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If you’re looking for a more compact midsize pickup truck with all the chops needed for off-roading, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road definitely fits the bill, and 2016 is a prime model year. You’ll be able to go almost anywhere, and you’ll look great doing it.
One of the best ways to get far away from it all is to drive, and it’s amazing how far into the wilderness some roads can take you. But the further you get into the mountains, the more off-roading may be required to get around. This is where the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road shines. This is the ultimate drive-to-the-top-of-a-mountain-like-in-the-commercial truck.
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Can the 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road go off road?
You bet it can. It’s in the name, and the name is no lie! This truck may not be able to tow as much as its larger peers, and it may not get the greatest fuel economy, but the 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road is ideal for rough backroad terrain.
Kelley Blue Book prices the 2016 Tacoma TRD Off-road at a “Fair Purchase Price” of $30,454. That’s more than $10K cheaper than a 2021 model, making it a great choice if you don’t need the newest flashy features. It’s likely to retain great resale value too, if you take good care of it.
But just what is it that makes it so good at off-roading? Let’s take a look.
Ground clearance
A big part of a vehicle’s ability to go off-road is its minimum ground clearance, that being the distance from the lowest point on the vehicle’s chassis to the ground. The farther off the ground it is, the less likely its undercarriage is to get damaged by uneven terrain.
A 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road has a ground clearance of 9.4 inches, just in that sweet spot between 8.8 and 10.8 inches, recommended by experts for off-roading. This places the Tacoma right in league with the
Jeep Wrangler’s
9.7 inches of minimum ground clearance.Torque
Torque is a car spec that a lot of casual car buyers will likely gloss over, but a truck enthusiast looking for off-roading capability needs to know about the value of low-end torque. Torque is the measurement of the wheels’ ability to exert force on the ground. The more torque you can get at low rpms, the easier it will be for your vehicle to push itself up over rough, rocky, or steep terrain.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road can produce 265 lb-ft of torque @ 6000 RPM, which is plenty of power for off-roading to be sure.
Tires
It should come as no surprise that the TRD Off-Road has upgraded tires—it’s equipped with 16-inch Kevlar-reinforced
all-terrain tires
built specifically for off-roading.Drivetrain
While the TRD Off-Road came standard with rear-wheel drive in 2016, the 4WD version with automatic transmission offered the most power and ease of driving on rough terrain. This setup included a Multi-terrain Select traction system and “Crawl Control”—cruise control for off-road driving
Angles
Off-roading is about the vehicle’s 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
Despite reduced visibility from its big hood, the 2016 Tacoma TRD Off-Road boasts a 32 degree approach angle, top of its class, and a 23.5 degree departure angle.
Off-road rating: Trail Boss
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 |
It should be no surprise that it earns a top T rating, as one of the funnest off-roading vehicles around. It was MotorTrend’s top competitor in their 4-Wheel & Off-Road’s “4x4 of the Year test,” awarded at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show
The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off Road
If you’re not quite ready to shell out $30K for a used truck, there are older options that are nearly as good. But if you need something with more all-around pickup capability—perhaps something blogger than the Tacoma—you can always look into newer alternatives. Here are how other great off-roaders compare to the 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | 2005 Nissan Frontier 4x4 | ~$7,000 | Better on fuel than the 2016 Tacoma and way cheaper. If you can find one in good condition, you’re set. |
Best eco-friendly alternative | 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD w/3.0L diesel engine | $53,623 | Tons of capability and unparalleled gas mileage in its class. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | 2022 Ram 1500 Rebel | $47,850 | Four-wheel drive, locking rear differential, two inches of added clearance, upgraded suspension, and hi-tech hill descent control make the Ram 1500 Rebel one of the best-rated trucks of 2022, perfect for off-roading. |
MORE:
Cheap off-road trucks
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
It shouldn’t surprise you that it’s going to cost you more to insure a vehicle that you plan on taking off-road. It’s more likely that you’ll cause damage to your vehicle, so if you want insurance that will cover you after the toughest adventures, you’re going to pay lots on your premium.
Luckily, you can still save money by shopping for car insurance with
Jerry
, the #1-rated car insurance app that finds you the lowest rates available faster than anyone else, and when you’re ready, Jerry becomes your very own licensed insurance broker, making it unbelievably simple to switch to a better plan. Jerry users save an average of $800+ on their annual car insurance premium. With savings like that, you can adventure limitlessly!
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Updated on Mar 15, 2023
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett, Senior Editor.
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