Besides the 2020 Tacoma, Toyota has something else in store for Chicago Auto Show visitors.
It’s described as “a new TRD Pro off-road beast” that will “lead the charge for a host of updates across the TRD Pro lineup.” That’s all Toyota is willing to divulge for now but using deduction and hints from the teaser photo and video we can narrow it down to two models.
Since Toyota says this is a new TRD Pro vehicle, we can rule out existing TRD Pro models such as the 4Runner SUV as well as the Tacoma and Tundra trucks. And given that we’re talking about an off-road vehicle, that leaves us with only two options: the Land Cruiser and the Sequoia SUVs.
Now, we already know Toyota will bring the 2020 Land Cruiser Heritage Edition to the Chicago Auto Show, making it unlikely for the automaker to use the same venue for a second Land Cruiser debut. The Sequoia is, therefore, starting to look like the main “suspect” for a TRD Pro treatment, especially since the mechanically-related Tundra already offers the off-road package.
Factor in the teaser image and video that show close-ups of doors and fenders and the Sequoia seems to fit the picture. If that’s the case, expect the big SUV to get similar off-road goodies including TRD Pro Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs, TRD-tuned springs with a lift kit, stronger alloy wheels shod with off-road tires, and more.
We’ll learn if we were right on February 7, the first press day of the 2019 Chicago Auto Show. Toyota’s press conference starts at 10:00 a.m. CST.