I Drove a 2025 Tundra TRD Pro—and I Kinda Get It Now
I’ve got Rams in the driveway and a V8 bias tattooed on my soul, so hearing myself say “Toyota truck” feels like blasphemy. But after spending time in a 2025 Tundra TRD Pro demo—Fox shocks, i-FORCE MAX hybrid, big screen, surround view—the thing won me over in places I didn’t expect.
What I Drove (and Why It Surprised Me)
- Trim: TRD Pro (i-FORCE MAX is standard here)
- Powertrain (official): 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid, 437 hp / 583 lb-ft (same output Toyota lists for current Tundra i-FORCE MAX).
- Suspension: TRD Pro hardware with FOX internal-bypass shocks (the TRD Pro package has used FOX hardware since the current gen launched). sunrisetoyota.com
- Tow ballpark: Toyota quotes “up to 12,000 lb” for the Tundra line depending on configuration; TRD Pro specifically is ~11,175 lb per dealer-published specs. Translation: not the max-tow champ in the lineup, but plenty for a car hauler.
- Built: San Antonio, Texas—the Tundra’s home base.
On the road, throttle tip-in is clean and torque comes in early (583 lb-ft says hi). The cabin is straight up X5-level quiet with a widescreen display, 360° camera, trailer aids, and a digital rearview mirror. And yeah—the truck sounds better than a twin-turbo V6 has any right to. I won’t argue speaker magic or active sound tricks; you heard what I heard. The point is: it isn’t lifeless.
The Good
- Ride & control: The TRD Pro’s FOX setup keeps the truck composed over broken backroads. If you’ve daily’d a performance sedan and hate floppy body motions, you’ll dig this.
- Tech that actually helps: Top-down camera, trailer guidance, easy tailgate/step operation. (Toyota’s been steadily updating the software; more on that below.)
- Real U.S. build story: Assembled in Texas with a long in-market history. If you care where it’s built, this matters.
The Question Marks
- Price reality: TRD Pro stickers often land mid-$70Ks and dealers juggle incentives. I was being quoted ~$69–70K on a demo—right where you heard me in the video. You’re paying for hardware and branding.
- Tow rumor vs. spec: A salesman tossed out 13,500 lb. No. The line can do up to 12,000 (right config), and TRD Pro is typically around 11,175. If you need max-tow, spec for it; don’t assume Pro = max.
- Recalls you should know about:
- Rearview camera software (2024–25 trucks; can cause a black screen). Toyota issued a campaign; dealers apply a software update.
- Reverse lamp moisture (earlier 2024–25 builds; moisture intrusion at connectors). Affected vehicles get inspected and repaired under recall. These have triggered temporary stop-sales at times until fixes are ready—ask your dealer to confirm open campaigns by VIN.
Ram vs. Tundra—Where This Lands for Me
- Sound/feel: Nothing replaces a HEMI’s character. But for a non-V8, the Tundra TRD Pro doesn’t feel like a penalty box.
- Capability: I can tow a car and gear without sweating the numbers. If I needed 12k+ every weekend, I’d look at a different Tundra configuration or a HD truck.
- Daily livability: Toyota crushed the NVH and camera/assist tech. It’s a painless daily that still looks and sits like a purpose truck.
- Value: If you’re comparing top-trim to top-trim, Toyota’s “all in” TRD Pro is competitive with what it replaces—even if the Ram still wins on V8 theater.
Quick-Spec Snapshot (TRD Pro, highlights)
- Power: 437 hp / 583 lb-ft (i-FORCE MAX)
- Tow rating (TRD Pro): ~11,175 lb (check your exact build/axle/tires)
- Platform: Current-gen Tundra (TNGA-F) with TRD Pro-specific FOX shocks and off-road tuning sunrisetoyota.com
- Assembly: San Antonio, TX
Bottom Line
If you’re a V8 diehard, the Tundra won’t change your religion—but the TRD Pro might make you skip a sermon. It looks the part, tows what most of us actually need, rides right, and the cabin’s a great place to rack miles. Double-check recall work is done, verify tow needs on your specific build, and if the numbers pencil… I get why people buy these.
As always—stay petty.
