2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Redesign, Interior, MPG

2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Redesign, Interior, MPG    –  In the land of midsize trucks, the Toyota Tacoma TRD is a name that’s revered for its competent capability and rock-solid reliability. For decades it has defined the segment, and it doesn’t seem to matter that the Tacoma TRD has gone mostly unchanged for the better part of them. Sure, it’s now in its third generation; and, of course, there was the unceremoniously named Toyota Pickup that came before it.

But the automaker’s evolutionary approach to this truck means all the important stuff has stayed the same over the years. For better or worse, there’s not much to this machine, and that goes doubly for the 2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Trail – a basic trim that skips most of the frills but keeps all the functionality this truck is famous for.

2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

Describing the interior as anything more than OK wouldn’t be fair. The space is neither attractive nor unappealing – it simply just is. Silver plastic extends across the dash, breaking up the monotony in the process, while the seats feature contrast stitching and chain-like texturing on the centre inserts.

Outside – well, it looks like a Tacoma TRD. This is evolutionary design at its finest, and the resemblance between this latest version and the generations that came before it is obvious. In fact, a facelift introduced all the way back in 2001 set the tone for this truck and it hasn’t strayed far since. The Trail trim, meanwhile, makes the most of the simplistic styling through one of its two available colours (Cement or the Army Green of this tester) and contrast accents including black wheel-arch mouldings, dark grey wheels, and rugged-looking side steps.

2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Specs

The Tacoma TRD Trail isn’t exactly rich with content, but it has the basics covered. There’s an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat to go with a four-way manual passenger chair, but both feature three-stage heat and are wrapped in that decent cloth upholstery. There’s also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections, and even satellite radio – a feature not often found at the bottom of the lineup like this.

Toyota’s also taken to tossing some accessories at this trim like those side steps and some movable tie-down cleats along the bedsides, though both can be added to any Tacoma TRD model. There’s also a 120-volt household outlet in the bed – handy for at the jobsite or the campsite – and a small enclosed storage compartment next to it, though it doesn’t lock.

Engine and Performance

While a four-cylinder Tacoma TRD can still be had south of the border, the Canadian market version is exclusively powered by a 3.5L V6. It’s a naturally aspirated unit, so there are no superchargers or turbochargers bolted to it; instead, it makes 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque all on its own.

The engine can feel a little lethargic down low, requiring a heavy foot to get it into the meaty part of the powerband. It really comes alive around 4,000 rpm, with the kind of combustible force that feels more than adequate – and sounds like it, too.

Getting the torque to the wheels in this Trail trim is a six-speed automatic transmission, though the Tacoma TRD can still be bought with a six-speed manual. And in fairness to the auto ’box, it’s good enough at its job, never hunting for a gear when passing or merging or getting caught flat-footed at inopportune times on the trail. There’s also a sport mode that adjusts throttle mapping to a more eager tune, plus opening up the ability to manipulate gears manually – handy off-road or when hauling.  2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Redesign

2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Fuel Economy

This is not a particularly frugal midsize truck, so don’t anticipate single-digit fuel usage. (For those who are curious, the official figures for the diesel-powered Gladiator come in at just less than 10.0 L/100 km.) An automatic-equipped Tacoma TRD like this one should burn 13.0 L/100 km in the city, 10.5 on the highway, and 11.8 combined, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). That’s marginally better than the gas-powered Gladiator, the V6-powered Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon twins, and marginally worse than the Ranger models that aren’t Tremor.

A week-long evaluation that covered 550 km of mostly highway driving with some city – and, yes, even some trail time – mixed in saw the final tally settle at 11.3 L/100 km. That’s precisely what the Ranger Tremor and its meatier tires managed on a nearly identical regimen.

2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Safety Features

The Tacoma TRD’s safety equipment is another sign of its age, with standard and available items that aren’t exactly cutting edge. Of course, the basics are covered, with airbags and a back-up camera that’s mandated in modern vehicles by the federal government, as well as traction and stability control.

In fairness to the Tacoma TRD, competitors like the Canyon and Colorado twins offer even less advanced safety stuff, while the Gladiator’s list is all options-based and lane-keeping isn’t offered. More glaringly, though, all of that good stuff is standard in a similar Ranger, including lane-keep assist, with only adaptive cruise coming by way of options – and all of it can be had for less money.  2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Redesign

2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Price and Release Date

The Trail trim is the cheapest way to get the Tacoma TRD with a crew cab and a short bed bolted to the back – a popular configuration for a truck like this – and carries an asking price of $45,950 including an $1,840 freight charge. That’s more than a similarly equipped Ranger, which starts at a shade more than $40,000 before tax, as well as a Chevrolet Colorado Z71 ($42,998), or even the GMC Canyon AT4 that’s slightly more adventure-prepped right out of the box ($44,198).

Of course, none of those rivals has the trio of intangibles that truly set the Tacoma TRD apart. This is a truck that’s renowned for its capability, reliability, and overall sensibility – key traits that, much like this midsize pickup itself, have stood the test of time and then some.  2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Redesign

The 2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Trail is a fairly stripped-down take on this best-seller, and yet it feels like all the truck anyone could need. There’s surely some sticker shock that comes with a fairly basic midsize pickup ringing in at more than $50,000 with tax, but what it lacks in elegance it makes up for with all kinds of confidence at work or play.