Does the Toyota TRD come in manual?
The TRD lineup does not currently offer a manual transmission in the United States. TRD models are paired with automatic transmissions in recent production.
To understand what this means, it helps to outline what TRD is, which models carry the TRD badge, and how transmissions are allocated across the current lineup. TRD, Toyota Racing Development, is Toyota’s in-house performance and off-road tuning division. It applies its packages to several trucks and SUVs, including the Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, and Sequoia, as trims or packages designed to enhance off-road capability, suspension, and overall performance.
What TRD is and where it appears
TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development. It functions as a performance-oriented trim/option package rather than a standalone model. TRD variants are offered on multiple models in the lineup, with goals that include improved suspension, off-road enhancements, and distinctive styling. The availability of a manual transmission has varied over Toyota’s history, but in the current generation TRD models in the U.S., manuals are not offered.
Current TRD models and transmission options
Below is a snapshot of current TRD-equipped vehicles in the U.S. market and how they are typically transmitted. Transmission availability can vary by year and region; the information reflects recent model years.
- Tacoma (TRD Pro / TRD Off-Road / TRD Sport): Automatic transmissions are standard in the modern generations; a manual option is not offered on these trims today.
- Tundra (TRD Pro, TRD Off-Road variants): Automatic transmissions dominate; a manual transmission is not offered on current TRD models.
- 4Runner (TRD Pro, TRD Off-Road): Primarily automatic transmissions in the current market; no manual option is offered on these trims.
- Sequoia (TRD Pro, TRD Sport): Automatic transmissions; manual option not offered on the TRD trims.
In practice, the TRD line emphasizes modern automatics, off-road electronics, and tuned suspensions, aligning with industry trends toward quicker gear changes and smoother low-speed control for off-road driving. This has contributed to the absence of factory manual options on current TRD models.
Historical context: manual transmissions and TRD
Old generations where manuals existed
Earlier generations of Toyota trucks and SUVs with TRD packages could sometimes be configured with manual gearboxes on certain engines or trims. Over time, however, Toyota’s TRD offerings gravitated toward automatic transmissions to improve reliability, refinement, and on-road manners, leading to manuals becoming scarce or unavailable in modern TRD models.
Market variations
Transmission availability can vary by country. In some markets outside North America, TRD-equivalent performance trims have, at times, offered manual options in certain generations. Prospective buyers should verify local specifications with a dealer or official Toyota source for the exact model year and trim in their region.
For enthusiasts who specifically want a manual with TRD credentials, the pool is largely historical. You would generally need to seek older used models or consider non-TRD variants that historically offered manuals, depending on what is available in your region and model year.
What this means for buyers today
If having a manual transmission is a priority, today’s TRD-equipped Toyota trucks and SUVs in the United States are not the right fit, as manuals are not offered on current TRD trims. Prospective buyers who value a manual gearbox may need to look at older model years, explore non-TRD trims with manual options, or consider other brands that continue to offer manuals in off-road-oriented models.
Summary
The Toyota TRD lineup does not currently offer a manual transmission in its U.S. market models. While historical TRD variants did exist with manual options, the modern TRD-trimmed Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, and Sequoia are paired with automatic transmissions. Buyers should confirm the exact specifications for their target year and region, as configurations can vary, especially outside the United States. For those specifically seeking a manual, exploring older used TRD-equipped trucks or non-TRD manual options may be necessary.
