Toyota's picked up on the idea that truck and ute buyers like to customize their vehicles a bit. The new Sequoia TRD offers that chance.
This story includes updated information.
This year’s Chicago Auto Show is all about new niche products, and Toyota has a gaggle of them to show off: rugged yet lavishly equipped versions of three of its popular light truck lines.
The RAV4 Adventure and TRD versions of the Sequoia sport-utility vehicle and Tundra pickup are all aimed at families who want to “rough it in style,” the automaker explains. They all feature improvements in off-road capabilities and performance, as well as design tweaks meant to give them a sportier and more rugged appearance.
That’s in keeping with what other manufacturers are bringing to this year’s Chicago Auto Show. There are more products than ever for American car buyers to choose from, but automakers also are offering more niche variants, whether sporty, upscale or just distinctive in styling.
Toyota has been growing its TRD brand-within-a-brand in recent years. Short for Toyota Racing Development, earlier models, such as the Tacoma TRD, put a premium on performance and improved capabilities. In fact, current TRD variants, like the one on the Tacoma, now account for more than half of those models’ sales. The company sold more than 100,000 TRD-badged vehicles in 2016, officials noted.
The new Toyota Sequoia TRD and Tundra TRD follow that formula, while also boosting towing capacity and comfort, the maker said as it lifted the covers on the two new models.
The 2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport will be offered with both 4×2 and 4×4 powertrain configurations, as well as CrewMax and DoubleCab body styles. Along with the 381-horsepower i-Force 5.7-liter V-8, they now get TRD Sport-Tuned Bilstein Shocks and TRD front and rear anti-sway bars.
Visually, the TRD package adds color-keyed bumpers, mirror caps and hood scoop, 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, daytime running lamps and foglights, a unique mesh grille and surround, and TRD bedside graphics.
The new Toyota Tundra TRD features a variety of upgrades to give owners increased off-road capability.
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Inside, the Toyota Tundra TRD Sport also gets unique floor mats and a TRD shifter knob.
Along with more mainstream Tundra models, the TRD Sport also gets an updated version of the Toyota Safety-Sense package that will now feature a forward collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, active cruise control and auto high beams.
The 2018 Toyota TRD Sequoia Sport mirrors many of the updates found on the Tundra TRD package, and shares the 5.7-liter V-8.
Visual updates include a new front grille and bumper inserts, metallic black mirror caps, 20-inch alloy wheels, darkened rear taillight housing, and distinctive badging.
Inside, there’s a TRD shifter, floor mats and sill protectors, as well as black fabric seating for seven. Buyers also can opt for black leather captain’s chairs. And the TRD version gets new LED lighting.
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The third new model debuting in Chicago is the 2018 Toyota RAV4 Adventure. This version of the popular SUV adds “lifestyle-inspired” features such as an Automatic Limited-Slip Differential on front-wheel-drive models and Dynamic Torque Control for those opting for all-wheel-drive.
To boost towing capabilities, they get a Tow Prep Package including an upgraded radiator, as well as supplemental oil and transmission fluid coolers.
With a bigger radiator, higher ride height and a towing-prep package, the RAV4 Adventure is ready for one.
The system is also upgraded and boasts a higher ride height. The Adventure grade also includes Trailer Sway Control and Hill-Start Assist Control.
Visual upgrades add:
- Large overfender flares
- 18-inch, five-spoke black alloy wheels with 235/55R18 tires
- Lower body guards
- Black headlight bezels
- Black fog lamp surround, roof racks and Adventure badging
Also included are a leather-wrapped shifter knob, door sill protectors, a 120-volt power outlet and more.
“It would seem we have a RAV4 for everybody, but it turns out we have room for one more for people who like to play in the dirt,” said Bill Fay, general manager of the Toyota brand.
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All three of the ruggedized models will reach U.S. dealer showrooms in September.