MotorTrend Year-Long TRD PRO review

I have held the same opinion ever since the Pro was released. The Raptor is a completely different vehicle than any other F150; maybe 20% in common? The Pro is an upfitted tundra, but 98% the same as every other tundra. You basically just need an off the shelf suspension kit to make up the difference between a Pro and standard tundra, with the exception of a few cosmetics. You have to make significant changes to an F150 to make a raptor including lots of body mods. Even the trail hunter just looks to me like a Pro with Molle attachments for overlander luggage and extra coffee cup holders.

The Raptor is a dessert toy that can do some truck things; the Pro is a truck that can do some dessert things. They don't really compare. I know lots of guys that buy a Raptor to do truck things, and quickly realize that, while it can do truck things, it's horrible at doing things a basic 1/2 can do (like pulling a trailer without signaling UFO's that you mention).

I'm not hating on either one. But I agree with you 100% that they are not really comparable.

 

There’s no perfect truck, there’s too many boxes to check these days. It’s only perfect after you buy it and then start defending your choice!

 

My 2021 Tundra is pretty close to the perfect truck. It has actually everything I ever wanted on a truck and it will probably last longer than me.

 

I rest my case.

 

I was going to say the same thing, if it wasn't for fuel milage it would be perfect. I'm going to improve MPG when I replace those heavy K02's after they wear out.

 

Funny. I just realized my '23 Tundra is the perfect truck for my use, it will likely outlast me.

 

Sorry, I think I’m being a smartass again. It’s a gift.

 

It is appreciated, it keeps the mood light.

 

Actually I’d call it more of a curse than a gift! Thanks for understanding

 

The ‘smart’ part? Or the ahh… nevermind.

 

I read the review. The author makes some valid points but he fails to hit the mark.

Now I don’t think he’s wrong that the TRD Pro is mediocre in most ways. It is. Frankly the 3rd Gen Tundra is just half baked, overpriced for what you get, and so far plagued with some issues that see the truck not living up to Toyota QDR standards.

Where the author and his colleagues in print automotive media consistently fail is their approach to reviewing any products in the automotive sphere. Publications like Road & Track, Car & Driver, and Motortrend select automotive enthusiasts for their staff and writers. This is a problem.

They love cars that are fun to drive and interesting. If it’s exciting, fast, makes loud shouty noises, exclusive, luxurious or otherwise makes these turds feel special they’ll write a glowing review. They can’t help it. In reality for an actual owner it could be a total shit heap that is in the shop all the time; doesn’t matter to these clowns because they’re not living with them for more than a year much less past warranty. Want proof? Positive reviews for anything Italian, English, or German; they’re almost all disasters for actual ownership but the car rag crowd loves them.

What these morons don’t comprehend is the reality of car or truck ownership for 99.999999995% of people that actually have to live with the damn things and use them as practical transportation every day. So things like reliability, general usability, and practicality receive no more than a paragraph or two. The auto writers want to write about things that are fun and exciting not how well something like a 1/2 ton truck that’s not a performance model actually works day to day as a truck and family vehicle. They just don’t have it in them because they’re hacks.

They should all be forced to buy and keep the Alfa Romeo/BMW/Land Rover etc vehicles they’re always heaping praise on. Make the dumb bastards own each one and daily it exclusively for 10 years and pay for all the maintenance, fuel, and tires out of pocket. Give them a cold dose of reality.

 

The second part.

 

I can’t say I disagree with you…

 

My 2023 TRD Pro 15,000 miles has been great, love the truck.. the only issue.. tires that I complained about, they did nothing... and they are junk...had to install new and went with KO3's and very happy with them.

 

I think a year of recollection is sufficient. I thought it was fair opinion. Raptor isn’t apples to apples with Trd Pro so it was a jab at Toyota for not having a trim level that matched. At least that’s my opinion that the two aren’t really the same.
Toyota is capable of stepping up its game. Offering a more hard core mall crawler. Or just expanding its warranty to stand behind its new truck. Are they Toyota tough or Toyota tinkerbells? Buy one put it to the year test maybe you have more dislikes unrelated to this dudes review. Maybe it soothes your need for reassurance that you bought the best 1/2 ton truck ever made. Hope so! I like mine.

 

I used to think my '23 Tundra was as close to perfect as I could get. I really like how it tows, the hybrid power, interior materials, and the rear air suspension. The Tundra isn't a 3/4T, but it sure does tow well for a 1/2T.

I wish OEMs other than Ram offered the rear air. Its game changing for us pavement queens who tow heavy trailers.

 

I have rear air, but my wife hates it.

 

Thanks. Good criticism.

 

Covered wagon? Not surprised..

 

That's why Toyota has the rear window that rolls down. It clears the air almost instantly when needed!

 

Go in for pretend service twice a month and eat all their snacks...use the bathroom but don't flush or turn the sink water off...after four months call it even. Then never take your truck back to them for any service you can do yourself.

 

when the ad ends ...the tacoma pic shows up

 

Why would I believe anything a publication prints when both the Chevy Citation and the K car won car of the year.


Oh, and the Vega.

 

Don't forget the Pinto!

Or the Gremlin!

 

I used to be the same way. New car every couple of years, 3 years max. Then I started railroading and at the same time moved to South Dakota. I used to really enjoy driving too fast, and needed to settle my ass down. I also enjoy shooting sports and occasional hunting (even if South Dakota hunting tags are tough to get even for a resident), so I decided it was time to buy a truck. That was nearly 17 years ago and I’ve driven it ever since. I estimate it’s saved me $100K net in vehicle purchases by breaking the every 3-4 year new vehicle habit. Plus it helped woah my stupid ass down. I seldom drive our 2015 Chevrolet SS because I inevitably find myself doing go to jail speeds in it. That car is now 9 years old and still going strong, paid off years ago and my wife loves it.

Maybe next year I will buy a new rig for myself. This 2007 Tundra has lasted me over 1/2 way to retirement, perhaps it’s time for a new truck or SUV. I don’t like the 3rd Gen, a test drive of a 2023 Sequoia confirmed it for me that the $65-$70K entry fee didn’t improve my life commensurate with that cost. Maybe a 2025 Land Cruiser or GX550 will convince me to take on a car payment? Time will tell. Most likely this time next year I’ll talk myself out of it and instead focus on stacking cash in the bank or more accurately in my retirement account.