Toyota Tundra TRD Pro
When the third-generation Tundra debuted two years ago it made a splash, courtesy of its twin-turbo V6 powertrains, the most powerful of which was a hybrid. Named the i-FORCE MAX, the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid with a 10-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission outputs 437 hp and remains a centerpoint of the Tundra TRD Pro, which received its first refresh this year.
Whether towing (up to 11,175 lbs) or traversing, Toyota masterfully balances its half-ton pickup truck — the reliability and durability of the powertrain outweighs the constantly shifting transmission, noticeable when climbing up a hill. Standard rear coil springs give the Tundra TRD Pro a settled, grounded ride, boosted by FOX internal bypass shocks, 18-inch all-terrain tires and aluminum skid plates.
At 81.6-inches wide (mirrors notwithstanding) and 78-inches high, the footprint of the truck is more cube than rectangle, a point of exaggeration when the driver of any vehicle glances in their rearview mirror after dark; is it a big rig or a Tundra TRD Pro they see?
That boldness echoes throughout the cabin with the all-new multimedia system. An available 14-inch touchscreen features a pinch-and-zoom function that parrots most phones and tablets. A simple ‘Okay Toyota’ responds like Alexa or Siri — the AI assistant can turn down the audio volume of the JBL 12-speaker with subwoofer and amplifier, leaving the driver free for other more attention-worthy tasks, say, navigating up a frozen road or reversing down a boat ramp.