2023 Tacoma TRD Off-Road vs. TRD Pro: Which Offers the Best Value?

Are you in the market for a new Tacoma? It’s important to choose the right trim level, or you could end up disappointed. One popular comparison is the Tacoma TRD Off-Road vs. TRD Pro models. These are two tough trims to decide between.

I will show you all of the main differences, making it easier for you to choose. In this guide, I reveal both trucks’ performance specs, features and design. 

Overall Features

Before we go deeper into all the different configurations and features, here are the main differences between the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro.

Design and Features

With minimal differences, you can expect great style from either truck. 

EXTERIOR

Beginning with the exterior features, both trucks come with this equipment: 

• Fiber-reinforced Sheet-Molded Composite (SMC) inner bed with steel outer panels
• Deck rail system with four adjustable tie-down cleats and four fixed cargo bed tie-down points
• Sliding rear glass with privacy glass
• Variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle
• Skid plate on engine/front suspension (TRD Pro branded not available with TRD Off-Road model)
• Integrated color-keyed tailgate spoiler

While the TRD Pro is only available as a 5’ bed Double Cab model, the TRD Off-Road comes in these configurations:

• 5’ bed Double Cab
• 6’ bed Double Cab
• 6’ bed Access Cab

Here are the main exterior differences between the two models.

• Lighting: Projector-beam headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and integrated wide-angle fog lights (TRD Off-Road) vs. LED headlights with sequential LED turn signals, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), Rigid Industries® LED fog lights, and taillights with black sport bezels (TRD Pro)
• Front Grille: Gray grille with smoked finish (TRD Off-Road) vs. Heritage-inspired “TOYOTA” front grille with camera, black badging, overfenders, hood scoop with graphic (TRD Pro)
• Wheels/Tires: 16-in. machined-contrast alloy wheels with P265/70R16 tires (TRD Off-Road) vs. 16-in. TRD Pro black alloy wheels with P265/70R16 Goodyear® Kevlar® All-Terrain tires (TRD Pro)

Additionally, the TRD Pro has some unique badging. This trim includes the following:

• TRD Pro bed stamp (side panel)
• Black 4X4 and TRD Pro badge (rear)
• Tacoma badge (driver and passenger doors)

It also comes standard with a power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade, whereas the TRD Off-Road doesn’t. 

Looking at the color options, either truck can be outfitted with these hues:

• Black
• Ice Cap
• Magnetic Gray Metallic

The TRD Off-Road also includes these color options:

• Barcelona Red Metallic
• Celestial Silver Metallic
• Blue Crush Metallic
• Lunar Rock
• Electric Lime

Plus, the TRD Pro can be chosen with Solar Octane.

INTERIOR

As you glance into the cabin of the two Tacoma models, here are the similarities between the two. 

• 10-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support
• 4-way adjustable front passenger seat
• Front dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter
• Power windows and door locks
• Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel

Among the interior, the TRD Pro has a special shift knob, plus the rearview mirror is slightly different.

• Auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror (TRD Off-Road) vs. Auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror and HomeLink® universal transceiver (TRD Pro)

The interior colors are also different. The TRD Off-Road includes Cement Black Fabric as standard, and you can also opt for Black Leather. The TRD Pro only comes with Black Leather with Red Accent Stitching. 

TECHNOLOGY

Neither Tacoma lacks any tech features either. With both trucks, you get these features:

• 4.2” color Multi-Information Display (MID)
• 8” touchscreen display
• Three USB ports
• Android Auto™ 
• Apple CarPlay®
• Bluetooth®
• SiriusXM® with a 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription

However, the TRD Pro comes with Premium Audio and Dynamic Navigation with a 3-year trial.

SAFETY

You never have to worry about safety with the Toyota Tacoma. With both of these models, you get similar features. 

Both models have the Star Safety System™, which includes the following:

• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Traction Control (TRAC)
• Brake Assist (BA)
• Smart Stop Technology® (SST) 

They also come with the Toyota Safety Sense™ P(TSS-P), giving you these features:

• Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
• Lane Departure Alert
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Automatic High Beams (AHB)

Check out the basic features you get as well. 

• Driver and front passenger active headrests
• Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
• Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, and front and rear Roll-sensing Side Curtain Airbags (RSCA)
• Engine immobilizer

The TRD Pro comes with a few extras, including:

• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) 
• Rear parking assist sonar
• Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) with camera

All of these features are optional with the TRD Off-Road. 

(Toyota)

Performance and Capability

Tacoma trucks come in several different configurations, which changes the performance of the model, yet these two TRD trims are quite similar. 

Engine options: Both the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro have the same 3.5-liter V6 engine (278 hp/265 lb-ft).

Drivetrain: The TRD Off-Road comes with two- or four-wheel drive, while the TRD Pro only comes with four-wheel drive. With either motor, you also receive a standard 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i), yet the TRD Off-Road also comes with a 6-speed manual option. 

Suspension: The suspension is the same between the two models. They contain a coil-spring double-wishbone design in the front, a leaf spring rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shock absorbers, and a stabilizer bar. However, the TRD Off-Road has a tuned suspension with Bilstein® shocks, while the TRD Pro has an off-road suspension with 2.5-in. FOX® Internal Bypass coil-overs and rear remote-reservoir shocks.

Towing capacity: To determine towing capacity, the trim level, engine, and drivetrain must all be examined. With Tacoma models, the V6 engine can tow up to 6,800 pounds, but the four-cylinder is only rated for a maximum of 3,500 pounds. 

OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE

With both Tacoma trucks, you can expect these similarities when it comes to off-road performance:

• 9.4 inches of ground clearance
• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)

Yet, some of the angles are different:

• Approach angle (degrees): 32 (TRD Off-Road)/36.4 (TRD Pro)
• Departure angle (degrees): 23.1 (TRD Off-Road)/24.7 (TRD Pro)
• Breakover angle (degrees): 20 (TRD Off-Road)/26.6 (TRD Pro)

The TRD Pro also comes with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC).

Both trucks come with similar drivetrain options:

• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): includes Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD) – only available with the TRD Off-Road
• 4WDemand: Is a part-time 4WD with an electronically controlled transfer case and Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD) – available with both models

ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE

With similar suspension types and tires with both Tacoma trucks, you shouldn’t notice a big difference on the road. The only way to know for sure is to take both trucks for a test drive.

(Toyota)

Price and Value

Tacoma MSRPs vary depending on your location. Here are the typical MSRPs for the 2023 Tacoma models:

That’s a difference of $11,240 between the two trim levels. Plus, these prices change depending on what truck bed size, cab configuration, engine, and drivetrain you choose.

Based on this information alone, the TRD Off-Road offers the best value but may have only some of the features you want.  

(Toyota)

Available Configurations

With the TRD Off-Road model, several possible combinations are available to you. Choose from these configurations.

• Engine: 3.5L V6
• Drivetrain: 2WD or 4WD
• Cab configuration: Access or Double
• Truck bed size: 5’ or 6’

In comparison, the TRD Pro comes in one possible combination. It includes: 

• Engine: 3.5L V6
• Drivetrain: 4WD
• Cab configuration: Double
• Truck bed size: 5’

There are more configuration options with the TRD Off-Road. 

(Toyota)

Should You Buy the Tacoma TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro?

Both Tacoma trucks have a lot to offer, especially if you want to head off-road. There are a lot of features to enjoy, although the TRD Pro comes with even more. 

You can also test drive the other trim levels at a dealership near you to see if something better suits your needs.

Choosing the TRD Tacoma for Your Lifestyle

Whether you are looking to save a little with the TRD Off-Road or you want every feature possible with the TRD Pro, you are sure to love the ride in your new Tacoma. Visit your local dealership to see what’s available. 

Take a minute to look at my other comparisons to see what the other trims offer. There are so many to choose from, so there’s no reason to neglect what you want.