2022 Toyota Tacoma cab is great for work tasks and great for off-roading, but it has a small interior and less upscale driving characteristics than the majority of other mid-size pickups. The only one still offering a manual transmission, it has a meager four-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission that is optional but not especially smooth. The Tacoma is at least supported by Toyota’s renown for dependability, and its off-road-optimized variants are exceptionally strong. With a flexible suspension and tough equipment, it thrives in the muck and on the trails and helps maintain its status alongside legends like the Jeep Wrangler and, more recently, its pickup equivalent, the Gladiator.
What has changed for 2022?
For the 2022 model year, already-raised Tacoma models are raised even further. Both the Trail Edition and TRD Pro are now half an inch higher in the back and 1.1 and 1.5 inches higher upfront, respectively. Each truck has superior approach, break over, and departure angles because of its height advantage, which makes crawling over uneven terrain easier than previously. Additionally, the Trail Edition can now have Lunar Rock paint applied to it (formerly available only on TRD Pro models), while the TRD Pro gains the wild-looking and rare Electric Lime paint color. The Trail Edition’s updated exterior features include bronze 16-inch rims and grille branding.
For the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, we advise the TRD Off-Road crew cab, also known as the Double Cab. It has an electronic locking rear differential as standard equipment, and we’d prefer to have ours with the four-wheel drive option. We’d choose the more potent V-6 option over the sluggish four-cylinder base engine. We prefer to manually shift gears to avoid the automatic transmission’s clunky behavior, even though choosing it means forgoing some alternatives. Due to the manual’s incompatibility with Tacos equipped with the 6.0-foot bed, we are now limited to the smaller 5.0-foot cargo box. The Premium packages are also not available with our transmission option.
All models come standard with 16-inch wheels, black over-fenders, several driver aids, and an infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot that requires a subscription. We’d also pick the Technology package with options, which includes parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and enhanced front lighting with LED components.
Performance – Engine, Transmission
Although Tacoma’s base four-cylinder engine is inadequate and should be avoided, the optional V-6 engine offers respectable performance and hauling power. Additionally, we advise staying away from either engine’s finicky six-speed automatic transmission and instead opting for the V-6’s six-speed manual. The larger engine occasionally struggles but is supported by the automatic.
While the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro versions seek out harsher roads. The TRD Sport and Limited trims are designed for city driving. None of these decisions are, however, especially speedy. The Tacoma is not the best option for handling and ride quality. But it can easily navigate rugged backroads and trails. It can be configured to take advantage of opportunities for pavement cruising or dirt treading. The Limited provides a comfortable ride that is quieter and smoother than the off-road models. We’ve driven the Tacoma TRD Pro across the West and discovered that while its
strong shock absorbers,
beefy tires,
and raised suspension makes it one of the greatest trucks for off-roading, regular driving was less enjoyable.
Capacity for Towing and Payload
The Tacoma has a maximum towing capacity of 6800 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 6500 pounds with four-wheel drive. Only two-wheel-drive models of the Tacoma equipped with the four-cylinder engine have a maximum payload capacity of 1685 pounds;
four-wheel-drive models equipped with the V-6 engine have substantially less capability.
Fuel efficiency and actual MPG
Although the EPA rates the V-6 Tacoma’s fuel economy as being in the center of the pack. In our real-world highway tests, it performs less well than its more efficient rivals. The V-6 manual transmission has the worst fuel economy, but it’s also much more enjoyable to drive. In our actual fuel-economy test, Tacoma’s highway estimate of 23 mpg was matched by the vehicle.
Cargo, Comfort, and the Interior
It’s admirable to be true to your roots, but Tacoma’s Cabin doesn’t benefit from this strategy. The materials and utilitarian design are from different time periods. Hard plastics and simple materials are widely utilized in higher trim levels. The Tacoma does, however, now feature a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Still, Tacoma is known for its small spaces. The Tacoma’s occupants will have to cram into the crew cab’s back seat since the legroom is so poor. The Tacoma disappoints with its few storage compartments and constrained carry-on room inside. While having a five- or six-foot bed with more than enough volume.
Connectivity and Information
Toyota deserves praise for including touchscreen infotainment in each Tacoma. All higher trim levels have an 8.0-inch screen, while the base model has a 7.0-inch display. Additionally, the business has now made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. W
hich should enhance user experience in comparison to the prior infotainment system. While Tacoma has a number of USB ports and wireless charging, it still lacks a mobile hotspot compared to some of its competitors.
