TOYOTA TACOMA TRD PRO: BUILT TO PUSH THROUGH

By Fred Navarre

laurels with the 2023 model. Instead, the automaker continued to perfect the best-selling pickup in the midsize truck segment with style that would give the most penny-pinching accountant new car smell fever.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO shown in this year’s exclusive color, Solar Octane, comes well equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, 278 horsepower, 18 mpg, 265 lb.-ft. of torque, and a towing capacity of 6,400 lbs. All-black appointments, including exterior badging, 16-inch wheels, and protruding fender flares, give the truck the sporty off-road look you would expect from a Tacoma.

The black TRD badging continues on the full LED headlamps, undermounted skid plate with 9.5-inch ground clearance, upper control arms, wheels, hood scoop, frontseat headrests, and single-side exit exhaust. TRD PRO is also carved into the rear body panel for an added touch.

The heritage front grill has a front mounted camera designed to assist with the 360-degree view and a radar for Toyota Safety Sense™. Its features include Pre-Collision/Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Turn signals are included on side mirrors with blind spot monitors undermounted cameras to enable the 360-degree view. The 5-foot composite truck bed comes with a power outlet, an all-weather mat, and a side pocket for storage. The bed’s exterior houses parking sensors and towing connections.

This push-start vehicle with keyless entry and a smart key makes life super-convenient. The driver’s side door is equipped with automatic front window controls and space for two water bottles. The all-weather mats are essential for keeping the truck in showroom condition. Power leather heated seats are included for the driver and passenger, but only the driver’s seat has lumbar support. Nestled in the instrument cluster is a 4-inch display with customizable features for Toyota Safety Sense ™ and Multi-Terrain. The 8-inch in-dash touch screen offers a number of infotainment and connectivity options, including Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM. Analog controls are included for heated seats, dual zone climate, 4-wheel drive selector, blind spot monitor, ECT power, and rear windows. These controls aren’t the most modern aesthetically, but they’re easy to use. There’s also a wireless phone charging pad under the controls. The sunroof is standard size with no panoramic option. There are controls in front of the sunroof to lock the rear differential and adjust the multi-terrain select feature. The JBL® Premium 6 Speaker Audio System is so powerful, even the rocks will cry out while you’re jamming offroad. The Panoramic View Monitor is designed to help you maneuver with ease, but it’s very difficult to view in inclement weather. The interior center console includes USB-A and USB-C outlets, but the console itself is small compared to other trucks in this class.

The Tacoma TRD PRO is fun to drive. It’s decent size, smooth ride, and fuel economy make it a solid truck for daily trips or making hills come alive. But the Tacoma could use a serious interior refresh. Luxury shouldn’t be compromised for durability — especially for a massive machine that costs around $52,000. But, can you really put a price on pleasure and performance? So, who cares if the pavement ends? The Toyota Tacoma TRD PRO is built to push through.

MEMORIAL PARK

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MARCH 24-26 2023

FRIDAY - SUNDAY

10 AM TO 6 PM

FEATURED ARTIST DEWEY JAMES

■ 300 National & International Artists

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HReception Honoring Massey Villareal’s New Role H

Family, friends, and well-wishers gathered for an exclusive reception in honor of Massey Villareal, who has been named Chairman of the Texas Association of Business (Commonly known as TAB). The reception hosted by Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, Cindy Clifford, and Jacob Monty had such guests as Mayor Sylvester Turner, Dr. Laura Murillo, Christian Menefee, HFD Chief Samuel Peña, and Houston City Councilman Robert Gallegos. In this new role, Villareal has goals to strengthen TAB’s trade, protect the economic climate, and push back against federal overreach. In addition, he wants to harness the connectivity of the chamber network to grow the capacity for small business in Texas.

HDelta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.® HAC’s Golden Girls H

It was an afternoon of golden elegance for those attending the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.® Houston Alumnae Chapter’s 2023 Golden Girls affair. Under the theme “Golden Elegance,” the ladies honored their member who have served in the sorority for 50 years or more. All honorees were decked out in their finest gold attire. Some in attendance were Brenda Kinner-Sandles, Karen Hinton-Reese, Tina Jones, Pam Davis, Diane Servance, and Jenee’ Pierre.

H Celebrating You, Inc.’s Transition to College & Vision Board Party H

High schools got the opportunity to map out a plan for their life after high school at the Celebrating You, Inc.’s Transition to College & Vision Board Party. Business and life coach, author and speaker, Sonjia Pelton-Sam, helped students create a vision board and set goals for their future. In addition to Pelton-Sam, featured presenters were speaker and author Blake Simon, moderator and songstress Jayla Rivers, and mime dancer Kaylin Lyons. Some in attendance were Celebrating You, Inc.’s Founder and Executive Director Lisa Stillwell, Iris Pelton-Hamlett, Keosha Pope, Charlette Gamble-Perry, Godiva Anderson, Collette Conner, Ricky Stoner, James Morning, Lj Henderson, Angela Warren, Vicki Semander, Kathy Washington, Cynthia Pommier Smith, and Amy Taylor.