Toyota Built A Shock-absorbing Truck Seat, But It Needs A Manual Setup

We’re used to seeing big leaps in engine tech, transmission tuning, braking systems, and suspension setups. But it’s rare to see meaningful innovation in something as basic as a car seat. That’s what makes Toyota’s IsoDynamic Performance seats stand out.

First introduced with the off-road-focused Tacoma TRD Pro a couple of years back, these seats don’t just look different, they actually do something.

Read: New Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Comes With A Hand Pump To Adjust Its Trick Seats

We had a chance to get a closer look at them in late 2023, digging into the mechanics of how they work and how they can noticeably change the experience behind the wheel, especially when the pavement runs out. The system is designed to make off-roading smoother and more controlled, without turning the seat into an overengineered gimmick.

To help owners get the most out of the feature, Toyota has released a detailed explainer video breaking down the key functions and setup process for these seats.

Setups and Switches

In the video, Todd Muck, executive engineer in Product Development at Toyota Motor North America Research & Development, walks through the basics. When a new Tacoma TRD Pro rolls off the lot, the seats arrive in what’s called on-road mode. That’s the default, tuned for daily driving with no additional intervention required.

Switching to off-road mode isn’t automatic, though. If you’re planning to go off-roading, it’s vital to turn two toggles into off-road mode, ensuring that oil can flow to the struts and allowing the air piston to work correctly. It’s not complicated, but it does require a bit of mechanical awareness.

The Hidden Pump Trick

There’s much more to the seats than simply flicking a switch and calling it a day. There’s also a hand pump mounted behind the rear passenger seat. It looks a lot like something you’d use to inflate a basketball or a bike tire.

This pump is used to fine-tune the seat pressure, giving drivers the option to stiffen the response based on personal preference or terrain. It’s a low-tech solution with a very specific purpose, and it adds a layer of customization that’s usually missing from seating systems.

Toyota

For those unsure where to start, the Toyota app offers recommended pressure settings based on your driving conditions. Whether you’re crawling over rocks or just heading down a dirt fire road, the app can help you dial things in more effectively.

The IsoDynamic Performance seats were first made available in the 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro. More recently, they’ve become an optional feature in the 2026 Tundra TRD Pro.

Toyota hasn’t confirmed plans to roll them out across the rest of its lineup, but the 4Runner TRD Pro seems like a logical candidate. It shares similar off-road intentions, and the addition could enhance its already capable setup.