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For 2025, Toyota Tacoma is getting better than ever. In addition to offering improved towing and payload capacity, it's bringing a couple of exciting versions. We recently reported on everything we know about the rebirth of the iconic Tacoma X-Runner, but it's not the only hardcore variant of Toyota's mid-size pickup truck.
Toyota is on a roll, drawing inspiration from its rich heritage. We've seen it with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the rebirth of the FJ Cruiser. Moreover, Toyota is also resurrecting an iconic truck from tis past, in the form of the Stout while the rather analog Toyota 4Runner is also due to get a new iteration.
That said, Toyota's Gazoo Racing treatment extends to the Japanese company's pickup trucks as well and the Tacoma GR Sport is a perfect representation of how Toyota's skunkworks team goes above and beyond to turn the Tacoma into a modern-day, performance truck as possible. Technically, this should have been the X-Runner's job, but the Tacoma GR Sport goes even further.
What are you getting with the 2025 Toyota Tacoma GR Sport?
1. The Tundra's 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6.
The 2025 Tacoma X-Runner, TRD Pro, and GR Sport will all be powered by the 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6. This is a nice change of pace from the regular Tacoma lineup, which is exclusively powered by a 2.4-liter turbo-four engine in various states of tune and electrification. So far, the twin-turbocharged V-6 produces 421 horsepower and 479 pound-feet, but for some of the spicier Tacoma variants, figures could vary.
Rumors are circulating that the 2025 Toyota Tacoma GR Sport could be manual-only, but that's not yet confirmed. The eight-speed automatic will also be around for the 2025 model year, but V-6 Tacoma models could also get the 10-speed automatic from the Tundra.
2. Performance optimized for the road.
Like the X-Runner, the Toyota Tacoma GR Sport is not meant to be an offroad truck. That's what the Tacoma TRD Pro is about. The Tacoma GR Sport gets lowered sports suspension for better on-road handling. The all-wheel-drive system will be a variant of the GR-Four system used in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla models.
3. Weight reduction.
We don't yet have exact figures for the 2025 Tacoma GR Sport weight, but one of the main focuses is shedding as much weight as possible. In addition to the bold styling, aimed at improving aerodynamics, the Tacoma GR Sport interior will feature bucket seats and a sport steering wheel, among other features aimed at shedding weight.
I asked Torque News editor Armen Hareyan about his opinion on the weight reduction of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma GR Sport. He also seemed to think that Toyota is taking weight reduction very seriously. Hareyan said, "while the official curb weight remains unknown, the focus on shedding pounds is evident in their design choices. The bold, aerodynamic exterior hints at a sleeker truck that will likely slice through the air with less resistance. Even the interior gets the weight-loss treatment with bucket seats and a sporty steering wheel, likely made from lighter materials. This all suggests a potentially significant weight reduction for the Tacoma GR Sport compared to previous models."
What's the difference between the 2025 Tacoma X-Runner and the 2025 Tacoma GR Sport?
With both the X-Runner and GR Sport variants of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma is focused on on-road performance, it begs the question, why is Toyota giving us two seemingly identical trucks? Like the original Tacoma X-Runner, made between 2005 and 2014, the new one will be offered only in extended-cab configuration. The 2025 Tacoma GR Sport is, essentially, the same hardware underneath, but in crew cab configuration.
About the author
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
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