The Japanese truckmaker had to speed up the development of the midsize truck with the arrival of the all-new Chevy Colorado, Tacoma’s biggest rival. The next-gen model is coming out as 2024 YM. The following season is going to bring a few more things the company won’t launch immediately. And there will be big things. New engines are under the hood, including the I Force Max system. The TRD Pro is not the toughest off-roader in the lineup anymore. Now, it is the 2025 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter. A complete list of grades, cab and bed options will be available once the pickup hits showrooms.
In the meantime, the manufacturer will figure out a couple of things to make the 2025 Toyota Tacoma even more attractive. For example, an electric truck is not an unrealistic option. The company mentioned it, but no time frame for the release was set. Toyota won’t waste too much time since other truckmakers are also working on EVs. Trailhunter and TRD Pro are definitely the most interesting trims. The first one is new and we expect an update on the second one. But, with all the high-end options already available, the question is what can make it better.
The next-gen Tacoma has the tough task to keep the reliability and working capability. A hybrid engine adds power and miles, but truckers are not sure how such a system works when towing. After the release of the next-gen pickup and first reviews, the 2025 Tacoma will be there to fix some of the early noted issues.
2025 Toyota Tacoma Engines
There is a new lineup of engines available for the Tacoma. The truck is dropping an underachieving four-cylinder mill and a thirsty V6. To become more competitive, the 2025 Toyota Tacoma is now available with three configurations based on a 2.4-liter powerplant.
The entry-level setup brings a turbocharged engine. It will deliver 228 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. So, there is an upgrade compared to the previous version. The towing capacity of this configuration is not impressive.
The I Force system improves the situation in all ways. First, the engine now cracks 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The towing capacity is increased to 6,500 pounds, but it is not close to class leaders. Chevy Colorado does 7,700 lbs even without a diesel engine. A manual transmission is available for the I Force engine and it drops outputs to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft. The good thing is that engine offers maximum power even with regular gas.
Finally, the I Force Max is a hybrid system. Power is at 325 hp, torque at 465 lb-ft, and towing capacity is above 8,200 lbs when the truck is properly equipped (TRD Off-Road model). An 8-speed automatic transmission is the only choice here. Depending on the engine and grades, you can choose between RWD and 4WD.
Models
The lineup of Tacoma grades is wide, but the 2025 YM might add another version. The truck is carrying over all the existing versions. Entry-level trims are SR and SR5. The first one will still cost under $30,000. However, do not expect too many goodies. The SR5 is a good upgrade for about $2,000.
The new generation also expands the TRD lineup. The 2025 Toyota Tacoma will offer 4 different versions of this package. TRD PreRunner is the new grade and it comes with base off-road equipment. For more serious tasks, we recommend TRD Sport or TRD Off-Road. Special towing packages are available for the last one. With these, the new Tacoma can tow up to 8,200 pounds. Of course, the top configuration in this section remains the TRD Pro. We still don’t know much about the updates of the package which is now 10 years old. Since there are no better parts available for an off-road drive, the TRD Pro stays the same.
The Trailhunter is the new overlanding package. It was introduced on the latest Tundra. Now, its smaller sibling is also offering this grade. It is more expensive than the TRD Pro, breaching $50k mark. If you are not so interested in off-road performance, the Limited grade comes with premium interior and hi-tech gadgets. But, Trailhunter doesn’t lack any of these.
2025 Toyota Tacoma EV
The key upgrade in 2025 should be an electric truck. A hybrid is already there, and now the race in other segment begins. Other companies are also announcing developments of electric models. Toyota doesn’t want to be second like they did with the new generation of Tacoma. Chevrolet was faster then, and General Motors is launching an electric vehicle every few months.
Pricing
The base 2025 Toyota Tacoma will still be under $30,000. Not too long time ago, we could buy a pickup truck for $20,000. Now, even the upcoming Toyota Stout, a compact pickup, won’t be under $25,000. TRD Pro and Trailhunter will be around $50k.