Toyotas have made a name for themselves in the automotive market as some of the best vehicles available. They retain their value and have great reliability. When we look at their 2022 lineup, it’s no wonder why everybody keeps trading in and upgrading their current Toyota. This is especially the case when we look at the new 2022 Toyota Tacoma for sale at Toyota dealerships nationwide. Easily one of the most recognizable and popular trucks out on the road, the 2022 Tacomas are taking the midsize truck world by storm. Let’s take a look at everything the 2022 Tacoma has to offer buyers and why it’s made such a big name for itself in the truck world.
What’s New for 2022
The changes for the 2022 Tacoma are primarily cosmetic. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it is a great mentality when it comes to changing trucks because changing underlying functional pieces of the vehicle can make them prone to recalls. Toyota applied this theory for their 2022 releases and only made some updates on stylistic and trim-specific features. These changes make the Tacoma look even better, though, and we appreciate the extra height they gave the off-road trim.
A bright green color option is now on the docket, making it possible to make the Tacoma even more eye-catching on the roads. While these changes are not major, they do give slight advantages to drivers. The higher lift gives drivers more control and the ability to turn tighter while adding additional clearance in off-road situations. The color addition isn’t necessarily functional, but you won’t be stuck wandering a parking lot looking for your vehicle if it’s bright green, so the brighter and more distinguished colors still have some perks.
An Array of Powertrain Options
For 2022, Toyota gave the Tacoma two different engine options. The primary engine is a 2.7 liter I-4 that generates 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This is a fun and capable engine that can handle up to 3,500 lbs of tow weight and is paired with an automatic 6-speed transmission that averages an estimated fuel economy of 20 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway for the 2WD base model.
While the base engine is nice and sufficient, we do have a preference for the alternate engine. This upgrade gives the Tacoma a 3.5 liter V6 that gets up to 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. This additional horsepower makes the Tacoma more fun to drive, and when paired with the higher amount of torque, the Tacoma is capable of almost double the amount of towing weight. With the V6 engine, the Tacoma has a towing capacity of up to 6,800 lbs. 3,300 lbs more is the difference between being able to tow a camp trailer or not, and we always prefer the most capable engine.
Another perk of the engine upgrade is the ability to select between an automatic or manual 6-speed transmission. Being able to drive a manual transmission is a dying art, and we love that Toyota is leaving that as an option, even in 2022. This engine can get an estimated 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway, which makes it slightly more fuel efficient than the base engine if you plan on doing a lot of highway driving.
A Trim for Every Type of Driver
The 2022 Tacoma comes in six different trim options. Each option tends to build on the others, and all have their own benefits.
SR: As their base and entry-level trim, the SR is pretty standard across the board. However, one nice feature of the SR is it does come with front dual climate control. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Sirius XM, and auto-lock doors. Although it is the base model, it still offers an array of features a driver in the market for a less-expensive model would want.
SR5: The SR5 is the Tacoma’s next trim level, and it incorporates everything the SR has to offer and adds a couple of additional comfort features. The driver’s seat is now power-adjustable with the SR5 trim, keyless entry is a standard feature, and the integrated fog lights are a nice finishing touch. While this trim offers a few more features to drivers, there’s still an array of available features on the higher-end trims.
TRD Sport: This is probably our favorite trim level of the 2022 Tacomas. Toyota packed a bit more into this trim, making it worth spending a little more. The TRD Sport Tacoma gets a Smart Key. This convenience feature gives drivers a key fob that can unlock their vehicle, turn on courtesy lights, and more just by being in close proximity to your car. It makes unlocking doors with a handful easy and allows you to program certain vehicle functions with your key fob. The TRD Sport also gets upgraded with machined alloy wheels that clean up the Tacoma’s exterior look. With the TRD Sport, you can also add a panoramic view monitor and camera. The driver’s seat gets upgraded to an 8-way power-adjustable seat, and passengers get the comfort of having a four-way adjustable seat with this trim. You can also utilize wifi-connect with the TRD Sport trim, and the interior gets upgraded leather and metallic trimmings.
TRD Off-Road: This is another very popular trim. Like the TRD Sport, the Off-Road gets upgraded wheels, although these are designed to provide contrast to the vehicle. They do add an additional highlight to the look of the 2022 Tacoma. The TRD Off-Road trim also gets a Multi-Terrain Select system that allows drivers to adjust certain drive features of their Tacoma to handle rough or rugged terrain better. The locking gear differential gives this trim on the Toyota a definitive edge over any other when it comes to enjoying uncertain terrain and rock crawling. This is an excellent trim for anyone who is adventurous and is looking to travel off the pavement.
Limited: This trim has all the goodies, and in regards to the Tacoma, it is the icing on the cake. It’s loaded with a lot of great features, and the upgraded audio system is a huge bonus. This trim includes navigation, the panoramic view monitor and camera, and upgraded 18-inch polished alloy wheels. This is a trim with a lot of extras that aren’t necessarily crucial but do enhance your driving experience.
TRD Pro: If the Limited is the icing on the cake, then the TRD Pro is the sprinkles on top! This trim gets upgraded wheels, an upgraded grille, and an upgraded upper control arm. It is also equipped with other enhancements like a Premium JBL Audio system with Dynamic Navigation, leather-trimmed front seats including a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and daytime running lights. As with the Limited, this trim is full of drive-enhancing features that make the ride more enjoyable but aren’t necessarily incredibly important.
An Equally Extensive Abundance of Safety and Convenience Features
Toyota included more safety features in their Tacomas than most other manufacturers. They pack a litany of safety and driver assistance aspects into each model and trim. They include a lane departure warning, lane keep assistance, forward emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. They also include pedestrian detection and automatic high beams. These features help keep drivers safe without overwhelming them.
The Tacoma also has some pretty great infotainment features. Every model gets a 7 or 8-inch touchscreen as its infotainment display. The Tacomas also get USB ports and wireless charging options. These driver convenience features make the Tacoma friendlier to drivers, making utilizing the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto easier and more accessible.
Which Tacoma Are You?
If you’re looking for a new truck, then the 2022 Tacoma is an excellent choice. There are a lot of options and trims available that are sure to make any driver happy. While we certainly have our preferences, we recommend you try out the different trims and engines to see what best suits you.
