The Toyota Tacoma has long had a strong off-road reputation, and that reputation will only be enhanced by the introduction of the 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double Cab Trail Edition. This is the third year the Trail Edition has been in the lineup, and it is the best version yet.

The front end features a new 1.1-inch lift thanks to taller coil springs. The standard SR5 front air dam has been removed to help improve ground clearance. And the combination of the changes gives a better approach angle (34 degrees.) At the same time, the rear suspension has been lifted 0.5 inches thanks to a spacer between the rear axle housing and leaf springs. This offers better departure and breakover angles.

As Host Jack Nerad found when he tested the truck, it has bronze-finished wheels that provide a 0.5-inch wider track width for a broader stance plus Goodyear all-terrain tires with an aggressive sidewall tread. Skid plates borrowed from the TRD Off-Road trim provide added protection over uneven terrain. In all the Trail Edition is better than ever, and Nerad will offer his personal opinions in this episode.

Also in the road test segment, Co-Host Chris Teague tests the all-electric Ford F150 full-size pickup in the frigid temperatures of late-fall in Maine. Was the Lightning able to stand up to the challenging weather? And was the infrastructure able to support the innovative truck in a way that owners of the vehicle would find acceptable? Teague will answer those questions and more in his report.

Our guest this week is Jenny Chang, a product planner at Kia. At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Host Jack Nerad sat down with her to discuss the details of the heavily revised 2024 Kia Seltos. It promises to be much more exciting than before with more horsepower and a new level of fun to drive.

In the news, the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year Finalists have just been announced. Here they are along with some predictions by the North American Car of the Year jurors. And of course, Jack Nerad and Chris Teague offer their comments as well.

The finalists for each category, in alphabetical order, are:

Acura Integra

Genesis G80 EV

Nissan Z

Chevrolet Silverado ZR2

Ford F-150 Lightning

Lordstown Endurance

Cadillac Lyriq

Genesis GV60

Kia EV6

Also in the news, General Motors says its electric vehicle sales will be profitable in 2025, thanks to more than a little help from its friends. We’ll tell you who those friends are and have some additional comments coming up in this edition of America on the Road.