What is TRD, and what does it mean for your drive time?

What exactly is Toyota TRD? Plenty of people have seen the badging on vehicles when they’re out and about on the roads and realize that it’s something out of the ordinary, but most people aren’t familiar with TRD beyond that. We’re here to break the brand down for you so you have a better understanding of what this facet of Toyota has to offer you and your drive time and you’re ready next time you shop at Toyota of Orlando.

What does TRD stand for?

TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development. This facet of the Toyota brand was developed for racing, but since vehicles intended for racing share so many characteristics with those built for off-roading, it naturally evolved into what it is now – a type of vehicle that’s perfect for tackling different terrain because of its special suspension. Additionally, there are three grades of TRD packages – Sport, Off-Road, and Pro. The higher you go (with Pro being the highest), the more off-road-ready you are.

What do these special Orlando Toyota TRD packages have to offer?

What does each grade or TRD package have to offer? Here’s the breakdown from our Orlando Toyota dealership.

Sport: This TRD package focuses mostly on appearance – making your Toyota truck look a whole lot sportier without really changing much of the performance or engineering. It includes features like a non-functional hood scoop, fog lights, 17″ alloy wheels, TRD graphics inside and out, and a sport-tuned suspension. You can find it most often on the Toyota Tacoma but it’s sometimes up for grabs on the Sequoia and Tundra.

Off-Road: The Off-Road TRD package is most often available on the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Tundra, and Toyota Sequoia; however, it was most recently added to the Toyota RAV4.  It includes features that make your vehicle look different AND enhance its off-roading capabilities. You’ll be able to take things up a notch with a special off-road tuned suspension system, multi-terrain select, CRAWL control, electronically-locking rear differential, and Bilstein shocks. On top of that, the appearance is upgraded with wide-angle fog lights, 16″ alloy wheels, special Off-Road graphics, and an inclinometer with roll/pitch displays. Additionally, this package allows for a greater approach angle – 32 degrees instead of 29 degrees.

Pro: The Pro TRD package is the top dog when it comes to all things TRD. Not only does it include premium off-roading features, it also adds convenience and comfort features that you’d typically find in a high-end model. It includes elements like a power moonroof, a black leather interior with leather shift knob, Pro graphics, a heritage-inspired “Toyota” front grille, and 16″ black alloy wheels. Additionally, it ups your performance capabilities by adding features like TRD Pro Cat-back exhaust, Fox Internal Bypass coil-over springs and rear remote reservoir shocks, a thicker front skid plate, an a suspension system with a 1″ lift. Additionally, the approach angle has been increased to 35 degrees and you’ll even find features like dual-zone automatic climate control and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert thrown in. This TRD package is typically available on the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Sequoia, and Toyota Tundra models.

However, did you know that you can also find TRD packages on other Toyotas that aren’t designed to enhance performance for off-roading? The new Toyota Camry offers a TRD package that takes it up a notch in terms of appearance. People often ask if there’s a TRD Corolla, too – unfortunately, the answer is not right now (as much as we’d love it). They’re in their right to wonder, though. Back in 2000, there actually was a TRD Corolla. It was extremely rare (if you ask most Toyota people about it, they’ll say they’ve never heard of it) and is a road-going version of the AE101 Corolla that raced in the Japanese Touring Car Championship. Obviously, this TRD Corolla isn’t in the lineup today. However, if you really need to get your hands on something similar, the new GR Corolla is headed our way and offers a super-sporty, track-ready performance that you’d find in the TRD Corolla of days past.

So, which one suits you and your drive time needs best? We’ve got good news – you can test drive any and all of them today at Toyota of Orlando. Just give us a call at (407) 298-4500 to schedule your appointment today!

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