Toyota sells a lot of off-road trucks, and it doesn’t put every 4×4 into one category. Instead, on the 4Runner and Tacoma, it offers a high-speed TRD Pro model for desert enthusiasts and a Trailhunter trim for overlanding folks. We’d heard that the full-size 2027 Toyota Tundra would also get the TrailHunter treatment, and so it does—but it’s not quite the same. Rather than being its own trim, the Trailhunter Tundra is a package available for the SR5, and it lacks the signature high-rise air intake.
That doesn’t mean the TrailHunter package is a half-baked upgrade. In fact, I would argue that this is absolutely true. Instead of gatekeeping essential four-wheeler features, it leaves out unnecessary luxuries and makes them available at a lower price. Sure, you can’t get leather in the Tundra with the TrailHunter add-on, but you do get Old Man Emu suspension, recovery hooks, skid plating, and 265/70 Michelin LTX trail tires (equivalent to 31.6 inches in diameter) on 18-inch wheels.
Toyota also hasn’t withheld its special off-road technology from the truck. It still gets crawl control, multi-terrain select and an electronic locking rear differential. In this way, it is largely identical to the TRD Off-Road Package, although it features Bilstein shocks and Falcon Wildpeak rubber.
And it’s not like you can’t add a snorkel if you want. The important thing is the attractive intake of 4Runner and Tacoma Trailhunter No A snorkel, as Toyota insists. It is not water-resistant, as its stated purpose is to increase the height where air breathes, hopefully keeping out dusty debris. oh and it makes a ton of turbo noise.
Tundra SR5s with the Trailhunter package also get bronze wheels and special badges, making them visually distinct from the millions of other versions of the truck.
One last difference between the full-size Tundra and other Trailhunter models is the powertrain – specifically, the lack of a hybrid option. While the 4Runner and Tacoma come standard with an electrified 2.4-liter turbo-four, the Tundra SR5 is only available with a gas, twin-turbo, 3.4-liter V6. It produces plenty of power, at 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, though any off-roaders wanting the hybrid variant with 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque will need to step up to another trim.
Overall, I agree with the Tundra being a mild level TrailHunter upgrade. This means you don’t have to spend money on a TRD Pro to get the features you want, as well as the features you don’t need – so, $75,000 or more. I’m sure many people will still make expensive purchases, but at least this option exists for those who have more sense than cents.
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