2022 Toyota Tacoma

The USA just can't get enough of its pickup trucks, so it's not surprising that the Toyota Tacoma sells well. Of course, that may have something to do with the fact that it's capable and fun to drive off-road. Not too small or too big, it slots nicely into the mid-size segment, so it doesn't feel too clunky around town. But don't be fooled, it is definitely not made for city living. The rugged trailblazer lacks the refinement of a daily driver, with a rough riding experience on tarred roads and clumsy handling. In these aspects, it can't match the much smoother Honda Ridgeline. The Toyota's base four-cylinder engine is a disappointment, too. However, if you opt for the throatier V6 and stick to the roads less traveled, you just might fall in love with the Tacoma pickup, like so many others before you.

The exact appearance of the Tacoma depends on how you configure it, since you can mix and match the cab and cargo bed options. The Access Cab supplies two doors, while the Double Cab tacks on an extra pair of doors at the back. The SR and SR5 have pretty basic grilles, while the TRD Sport and Off-Road get honeycomb grilles. The Limited gets a silver horizontal bar grille, while the TRD Pro boasts the most aggressive Toyota heritage grille with the TOYOTA lettering replacing the logo found on lesser models. It also gets a TRD Pro front skid plate and a hood scoop with a choice of special graphics - some new this year.

The blocky headlights are the same across the range, but they upgrade from standard halogen to LEDs on the Limited upwards, and every model aside from the base SR comes equipped with fog lights. Two special editions have been available since last year, with the Trail Edition borrowing the same grille as the Limited but with bronze TOYOTA lettering. The standard wheels are 16-inch items across the lineup in various styles, while the TRD Sport gets 17-inch items and the Limited gets larger 18-inch wheels. The Nightshade package features blacked-out exterior accents as the name implies. The TRD Pro and Trail Edition get the same style of TRD 16-inch alloy wheel, but the former's are painted black and the latter's are bronze. The top-tier trims also sport a power tilt-and-slide moonroof.

As you'd expect from a pickup truck that spends much of its time playing in the mud, the Tacoma has the kind of dimensions that really make it stand out. If you pair the Access Cab with the six-foot bed, you will get a 127.4-inch wheelbase within a 212.3-inch body. The Double Cab with the five-foot bed shares these dimensions, but the Double Cab with the six-foot bed measures 225.5 inches long with a 140.6-inch wheelbase. The lower trim levels have a width of 74.4 inches, but once you upgrade to the TRD Sport, an extra 0.8 inches are added. Similarly, each model stands 70.6 inches tall, except for the Trail Edition and TRD Pro, which are around one to two inches taller than the rest. In its most basic of guises, the Tacoma tips the scales at 3,915 pounds, while weight increases to 4,550 lbs on the heftiest guise.

To help it handle rougher terrain, the Toyota pickup boasts a ground clearance of 9.4 inches, but specific configurations alter the approach/breakover/departure angles. This ranges from 29/20/23.1 degrees up to 35/24/23.5 degrees on the normal models. The two special editions' figures differ; the Trail Edition's figures are 34/26.4/23.6 degrees and the TRD Pro is the best of the lot with 36.4/26.6/24.7 degrees.

Although there have been some changes to the palette, the Tacoma can be dressed in one of ten colors. The base-level SR offers Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Midnight Black Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic, and Celestial Silver Metallic - the latter replacing last year's Silver Sky Metallic. This is expanded with Blue Crush Metallic on the SR5 - replacing last year's Voodoo Blue. The TRD Sport also gets Army Green, the $425 Wind Chill Pearl, or Lunar Rock - a new color. The Cement hue is no longer offered. Most of the colors available on the TRD Off-Road require upgrading to the Technology Package for an additional $1,255. The Nightshade Special Edition Package palette comprises Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, or Wind Chill Pearl, again for $425. The Limited and TRD Pro refine their palettes to more limited choices - although the choice of interior color does affect the availability of exterior shades - but the top-tier trim does get access to the new Lunar Rock hue, along with the Trail Edition. Besides Lunar Rock, the Trail Edition is also available in Army Green, Midnight Black, and Super White. The TRD Pro's palette consists of Super White, Magnetic Gray, Midnight Metallic, and Electric Lime - a brand-new metallic lime-green color exclusive to this trim.

The Tacoma is certainly not built for high performance, even with the specs set to max. The 278-horsepower V6 provides enough power to lug it around, moving it from 0 to 60 mph in around eight seconds. This is quite a bit slower than what rivals like the Ford Ranger are capable of, though. It's the torque that matters when it comes to doing heavy work, though, but the Tacoma falls behind competitors like the Ranger here, too. Again, you'll want to avoid the middling four-cylinder base engine, since it can only handle towing a mere 3,500 pounds. Properly configured and equipped with the V6, the Tacoma can haul a maximum of 6,800 lbs, as opposed to the 7,500 lbs of the Ford.

For towing purposes, the RWD drivetrain is the best option, but if you plan to go off-road, the four-wheel drivetrain is a must.

Of the two engines available to the Toyota pickup, the first is rather unimpressive. Developing 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, the 2.7-liter four-pot moves the hefty Tacoma truck along, but not with any degree of haste. A six-speed automatic gearbox does duty here and both 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains are on offer. This engine is standard on the SR and SR5, while the upper trims get the V6 engine as standard. Displacing 3.5 liters, the stronger engine develops 278 hp and 265 lb-ft, and power is directed to your choice of the rear or all four wheels, though the TRD Pro and Trail Edition have access to the 4WD drivetrain only. The same six-speed automatic transmission is on offer here, too, but the TRD trims and Trail Edition can also be equipped with a six-speed manual.

If you only want the Tacoma for its looks, and never intend to put it to work, the base four-cylinder is passable, but if you ever want to tow or go off-road, then pass it over instead. The V6 unlocks the true potential of the vehicle, and it works best when paired with the manual gearbox.

While the Toyota Tacoma likes to get rough and dirty off-road, it requires your constant attention when you're driving around town. You could even accuse it of getting bored or being restless with the way that it wanders off course when cruising down the highway. Even when moving at slower speeds, it doesn't handle the pavement well, with even minor road abrasions being transmitted to the cabin. There is one saving grace, at least; road noise is managed well by the rugged tires.

It only starts to really shine when you stop treating it like a car and take it off the beaten path. You'll need the 4x4 drivetrain to get the most out of the experience. Properly equipped, it feels completely at home on rougher terrain, where it never loses its footing or confidence. Feedback is brilliant, and the electronic Crawl Control system will give you a hand if you want to focus more on maneuvering rather than managing your speed.

The exact gas mileage you get will depend on how you configure your ride. If you settle for the starter four-cylinder engine, you can expect 20/23/21 mpg city/highway/combined with the RWD and 19/22/20 mpg with the 4WD. The V6 is not only more powerful, but returns the same consumption figures in mixed driving conditions of 19/24/21 mpg with RWD and 18/22/20 mpg with 4WD. However, those numbers apply to the V6 with the automatic gearbox. The least efficient setup uses the manual gearbox, which can only be paired with the V6 engine and four-wheel drivetrain. In this guise, the EPA estimates fuel economy at 17/21/18 miles per gallon, with the Double Cab TRD Pro losing another mile per gallon on the highway. But, since it comes outfitted with a 21.1-gallon fuel tank, the Tacoma can still traverse about 443 miles between pit stops in its most efficient configuration.

Few people buy a pickup truck for its luxurious cabin, and if you are one of those select few, then the Tacoma is not the right choice for you. Styling is plain and the materials used are hardy but not high-class. Leather is available at the upper trim levels, but it is for the seats only, leaving the plastic dash and door panels to fend for themselves. An electrically adjustable driver's seat on most models makes it easy to find a good driving position, and the controls for the features are laid out for ease of access. There aren't that many to worry about, though, although the infotainment suite has all the essentials.

Though it may come outfitted with seating appointments for five, the Tacoma is not an ideal family hauler. Legroom is especially tight in the back, with as little as 24.6 inches in the Access Cab. This is improved when you choose the Double Cab since it offers 32.6 inches of legroom, although it still doesn't qualify as spacious. Headroom follows the same pattern, but it's actually quite good in the back of the Double Cab. Regardless, those up front are definitely the most comfortable, with space to spare, and a ten-way power driver's seat on most versions makes it much easier to find a comfortable position, although taller individuals will still struggle a bit. On the plus side, the seats are comfortable, which helps to offset some of the discomfort of driving on tarred roads.

If you want anything better than cloth upholstery, you'll have to upgrade to at least the Limited trim. On the SR, you get Cement Gray cloth only and Black cloth with Red accent stitching is added as a choice on the SR5. In the Trail Edition, the standard black fabric gets unique tan contrast stitching. The TRD Sport and Off-Road each get Cement/Black combination fabric, while the latter can be specified with Black Leather if you are willing to cough up an extra $3,815 for the Premium Package. Once you reach the Limited level, Hickory leather becomes standard, with Black available too. However, the black leather cannot be had with the Windchill Pearl, Magnetic Gray, or Midnight Black paint unless you also spec the Nightshade Special Edition Package for $1,000 or $1,425, depending on the paint choice. The top-of-the-line TRD Pro gets the highest quality black leather with TRD Pro logos on the headrests. As for the rest of the cabin, hard plastic is present throughout, showing the rugged durability of the Tacoma. True to this philosophy, construction is solid.

How much cargo space you have all depends on the bed length you choose when configuring your truck. Measurements for the five-foot bed are 60.5 inches lengthwise, 41.5 inches in width, and 19.1 inches high. The longer six-foot bed adds an extra 13.2 inches of length. In either setup, you get access to loads of space, but exactly how much you can carry will depend on the specific payload capacity of the configuration you select. Here, you have to trade power and capability for GVWR, as some 4x4 Double Cab options only allow for a payload of up to 1,095 lbs, while the 4x2 Access Cab increases this to 1,685 lbs.

Around the cabin, there are not a lot of storage options. A few bins around the center console and some narrow door pockets can hold the smallest of items. But, if you want to stow anything larger, your only option is the glove compartment or the center armrest cubby.

The Tacoma is no luxury cruiser, but you get all the basics, even on the entry-level SR. These include air conditioning and power accessories, as well as a small 4.2-inch color driver-information display. The tilt/telescopic steering column is manually adjustable, though. A rearview camera complements the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which comprises pre-collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Keyless entry and a leather-trimmed steering wheel are added on the SR5, while the Trail Edition is mostly the same, save for its trim-specific differences, because its standard equipment is based on that of the SR5. It does get a ten-way powered driver's seat though, as well as dual-zone climate control. TRD Sport expands the offering with keyless ignition, a leather-trimmed shift lever, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless charging, and a 120-volt power outlet. Worth noting is that these features apply to the trims in their cheapest form; for instance, with the V6 engine and the Double Cab upgrades, an SR5 is far better equipped. The Limited and TRD Pro are the most extensively outfitted, with leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and rear sonar. The Limited adds a panoramic view monitor and the TRD Pro adds a multi-terrain monitor.

The infotainment suite starts off with a seven-inch touchscreen on the SR, programmed with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, Wi-Fi, and Amazon Alexa. This is paired with a six-speaker sound system with access to SiriusXM. Upgrading to the SR5 increases the size of the screen to eight inches, while the Limited adds navigation, and upgrades the sound system to a six-speaker JBL unit. From the TRD Sport upwards, a wireless charging pad is standard. The TRD Pro offers all the same features but sticks with the standard audio setup, unless you opt for the automatic version, in which case the JBL sound system is included. Despite coming equipped with loads of modern features, the suite feels as old as the Tacoma, with slow responses and clumsy menus.

Reliability reviews from J.D. Power for the 2022 model year yielded a rating of 82 out of 100 overall and 81 for quality and reliability, which is good for midsize pickup trucks. No recalls have been issued for the 2022 model at the time of writing and the 2021 model was also recall-free, but the 2020 was recalled once - for a potential fuel pump failure. The warranty plan offered by Toyota won't astound, but it is adequate. Bumper-to-bumper maintenance is covered for three years/36,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty is valid for five years/60,000 miles. A corrosion perforation warranty runs for five years.

Each safety review of the Toyota Tacoma returned quite good results, and it has a solid reputation, as shown by the 2019 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. The organization last evaluated the 2021 model, which received Good in every category save for the small overlap front: passenger-side test, which received an Acceptable score. The NHTSA gives it an overall rating of four out of five stars for 2022, which is broken down into five stars for the side crash tests and four for the front and rollover tests.

Even the most basic of Tacomas come outfitted with a full Toyota Safety Sense P suite of features. Under this umbrella, you'll find collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning with steering assist. Other standard safety features include stability and traction control, ABS, hill-start assist, EBD, and a set of eight airbags, covering the front passengers, their knees and sides, and the side curtain for both rows of seats. The Limited and TRD Pro get a little more tech in the form of rear parking sonar, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. A panoramic-view monitor is standard on the Limited.

The Tacoma has been with us for quite some time now and it has amassed a following of die-hard fans. There's a very good reason for this, too. Despite its age, it is a rugged and capable pickup with competitive towing capacities and genuine off-roading ability. However, it is far from perfect. While Toyota has done its best to keep the truck up to date in terms of tech, with a decent infotainment suite and dependable safety features, it hasn't fundamentally changed the Tacoma. Thus, it suffers from a cramped cabin and it feels abysmal on city roads. So long as you plan to stick to playing in the mud or hauling heavy loads around, it's a great choice, but if you want to do anything else, look elsewhere - or wait for the brand-new 2023 Tacoma.

With eight trim levels to choose from and a variety of configurations within each, the price of the Toyota Tacoma changes depending on your needs. The entry-level SR starts things off at $26,500, with the SR5 increasing this to $29,810. The 2022 Trail Edition is expected to be quite a bit pricier at around $34,785, while the TRD Sport comes in a little cheaper at $33,410. The TRD Off-Road is a bit more rugged and will cost you $34,690. Moving more towards the luxury side of things, the price jumps to $39,255 for the Limited, with an extra $1,000 if you want the Nightshade Special Edition. The most expensive model is the TRD Pro, which is expected to have a 2022 base price of $44,785. This trim gets 4-wheel-drive as standard, while adding it to any of the others costs extra; for example the 4x4 Limited ups the price to $42,830. Similarly, upgrading to the V6 engine increases the price of the SR and SR5 to $28,760 and $31,435, respectively. There are no packages available at the top level except for the Nightshade Special Edition Package for $1,000 on the Limited ($1,650 if you add a tonneau cover too), but if you option on the few available accessories, the total cost of the Toyota Tacoma maxes out at around $50k. These are MSRP prices and do not include tax, registration, licensing, or Toyota's $1,215 destination charge.

Considering the possible trim combinations, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma lineup comprises eight trims: SR, SR5, Trail Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and TRD Pro - although the Nightshade Edition is in effect just a Limited with a package added. There are two engine options available - a 2.7-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 159 hp, which is standard on the bottom two trims, and a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 with 278 hp, which is standard on the rest of the lineup. Both the Trail Edition and TRD Pro come with 4WD only, which is optional on the rest of the models that are 2WD by default. All trims are available in both Access Cab and Double Cab, except for the Limited, Trail Edition, and TRD Pro - they are double cabs only.

In its base four-cylinder configuration, the entry-level SR comes as standard with projector-beam headlights, 16-inch steel wheels, and skid plates under the engine and front suspension. Inside, it gets cloth upholstery, air-conditioning, a color 4.2-inch driver-information display, and a manually adjustable tilting/telescoping steering wheel. The screen of the infotainment system measures seven inches and it incorporates Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth streaming, Wi-Fi, three USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Standard safety features include eight airbags, stability control, hill-start assist, a backup camera, and Toyota's Safety Sense P suite, which includes collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, and lane-departure warning with steering assistance.

The SR5 adds to these features fog lights, a chrome grille surround, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, remote keyless entry and an infotainment screen that is one inch larger at eight inches.

The Trail Edition is based on the SR5 but is a little better equipped, adding a ten-way electrically adjustable driver's seat and dual-zone climate control. The other changes are model-specific and in the spirit of its all-terrain ability. It's a double cab 4x4 only and is offered in just four exterior colors, with bronze the color of its special 16-inch TRD alloy wheels and TOYOTA grille lettering. It has special all-terrain tires, lifted suspension, insulated driver-side bed storage that can double as a cooler, "TRD Pro" stamped into the bedsides, a 120-volt power outlet in the bed, a revised front fascia to improve the approach angle, a locking rear differential, and TRD Off-Road undercarriage skid plates.

The TRD Sport comes with the V6 engine and adds onto the SR5's exterior 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and a 120-volt bed-mounted power outlet. Inside, it gains keyless ignition, dual-zone climate control, a ten-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-trimmed gear shifter, a wireless charging pad, and a power-sliding rear window on the double cab.

The TRD Off-Road is mostly similar but runs on machined 16-inch alloy wheels and gets several off-road-focused changes, such as a locking rear differential, TRD Off-Road suspension, a fuel-economy display, and inclinometer with pitch/roll displays.

The Limited trim receives LED headlights, a powered tilting/sliding moonroof, and 18-inch polished alloy wheels. Inside, it gains a HomeLink universal transceiver, leather upholstery, heated front seats, navigation, a surround-view camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and a JBL audio system, still with six speakers.

The Nightshade Special Edition is basically a $1,000 package added to the Limited and it blacks out the exterior of the Tacoma - notably the 18-inch alloys, wheel locks, lug nuts, exhaust tip, badging, door handles, mirror caps, and fog-light bezels. It also has a model-specific carbon-style black grille.

At the top of the pile is the TRD Pro, which has everything the Limited has, plus Rigid Industries LED fog lights and the same 16-inch TRD alloy wheels of the Trail Edition, only painted black here. It is the most hardcore off-roader in the lineup and the only trim to benefit from new forged aluminum upper control arms in the front suspension, an increase rebound stroke, Fox internal-bypass dampers, and the best approach/breakover/departure angles of any Tacoma. It's also the only trim to get access to the new Electric Lime paint color.

If picking between eight trim levels isn't enough for you, then there are several ways to further customize your Tacoma. Most trims offer a choice of several packages and a host of smaller stand-alone accessories.

Starting with the base-model SR in Access Cab guise, the SX Package ($840) adds black 16-inch alloys and finishes the overfenders, mirrors caps, door handles, and headlight bezels in black too. The Utility Package will lower your bill by $1,715 since it deletes the rear speakers and seats to make space for additional cargo such as tools. However, it is limited to the Access Cab. The SR5 has the option of the SR5 Appearance Package that includes dark-gray 16-inch alloy wheels and body-color overfenders for $685. For an extra $650, you can also add a tonneau cover to this package. The TRD Sport gets access to a lot more comprehensive upgrades, such as the $1,935 Technology Package, which adds LED headlights, daytime running lights, and fog lights, a tonneau cover, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. One step below the Limited, the TRD Off-Road can add some of the more premium features with the $5,720 Premium Off-Road Package, which comprises rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, LED exterior lighting, leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a moonroof, a tonneau cover, and a JBL sound system. The only extras offered on the flagship Limited is a standalone tonneau cover ($650) or the Nightshade Special Edition Package with bespoke blacked-out exterior styling and wheels ($1,000).

You certainly aren't lacking in options in this area. Those with the budget for it won't regret going for the TRD Pro, but it certainly isn't necessary to get the job done. If you want all the capability without the cumbersome price tag, though, the TRD Off-Road is the route to go. It can play in the mud with the best of them. You don't even need to tack on any packages either, since these are just luxury items that the Tacoma can do without. But if you do plan to use it as a daily driver, the leather seats and upgraded infotainment suite might be desirable. Or you can opt for the Trail Edition for the same kind of money and get your off-road Tacoma with a dash of extra style and a sense of exclusivity.

It is hard to compete with the most beloved pickup truck brand in the US, but the Tacoma tries its best. However, the fact that it is more expensive at every step is not a good start. The turbocharged four-cylinder on the Ranger is far more capable in comparison to anything the Toyota has, offering faster acceleration times and a higher towing capacity of 7,500 lbs. So, if you plan on using your pickup to do heavy work, the choice is clear. But, if you want to go off-road, things take a turn in the other direction. In this area, the Tacoma is far superior to the Ford. In fact, a quick test drive proves that it is even more pleasant to drive on paved roads, which is saying something. In terms of tech and safety features, the two competitors are pretty much on par. Since there are definitely hardier workers out there, like the F-150 from Ford, there really is no reason to choose the Ranger over the Tacoma for this.

If you think the Tacoma offers a lot of configuration options, just wait until you see the competition. Whether you spend the bulk of your time around town or are more of an adventurer at heart, you can build the Chevy Colorado to suit your needs. It is also quite a bit more powerful than the Toyota, thanks to its 308-hp V6, while the diesel powertrain supplies 369 lb-ft of torque that allows it to tow up to 7,700 lbs. Unfortunately, Chevrolet hasn't done a great job of keeping the Colorado up to date tech-wise. But, with decent off-roading ability, more workhorse potential, and a better riding experience around town, it is still a lot more balanced and pleasant than the Tacoma.