Outdoor writers are a tough audience. They drive their trucks and SUVs into places that sportsmen want to read about and experience. It is their stock in trade. No wonder Toyota brought the 2015 TRD Pro Tundra, Tacoma and 4Runner to the national outdoor writers conference in McAllen, TX last week.
At the same time, a large number of writers and photographers made time to take these very competent vehicles on the ranch trails; and when sportsmen and women take time away from a gun range to get behind the wheel, you can presume that these vehicles caught their imagination.
This was only the second time that people had a chance to drive these new trucks. The first was an event for a small number of auto writers in Las Vegas. I wasn’t included so this was my first opportunity to drive the TRD Pro-outfitted Tundra, Tacoma and (my favorite of the day) the 4Runner, which is one of the only body-on-frame SUVs in the market today. Alas, the FJ Cruiser will be driving off into the sunset after this model year.
Introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February, the 2015 models mark the 35th year of business in U.S. and the Tundra and Tacoma are the only pickups made here. If you like them flashy, a new Inferno red is available in addition to black and white for exterior colors. I suspect that, if you opt for Inferno and yours is a daily driver, the local constabulary will be on the lookout for you.
The new TRD Pro package is available on 4×4 models direct from the factory, or — if you have the previous generation Tundra, Tacoma or 4Runner — you can add it to your existing 4X4 as an aftermarket product package.. It includes:
All of the special features were selected for off-road prowess, but these are comfortable daily drivers, too, since — unlike off-road teams who have dedicated vehicles — when we make a commitment to a purchase like this, we need to know it will function as our regular transportation.
The course we drove was not hugely challenging since it had no hill climb, giant boulders or water, but it did reflect most of the conditions that off roaders encounter; of course, I would love to check out each of these vehicles at Moab. Maybe someday.
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