Engineer’s Review of the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Lunar Rock
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- Опубликовано: 11 дек 2020
- Engineer’s Review of the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Lunar Rock. Authentic and detailed review by an Automotive Engineer. This is the all new color for Tacoma TRD Pro. This is an unbiased, full review. Please also see new series on "Life with Tacoma TRD Pro" in my channel.
With a new 2023 Toyota Tacoma just a few years away, should you wait for that or is this 2021 more than good enough to hold its own?
My reviews are very different because I have over 30 years of experience working as an Automotive Engineer and Evaluation Specialist. My education background includes Mechanical Engineering degree combined with Executive Certification from both MIT and Harvard in Boston.
I will share with you insights and wisdom that no other reviewers can share, because of my direct and relevant experience in evaluating cars as a specialist. To put it simply, I won’t waste your time talking about “brochure info” like horsepower, fuel economy, or option list that can easily be obtained through the web or at your dealership. 80% of car reviewers spend 80% of their time talking about things that you can get on your own. Instead, I will focus my energy and my review on things that you CANNOT get from the web or on your own: the driving feel, the road experience, and industry insights about this vehicle.
I will also “audit” the car using special automotive quality technique, and show you the level of quality through auditing body gaps, body tolerances, and paint reflection. Finally, I will talk extensively about how the car or truck feels on actual road when compared to its competitors, because the ride and drive feel are critical to your overall ownership satisfaction. Let me share with you insights that no one else can.
Automotive Press International is an industry-recognized expert in the field of automotive evaluation. 
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Awesome, informative review. Thank you!
You're very welcome! Please subscribe for more reviews! I plan to upload every week.
What else would you like to know about this vehicle? Please let me know by commenting below and I will do my best to respond to your questions.
What a fantastic truck and beautiful city. I like your comments regarding the Honda Ridgeline not being a true truck, more like an suv. I love my Tacoma TRD Pro in army green.
Great review. It’s the most gorgeous beautiful truck. Best truck out there imo.
Thank you so much! It is definitely an amazing truck and has great styling even though it's now getting a bit old in design.
instablaster...
I was waiting for an engineer's view of the engine and transmission. How about DIY of the maintenance. How do you check the oil and transmission.
Thank you! I enjoyed getting the perspective an automotive engineer! I traded my 2017 TRD Pro for a 2020 because of the significant number of upgrades. I was pleasantly surprised at how much value the '17 retained. I might trade the '20 if Toyota increased the horsepower...say to 328hp!
Yes the TRD Pro's retain crazy level of resale value! I also owned the 4Runner TRD Pro and that didn't lose much money either. And it's definitely worth upgrading to the 2020 Tacoma because of the various upgrades such as the power seat, apple carplay, and many more. Enjoy your ride!
Is it worth getting the off-road version for the locking diff over the sport models that do not have the rear locking diff? I live in central canada where we get some crazy snow storms, but even for trails is the locking diff worth it? Also the sports get a 6' bed where the off-road get a 5' bed.
Are you for or against under coating? I just bought a 2023 Tacoma trd pro and the salesman sold me in the undercoating since we live in New England ma get a ton of salt. Claimed 7 year warranty and was $450
Love the video. Can you do tundra lunar rock review?
Thank you! I will do my best to find and access the Tundra TRD Pro, though it's really hard to find it in lunar rock right now.
Still looking for the lunar rock Tundra for review.... I might be able to get hold of non-lunar version. Fingers crossed.
I love my 2018 TRD OR 4x4 DC best vehicle I have ever owned
It's a great truck all around for sure! All versions of the Tacoma are great!
Really great review! I've been looking at a midsize truck for my next vehicle and I keep coming back to the Tacoma. How do you find the seating position? I have yet to test drive one and I'm' 5'5" so I think I'll be fine but I've come across comments that some people just can't get comfortable in them.
The pre-2020 model didn't have a power seat, and so those models were a problem in terms of seat comfort. But 2020 and 2021s are avail with power seat which makes a huge difference. It is much better and so I don't think you will have a problem - just keep in mind that the range of the seat motion still isn't as generous as I've seen in Ford/GM trucks but it should be fine for most people. Definitely take out the Tacoma for a multiple test drives (not just once), it's the only way to ensure that the truck works for you.
@@AutomotivePress Good advice, thank you!
@@shane.henderson You're welcome! Make sure that you ask the dealer for extended test drive (like 30 min) instead of the usual 15 min or so, to test out the truck fully. Also, try to test drive 2 to 3 times in different conditions (daylight, night, rain etc) so that you can see how it feels in all conditions. You would know if you like the truck after driving it a few times. Good luck with your purchasing!
I just purchased this same truck in black. So far I like it. Great review by the way.
Congratulations! Yes it's a great truck and it has "aged well". Are you planning to do a lot of "mods"?
@@AutomotivePress The only things I have added are the Predator Side Steps and the Bed Mat and that will probably be all I will do. I will not add anything that will void my warranty for the first three years. :)
@@buffalo241 Good choices! I bought some cupholder liners from amazon and added bed lights. But yes, good idea to keep everything original for both resale and warranty purposes. The truck is already so capable. I do plan to add bedrug as well.... enjoy the beautiful truck! What color is yours?
@@buffalo241 those predator steps are horrible for off roading. They will def get bent up and eventually rip off. If you off road with your trd pro, just a heads up. Kills any break over angle you would’ve had without the predator steps.
@@andyham6094 Mine is black.
I love the TRD Pro videos, thanks! On that note, I know the term "car" is universal for a motor vehicle, but when referring to a Tacoma, especially the TRD Pro, calling it a "car" doesn't work. "Truck" is definitely warranted.
Absolutely! It's just my habit of calling all cars and trucks as "cars" since many SUVs and Crossovers are based on car chassis these days. But yes, the Tacoma is definitely a "truck"!
I keep hearing it needs more power. I've driven my 2020 TRD Pro 15,000 miles without ever using all the power it has. I think it is adequate.
It does have a rear defroster its between the 4 wheel drive and AC temperature selector dials.
that's just the front window/side window air defroster, not the electric grid defroster for the rear window which is what I was referring to. But anyways you don't really need it in the Tacoma because the air defroster works quite well to clear all of the windows
@@AutomotivePress I think Ray Hernandez is referring to the heated mirror button
Do all have tacomas hydraulic steering? I just bought a 2020 TRD OFF ROAD
Yes all Tacomas (and Tundras) use good--old-fashioned hydraulic steering. Hydraulic type always produce better steering feel (more natural), but car companies switched over to electro-mechanical type because they save fuel (about 1 to 4% better fuel efficiency). Most trucks still use hydraulic but almost 99% of the cars and SUVs are all electric steering. Congrats on your purchase!
We should be happy that at least the Tacoma's and Tundra's are still hydraulic, though I suspect that the next generation Tundra (coming out summer/fall 2021) will more than likely go to the electric steering system - not to mention that the V-8 may also be gone at that time.
I appreciate the pointing out gap differences/ exterior body/most people would not even consider. An eye for detail, and I bet if the truck was made in Japan- it would have failed final inspection. But great commentary and fair- beautiful truck/
Thank you very much for your comment! I am a automotive body engineer by trade and worked in Japan for a number of companies including doing work for Toyota, so I have a keen eye for quality. One good thing about the Tacoma is that you can use a rubber hammer and adjust the tailgate somewhat, and re-align the gaps like a pro!
@@AutomotivePress ah yes, I see. Funny thing too, I would also notice that in a walk around -that gap infraction. Good to know it’s an easy fix: but u shouldn’t have to mess with a new one! I would have gotten a further discount. lol
I am currently looking at army green/ pro
trd dbl w/ manual shift/ but would settle for auto/
Western pa USA/ all the best sir/
@@jackk1583 I hope you find an army green TRD Pro in manual, that's a unicorn for sure!
@@AutomotivePress ha ha great answer.
I suppose if i could get an automatic at the bargain basement.........i could suffer with it. lol
-best
@@jackk1583 Let us know when you find one, would love to see it
Great video review. Are you sure your Tacoma is manufactured in TX? I have the same exact truck and love it!
Yes this one is built in Texas. You can just open the driver's side door and look at the stamped info sheet attached to the door jamb area - it will tell you where it was built.
@@AutomotivePress Thanks. Also, are you considering any rust prevention for your Tacoma? I'm currently researching options to protect mine from the salt-treated roads in my area.
@@jimchou9916 Fortunately I live in mild climate west coast, so I don't need to worry about this. But it maybe a good idea to do some form of rust proofing underneath. You don't need to worry about injecting anything into the interior parts of the car bodies though, they are sealed and nothing will go in there. So don't get any rust proofing where they drill a hole and inject chemicals into the panels - that is not necessary. I would just focus on those that apply anti-corrosion materials underneath the car and in the wheel wells area.
@@AutomotivePress Thank you for your quick reply and helpful tips! I appreciate it!
@@jimchou9916 No problem, anytime!
How does the gear shifting feel to you? I hear folks complain about that the most and it’s the only thing making me hesitant to pull the trigger to order one. I’m really enjoying these TRD Pro videos keep it up! Thanks!
Thank you! The gear shifting on the new 2020 and 2021 is not a problem - I think they calibrated and updated the software. The older Tacoma's seem to have the rough shift issue, but it can be fixed at the dealerships
@@AutomotivePress well that does it. Going to order one tomorrow in lunar rock. Thanks for the reply!
Which truck worth is A+
I wonder why Toyota Tacomas never had a V-8 option like the 4Runner did?
Are the floor mats standard or an accessory?
Floor mats are standard, and the special winter mats are also standard with the TRD Pro (this will depend on which country you buy the truck)
Can you tell me where the 2022 Tacoma was built thank you
It should be built in Mexico now...
@@AutomotivePress Do you trust the quality control in Mexico
I don’t like lunar rock. My first pick would be army green. Than magnetic gray
Love the truck. Still too uncomfortable for me. Test drove one yesterday.
Yes it's a nice truck.... thank you. Is it uncomfortable because of the seating? Or just in general?
@@AutomotivePress The seating position is still uncomfortable. It has been somewhat addressed with the adjustable seat height feature. However, at the highest setting my rear end is still too close to the floor. Not all is lost because I did end up buying a Tundra, instead. 😀
@@kerplunk38880 Congratulations on the Tundra buy! Yes the Tundra has much more room and better seating position
liI liMark
Army Green is the best...personally.
I do like the Army Green too
The tailgate will change gap when you open and close it due to the large hinge that has a little bit of slide. Also all the hoods have that slight dip towards the front from the fender. If you look at the flat, front area of the hood it matches the fender line which means this design is intentional for airflow, it's not a mistake.
Thank you for sharing the information, really appreciate it. But as I was an actual body engineer, responsible for designing the equipment and components that make up all of the body panels, I may have different views from you. So the hinge gap is actually slightly off the spec, and regardless of whether it slides or not when the tailgate is opened, it needs to go back to within spec when the tailgate is closed. I was referring to the gap when the hinge is closed, it is slightly (about 1 to 2mm) off the standard spec. You can go and see the same gap in other Tacoma trucks and most of them is accurate to spec. Also, the slight 1mm or so deviation in terms of the "dip" near the front is not intentional. It is to do with the adjustment of the hinges and the hood itself during the assembly, and it's often off by about 1 mm either direction. I was directly responsible for the manufacturing quality of the final hood, trunk, side panels, and the overall body finish at major car companies so I'm not trying to prove what is right or wrong - simply stating facts from my background. Nevertheless, really appreciate your viewpoint, thank you very much.
Sam-
with the excellence of Toyota in general, and tacoma in particular/ one would think that such a 'thing' could be addressed. Sort of like an 'automatic' recalibration if gate is open/closed? The tolerances of door gaps, as our host here has demonstrated, are as good as any fine automobile/ and any door should remain true to specs even if opened a thousand times.
Anyway, your point is good, but still there is a better way. After all, these trucks have been made for decades.
@@jackk1583 Actually after closely examining the tailgate hinge, it is not designed to move as you open or close the tailgate. It stays fixed - but if you apply pressure from one side (like hitting it with a rubber hammer), it will move slightly. So the challenge is how to align it at the factory and prevent it from moving when someone (like a dealer or transporter) accident put some weight on the tailgate. It's hard to tell now if the tailgate was misaligned from the factory or it was moved accidently by someone applying pressure
I miss Vancouver :(
Yes this was filmed in Vancouver. Are you originally from here?
@@AutomotivePress I lived here for many years, miss it very much!
When is the tacoma going to get a good Engine. the 3.5 V6 is way underpowered and struggles to do 70-80 mph on the interstate
I agree I have a 2019 TRD PRO love the truck but feel like they should have stuck the 4.0 L in it . 4.0 is a better platform for off-roading . Hope the next gen has better engine package or I may do a LS swap or trade it .
Everything great except for colour! Love my 2020 TRD OR prem.
Too pricey
Biased review, no comment on the compromised driving position. Sluggish lacking torque compared to the competition... and the previous model Tacoma which is faster. Toyota did minimum updates to an ancient chassis, and added a car engine.