Serious rock crawler: 2025 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter

It should come as no surprise that the first hybrid mid-size pickup comes from Toyota.

This company all but dominates the hybrid scene, with more than a dozen cars, crossovers and utility vehicles powered by a combination of gasolene and electric motivation.

Taco has not been on a diet: 2025 Toyota Tacoma is neither compact nor lightweight

The 2025 Toyota Tacoma HV is not only based on a new platform, it has a pair of updated engines and an available hybrid drivetrain.

This is not a compact or lightweight vehicle. The Tacoma tips the scales at more than 5,400 pounds with nobody aboard.

Like the rest of the field, V6 engines are a memory. All are powered by four-cylinders. In this case that is a turbocharged and intercooled 2.4 litre producing 278-horsepower, and 317 lb. ft. of torque.

That would not, by itself, provide motivation that would leave a favourable impression.

Requiring heavy throttle use, it would add to Toyota’s reputation for producing tough but thirsty trucks. But add an electric motor (48-horsepower and 184-lb.ft. of torque) between the engine and transmission and you get a combined output of 326-horsepower and an impressive 465-lb.ft. of torque.

Voilà! Class-leading power and performance, plus major improvement in fuel economy

The energy comes from a nickel-metal hydride battery under the back seat. An eight-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel-drive are standard.

But more importantly, the hybrid also brings a major improvement in fuel economy – almost 20% better around town than the non-hybrid Tacoma with the same engine!

Highway consumption is better by only 3% but that is the case with any hybrid powertrain – the engine does most of the work at highway speeds. Natural Resources Canada says the combined consumption is better by more than 10% making the hybrid an attractive choice for high mileage owners.

New Trailhunter model will be a hot seller

Toyota provided a Tacoma hybrid equipped with the new Trailhunter package. That $20,000 option bumped the bottom line up by almost 30%!

But Toyota knows the market and anticipates that a lot of Tacoma shoppers will opt for the package for the looks alone.

You can distinguish a Tacoma with the Trailhunter package by the big (33-inch tall) all-terrain tires wrapped around unique 18-inch alloy wheels, dual colour Rigid Industries fog lights up front, red recovery hooks at both ends, rock rails, a high mounted snorkle alongside the passenger-side A-pillar and a big roof rack.

But while looks alone may draw most buyers, those who will actually use the off-road capabilities will appreciate what you don’t see:

• crawl control
• forward facing terrain camera and monitor
• full-size spare wheel and tire
• electronically locking rear differential
• front stabilizer disconnect system
• a quartet of auxiliary switches
• steel skid plates
• an onboard air compressor to pump the tires back up after lowering pressure
• Serious rock crawling

This is a Toyota, so you expect impeccable build quality and reliability.

The driver benefits from a combination of new and old with high-res 31-centimetre infotainment screen and good old knobs and buttons for the most-used functions.

The four doors open nice and wide, but rear seat legroom could be improved if tall occupants are upfront with their seats in a rearward position. The hybrid’s battery pack is under the rear seat so it can’t be folded up for additional weather-proof storage.

From behind the wheel, you appreciate the millions of hybrids Toyota has produced.

The blend of friction and regenerative braking is silky smooth as is the transition between hybrid and gas power. Thanks partially to those tall all-terrain tires and their big sidewalls the Taco simply absorbs major road blemishes.

The Toyota Tacoma has a proven record and position atop the mid-size pickup category. The availability of a fuel-saving hybrid powertrain gives it a leg up on the competition.

FACTS & FIGURES – 2025 Toyota Tacoma HV Trailhunter double cab

PRICE

Base: $64,740

As tested: $86,805 including freight

INFOTAINMENT

Wireless phone charger, 2400-watt AC output, voice-activated 31-cm infotainment screen, nine speaker JBL audio system, in-vehicle WiFi network. Wireless charging pad, navigation system

SAFETY

LED headlights with automatic high beams and manual level control, lane departure alert, lane trace assist, road sign assist, proactive driving assist, pre-collision system, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Dynamic radar cruise control, garage door opener, smart key with push-button start, trailer backup guide with straight path assist, digital key, 18-in alloy wheels, power moonroof, power tailgate and bump switch, heated and ventilated, eight-way power driver and passenger seats; dual-zone automatic climate control, heated tilt & telescope steering wheel, heads-up display, power heated mirrors, 360º camera

OPTIONS

Trailhunter package ($19,999) crawl control, multi-terrain monitor, dual colour Rigid fog lights, full-size spare wheel and tire, front stabilizer disconnect system, four auxiliary switches, onboard air compressor, roof rack, trailer hitch, red front and rear recovery hooks, stamped steel skid plates, rock rails, high mount air intake, bed lighting

MECHANICAL

Turbocharged and intercooled 2.4 litre four-cylinder, 278-horsepower, 317 lb.ft. of torque, electric motor, 48-horsepower, 184-lb.ft. of torque; combined output 326-horsepower and 465-lb.ft. of torque.1.87 kWh nickel metal hydride battery pack, eight-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive, NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway):10.3/9.7

DIMENSIONS

Length, 5,411-mm; wheelbase, width, 1,979-mm; 3,351-mm, weight, 2,500-kg

COMPETITION

Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier