The fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma is packed with surprises, including a fresh body-on-frame platform, new powertrain options, a tech-forward cabin, and an overhauled exterior that’s sure to turn some heads. The addition of a new, off-road-oriented trim has been grabbing all the headlines. The Toyota Trailhunter isn’t your average off-road trim. It’s a purpose-built pickup designed to excel in an increasingly popular off-road niche. Overlanding differs from your typical off-road excursion in a few important ways. While many drivers gravitate towards mudding, rock crawling, dune bashing, and other off-road activities aimed at conquering specific obstacles, overlanding puts a premium on the journey itself. Self-reliance is the name of the game, with overlanders often venturing into the wild for days at a time, camping in far-flung locales and relishing the sense of exploration that comes with leaving paved roads behind.
While many of the qualities of a good overland vehicle mirror those of the average off-roader, a few attributes are wholly unique to the segment. A good 4x4 system, generous ground clearance, a powerful, torque-rich engine, and a robust suspension are all important. Overlanding rigs also need to prioritize storage capacity, efficiency, and other qualities that allow drivers to stay off the grid for an extended period. The new Trailhunter excels in all these areas, providing drivers with a four-wheeled home away from home that can keep pace with some of the industry’s more ambitious off-road creations. Let’s explore the new Trailhunter trim and learn how buying a new Toyota Tacoma for sale near Elizabethtown can open the door to a new era of off-road excitement.
ARB Suspension
Toyota is known for teaming with some of the industry’s most tested names, and the Trailhunter serves as a prime example of this collaborative spirit. The automaker tapped leading Australian automotive parts and accessories retailer ARB to provide the Trailhunter with a full arsenal of trail-ready equipment, but the enhanced suspension represents the obvious highlight. While ARB’s Old Man Emu 2.5-inch, position-sensitive forged monotube shocks smooth out even the bumpiest trail with their rear external piggyback-style remote reservoirs, they’re just a small part of the package. The pickup also boasts a multilink live axle with coil springs, forged aluminum control arms, an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar with a Stabilizer Disconnection Mechanism (SDM), and a generous suspension lift that ranges from 2.0 inches in the front to 1.5 inches in the rear. The Old Man Emu shocks are specially designed for the unique demands of overlanding, employing hard-anodized aluminum 6061 to increase heat dissipation and durability in even the toughest conditions. Throw in an electronic-locking differential, rock rails, stamped steel skid plates protecting the front end, transmission, and rear differential, and it’s easy to make an argument for the Trailhunter as the most off-road-ready Tacoma to date.
ARB Sport Bar and Rack
ARB’s contributions extended well beyond the Old Man Emu monotube shocks. The off-road experts have put their own signature touches on the overlanding trim, gracing the Trailhunter with a 2.5-mm steel rear bumper complete with two steel recovery points, two jack points, tow connectors, dedicated space for rear auxiliary lights, and more. The power-coated steel bumper prevents corrosion from taking hold, but it’s the ARB-sourced sport bar and bed rack that really up the Trailhunter’s curb appeal. The ARB sport bar gives the trim a distinct look, though it’s far more than just an appearance-related upgrade. The sport bar can accommodate up to 50 lbs of cargo, making it perfect for mounting traction boards, shovels, ropes, and other essential off-road tools that can aid impromptu recovery efforts. The included bed rack emphasizes customization with MOLLE panels that can be easily rearranged to provide the perfect storage solution for your particular taste. It has a 300-lb capacity and a crossbar that provides all the mounting options you’ll need to accommodate aftermarket lights and other must-have off-road accessories. The ARB sport bar and rack provide a priceless fusion of form and function, increasing the Trailhunter’s utility while allowing the truck to easily distinguish itself from the rest of the lineup.
Selectable Drive Modes
The Trailhunter has all the hardware it needs to withstand the rigors of off-road driving, but that’s just part of the equation in today’s tech-forward pickup segment. The Toyota pickup also features all the software a driver needs to make the most of the truck’s promising off-road potential, with more than half a dozen custom drive modes to choose from. It all starts with Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system, which includes five distinct settings. Auto Mode provides a hassle-free option, selecting the right setting based on current road conditions. Dirt Mode is ideal for dirt and gravel, while Sand Mode allows a little extra wheelspin that should prove useful when encountering loose surfaces. Mud Mode puts a premium on traction while Deep Snow doubles down on the approach, firmly gripping the road and powering you through any tough winter weather you might encounter. The Trailhunter offers both 4-High and 4-Low settings for the 4WD system, as well as a Downhill Assist Control (DAC) setting that automatically applies the brakes to give drivers one less thing to worry about when they’re exploring the steeper stretches of the Bluegrass State. Crawl Control fulfills a similar role, taking over all throttle and braking duties when traversing obstacles at low speed. This sort of advanced driving tech makes for an easier ride and goes a long way towards giving less experienced off-road drivers a little extra confidence.
High-Mount Air Intake
The Trailhunter provides adventure-seeking drivers with a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. The off-road pickup not only fills a vital niche in the booming overlanding segment, but it’s also packed with some clever features that should go a long way towards ensuring success when the road gets rough, wet, or dusty. Toyota has outfitted the Trailhunter with a high-mount air intake that provides the turbocharged i-Force MAX engine with plenty of fresh air. The slim, unobstructive air intake runs along the Tacoma’s A-pillar and features a vent near the top of the windshield that allows the truck to siphon clean air free from any dust, dirt, or other contaminants that could clog up the filter. The high-mount design isn’t watertight like some of the aftermarket snorkels favored by many off-road enthusiasts, but that doesn’t make much of a difference to the Trailhunter. The pickup is already rated to ford up to 35 inches of water, so while crossing Valley Creek might be a little ambitious, the Trailhunter should be well within its comfort zone when it comes to most aquatic adventures. The elevated air intake also produces a satisfying sound every time you step on the pedal, which, in addition to its functionality, should serve as a good reminder that you’re not riding in any ordinary pickup.
Off-Road Exhaust
From overcoming rocks, logs, and other obstacles to fording water, climbing steep hills, and powering through muddy stretches of trail, off-road driving places some unique demands on a vehicle. Luckily, the 2025 Trailhunter is up for the challenge, with Toyota providing plenty of upgrades that allow the pickup to excel on the road less traveled. These include the obvious, such as larger tires, enhanced suspension components, and skid plates, and the not-so-obvious. The truck’s high-mount air intake supplies the engine with plenty of clean air, but what about the other end of the system? The typical tailpipe juts out from behind the bumper, but this can present some challenges in terms of ground clearance. While traditional exhaust could easily be crushed, dented, or otherwise compromised when bumping over off-road debris or descending a steep incline, the Trailhunter features an off-road trail pipe that sees the exhaust outlet pushed back by a couple of feet. By moving the exhaust in front of the rear axle, the Trailhunter’s tailpipe is protected from any costly bumps and bruises that you might incur as you count off the miles. It might seem like a small detail, but it just proves how thorough Toyota has been when it comes to building a better overlander.
Hybrid Engine
The 2025 Tacoma Trailhunter is powered by a 2.4L turbocharged I-4 engine that’s distinguished by its hybrid design. Toyota’s i-Force MAX engine gives the pickup 326 hp and simultaneously delivers plenty of low-end torque that can greatly impact off-road environments. With 465 lb-ft of torque to its name, the Trailhunter can tow up to 6,000 lbs and haul 1,710 lbs of payload, which are both especially important considerations in the world of overlanding. Whether you’re loading up on all the supplies you’ll need for an extended journey, topping off your water and gas reserves, hauling a small camper, or towing your ATVs or dirt bikes on a trailer, the Tacoma’s impressive pulling power is sure to come in clutch. The i-Force MAX engine’s turbocharger and hybrid design also bring some real benefits in terms of efficiency, with the Trailhunter achieving an EPA-estimated 23 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. Those are some solid numbers for the midsize segment, and should give drivers more than 400 miles of range and plenty of confidence when venturing off into the wild or braving the jungle that is I-65 during the morning commute.
Portable Power
Overlanding gives you the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, but the Trailhunter’s hybrid powertrain allows drivers to enjoy the comforts of home no matter where the road might take them. The pickup’s 2,400-watt AC inverter essentially turns the Trailhunter into a 4WD generator, providing enough power to run many common appliances, power tools, and gadgets that will truly stretch the definition of “roughing it.” Smaller AC inverters have become an increasingly common accessory on many of today’s pickup and SUV models, and while they are fine for running simple electronics or charging batteries, the 2,400-watt inverter can power a full-on campsite kitchen complete with a griddle, coffee machine, or small refrigerator during your next trip to Mammoth Cave National Park. The inverter should also prove handy when it comes to trailside repairs or adjustments, which can make all the difference if you find yourself with a flat tire, damaged suspension, or leaky differential when you’re miles away from the nearest tow truck. Speaking of flats, Toyota has even been so thoughtful as to include a factory air compressor built directly into the bed of the truck. Designed with a digital screen, the built-in air compressor can be used to inflate air mattresses or sports equipment, top off the 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory R/T tires, or air them down to improve traction. The Trailhunter also comes with three pre-wired auxiliary switches that can be used to remotely power a wide range of accessories, such as lights, winches, and other off-road essentials.
Hunt for a Trailhunter
No matter what metrics you want to rely on, overlanding has clearly enjoyed some historic growth over the last half-decade. The annual Overland Expo saw attendance balloon from 5,000 to 77,000 over the last decade, and the auto industry has responded in kind. Dedicated overlanding trims have become increasingly popular as of late, and the Tacoma Trailhunter makes many of its competitors look like they belong in Swope's Cars of Yesteryear Museum. From its potent hybrid powertrain and Old Man Emu suspension to its two-inch suspension lift, 2,400-watt inverter, and bevy of hard-working ARB components, few midsize pickups make off-road exploration quite as easy as the Tacoma Trailhunter.
The Tacoma has long been the go-to choice for overlanding set, but the new Trailhunter trim provides drivers with a ready-made option that’s the perfect starting point for any aspiring off-roaders. If you want to learn more about the 2025 Tacoma Trailhunter or discover more about some of the exciting off-road opportunities available in this neck of the woods, make tracks for Toyota of Bowling Green today.