The 2022 Toyota Tacoma is great for work and fantastic off-roading, but its small interior and driving characteristics are less refined than most other mid-size pickups. Although it's the only one that still has a manual transmission, the anemic four-cylinder and 270-horsepower V6 don't offer remarkable power; a six-speed automatic is optional, but not particularly refined. After all, the Tacoma is backed by Toyota's legendary reliability, and models optimized for off-road use are particularly capable. Its supple chassis and rugged features help it maintain its reputation alongside legends like the Jeep Wrangle and now its pickup counterpart, the Gladiator. In 2022, the Tacoma isn't as customizable as the Jeeps and doesn't ride as well as the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, but the Taco is rugged and equipped with standard driver assistance.
What's new in 2022?
Elevated Tacoma models will be even higher for the 2022 model year. The Trail Edition and TRD Pro have been raised half an inch in the rear and 1.1 and 1.5 inches in the front, respectively. The height advantage gives both trucks better approach, breakout and departure angles, making them easier than ever to crawl over rough terrain. The TRD Pro is also available in the exclusive Electric Lime color, while the Trail Edition is available in Lunar Rock (previously only available on TRD Pro models). Visually, the Trail Edition is enhanced by bronze 16-inch wheels and bronze lettering on the grille. The TRD Pro is now identified by the embossed "TRD Pro" logo on the rear fascia, and there are new hood graphics.
The TRD Off-Road Crew Cab (also called Double Cab) is offered on the 2022 Toyota Tacoma. It comes standard with an electronic locking rear differential, and we'd take ours with optional all-wheel drive. We'd skip the wheezy four-cylinder base engine and opt for the more powerful V6 option. Although forgoing the automatic transmission means forgoing some options, we'd rather shift gears ourselves and avoid the automatic transmission's ponderous behavior. This choice limits us to the shorter 5.0-foot bed, because for some reason the manual transmission isn't compatible with Tacos equipped with the 6.0-foot bed. Also, the Premium packages are not offered with the transmission we chose. Still, all models come with 16-inch wheels, black fenders, extensive driver assistance systems, and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription Wi-Fi hotspot. We'd also opt for the Technology Package, which includes upgraded front lighting with LED elements, as well as blind-spot warning, cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors.
The Tacoma's optional V6 engine offers decent power and traction, but the base four-cylinder is underpowered and better avoided. We also advise avoiding the finicky six-speed automatic transmission on either engine, opting for the six-speed manual and the V6. Anchored by the automatic, the larger engine sometimes struggles. The TRD Sport and Limited models are geared toward city driving, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro versions take on rougher roads. Still, neither option is particularly fast. The Tacoma is far from the top choice when it comes to ride and handling, but it handles trails or rough country roads with ease. It can be equipped to handle off-road as well as on pavement. The Limited offers a comfortable ride that is smoother and quieter than off-road versions. We drove the Tacoma TRD Pro in the West and found that the high-mounted suspension, rugged shocks and rough tires make it one of the best off-road vehicles, but less fun to drive on a daily basis.
