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Words by Quinton Neufeldt
Among the many locations that have been the staging area for new vehicle launches by automotive manufacturers, The Lodge of Pine Cove near Noelville, Ontario, on the French River, proved to be the perfect area chosen by Toyota Canada to showcase its shiny, new 4x4 trucks and latest innovations.
With various members of the media, representatives from Toyota were on hand to meet the press and announce the big news that the TRD PRO option package is now available in Canada for its series of Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner 4x4 trucks. (*Ed note: the sole TRD package has been offered in Canada for a while and is still readily available).
The purpose of the event was to experience the 2019 Toyota trucks in action. The area is considered Ontario’s bush country with rugged terrain and outdoor enthusiasts require a vehicle that’s capable of, well, performing all the things that outdoor enthusiasts need to do.
This includes pulling a boat or a trailer of ATV(s), hauling tools or firewood, plus loading various gear for camping, fishing, and mountain biking, while still offering space for family, pets and additional passengers. Plus, all this needs to be accomplished with the ability to handle the mud, rocks, dirt, or loose gravel on unpredictable, back country roads.
Our intrepid host Alex Strachan – the owner of The Lodge at Pine Cove – gave us a tour of the area by boat and on foot. Strachan was very knowledgeable about the people and history of the French River area. He told many tales of famous explorers that had paddled right through these very channels.
While learning about the area was very insightful, the time came to learn about the new TRD PRO option package.
Let's start with the Tundra.
The Tundra CrewMax Short Bed and TRD PRO Package
Our test vehicle was the 2019 Tundra CrewMax Short Bed with TRD PRO option package with a 5.7L i-FORCE V8 featuring the 5.5-foot cargo bed and towing package (not too mention the cool badging and logos). With its MSRP of $63,900 CDN, you get a lot for the price. The TRD PRO option includes everything in the basic TRD off road package plus 18-inch forged BBS rims, FOX 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with reservoir, TRD skid plates, a hood scoop, a power group (to include seat, windows, mirrors, and moon roof), performance exhaust, Rigid Industry fog lamps, a spray-in bedliner and more.
So how did it work? On the highway, while towing a trailer, everything worked well, and the truck was easy to use. It provided a smooth ride, crisp handling and with the convenience of the AVN Premium navigation, the power group and Sirius XM satellite radio, this Tundra made the kilometres fly by!
Off road, the Tundra’s ride was controlled and smooth with no surprises. The traction control worked well, however the tires were a “P-metric” designation, which was a slight disappointment as some pickup trucks (and off roaders) prefer an “LT-metric” designation with a more aggressive tread pattern. However, I had to admit, the tires worked well.
The long wheelbase, good ground clearance and the skid plates made going over and through obstacles a comfortable experience without too much worry. Of course, the big hood had us looking out the windows a few times to see what was ahead, but it was all part of the fun of ‘wheeling’ this full-size rig. All things considered, this Tundra is a huge jump over the basic model for off-road use.
The 4Runner and TRD PRO package
Up next was the 4Runner TRD PRO and the new optional package is an excellent improvement.
With an MSRP $56,580 CDN, this 4Runner comes with a 4WD lever selector, locking rear differential, 4-Wheel Crawl Control with a speed adjustment knob, the Multi-Terrain Select System, heavy duty skid plate, hood scoop, and TRD PRO badging. Other nice upgrades included the basket-style roof rack, TRD Fox Shocks with TRD front springs, and 31.5-inch Nitto Terra Grappler A/T’s on 17-inch alloy rims.
Now let’s take it for a drive.
The 4.0L V6 gave a powerful impression plus a comfortable and controlled ride thanks to the body-on-frame design, which is a preference for dedicated off-road enthusiasts. The heavy-duty upgrades to the suspension and skid plates were welcomed additions as were the locking rear differential and good tires.
However, we did manage to get stuck. The inside corner on a particular slope was a bit greasy and we slid into the muck on the edge of the trail. Nonetheless, we just backed up and went around. Although, the running boards took some abuse, they showed no sign of damage.
Of special note were the Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select System as they were a joy to control with the different settings/adjustments to see what worked in different conditions. In all, the 4Runner TRD PRO was comfortable, controlled and smooth. It was similar to the Tundra but was much more agile. It had decent visibility, a good wheelbase plus very good approach and departure angles, which meant obstacles were straightforward to navigate. In my experience, the 4Runner has always done well off-road and this new package elevates it to the next level.
The Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed and TRD PRO package
The last vehicle we tested was the 2019 Tacoma Double Cab Short Bed with the TRD PRO package. In a few words, serious off-road enthusiasts will take notice when this rig shows up on the trail. The reason? It has an aggressive stance, heritage front grille, TRD PRO badging and of course, the large air intake.
Once we were on the road, we definitely felt that “truck feel” compared to the refined 4Runner. It had firmer transmission shifting and suspension as well as the proven 3.5L V6 engine that Tacoma fans will recognize. Plus, its good wheelbase, departure angle, excellent ground clearance and approach angle all made for a great driving experience.
With an MSRP of $56,435, the 2019 Tacoma Double Cab with all TRD options comes loaded with the rear differential lock, 4-Wheel Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select System along with the high mount desert air intake, black chrome exhaust tip, and updated skid plate. We also liked the moon roof, stainless steel exhaust, remote reservoir, TRD Fox Shocks, and the TRD tuned front coil and rear leaf springs.
Once again, a more aggressive tread pattern for the tires would have been welcomed, however the size was good. Further, we had no issues with the suspension and we always felt in control and able to handle the rough terrain with ease.
This is an exciting time to be a Toyota fan as the TRD PRO option package really enhances the ability of these vehicles. For all the details and specifications go to www.toyota.ca or visit your local dealer.
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