2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro review from Family Wheels

The Tacoma is a truck that hardly needs any introduction at all. It's become a cult classic for people who want a smaller pick-up with great reliability and some solid 4x4 capability, too. Well, the Tacoma has now been given a facelift for hardcore offroad aficionados for 2017. Enter the Tacoma TRD Pro edition. Take a look at our full review for all the details and what fell short.
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Our latest review is here!
"2019 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Review From Family Wheels"
• 2019 Mitsubishi Eclips...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~

[@JonMartin84]

I have one of these. To get the rear seats to be flat you have to pull off the headrest and put it in the two headrest holders on the top of the seat bottom when you flip it up. Its complicated but doable if you're not doing it constantly.

[@FamilyWheels]

Yeah, we had another viewer write in to tell us that as well, Jon. Thanks for the note. Even still, the second row's versatility and space is way less practical than many other trucks on the market.

[@RaunchBox]

Greetings from North Carolina! I purchased this same truck in a manual a couple of months ago. I am 6 foot tall and find the seats to be pretty decent for me. I, however, do not have a family so I don't need to worry there. I have friends about the same height as me and nobody has commented that the space is tight. I have never felt knees pushing my drivers seat from behind. But I do agree it is a small truck. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone over my height. I purchased the TRD Pro because I could still get it with a manual transmission, although extremely hard to find, and for the Fox shock package. What people don't realize about the shocks on these trucks is that they are expensive. I'm talking $1,500USD per shock. This is expensive, however when it comes to a performance shock it's actually a normal price, even in the aftermarket world. I love the way the suspension feels on my truck. I can drive over speed bumps at 50+ mph and you can barely feel them. It's been a fun truck to own and I look forward to seeing how many miles I can get out of it. Thanks for your review!

[@KTMcaptain]

RaunchBox I’m 6’2” and test drove one. I fit just fine. I don’t know why people keep complaining.

[@AW-xv7dq]

Ford Raptor is a great truck but alot of the forestry roads will not allow such a wide vehicle through. This TRD is so nice but its a little steep price wise. Would love to have one but settled on an FJ Cruiser at a great price. FANTASTIC vehicle!

[@yodatrdor9153]

I bought myself a black Tacoma trd off-road just as I like it and I bought my wife a silver Honda Odyssey just as she wanted. I don't complain when I have to take the kids in the minivan and she knows not to complain if she needs to use my truck. Sometimes we complicate things too much 🤦‍♂️ SMH

[@Offshore1977]

If you remove the rear headrests, the seat backs fold into a flat position. There’s holes to store the headrests on the seat bottom. Also, my ‘17 Tacoma has telescoping steering wheel. Weird yours did not.

[@johncruz7502]

2018 TRD Sport, it's perfect for me and my family because we're small! I'm 5'3" my wife is 4'11" and we have a child in a rear facing car seat behind the passenger. And we have 2 small dogs too,

[@johnganshow5536]

Just bought a 2017 TRD 4X4 off road. Having a 3 inch lift installed by Toyota for about $45,000 total.....Can't wait to get out exploring the arizona back country

[@FamilyWheels]

Let us know what you think of it after cruising around for a few weeks, John.

[@johnganshow5536]

Will do, seems so puny without a lift kit. Just got rid of a 2013 Ram 1500...

[@DanielTojcic]

Such a cool vehicle - however I definitely agree with you on the rear seat comfort. They should incorporate the same system as the f150 for cargo storage, increase the legroom, deepen the box (so shallow), and upgrade to disc brakes in the rear. If it incorporated these changes I'd spend the money on one as a small family hauler and do it all vehicle. Not a huge fan of GMC, however I think the Canyon is a sadly a better daily

[@skyisdlimit6125]

There's a reason why there's Tundra. Increasing the size of Tacoma will decrease its functionality as a mid size. Have you seen the previous Tundra, it's even smaller than the new Gen Tacoma

[@DanielTojcic]

Sky Trooper the canyon is practically the same size exterior but with more interior room, still a mid size truck

[@kevindust2712]

They should absolutely not deepen the box. The Tacoma's box is actually useful because you don't need a stepladder to reach over the sides.

[@peterf.229]

I really do not think this truck is marketed for people with families. Im single and am 5'7 so a lot of the stuff about the back seat is moot. I have an 06 Tacoma prerunner, and I love my truck. I just wish it was more offroad capable. maybe someday I will get a TRD pro truck

[@hndzfam]

Love the way you do reviews man. Thanks for all the details and everything you mention. You talk about things that I definitely would not have thought about.

[@jackedfu]

Nice job, so thorough. Pretty much sold me on the access cab.

[@FamilyWheels]

Good to have you watching, Jack. Thanks.

[@marcbaskin3511]

thank you for helping me make a decision. Even though the front seats in the 2020 are adjustable, Ive always wondered about the back seat for kids. I'd be hauling 2 kids (7,10) around and sometimes a 3rd 10 yr old for long road trips, so it was great to hear your back seat review!

[@pilot742]

my buddy ordered a TRD PRO from Indiana and he paid msrp $41,000.00 ordered it and has about a 1yr wait but the dealers in the US are selling them for much less

[@heathnavy1]

Right no clue how the heck he got his numbers

[@FamilyWheels]

Canadian prices, Heather. This is a Canadian channel. www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/vehicles/tacoma/features-benefits#/al/features-trd

[@Skidaddl]

Great review. I have owned Toyotas since my first truck, a 4wd 1980 "Toyota Pickup" (yes, that's all it was called before they named it the Tacoma). I now own a 2007 Tundra Crewmax Limited 4x4 which I've owned since new, and I've owned two 4Runners in the past as well. I recently took a new Tacoma for a test drive because a) I'm getting a bit tired of driving the huge Tundra around as a daily driver, and b) I was annoyed that Toyota didn't do anything to improve the fuel efficiency on the latest Tundra. I have to say that I agree with most of what you are saying here despite my heavy Toyota bias. Even with Toyota's legendary reliability and the Tacoma's offroad capability compared with the GM's (or the Honda which isn't a real truck), I am now considering other options because I'm just not sure the Tacoma cuts it for my needs. Even with the longer box, you can't lay a sheet of plywood or drywall flat in the bed between the wheel wells, there is very little room in the back seat, the front seats and driver position are not that adjustable (and NO POWER!), the headroom up front is less than ideal, etc. As for the box depth mentioned earlier, I actually do like the fact that you don't have to climb up on the rear tire to reach something in the box like I do in my Tundra - and I'm 6' tall. This new Tacoma almost feels as though Toyota has gotten a little big for its britches and has dug its heels in on some of the additional creature comforts and conveniences that we consumers desire that are being offered elsewhere.

[@FamilyWheels]

Good points. Thanks for writing!

[@ricky3506]

Thanks for the review. Been waiting for this one and you didn't disappoint. Great video as always.

[@TheVikingSailor]

The manual does not have crawl control but does have the rear locker and limited slip traction control like the crawl control. On a manual YOU control the throttle. The only thing I dont like about the manual is no push button start. For the $50k price of the pro you should get rear disk brakes, a front locker, and good AT tires like the KO2. Also the manual has the 4.3 gear ratio vs the 3.9 in the auto.

[@Unfinished_sentenc]

My thoughts excellent, candid review. Thank you !

[@marlowe5555]

Terrific review. Thanks from Toronto.

[@skyisdlimit6125]

I believe you haven't done a review on the Ram 1500 yet

[@mikeluke409]

Just bought cement gray '17 tundra trd pro a couple weeks ago. Love it, but only complaint is the lack of creature comforts.

[@Solstice611]

Nice review Paul. You have been busy with all the reviews you have been putting out! Gees

[@FamilyWheels]

Solstice611 haha... it has been a busy couple of weeks!

[@RobDaman]

The Pro parts are pricey if you want to upgrade your non Pro taco. Headlights are $1400 I believe. The grill is $400+ which are selling like hotcakes. $400 skidplate that's just aluminum. Wheels are priced fairly though. Resale is going to be highest on the Pro and manual will be really rare. I'm happy that my OffRoad TRD DC is a manual.

[@FamilyWheels]

Hi Rob, this comes down to whether you want a project truck or the convenience of picking it up off the lot and driving it right to the trail head. Don't forget the shocks and reservoir suspension kit, the slight lift, different overall front end look, etc. Add it all up and I think Toyota has put together a pretty great package for off roaders.

[@RobDaman]

I agree. If someone wants to replicate a PRO it will cost more to do it after the fact and also even though every Taco has high resale value a Pro will sure be more if kept stock and damage free.

[@robb.675]

For the price they're asking, this truck should have at least 1 power seat, and rear disc brakes instead of rear drum. They seem a little behind the times.

[@vicwiseman6038]

Wow, thanks for the interior review. I am now likely will be going with the Tundra TRD Pro. I want a truck that I can transport my family in and still be able to throw my motorcycle in the bed. SUBSCRIBED!

[@RTD62]

The fact that the Tacoma has no seat height adjustment is a deal killer for me. I am 6'2" as well and cannot find a way to get comfortable. I am giving consideration to the Canyon and even the Ridgeline for the comfort. After all, how you feel in the seat is everything ultimately.

[@FamilyWheels]

That really surprised me as well, during the test!

[@gennasmithers6971]

great review, thank you!!

[@kevindust2712]

You're not folding down the rear seat correctly. It does fold flat and there is no requirement to move the front seat forward to do so. Simply remove the headrest and store it in the holes on the seat bottom.

[@FamilyWheels]

That's great to hear, Kevin. Thanks! It still isn't nearly as streamlined as many of the other competitors, though. And when folded down, the storage height is too high to use for dogs or safely stowing heavy items. If there was an accident, the tools or ski boots or whatever would travel easily from the back of the cab to the front, which could cause major injury. If the load floor was lower, there'd be a greater likelihood of containing the item to the back seat. Toyota could make some big improvements to the usability of its second row in the Tacoma.

[@DanielTojcic]

Family Wheels I have to agree. Take a cue from Ford, simply lift the rear seats with one hand and they fold away to reveal a flat floor. Perfect for dogs

[@Skidaddl]

Not only that, but with the hard plastic on the seatbacks, anything not securely tied down will slide all over the place, and possibly become projectile. This is exactly why I've almost never transported any gear in my Tundra this way.

[@jonathan.lavoie]

Thanks for the review! I'm coming from a 2nd gen access cab Tacoma and your thoughts on the double cab rear seat rules it out for me. I have a rear facing car seat in my access cab and this double seems to be almost as tight which is surprising. Would love to see a review on the 4Runner, especially one with the optional 3rd row.

[@kevindust2712]

I have a 2016 Tacoma double cab and have a rear facing child seat behind the front passenger. While the passenger seat does have to move forward a couple of notches, I am 6'2" and I can sit comfortably in front without having my knees hit the dash.

[@FamilyWheels]

Go check this for yourself, Jonathan. These are not the results we saw in our tests and we intentionally us a very average sized rear facing car seat for our tests.

[@takedownartist1]

Just downsized from a 2016 4door Chevy Silverado . I have 3 car seats in the back of my taco. Rear facing sits in the middle. Perfect truck. This is my 4th Toyota truck 2nd Tacoma. More power than the old ones, better suspension, lots of off road features. I got it to take my family on camping and beach trips and daily driver. Bought a shell, all the storage I need. We also have a 4Runner with a 3rd row. A little more cabin room in the 4Runner, different purpose vehicle. Love both, but I get excited to drive my taco.

[@mountainhobo]

Interior ergonomics in the Tacoma are stone age, and I say that as a long time repeated Toyota owner. Tacoma needs a serious overhaul.

[@joepop46-6]

I heard the Tacoma driving position is best for people around 5’10”(Average height for a man)

[@johna.6725]

Thank you for the video!👌

[@MrBury74]

I love this truck but these compact trucks are way too expensive. I just saw a lifted new f150 for less

[@BEARSTORM94]

best car reviews on YT

[@FamilyWheels]

Thanks! That's great to hear.

[@skylerdylan1005]

The seat height adjuster is a deal breaker for me. Other than that, I want this truck.

[@SNS1212]

I want this truck so bad but with the shortcomings you highlighted - I'm out.

[@Joe-eg7ml]

i agree with the usable interior space in the tacoma. its pretty tight. imo the f150 supercrew is the best when it comes to that and the new titan crew comes in at 2nd.

[@tvanb]

Dan Rigsley are you a raisin?

[@ramenthenoodle_]

Torrey B must be lmao

[@kevindust2712]

Those are both full size trucks. Not to mention, a comparably equipped F150 costs $18K more (MSRP), or $10K more (street value), than a Tacoma TRD Sport.

[@surunner455]

Exactly. Completely different class of truck.

[@Joe-eg7ml]

I know they are in different class but i was looking at comparable price point. Can get a f150 xlt supercrew v8 4wd with some option for 42.5k $ otd. I look more at pricing...why get a midsize priced truck when u can get a full size.

[@evolnivlek]

HIt the nail on the head with the interior room. I loved my 4door tacoma, but with a family of 4, it just wasnt ideal.

[@FamilyWheels]

Yep, deceptively tight back there.

[@Ryno-fp7pm]

kelvin lovelace Since your avatar is an FJ40, I clicked on it. Love your IS 1UZ swap. I'm doing one (93 non VVTL) in my 89 2WD reg cab pickup.

[@evolnivlek]

Thanks man. You will like the 1uz. It sounds amazing. Most people have no idea what v8 i have. The FJ40 in my avatar has been completely torn down. Im building a new frame for it and I also have a 1uz for it. Right now I'm deciding between keeping it a 40 or stretching it into some sort of 45 looking truck buggy thing.

[@Ryno-fp7pm]

kelvin lovelace If you don't mind, I'll follow you. I'm doing a frame off restoration of my father's 65 FJ40. I'm early in the stages, still disassembling. I have thought about a 2UZ/H151 combo. Interested in seeing your progress.

[@evolnivlek]

Ryno5150 check my instagram. @evol_nivlek for more updates and all my current junk. it's not much but I have fun. I rebuilt my 40 once before. 3 link coilover front with fj60 rear leaves. sitting on fzj80 axles and 37s. this next build will still have 80 axles but sprung under 2wd, with airbagged radius arms up front, chopped top, lexus v8. I have a vision, we'll see if it comes to fruition.

[@michaelduong3852]

love the way the tundra looks, but here in australia, we can only import them and have someone convert them into right hand drive. And i would also love to try and fit the manual transmission to my toyota aurion.... wonder if they would fit...

[@616_overlanders9]

What's wrong with all you people including the person that made this pro review. Your talking about the pros seat is not comfortable. I own one myself and I drive it daily. I also drove it across the United States and find no issues with it. I don't know why most reviewers complain about this and that about the tacomas. Why is it the best selling midsize truck than? It doubles and even triple the sales of the canyon, frontier and Colorado.

[@Bryan46162]

People buy a boat load of cigarettes every year. Doesn't mean it's the best product for you.

[@ChrisHouseHobby]

I wanted a Tacoma... couldn’t fit rear facing child seats in. Bought a 4Runner. I really want a truck though and not a huge tundra

[@FamilyWheels]

Yeah, just a few more inches in the second row would make a world of difference!

[@samadrid6321]

Last year my 1987 Toyota pickup was stolen. Talk about stripped down! The '87 had no radio, no back bumper, no AC, no cruise control, no power (probably 110HP). I hear these guys bitch about no back camera, the seats are not comfy, the AC is too cold. After my truck was stolen I looked at the Frontier, and now way! Too much cheap plastic, shitty body design. So I found a 2002 Tacoma TRD 2WD, automatic, six cylinder, and talk about an upgrade! I absolutely love the truck. It only had seventy thousand miles and looked low mileage inside and out plus the CarFax verified. I just can't justify getting one of these great big, five foot short bed SUV looking overblown trucks. I'm old school

[@ep6606]

So what your saying is, the ZR2 is much better......i agree.

[@terryf1957]

Not a bad review but given you're (me too) Canadian, I would have preferred to see a little more about how it performs in snow and ice conditions.

[@skyisdlimit6125]

I like it the way it is, less bling bling less head ache like its big bro Tundra.

[@howtobehuman969]

Would love to see a review of the Colorado ZR2!

[@FamilyWheels]

I would too, James! But I don't get vehicles from GM for testing. The only major manufacturer that doesn't send us cars.

[@howtobehuman969]

I was wondering, but then I saw where you did a Canyon. Sad day! I have a 14 month old son and looking for a truck to take on long road trips/adventures with. I love your reviews! I think the Tacoma is going to be too small, so I'm leaning towards the Tundra, but I was just curious about the ZR2.

[@minnesotaco8880]

Tundra is a huge 5.7 lot of gas and some times wasted space n to big on some off road trails n heavy I had tundra traded it in on 2018 cement Tacoma and have family if they don’t fit then they don’t come

[@victorcreed8856]

Agreed. It's a cool truck...BUT...$53,000?! If you march yourself into a Nissan dealership, you can get yourself into a new Frontier Pro4x, which gets you everything in the TRD Pro minus crawl control and remote reservoir shocks, for about $15,000 less. Buy some Fox shocks for a few hundred bucks, bolt 'em on and you have a truck every bit as capable. Plus, drum brakes and a channel frame? Come on Toyota!! What year is it?

[@victorcreed8856]

I think he's giving the Canadian price. In my part of the country, I've seen them here anywhere from $54,000-$58,000

[@roberttophan9314]

@familywheels are the fog lamps available for the trd off road?

[@FamilyWheels]

I don't believe you'll be able to get this specific fog lamp off of the TRD Pro package. But you can always go after market, if you really want them.

[@caoYB]

What rig do you use on you drive-by pan shot? looks like a electric-auto rig.

[@FamilyWheels]

caoYB that's shot with a DJI Odom. Cool camera!

[@caoYB]

Thanks

[@larryspiller15]

you can get a heck of a truck with 53k when ford, gm, and ram are having there 10k+ off deals

[@FamilyWheels]

Yep, that's true. The domestic brands generally have far better incentives and financing deals. Thanks for watching, Larry.

[@angelaschoendienst8252]

53k....Canadian Dollars

[@vuemouam3r1]

beatuin

[@larryspiller15]

Angela Schoendienst yes sir I'm Canadian.

[@guyproulx1660]

larry Spiller Why do they need to knock off 10k + off their trucks?

[@marcolcorreia]

lets see who sells the most midsize trucks- hint bet you Toyota Tacoma

[@Jableskuller]

toyota interior is cheap compared to ford gmc and Chrysler. you sir have no idea what you speak of. boring yes but cheap no. gmc ford and fiat have always been know to use McDonald's trays for all their interiors

[@FamilyWheels]

Thanks for writing, James. Historically, I'd agree but hop into a GMC Canyon and the company has really upped its game while Toyota has rested on its laurels a little too long. Seat comfort, driver adjustability, interior noise, amenities, safety features and materials don't match up with the $53k price tag. But as a reliable, capable off-roader with great exterior looks, this latest Taco is fantastic.

[@Jableskuller]

I have always felt the exact same way with the big 3. You can't put the same materials in your cheapest car and also in the most expensive truck unless they are really good. They then try to sell it all based on features telling you it has more. You don't need the lights in your door sills that can change colors. I myself would take proven long life items over putting new amenities in that will eventually break.

[@guyproulx1660]

James Kuller I agree, the interiors of the big 2 and Fiat might look good at first sight but when you really start looking they all look like they were made by Tupperware lol

[@DjElpaso]

Lmao nope. Toyota beats all American brands. Only GMC comes close.

[@damiansmith391]

So basically if u r over 6 foot dont buy this truck?

[@FamilyWheels]

Not going to lie, Damian, it's tight for taller people in both rows of this truck with limited adjustability in the driver's seat (even on higher trims). But there are plenty of tall people who cram themselves into these trucks and say it's totally fine.

[@flycubfly]

I’m 6’1” and I find that the front seat height is perfect for me and quite comfortable on long trips . I don’t get all the whining that’s coming from several reviewers . And the “ electric seats “ thing ,,,, really ! Why ? It’s a friggin truck . They are already way to sissified .

[@TalkingTorque]

NIce!

[@pudge9161]

My AT 2018 was 46,000 not 53,000 out the door.

[@FamilyWheels]

Are you based in the US? We're talking Canadian pricing here. That might explain the discrepancy.

[@noofyinc3198]

Ya, fuck Toyota, nickel and diming you and cheaping out on their products, the profit margin on these is huge for them.

[@sabryahmed8090]

It's to much I pay for main 34k

[@edchen6049]

Honda Ridgeline is not a real truck!

[@FamilyWheels]

Perhaps not, Ed. And I wouldn't put these trucks in the same room when it comes to offroad capability but my point was that it has a far more functional second row.

[@Bryan46162]

I dunno. The Ridgeline has a far more usable bed, considering you can fit full sheets of drywall or plywood flat AND has a higher payload. But I do agree that the tacoma is going to do better offroad. Be carefull you're not confusing 'truck' with 'jeep.'

[@faroff22]

Needs more horsepower as well

[@FamilyWheels]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. My dad actually bought a 2017 Tacoma with the V6 and spending lots of time in it on windy, country roads... its power to fuel efficiency ratio is way off.

[@elclavo1]

TRD offers a supercharger. If installed by a professional, does not void warranty

[@gwot]

Toyota offered the supercharger for the 2nd gen (previous gen), for the 4.0 engine and not the new 3.5. and you can't even buy that supercharger anymore because it's now discontinued. and it has to be installed by Toyota technicians, not just any professional. but that's close to another 10k for parts/labour

[@larryspiller15]

shouldn't pay a penny over 45k cad for this. Toyota is off their rocker

[@kevindust2712]

Agreed. This should cost $3-4K more than a TRD Off Road, not $10K more.

[@DanielTojcic]

larry Spiller the Colorado ZR2 just unveiled its Canadian pricing and it starts at $44k with front lockers and four wheel discs and a new 8 speed. Toyota would be smart to drop their pricing or at least be flexible when presented offers

[@larryspiller15]

Daniel Tojcic but do you think the dealer will actually sell them for that price? I have a bad feeling it might have a bit of raptor syndrome where they mark it up a fair bit. Pretty big chevy fan though so i hope my guess is wrong.

[@DanielTojcic]

larry Spiller we'll have to wait and see

[@kevindust2712]

In the age of the internet, it's incredibly easy to avoid paying additional dealer mark-up. I guarantee that there is a GM dealership within 150 KMs of any major city in Canada that will gladly accept MSRP for any vehicle in their stable. Same with Ford or Toyota. All you have to do is spend an hour online, email every internet sales manager in the general area and ask for their best price. Even 2016 GT350s were available at MSRP if you shopped around. 2017 GT350s and Focus RS' can now be had for less than MSRP in Canada.

[@edwinstorz702]

My 1994 Mazda 4x4 gets 22-25 MPG average, that is a crying shame, pay 50,000 Bucks for what, i guess to look better than, well to me that is dumber than!!! People will believe anything, only if i could lie and not get put in Jail for fraud, so where can a Man get a License to lie? Only in America!!!!

[@bikes7777]

Speed up, those cars are passing you like you're standing still!

[@michaeloloughlinsr.7809]

Grill Amazon $400 wheels $800 tires crap bfg is the way to go suspension ok lift fox $1000 at 4x4 store crawl who uses it if ya know how to drive leather vs cloth msrp is $43000 dealers are fucking folks costs more than my Lexus GS f sport loaded the tundra is cheaper than Tacoma !!

[@77teahupoo]

Boring