2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro review: Good, but not the best truck to date

Our editorial opinion: The 2020 Toyota Tundra is a solid truck, but it is currently the oldest in its segment and needs a complete overhaul. We love the Tundra - we really do - but consumers who study trucks may find GM, Ford and Ram have better options. Toyota fans will probably stick with the Tundra, but this current model will do little to sway a Ford or Chevy buyer.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is for those who want to have some fun in the dirt. Off-road enthusiasts will want this big truck because of its extra off-road capability and improved off-road performance. It's the perfect truck for hunting, camping and off the beaten track. We did a lot of that this week with the 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax.

Toyota Tundra: what's new in 2020?

The Toyota Tundra is getting an upgraded audio system that now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The TRD Pro is now offered in a double cab or CrewMax configuration, while the SR5 SX package now includes CrewMax models. The 4.6 liter V8 is no longer available.

The Tundra TRD Pro is available in Super White, Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and TRD Pro's exclusive Army Green for 2020. Other than that, there's very little new in the Toyota Tundra. Now it is the oldest truck in its segment.

2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro in Army Green.

Features and options: Engineering and safety

Standard equipment on the 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro includes an integrated trailer brake controller; an upgraded eight-inch infotainment interface; Bluetooth; and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The TRD Pro also includes a range of advanced safety features as part of the Toyota Safety Sense-Pedestrian (TSS-P) package, which is standard on all Tundras for 2020. It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection; blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert; lane departure warning; automatic high beam; and adaptive cruise control.

Features and options: off-road tools

The TRD Pro package gives you extras like leather front bucket seats with red stitching, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a hood scoop and a larger 38-gallon gas tank. TRD Pro off-road goodies include custom suspension with larger aluminum Fox Internal Bypass shocks (all four wheels); Fog lights Rigid Industries; lighter forged 18-inch BBS wheels; TRD exhaust with black chrome tips; and front skid plate.

Compared to other Tundra models, the TRD Pro suspension increases rear wheel travel by more than two inches.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra RD Pro starts at $48,505.

How much does a 2020 Toyota Tundra cost?

Total MSRP, including destination, for our 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax test truck: $54,414. By comparison, the 2020 Toyota Tundra starts at $33,425 in base SR trim. TRD Pro starts at $48,505. The SR5 and Limited are in the middle of the price range, starting at $35,095 and $42,120, respectively.

Given the price difference between the various trim levels, we recommend pricing your Tundra* in advance.

Interior Features: Plenty of space

Once inside the Tundra, you'll find a spacious cabin ready to carry five adults and/or children with ease. There is plenty of legroom for every rider, but the CrewMax is definitely the right choice if you regularly wear six feet in the second row. Leather-trimmed bucket seats are soft and comfortable. They have eye-catching red stitching that beautifully sets off the black seats and dashboard.

The rear seats slide and recline, although the back angle isn't very comfortable and the cushions are somewhat low. While the interior is good overall, the 2020 Toyota Tundra is dated compared to the competition in terms of styling.

The 2020 Tundra features glass with a high level of solar absorption. The glass filters UV radiation to avoid damage to the interior by the sun.

Interior features: for work and pleasure

TRD Pro is updated with a large eight-inch color touch screen for climate control, audio and navigation system. Even with the touchscreen, the large dash knobs can be operated with gloves, something we noticed when temperatures dropped in Denver this week. Those who use the TRD Pro for work can take advantage of the numerous internal storage compartments for tools and electronics.

JBL's premium 12-speaker audio system now comes with the Tundra TRD Pro. We turned on the tune and sat down to enjoy the ride.

Interior Highlights: Past

For 2020, the Tundra TRD Pro will finally get keyless entry and push-button start, which also brings remote start capability to the aging half-ton. This addition is welcome as competitors have been offering these features for several years.

This spacious cabin lacks one more thing: heated seats. We think it's a must in this price range and for a trip to the highlands in winter. There's plenty of room in this tundra for even the tallest adults, but we'd love to see heated seats in this truck. Our passengers on their way to lunch noticed this immediately, as they assumed the leather seats were heated.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro has plenty of infotainment features but no heated seats.

Toyota Tundra 2020: engine and transmission

The 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will get one engine, the 5.7-liter V8 i-Force that is synonymous with the Tundra name. The engine produces 381 hp. (5600 rpm) and 401 lb-ft. torque (3600 rpm). Toyota's 5.7-liter engine has an aluminum cylinder block; double overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder; and inductive acoustic control system for a wide torque curve.

The I-Force comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift technology.

What is the gas mileage of Toyota Tundra?

The EPA estimates the 2020 Toyota Tundra's fuel economy is 13/17 city/highway and 14 combined. Fuel economy is one area where the Tundra really suffers from the competition. Compared to Chevy, Ford and Ram, Toyota ranks last in terms of fuel efficiency.

How much can you tow a Toyota Tundra 2020?

The maximum towing capacity of the 2020 Toyota Tundra is 10,200 pounds. with the right equipment. The Tundra uses engine and transmission oil coolers, as well as a heavy-duty battery and alternator, to help handle heavy loads. All Tundra beds are 22.2 inches deep and, when properly equipped, offer a load capacity of up to 1,730 pounds.

The TRD Pro offers extra ground clearance and the right suspension setup for extreme off-road use, including 2.5-inch Fox inboard bypass shocks. If you want to get away from civilization, this Tundra finish is for you.

How does Tundra TRD Pro work?

As soon as we started work on the Tundra TRD Pro, we were reminded how much we love the truck's optional dual exhaust system. The 5.7-liter engine comes to life when you step on the pedal with a pleasant, raucous rumble. We pushed a large truck down I-70 west of Denver into the mountains with no problem. 401 lb-ft V8. of torque helps a large truck to move even at a height.

The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly up and down with shift points that are perfect for navigating a long mountain pass or towing a large trailer. The only thing that worries us is how Ford, GM and Ram offer eight-speed and ten-speed transmissions. While the Tundra will pull whatever you want, your fuel economy won't be as good if you only have six gears instead of eight or 10. This is another sign that the Toyota Tundra is gaining momentum.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra lags the competition in terms of fuel economy.

Driving dynamics: on snow

To survive this week's heavy snowfall, we turned the dash knob to the "4WD Hi" position. The Tundra TRD Pro has an on-demand electronically controlled 4×4 system with 4×2, 4×4 Hi and 4×4 Lo settings. Active Traction Control works like an automatic limited-slip differential, sending power to the wheel with the most traction on both the front and rear axles.

We felt the Tundra TRD Pro handled deep snow with confidence, and the larger all-terrain tires provided the extra traction we needed.

During our daily trips to Denver, the Tundra behaved in a civilized manner and handled traffic quite well. The only thing to consider: in the city, the CrewMax configuration, due to its length, can be difficult to park. This is the advantage of Tacoma TRD Pro. The off-road qualities are the same, but the truck is smaller.

Fox internal bypass shocks are one of the best features of the 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax.

Conclusion: a long time in the teeth, but everything is in order

For those who want to go off-road or get out of the city, the Tundra TRD Pro is a good choice. While the 2020 Toyota Tundra lags the competition in some areas, it's still a solid truck with a solid reputation for reliability.

Denis Flierl has worked in the automotive industry for over 25 years in various positions. All of his first-hand reviews are archived on our test drive page. Follow Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy

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