect during the initial press launch event. However, on my first drive with the TRD Pro in daily driving conditions, the fake hood vent began vibrating noticeably. A quick check on Tacoma owner forums and Facebook groups confirmed that this isn’t an isolated issue, with multiple owners reporting the same hood rattle at various speeds. Toyota should address this with improved internal hood bracing to eliminate this distracting vibration.
Noisy Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT Tires
The Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires, while visually aggressive and likely capable off-road, are quite loud and transmit more road imperfections into the cabin than desired for daily driving. Personally, I preferred the BFG tires that came standard on the TRD Off-Road model. I found those tires to be a good balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability during the 4,000 miles I used them on my own Tacoma. That being said, it’s true that many TRD Pro owners will likely swap out the stock tires to suit their specific needs and preferences anyway.
Impractical ISO Dynamic Seats for Daily Use
It pains me to say this, especially knowing the enthusiasm Chief Engineer Sheldon Brown has for them, but the ISO Dynamic Seats might be too specialized for daily driving practicality. While innovative, they significantly reduce rear-seat legroom, making the back seats less comfortable for passengers. The seats are also heavily bolstered and feature a fixed headrest, which might not be comfortable for all body types, particularly those who are broader in build. Finally, the manual lever for seat recline feels somewhat out of place in a premium trim. These are admittedly minor inconveniences, but they detract slightly from the daily driving experience.
For serious off-road enthusiasts, the ISO Dynamic Seats are likely a valuable feature, designed to enhance comfort and control in challenging terrain. However, realistically, the majority of the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro’s life will be spent on paved roads, where the benefits of these seats are less apparent and the compromises in passenger space are more noticeable.
Final Verdict: Daily Driver or Weekend Warrior?
Despite the few drawbacks mentioned, I genuinely enjoyed my week with the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro. Perhaps it was the engaging hybrid powertrain or simply the truck’s commanding presence on the road, but it left a lasting positive impression. My week with it flew by, and I look forward to driving this truck again in the future, and maybe even owning one someday. Until then, I’ll happily continue enjoying my TRD Off-Road, which offers a great balance of capability and value at a lower price point.
