Key Highlights – 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Hybrid
⚡ Power: 326 hp, 465 lb-ft torque from i-Force Max hybrid
🛻 Capability: 6,500 lb towing, Multi-Terrain Select, crawl control
🏔 Off-Road: Fox QS3 shocks, locking rear diff, stabilizer disconnect
💺 Comfort: IsoDynamic seats, improved driving ergonomics
💎 Tech: Up to 14" touchscreen, JBL audio, Toyota Safety Sense
💰 Price: Hybrid starts at $48,315, TRD Pro tested at $65,730
Before 2024, the Toyota Tacoma went nearly a decade without a complete redesign. That changed with the introduction of the fourth-generation trucks and for the first time, a hybrid powertrain. The Tacoma still has the ruggedness and off-road capability that made it popular to begin with, but it's now more refined than ever.
I recently spent a week behind the wheel of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, which features the new i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. It's more comfortable and easier to drive than its predecessor, and while it might not be the smoothest ride on pavement, that might be a fair tradeoff for a truck designed to tackle serious off-road adventures.
Hybrid Power Brings Real Muscle
Earlier Tacoma models lacked power and refinement, but Toyota addressed those concerns head-on with the new model. The 2025 Tacoma is much more refined on the road, and the hybrid powertrain’s electric motors provide fantastic torque at low speeds. We’re ultimately still talking about a rough-and-tumble pickup truck, but the new Tacoma is a massive improvement over the previous model.
At the heart of these improvements: My test truck's i-Force Max powertrain, which uses a four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to make a combined 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Before going much further, it’s important to note that the updates didn't make the Tacoma quick, and the move to smaller engines didn’t make it much quieter. That said, the i-Force Max’s electric motor helped the truck feel lively and eager, especially at low speeds. It was very effective at helping me dig the Tacoma out of extremely challenging terrain, and it can tow up to 6,500 pounds when properly equipped.
One of the bigger complaints with the previous truck was its jostling ride quality and imprecise steering, but the Toyota improved the Tacoma’s brakes, and its steering system felt more responsive than before, making it easier to dial in quick adjustments off-road. Its suspension was surprisingly stiff, though, and it was a bit unforgiving on rough road surfaces. The Limited trim level comes with an adaptive suspension system that helps iron out the worst imperfections.
Off-Road Capability with Improved On-Road Manners
My TRD Pro test truck came with Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass QS3 shocks, an electronically controlled locking rear differential, a stabilizer disconnect mechanism, and Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select system. The beefy off-road trim also features crawl control and downhill assist control. Some of those features are available for other trims, but the Pro designation on the TRD trim means it’s the most serious Tacoma Toyota offers.
The result is a truck that can tackle serious obstacles off-road, but it wasn't as stable at higher speeds as the related 4Runner SUV. Its selectable driving modes helped tailor performance to the situation, and the crawl control system acted like off-road cruise control, allowing me to focus on steering inputs instead of managing the speed.
Much-Improved Interior and Tech
The Tacoma seats four or five people, depending on the cab configuration. Front bucket seats are standard, but the TRD Pro trim has IsoDynamic Performance seats with dampers that absorbed the bumps and bangs that happened off-road. They were legitimately effective at making rough rides more comfortable.
Earlier Tacoma models had an awkward driving experience that placed the seats too close to the floor, but that issue has been addressed in 2025. The new truck also had good ergonomics for front passengers, with the screens and controls within easy reach. Toyota retained the chunky knobs and controls from previous trucks, which helped it keep its rugged feel, and the beefy buttons made it easier to change settings while wearing gloves or with cold hands.
An 8.0-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster come standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice commands, four speakers, SiriusXM radio, and more. Top trims step up to a 14-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with navigation, wireless charging, a 10-speaker JBL stereo, dual-zone automatic climate controls, and a digital key system.
Toyota recently revised its infotainment system, making it much more intuitive than before. The previous interface was clunky, hard to navigate, and difficult to see in some lighting conditions, but the new system’s much lighter interface made it easier to see and use. It was also more responsive and had a more sensible menu layout, which made it less distracting to use while driving.
Strong Safety Scores and Generous Driver Aids
Pickup trucks aren’t always known for having the most generous safety equipment or the best crash-test scores, but the Tacoma bucks that trend. It earned a 2024 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and comes generously equipped with standard driver-assistance features.
The Toyota Safety Sense package works as expected, and there were no false alarms for forward-collision warnings and other systems. Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, which features an easy-to-see side mirror alert light. Overall, the advanced driver-assistance systems add a layer of peace of mind without being jarring or frightening when activated.
A Luxury-Priced Tacoma
The hybrid Tacoma variants start at $48,315, which includes $1,595 in destination fees. The TRD Pro I tested had a $65,730 sticker price, pushing it into full-size truck price territory. But that money buys one of the most off-road-capable trucks from the factory, and Toyota stepped up its accessory game with the latest-generation Tacoma trucks, offering a staggering number of camping, performance, tech, and appearance upgrades.
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