2022 toyota tacoma double cab: The Toyota Tacoma undergoes change relatively slowly, but its supporters don’t mind. They may find fault with its simple cabin and on-road manners. But they perceive a tough truck that can travel 200,000 miles without incident. And still, command a premium price at auction in ten years. They adore its off-road prowess and adventurous image the most, though. Toyota has improved the Tacoma TRD Pro’s off-road capabilities for 2022 and trickled. Some Pro features down to the less expensive Trail Edition.
For the past 16 years, Tacoma has easily outsold its rivals. And due to its strong value proposition and devoted customer base. It is expected to keep this distinction this year. However, in this day and age when Overlanding and dune-busting are suddenly dinner-table topics. And many new purchasers are thinking about how far they can travel into the wilderness. And Toyota has to work a little harder to maintain its off-roader cred.
Northwest Motor Press Association
At the recent Northwest Motor Press Association Mudfest event, I had the opportunity to test the updated TRD Pro against
18 other trucks and SUVs,
including the Jeep Wrangler
and Ford Bronco, as well as conduct some on-road testing on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. The competition took place just days after the Ford Ranger Tremor. The newest rival to the TRD Pro spent a week negotiating urban jungle and mountain terrain.
To fend off vehicles like the Ranger Tremor, the TRD Pro has received updates to its hardware and visual appeal. And both the Trail Edition and it now has increasingly high suspensions. Even for the “Taco” loyal, there are still a lot of sacrifices with the updated Pro, despite the fact that it looks meaner and is a better trail breaker than previous Tacomas. This off-road brute constantly serves as a reminder of its age both inside the cabin and on the road.
What Will Be New in 2022?
Even keen-eyed Taco enthusiasts will struggle to distinguish the majority of 2022 models from their direct predecessors. The everyday Tacomas are identical to those from the previous year, with the exception of the TRD Pro and Trail Edition. In the Tacomaverse, this is commonplace.
When the current Tacoma generation first debuted in 2016, several of its predecessor’s circa-2006 components were still present. Like the Pritchett Canyon rock formations, Toyota refreshes the truck on a regular basis with new technology and amenities, yet the overall view hardly ever changes.
2022 TRD Pro
However, the 2022 TRD Pro can literally be seen from outer space. Every year Toyota gives the Pro a brand-new, limited-edition color, and this year’s Electric Lime Metallic is anything but reserved. The Trail Edition gradually adopts “Lunar Rock,” a more muted color from the previous year. New wheels and tires, its own LED head and fog lights, optional black graphics, and “TRD Pro” branding embossed into the bed are all added to the Pro.
These aesthetic changes signal new hardware. The TRD Pro is now 0.5 inches taller in the back and 1.5 inches higher upfront than a standard Tacoma. The trucks’ Fox internal-bypass shocks have increased suspension travel, especially more rebound stroke, and new forged upper control arms with a new ball joint.
Only the Jeep Gladiator has a better approach angle, but its length means a 20.9-degree break-over angle and being more careful about cresting peaky objects. The SR5-based Trail edition comes with a 1.1-inch lift in the front and the same 0.5-inch lift out back. It doesn’t get the new suspension hardware, but it does have serious gains in all areas.
Driving the Tacoma TRD Pro in 2022
The skid-plated TRD Pro can mathematically out-angle most of its rivals, and the updated suspension allows for smoother travel across even rougher terrain than before. On rough off-road trails, the driver and passenger will always experience some bouncing, but the TRD Pro has always attempted to give off a sense of invincibility that is enhanced by the less choppy ride and more extreme angles.
On challenging terrain, it feels a little more stable than the Ranger Tremor and unquestionably permits greater wheel travel while articulating better and riding more smoothly. The trail cameras on the TRD Pro make it easier to use in confined spaces. Even though the resolution isn’t great, it is present.
Tacoma
The Tacoma’s 36.2:1 crawl ratio is less than the Tremor’s 47.6:1, and both trucks feature locking rear differentials but non-locking front ones. There is flexibility for even lower gearing in the low range because the Ranger has more gears to choose from—a ten-speed automatic as opposed to the Tacoma’s six-speed manual or automatic. Even better crawl ratios (77:1 on the Jeep) and locking front differentials are features of the Colorado ZR2 and Gladiator. The great majority of motorists won’t even notice this, but the ardent off-road aficionados the TRD Pro is designed for could care.
Although there are five off-road driving modes available—Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mud and Sand, Loose Rock, and Moguls—most terrain can be traversed by keeping the vehicle in low range. Even with the automatic Crawl Control activated, the Tacoma encourages the driver to take advantage of every dip and dune. Similar to most hill descent control systems, this low-speed cruise control for the trail regulates the throttle and brake inputs to maintain a consistent pace on the path. Ford and Jeep offer similar configurations.
The 2022 TRD Pro is undoubtedly the most off-road capable Tacoma yet, but these changes have no effect on how it behaves on the road.
A few blasts on the track bring back previous Tacoma characteristics. The nose dips like a low rider when the brakes are used firmly. The 3.5-liter V6’s 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque are more than sufficient, but the six-speed transmission is slow to respond and hunts about for the appropriate gear on the track despite being quite responsive on the trail. Although no one purchases these for track days and an open roadway would result in better-coordinated movement, the Tacoma is equally unhappy on a winding, narrow road as it is happy on a path.
