What Are the Differences Between the Tacoma TRD Trims?

Almost from the moment the Toyota Tacoma first hit streets and trails in 1995, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) has played a role. What began as an aftermarket supercharger kit for the original 3.4L V6 engine has grown into a whopping four Tacoma trims featuring TRD branding. With the fourth generation of this midsize pickup arriving for the 2024 model year, Toyota has continued offering the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro while bringing back the TRD PreRunner from the second generation.

If you’re looking at a Toyota Tacoma for sale, you’re likely wondering which one you should choose. While each is a high-performance truck, there are notable differences depending on what type of driving and exploring you plan to do. We want to be sure you get the correct Tacoma, so we put together this Tacoma TRD trim guide so you can easily see the most important ways they’re alike and how they stand apart.

Powertrain Options

We’ll start with what powers each version of the Toyota Tacoma TRD. The TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road all use the baseline 2.4L i-FORCE turbocharged engine. At 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, it’s no slouch in the midsize truck market. If you want the biggest and baddest Tacoma engine ever made, the Tacoma TRD Pro comes standard with the new i-FORCE MAX turbocharged hybrid. It boosts output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, numbers that rival the full-size Tundra. You can upgrade the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road with the i-FORCE MAX, but not the TRD PreRunner.

All 2024 Tacoma TRD trims come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission that adjusts its shift points based on whether you’re on uphill, downhill, or flat terrain. You can get the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road with a six-speed manual transmission, but only if you choose the base i-FORCE engine––and the output drops to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque in this configuration. The TRD Pro adds a cold air intake to maximize the feisty i-FORCE MAX powerplant.

As for the drivetrain, the Tacoma TRD PreRunner is only available as a rear-wheel drive (RWD) truck, but it does include an automatic limited-slip differential to give you more traction in slippery conditions. Meanwhile, Toyota’s 4WDemand part-time four-wheel drive (4WD) is available on the TRD Sport and standard on the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro. This setup includes an electronic locking rear differential, an electronic two-speed transfer case, and active traction control to let you veer away from the main roads or head for a closed course confident in your truck’s grip.

Suspension and Performance

Next up is how each truck handles. While all four trims use the same independent double-wishbone front suspension, the Tacoma TRD PreRunner has a leaf spring rear suspension like traditional trucks. The other three trims receive a modern coil spring rear suspension. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro also get Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, Crawl Control, and Downhill Assist Control to navigate various environments. The TRD Pro comes standard with a stabilizer bar disconnect mechanism for improved articulation, which you can also get on the TRD Off-Road as an optional upgrade.

For the cherry on top, the TRD Pro receives a special off-road suspension package consisting of Fox QS3 adjustable coil-over front shocks and remote reservoir rear shocks. Among many other benefits, this gives drivers a one-inch front lift and a half-inch rear lift to get over obstacles and crests. One small disadvantage of the Tacoma TRD Pro is that its towing capacity is slightly lower, clocking in at 6,000 lbs versus the 6,400 lbs of the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road.

Body and Exterior

While each truck is unmistakably a Tacoma TRD, there are some design differences. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road each have a two-row double cab and can come with a five-foot or six-foot bed. The TRD Pro, like all i-FORCE MAX models, is only available with a double cab and five-foot bed. The Tacoma TRD PreRunner is sold exclusively with the single-row XtraCab and a six-foot bed. A deck rail attachment system with four adjustable tie-down cleats and matching fixed cargo bed points is standard across the range. Trucks with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain also get a 120-volt bed AC power supply capable of supplying 2,400 watts.

All four TRD trims have aluminum alloy wheels, but they are 18 inches on the TRD Pro and TRD Sport and 17 inches on the TRD Off-Road and TRD PreRunner. For lighting, each truck has automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lights. LED bed lighting is an optional package on the TRD PreRunner and standard on the other three trims. Both the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro have a front skid plate; the TRD Off-Road plate is composite, and the TRD Pro plate is aluminum. The TRD Pro also has a black performance exhaust, a high-clearance front bumper, an ARB steel rear bumper with red tow hooks, and a heritage front grille with a light bar.

Interior and Convenience

Now, it’s time to climb into the TRD trims. The three lower trims have front seats with six-way manual adjustment and fabric trim. In the TRD PreRunner, you can fold the passenger seat flat for extra cargo space. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road are upgradable to heated and ventilated front seats with fabric or SofTex-trim, eight-way power adjustment, and four-way lumbar support. For ultimate comfort, the Tacoma TRD Pro has exclusive IsoDynamic damping performance front seats with heating and ventilation, six-way power adjustment, four-way lumbar support, and two-way reclining.

In the rest of the cabin, the manually tilting and telescoping steering wheel is leather-trimmed on all trims, but only the TRD Pro has a heated steering wheel standard; this is an optional package on the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road. The same applies to the power moonroof, power sliding rear window, digital rearview mirror, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The 60/40 split rear bench seat has under-seat storage in the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road.

Technology and Media

Finally, no modern vehicle guide is complete without going over the tech options. Common features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a pair of USB-C ports, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, push-button start, and an available Wi-Fi hotspot. An eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with four speakers is standard in the TRD PreRunner, while the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road get six speakers. The following goodies are standard on the TRD Pro and part of optional packages on the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road trims:

• 14-inch multimedia touchscreen display
• 10-speaker JBL sound system with a portable Bluetooth speaker
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Pre-wired auxiliary switches
• Digital Key to lock, unlock, and start the truck using your smartphone
• 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor viewing system
• Integrated trailer brake controller with Trailer Backup Guide

Safety-wise, each truck gets the full Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance package with Blind Spot Monitor, Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, and more. One feature exclusive to the TRD Pro is a head-up display for viewing additional info.

Get the Right Tacoma TRD at San Marcos Toyota

Each Tacoma TRD trim has its place for Texas drivers. The Tacoma TRD PreRunner is an entry-level off-road performance truck with all the essentials. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road are highly customizable performance midsize pickups, with the TRD Sport geared more toward on-road fun and the TRD Off-Road aimed at getting away. Finally, the Tacoma TRD Pro is the best of everything Toyota can offer for midsize truck enthusiasts who want to do it all. The team here at San Marcos Toyota can help you decide which Toyota Tacoma TRD is right for you. We serve drivers from Austin to San Antonio, providing the knowledge they need to make an informed decision, so call us or stop by to set up a test drive and find the Toyota Tacoma of your dreams.