Toyota Debuts Five Special-edition Trucks and SUVs in Chicago

Published on February 6, 2020 in Chicago by Guillaume Rivard

Japanese automaker Toyota seems to love the Chicago Auto Show. Once again this year, it used the occasion to unveil some new trucks and SUVs with sporty and outdoorsy appeal.

2021 Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner Trail

To celebrate and support fresh-air fun, Toyota is introducing the 2021 Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner Trail special editions this summer. All put emphasis on extra storage and convenience, with unique styling and exclusive content added for good measure.

The Tacoma Trail is built on the SR5 Double Cab and the Tundra Trail is built off the SR5. Available Trail colour choices include Army Green and Cement.

All Trails feature black exterior badging and black seating with tan stitching. In all versions, standard all-weather floor liners help catch the outdoor elements that come in on occupants’ feet.

More specifically, the 2021 Tacoma Trail features a set of Dark Grey 18-inch TRD Off-Road wheels with Kevlar all-terrain tires, the grille from the Tacoma Limited and a 115-volt power outlet in the bed. The Tundra Trail wears the chrome grille from the top-of-line Tundra 1794 Edition with colour-keyed surround, plus special-edition wheels. As for the 4Runner Trail, it features dark grey TRD Off-Road wheels, a Yakima LoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket, a custom 40-quart cooler and sliding cargo tray.

2021 Tacoma Nightshade

Toyota is expanding its lineup of Nightshade special editions with the 2021 Tacoma Nightshade, which is built on the luxurious Limited grade model. Also due in showrooms this summer, it comes with all black leather seating and black exterior trim, including a darkened chrome grille, black mirror caps and black door handles.

Completing the package are Dark Smoke 18-inch alloy wheels, black exhaust tip and fog light bezels and a new grille insert design. While Magnetic Grey Metallic and Windchill Pearl colours are available, we highly recommend Midnight Black Metallic for the full effect.

2021 Highlander XSE

Even though the all-new 2020 Toyota Highlander hit the market just a few months ago, the company is not wasting any time with the addition of a sporty XSE model for 2021—for the first time in the 20-year history of this family SUV. It is slated for launch this fall.

Positioned between the XLE and Limited grades, the 2021 Highlander XSE boasts a 295-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Dynamic Torque Vectoring all-wheel drive. The system can send up to 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels and control the left/right torque distribution to the rear wheels, as well.

Exclusive, machine-faced 20-inch wheels with black accents are attached to a sport-tuned suspension that utilizes higher-rate springs and rear stabilizer bar along with retuned shock absorbers for superior handling.

In terms of design, the front fascia, grille and lower spoiler are exclusive to this model and impart a more aggressive stance. Distinctive headlamps feature black accents and light-strip DRLs. Around back, the first-ever exposed chrome dual-tip exhaust on a Highlander can be found. Black roof rails, mirror caps and window mouldings add another cool touch.

What else? Let’s see… The 2021 Highlander XSE features black Softex-trimmed seats with fabric inserts, ambient lighting and carbon-fibre finish on the instrument panel. How awesome is the available red and black leather interior with red-stitched instrument panel? The icing on the cake is a 1,200-watt, 11-speaker JBL premium sound system, also optional.