2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport Review: A Sporty Cosmetic Factory Facelift For an Already Great Pickup Truck [VIDEO]
Toyota has continued the expansion of its Toyota Racing Development (TRD) branding into its other vehicle lineup, which has resulted in the introduction of the new 2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport model. The meaner and more aggressive looking variant of the standard Toyota Tundra pick-up truck debuted at the recently held 2017 Chicago Auto Show.
The 2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport is fitted with a number of factory-built goodies similar to the TRD Pro trims the company currently offers on the 2017 Tundra, the 2017 4Runner, and the 2017 Sequoia SUVs. However, Toyota has chosen to fit the new Tundra with add-ons that are more geared towards urban use as opposed to full off-road, as per a report from Car and Driver.
Despite this, the 2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport still has a lot of off-road capabilities given that it is a Tundra pickup truck after all. Added to the vehicle is a new Bilstein shock absorber set and a tuned TRD front and rear antiroll bars. This stabilizes the vehicle and ensures that all of the power is transferred to the ground.
However, it has to be pointed out that majority of the additions to the 2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport is merely cosmetic in nature. According to CNET, this becomes even more apparent in the faux hood scoop that is installed on it, which doesn't really suck in any air.
The TRD Sport trim also gets new body colors, a new bumper, a mesh grille, LED headlights, and several TRD Sport decals sprinkled around the truck's interior and exterior. The truck also rides on a unique 20-inch silver aluminum wheels with black-colored insets.
The 2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport is still powered by the same 5.7-liter V8 engine that generates 381 horsepower. Customers will be able to choose between a 4x2 and 4x4 system with the TRD Sport variant. Buyers can also choose between the CrewMax and the Double Cab body styles for their vehicle. The 2018 Toyota Tundra TRD Sport is scheduled to roll out in dealerships nationwide sometime in September.