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2022 Toyota Tacoma Trail Edition and TRD Pro: More Off-Road Possibilities

The Toyota Tacoma has not seen a redesign since 2016, but age isn’t hindering this mid-size pickup truck’s popularity. The Tacoma continues to outsell its competitors by a long shot. With a buffet of trims, packages and special editions, the Tacoma accommodates shoppers with an appetite for serious off-roading and those looking for just a taste of adventure. For 2022, Toyota has introduced off-road upgrades for its Tacoma Trail Edition and the next generation of its most rugged version, the TRD Pro.

2022 Tacoma Trail Edition: What’s New?

First introduced in 2021, the Toyota Tacoma Trail Edition is based on the Tacoma SR5 trim. The Trail Edition brought styling and convenience features to the SR5, but it didn’t do much to improve the truck’s off-road prowess. For 2022, the Trail Edition keeps its signature styling and unique in-bed storage while adding some tangible off-pavement performance perks.

The Trail Edition returns with styling cues like an exclusive grille design and badging. It also keeps its 120-volt power outlet in the bed and lockable bed storage system complete with insulation for use as a cooler. In addition to its natural calling as a tailgate or camping vehicle, the 2022 Tacoma Trail Edition gets a handful of off-road-focused tweaks to better accommodate a variety of outdoor adventures.

First, Toyota drops the rear-wheel-drive option for the Trail Edition, which now comes only as a 4×4 Double Cab — Tacoma’s Double Cab is the larger cab with four full-size doors versus its smaller Access Cab.. Next, the Trail Edition gets a front suspension lift of 1.1 inches in front and a rear suspension lift of 0.5 inches by using taller coil springs, which combined with the deletion of the SR5’s front air dam improves approach, departure and breakover angles to 34/23.6/26.4 degrees respectively, versus 29/23.5/21 degrees for the 2021 model. Toyota also gives the 2022 Trail Edition a standard locking rear differential and undercarriage skid plates borrowed from the TRD Off-Road trim for more confidence on rough terrain.

The 2022 Tacoma Trail Edition rides on 16-inch bronze TRD wheels wrapped in Goodyear all-terrain tires for an increased track width of 0.5 inches. To match the wheels, the Trail Edition gets a new  grille with bronze lettering, black exterior badging, a color-keyed rear bumper and a new Lunar Rock paint color that joins the existing palette of Army Green, Midnight Black Metallic and Super White.

2022 Tacoma TRD Pro: Even More Off-Road Goods

Along with the enhanced Trail Edition, Toyota announced what it’s calling the third generation of its most capable Tacoma, the TRD Pro. The automaker spices up this version with improved off-road chops for 2022. Available only as a 4×4 Double Cab, the new Tacoma TRD Pro gets a suspension lift of 1.5 inches in front and 0.5 inches at the rear. The suspension boost results in approach, departure and breakover angles of 36.4/ 24.7/26.6 degrees, all better suited for clearing off-road obstacles compared to the 2021 model’s 35/19.1/23.9 degrees.

 

The Tacoma TRD Pro’s are joined by new TRD-engineered forged aluminum upper control arms, which Toyota says add strength and allow the shocks to take advantage of the rebound stroke that comes with the raised suspension.

The 2022 TRD Pro comes with new black TRD-branded wheels and all-terrain tires, an aluminum front skid plate with red TRD lettering, unique LED headlights, foglights and prominent TRD Pro stamping on the rear quarter panel. Electric Lime Metallic is the newest TRD-exclusive color that joins paint options like Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic and Midnight Black Metallic. Inside, the truck sports black leather-trimmed heated front seats, TRD Pro logos on the head restraints and all-weather floormats.

Which Tacoma Suits Your Taste?

Both the Tacoma Trail Edition and TRD Pro are better prepared to leave the pavement for 2022, but they are designed for two distinct customer groups. The updated Trail Edition accommodates outdoor lifestyles and the types of off-road demands that come with them. The truck’s smart storage system, in-bed cooler and power outlet lend themselves to activities like camping, summer road trips and tailgating.

The new TRD Pro is the better choice when off-roading is the adventure in itself and not simply a means to an end. The TRD Pro provides added confidence on challenging terrain thanks to the TRD-tuned suspension; aggressive approach, departure and breakover angles; and a Multi Terrain Monitor, which uses a host of camera views to display the driver’s surroundings and trail obstacles on the vehicle’s multimedia screen.

Despite offering distinct value propositions, the 2022 Tacoma Trail Edition and TRD Pro look similar under the hood. Both trucks are powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 278 horsepower and 265 pounds-feet of torque. The V-6 engine can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an available six-speed automatic in both models, and the towing capacity maxes out at 6,400 pounds thanks to a standard towing package.

Tech and Safety

The 2022 Tacoma Trail Edition and TRD Pro feature an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Both are packed with standard safety features for on-road driving that are bundled into Toyota’s Safety Sense-P. The suite includes a precollision system with pedestrian detection, high-speed adaptive cruise control and lane departure alert.

Pricing and Release Date

The 2022 Tacoma Trail Edition and 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro will go on sale in the fall of 2021. Toyota has not yet announced pricing, but we expect to see a bump from the current Tacoma Trail Edition price of roughly $38,300 for a 4×4 Double Cab and the TRD Pro’s 4×4 Double Cab price of roughly $48,000.

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Jane Ulitskaya
Former News Editor Jane Ulitskaya joined the Cars.com team in 2021, and her areas of focus included researching and reporting on vehicle pricing, inventory and auto finance trends.
Email Jane Ulitskaya

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