Should You Take the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Off-Roading?

The 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is built for the road less taken, but don’t plan on any extreme rock crawling.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The 2007
Toyota Tacoma
TRD Off-Road is one of Toyota’s top-selling mid-size pick-up trucks and adds all the bells and whistles to make it a solid off-road warrior. But it might not be the best fit if you’re looking to take on serious obstacles. 
If you’re looking to hit the open road, having a reliable off-road vehicle is your ticket to an epic adventure. Whether crawling rocks, trekking through mud, or blazing down dirt roads, there are no boundaries for an off-road-capable vehicle. But with so much selection, how can you tell the true trail bosses from the look-alikes? 
If you’re ready to pack your bags and hit the road with your Tacoma TRD Off-Road,
Jerry
, the
super app
that finds drivers the best deals on
car insurance
, has all the details on the off-road specs of the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road. We’ll look at the key factors, like ground clearance and torque, that go into making a true off-road vehicle, and we’ll also consider some alternatives. 
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Can the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road go off-road?

Yes—if the name didn’t say it all, the TRD Off-Road trim on the 2007 Toyota Tacoma is designed to take on unpaved terrain. While the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road may not be the first pick of a hardcore off-road enthusiast, it has sufficient off-road specs at an affordable price compared to most other off-road vehicles.
Starting at $14,180, the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road combines a powerful four-cylinder engine with an upgraded suspension to provide a smooth ride regardless of the terrain you cover. 
But what else makes the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road an awesome pick for off-road adventures? Let’s zoom in on some of its key off-roading specs. 

Ground clearance

If you’re planning to take your Toyota off paved roads, ground clearance is one of the most important things to look at. While the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road may not have the biggest minimum ground clearance, its 8.5 inches make it a decent off-roader—but don’t expect it to plow through or over any serious obstacles. 
Ideally, ground clearance for a good off-road-capable vehicle is between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. A higher minimum clearance means your car can tackle even the most challenging obstacles easily and without worrying about damage to the undercarriage. 
But when you compare the Tacoma’s 8.5 inches to the 2020
Jeep Wrangler’s
9.7 to 10.8 inches of minimum clearance, or the 2016
Ram 1500
's 10.3 inches, the Tacoma doesn’t quite make the cut—but that doesn’t mean it can’t handle the trail. 

Torque

If you know anything about taking your vehicle off-road, you likely know how vital torque is—if you’re not on paved ground, it’s low-end torque you want to look out for. In simple terms, higher low-end torque means your vehicle is more capable of overcoming obstacles with ease and can maintain control, even at low speeds.
Good low-end torque is a must if you want to take your Tacoma off-road. It prevents your engine from working overtime when you need more momentum to push you through challenging terrain, or you need more control on uneven ground. Plus, it can make the ride smoother and more enjoyable with less shifting.
The 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road’s 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine gets a maximum torque of 180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm. It’s not the most powerful, and it’s not likely going to be able to pull you through thick mud, but you should be able to tackle moderately uneven terrain with ease—just don’t get yourself into treacherous conditions. 

Tires

Generally speaking, the Toyota Tacoma comes equipped with a solid set of all-season tires—but that might not be what you need if you’re planning to head off of paved roads.
When it comes to tires, there are two types you’ll generally come across:
all-terrain tires
(A/T tires) or all-season tires (A/S tires). For people who split their time between paved roads and trails, all-terrain tires are the best option—they’re mid-way between all-season and mud-terrain tires and offer excellent performance in either condition. 
On the other hand, all-seasons might be more durable and last longer than A/T tires, but they don’t have the same tread as all-terrain, which means they’re not as capable in off-roading situations.  

Drivetrain

If you’re venturing onto the trails, you’ll want to ensure your car is equipped with all-wheel drive—or at least four-wheel drive. Luckily, the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road comes standard with four-wheel drive, so you can trek through just about anything without worrying about having your wheels spin. 

Angles

Another area you’ll want to pay attention to if you plan to ascend or descend steep roads is your angles—that is, the approach angle and departure angle. 
  • Approach angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference 
  • Departure angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference
Although the Tacoma TRD Off-Road may not be hardcore off-road ready in other areas, it offers decent climbing capability with approach and departure angles of 29 and 23.5 degrees, respectively. You may not be climbing steep hills, but it’s enough to handle some decent challenges. 

Off-road rating: Rough and Ready

If you’re wondering how the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road fares in the land of off-road vehicles, we’ve rated it using
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT (a fitting name) rating system, broken down in the table below:
Rating
Meaning
Description
D
Don’t Try It
Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I
In a Pinch
Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R
Rough and Ready
Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T
Trail Boss
True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain
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We think the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road earns an R rating: its name suggests it’s the ultimate off-roader, but it’s a vehicle that can handle some off-road challenges. You’ll be fine to travel on trails and uneven surfaces, but if you’re looking for serious off-road capabilities, you’ll need a truck with better specs

The best off-road alternatives to the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

If you’re looking for a practical mid-size pickup that can handle the occasional off-road challenge, the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road is an awesome pick. But for some drivers, it won’t be enough—maybe you need a higher ground clearance, or maybe you’re looking for a little more luxury on the inside. 
Whatever your priority is with your off-road vehicle, here are the best alternatives to the 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road.
Alternative
Model
Price
Description
Best affordable alternative
2010 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X
$17,540
With its brawny nature, agile handling, and precise steering, the Frontier is well-suited for rocks, mud, gravel, and whatever else is thrown at you.
Best full-size alternative
2012 Toyota Tundra
$25,155
This burly full-size pickup features responsive power steering, a rugged but comfortable suspension system, and a choice of 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, making it the ideal off-roader for those looking for more space with the same functionality.
Best off-roading alternative
2013 Toyota 4Runner Trail
$37,155
With a powerful V6 engine delivering adequate power combined with four-wheel drive and plenty of useful off-road technologies, most other off-roaders can’t match the Toyota 4Runner’s off-road abilities.
MORE: Cheap off-road trucks
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Owning an off-roader may come with some serious adrenaline rushes, but it also comes with some big expenses when it comes to insurance. Hitting the trails and crawling over rocks may be what your Toyota was intended for, but insurance providers don’t see the same thing—they see a higher risk, which translates to higher premiums. 
Rather than paying an arm and a leg to take your Toyota off-road, we have a better solution: shop with
Jerry
. As a
licensed insurance broker
and top-rated car insurance super app, Jerry compares rates from over 55 top insurers to find you the best coverage for the lowest rates. Sign up in less than 45 seconds and browse through your customized quotes.
By shopping with Jerry, you could save over $800 a year on car insurance—and put all those savings towards cool new mods for your off-roader! 
Jerry
was easy to use, and they saved me a lot of money on my truck. I would definitely recommend them.” —Johannes T.
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