The 2025 Toyota Tacoma arrived in Canada with a starting price of $48,170 and a lineup that runs to twelve separate grades. Sorting through them is most of the work of buying one, because the powertrain, not the badge, is what separates them.
Three powertrains, and the hybrid is the interesting one
Two Tacomas pair a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed manual and on-demand four-wheel drive, producing 270 hp and up to 310 lb-ft of torque. Six more use the same engine with an eight-speed automatic that includes a tow/haul mode, which lifts output slightly to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft.
The remaining four are the Hybrid i-FORCE MAX models, built around the same 2.4-litre turbo four with electric assistance. System output is 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, and towing capacity reaches 5,950 pounds. Three use on-demand four-wheel drive and one is full-time.
The torque gap is the story. An extra 148 lb-ft over the automatic-equipped gas truck is the kind of margin felt immediately when a trailer is attached or when the road turns upward, and it does more to change how the truck drives than the horsepower figure suggests.
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Working through the grades
Five models use a double cab with a six-foot bed:
- SR5 — eight-speed automatic, eight-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio, 17-inch alloys, heated front seats, LED headlamps, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and a dampened tailgate new for 2025.
- TRD Off Road — adds 17-inch off-road alloys on BF Goodrich Trail Terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, underbody protection for the engine, fuel tank and transfer case, plus downhill assist, crawl control and multi-terrain select.
- TRD Sport — sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloys, aluminum sport pedals, a hood scoop and 12.3-inch digital gauges.
- TRD Sport + — adds a moon roof, heated steering wheel, digital key, 10-speaker JBL audio with a removable Bluetooth speaker, wireless charging, power front seats and a trailer brake controller.
- TRD Sport Premium — brings the 14-inch touchscreen with Drive Connect and dual-zone automatic climate control.
A new Mudbath exterior colour serves as the halo shade for TRD Pro, and the Hybrid TRD Pro and Trailhunter grades gained additional equipment for 2025.
Technology and safety
Every Tacoma runs Toyota Multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard across the range, alongside the Star Safety System, eight airbags, a backup camera, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, tire pressure monitoring with auto location, and an anti-theft alarm with engine immobiliser.
“When Toyota introduced this newest generation, we took great care to retain everything that has made Tacoma a legend for nearly 30 years, while raising the bar with more capability, more features, more comfort, and modern style,” said Cyril Dimitris, vice-president of Toyota Canada.
What it means for Canadian buyers
Twelve grades sounds like choice and functions as a decision tree. The first question is whether you tow. If you do, the hybrid’s 465 lb-ft and 5,950-pound rating justify the step up. If you do not, the gas automatic covers most use cases and the manual exists for people who specifically want it.
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The second question is whether you actually go off pavement. TRD Off Road’s locking differential, Bilstein dampers and underbody protection are genuine hardware. TRD Sport’s contribution is suspension tuning and appearance, which is a different purchase entirely despite sitting at a similar price.
Note that $48,170 is a starting MSRP before freight, delivery and provincial taxes, and that it buys the entry configuration rather than any of the grades described above.
Reporting based on information published by media.toyota.ca.
