The Latest Tundra TRD Pro Isn’t Even in The F-150 Raptor’s Class–And Toyota Fans Couldn’t Care Less
Nope. The 2023 Tundra TRD Pro cannot blast across the desert at the rocketship speeds the top-trim F-150 Raptor was engineered for. And even though the entry-level F-150 Raptor costs about the same as the TRD Pro, it is still objectively better off-road. But the Ford F-150 Raptor is an exercise in excess, a true hypertruck. The Tundra TRD Pro is a mere supertruck, but just might be better than the Raptor at the things you’ll actually use your next pickup for.
The 2022-present Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is an all-new supertruck
Toyota launched an all-new Tundra for 2022. Its top off-roading trim is a capable new TRD Pro. This latest Tundra TRD Pro owes much of its capability to the ground-up redesign of the regular Tundra. The third-generation Tundra is capable, advanced, and a uniquely Toyota truck.
The new Tundra rides on a lightweight yet rigid fully-boxed frame originally engineered for the Land Cruiser. It now has rear coil springs (with air suspension available). Instead of the old 5.7-liter V8, every third-generaiton Tundra has some version of a 3.4-liter twin turbocharged V6. The Tundra TRD Pro boasts the i-FORCE MAX hybrid version.
The Tundra TRD Pro’s V6 and electric motor make a combined 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. As impressive as these raw numbers is how smoothly the truck’s new 10-speed automatic delivers the power. Reviewers found that even towing a heavy boat with the Tundra, it’s easy to forget you are towing anything at all.
One of the best values in the Tundra’s lineup is the new TRD Off-Road package which adds an electronic locking rear differential and Toyota’s suite of off-road driver aids. This software includes a sort of off-road cruise control as well as such an advanced anti-wheelspin system that the locking differential is nearly superflous. Opting for the standalone TRD Pro trim adds a wider stance, a front end leveling kit, and 2.5-inch fox racing shocks. This truck also rides on BBS forged 18-inch rims with Falken Wildpeak A/T tires.
The latest Ford F-150 Raptor is an excessive hypertruck
When Toyota announced the 2022 TRD Pro’s 583 lb-ft of torque I dubbed it a cost-effective Ford Raptor. But then Ford raised the bar. First it launched an F-150 Raptor “37” with a taller lift kit and 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2s wrapped around 17-inch beadlock capable rims. Then it pulled out all the stops with its F-150 Raptor “R” which features an all-new supercharged V8 (which borrows its block from the old Shelby Mustang GT500). This truck makes 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque.
The 2023 Ford Raptor R starts at $109,250. So its unsurprising that this Ram TRX-killer is better than the Tundra TRD Pro ($70,920) at both high-speed desert running and rock crawling. But you can get into a base Raptor for $76,775. And this truck still boasts longer travel suspension than the TRD Pro and 35-inch tires on 17 inch rims (vs the TRD Pro’s 33-inch units).
If you want a gnarly, factory-built off-roader, the F-150 Raptor is objectively a better option. But if you’re a Toyota fan, you will probably still go with the TRD Pro. And for good reasons.
Should you buy a Ford F-150 Raptor or Toyota Tundra TRD Pro?
This choice comes down to your preferences. The Tundra TRD Pro is a true Toyota adventure-mobile. The aftermarket community is already building out countless ways to modify it. And this hybrid has tons of power to pull your off-road toys. Honestly, if you are trading in your beloved Tacoma, you’ll probably fall hard for the latest Tundra.
If you are a fan of full-size American trucks though, the choice is clear. The third-generation Tundra has a spacious cab by modern standards. But it will feel a little bit tighter than a Crew Cab F-150, such as the Raptor. And if you love the sound of a V8, the Tundra’s V6 will disappoint. The V8 sounds piped through the cabin speakers may annoy you even further. A Tundra TRD Pro, modified with a lift kit, may be able to keep up with the Raptor while rock crawling. But it will fall far behind once you open it up in the desert.
Die-hard fans of the Ford F-150 Raptor R will gloat that the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro isn’t even in their truck’s league. And they’re technically correct. But those who love the new Tundra TRD Pro could hardly care less.
Next, find out whether the F-150 PowerBoost or new i-FORCE MAX is more reliable or see how the Raptor and Tundra TRD Pro stack up for yourself in the video below:
