Is the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Being Overlooked?
Tim Esterdahl | Apr 10, 2015 | Comments 7
Over the last few months, we have seen a lot of hubbub on the new Ram Rebel and Ford Raptor. Naturally, this has created a lot of idiotic comparison articles being written for reasons we can only imagine as being for “SEO” and/or uniformed journalists. Lost in the conversation, and frankly for no good reason, is the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Why? Here is our guess.
Attention Ford Raptor, Ram Rebel, Chevy Z71 fans and journalists writing comparisons: This is the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and it just might be the best one on the market.
In case you are living under a rock, the new 2017 (yes, 2017) Ford Raptor was unveiled in Detroit at the 2015 North American International Auto Show. The next day, the 2016 Ram Rebel was unveiled at the same show. Naturally, the timing is part of the reason why the comparisons took place. Yet, the day of the Rebel reveal, the Ram reps were all over us before, during and after the reveal to remind us this “isn’t a Raptor fighter.” Indeed it is not.
The Ram Rebel is really a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro “fighter.” Why? There are many similarities. It has a slight lift, distinctive badging, similar interior and exterior treatments that set it apart. Also, it uses a stock engine and offers suspension upgrades including unique tires and rims.
Let’s compare some of the highlighted features:
This is the 2016 Ram Rebel. Sure looks like a Tundra TRD Pro competitor to us.
Bilstein front and rear shocks; a different steering and stability-control calibration; a softer rear stabilizer bar; 33-inch (LT285/70R17E) Toyo Open Country A/T all-terrain tires; and a one-inch raised ride height providing increased off-road approach, departure, and breakover angles.
Unique exterior/interior badging, paint color offerings and lots of black accents.
Tundra TRD Pro
TRD-tuned springs with 2” lift for the front of the vehicle; Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs; Decreased spring rate to improve ride quality over harsh terrain; All-black 18-inch alloy wheels with 32-in. Michelin LTX AT2 tires; TRD dual exhaust system; TRD PRO quarter panel bed stamping; Unique interior seat color with red stitching; Unique instrument panel ornament insert.
Sounds pretty similar to us and would be worthy of a comparison. Yet, most sites are focusing on the Raptor vs. Rebel vs. Z71 comparisons. Why isn’t the Toyota TRD Pro part of these comparisons?
While, we don’t agree with the logic of comparing a Raptor and a Rebel, comparing a TRD Pro and a Rebel makes a lot of sense to us.
Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Is a Strong Competitor
Remember that time when a stock Toyota Tundra TRD Pro won the Baja 1000? Remember when we compared the 2015 Ford Raptor’s price to the 2015 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and found it was thousands less? Remember when Toyota unveiled THREE different vehicles with their TRD Pro package and not just one? Stirring up some memories?
It is funny how fast we forget in today’s world. Yet, buyers haven’t. We spoke to several Toyota representatives in Detroit after the 2016 Toyota Tacoma reveal who all said, the TRD Pro series is selling really well. In fact, there are plans to bring out an all-new Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro truck based on the new model to meet this demand. Did you forget about that truck? Don’t feel bad, you will probably read a billion Ford Raptor preview and speculation stories before you read about a new Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. This is becoming more and more like the plot of catalog of games ather than what is described initially here. Taking into account this text, it should still be noted that it is possible to improve what is described by introducing game techniques, a striking example of which is the experience of Desura.
In the end, it is hard to lay a finger on exactly who is to blame for these comparisons not featuring the Tundra TRD Pro. Do us a favor, next time you see a stock, off-road truck comparison without a Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, comment and ask them why. When you get the “deer in the headlights” look, you will know what we are talking about.
What do you think? Tired of seeing the Rebel vs. Raptor comparisons?
Filed Under: TundraHeadquarters.com
Like I’ve said in the past, Tundra advertising is not what is used to be–not even close. The TRD Pro series of trucks are great, but where is the aggressive advertising for them? I haven’t checked, but is there a TRD Pro Tundra commercial informing the viewing public that a stock TRD Pro Tundra won the Baja 1000?
Maybe Toyota should let Tanner Foust drive one for Top Gear episode.
Anybody see this:
HALO vs Ford Velociraptor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdIjHlzJlr8
This was totally awesome!
LJC,
That’s a good insight into where are the TRD Pro videos! I found some. I’ll put up a new post.
-Tim
There is a reason Tundra TRD Pro won the Baja; not F150, not Raptor, not Rebel, not Z71.
Sure Toyota could put giant plastic letters all over the truck like Raptor or Rebel, it’s called Fenis Envy.
Those that want a real off road truck know there is a major difference between the brands……That is why the Tundra TRD Pro won.
It is your choice; giant plastic letters or a real truck – Tundra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tymz1iQEVTI
I think the media hypes the Ford because “Raptor”. I mean really. Naming a model using such aggressive terms clearly makes it a better truck, Everybody knows that.
Now if instead of “TRD Pro”, Toyota called it “Tundra Tarantula”, or “Tundra Thunder”, the media would be all over it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but a couple of reviews have already pointed out the TRD Pro lacks a selectable locker, which seems unusual for a truck labeled as an off road truck. ARB offers a selectable locker for both the front and rear for the 2nd and 3rd gen Tundra. Perhaps if Toyota took my advice, made in another thread/article, and made a rear locker standard and the front optional, the TRD Pro would be taken more seriously–look what Cummins is doing for Nissan.
Making an ARB standard would add about $1500 to the price of a TRD Pro and it would still be cheaper than a Raptor. Any real off roader will tell you that a selectable locker is a must and that ARB is the best. One final note: the ARB locker now comes with a 5 yr unlimited mileage warrany, which is BETTER than the standard warranty for the stock unit.
LJC,
You are not wrong and it is a good point about the locker on the TRD Pro. If there was one truck in Toyota’s lineup that the locker makes the most sense in, it is that one.
-Tim
I find the lack of color choice somewhat limiting. I would even extend that to the regular Tundra lineup. The color palette looks like something from a rental fleet.
GM, Dodge, and Ford seem to offer more vibrant and interesting color choices. I’m sure someone studies these things, and maybe that’s not important to truck sales?
Toyota started the Rock Warrior trim as either black or white, and then eventually expanded it.