If one vehicle has proven itself to be virtually bulletproof, it is the Toyota Tacoma. The new Tacoma hasn’t had the opportunity to prove itself on the long haul yet, but Toyota’s engineers were put to the test to keep the momentum going and not ruin a good thing. Moreover, the engineers improved everything the Tacoma is about, including a new hybrid powertrain. It may be sacrilegious to purists, but Toyota’s hybrid powertrains have proven themselves in the Prius and other Toyota and Lexus platforms. Plus, the hybrid powertrains give the wonderful advantage of low-end torque, which is excellent for off-roading. If you want to go hardcore off-roading, the new Tacoma gives two options. The first is the TRD version, which is meant for hardcore trail rock crawling. The second was my test vehicle – the Tacoma Trailhunter. The vehicle was designed for overlanding, which means getting off the beaten path and staying out there for a while. Let’s take a look at what makes the Trailhunter special.
Power and Grace
A lot of us get our kicks out of customizing our vehicles for off-roading exactly how we want to do it within a budget. However, there is something to be said for a good off-road package directly from the dealership that has been tested by OEM engineers. According to Toyota, the Trailhunter has been designed from the ground up to be the ultimate overlanding rig and adventure-ready right from the dealer. It is available in either 5- or 6-foot bed Double Cab configurations with bespoke Mineral colored heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed front seats. Standard Old Man Emu (OME) 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks with rear remote reservoirs, a steel rear bumper with rear recovery points, and a modular sport bar with removable MOLLE panels round out the Trailhunter package.
I dug the MOLLE panels and would consider adding some cool off-road accessories hanging off the sides that makes customizing the pickup a breeze. What does not need additional oomph is the powerplant. The 2.4-liter powerplant with its turbocharger is good, but then with the additional torque of the hybrid system it becomes great. I really liked the snorkel on the Trailhunter. Not only would it be useful fjording deep water, but it makes the most amazing turbo noises this side of a tuned WRX. Roll down the passenger window, step on it, and enjoy the soundtrack!
Maximum Off-Road Capability
The Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism can increase articulation with the push of a button, a trick also available on the Ford Bronco. When traction is extremely limited, the available electronically activated locking rear differential can help split power sent to the rear 50/50 between the rear wheels. For the sketchiest of situations, the Trailhunter offers standard underbody protection and recovery points in the front and rear. To look out for obstacles on the trail, the Multi-Terrain Monitor can display multiple views crisply on the available 14-inch touchscreen. The Trailhunter can also pull up to a 6,500-pound trailer and even keep an eye behind the load in the rear!
The Wireless Trailer Camera gets installed on the back of your trailer. It provides a live, high-definition view of what is behind the trailer displayed on the digital rearview mirror. When loaded up for an overlanding trip or towing a boat to the lake, there is a manual headlight leveling switch used for glare reduction for vehicles ahead. The switch is located within easy reach of the driver’s seat. It is adjustable in increments of 1-5. This headlight adjustment feature is new for Toyota, but I see this tech becoming automatic on the Tacoma in future models using an angle sensor. When the high beams are switched on, you even have access to a built-in light bar to illuminate your way.
Nice Touches
One nice touch is that the tailgate is fully motorized. There are buttons to actuate the tailgate on the back of either side of the truck. There is also a button in the cabin that can help you drop the gate. There are just the right amount of hard buttons to access accessories up front, and the 14-inch infotainment screen is crystal clear. The ten-speaker JBL audio system is pretty good, but the icing on the cake is the center speaker. In front of the center channel speaker, you’ll notice a little button. Press it, and the entire center channel speaker separates from the dashboard and becomes a portable Bluetooth speaker! When undocked, the JBL unit can run for up to six hours. It also can be paired with other Toyota JBL FLEX Portable Speakers and can be submerged in up to three feet of water. It is forward-thinking from Toyota and lets you always have a portable speaker on the trail without having to remember to bring and charge one. Add a slamming subwoofer at your local mobile electronics retailer to the interior of the truck, and you’ll be perfect.
The Tacoma Trailhunter is a cool, rough, and ready-to-go pickup. It oozes Toyota quality. It gives the impression you went to an off-road specialty store and dropped a small fortune in aftermarket wheels, tires, suspension, bumpers, and gear, except it all comes from the dealership. Of course, that comes at a price. My tester came in at a cool $65,000. However, this will appeal to folks who don’t want to wait for a custom build or get financing while trading in an older vehicle into the deal. Moreover, there is a warranty on everything. If you have the cash, hitting the trails was never this easy.
