Toyota is preparing to make some big plays in the pickup segment as it seeks to steal a bigger slice of sales from the domestic big three. But while the 2022 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup is preparing for its time in the spotlight, the Japanese auto giant has revealed some big updates for the smaller Tacoma TRD Pro and the Tacoma Trail Edition.
A Tacoma Sized Appetizer Before The Main Course
The Tacoma lineup as a whole was updated not too long ago, so you might be wondering what could be new for the 2022 model year? The answer is found in the mechanical details and actually starts with how high both trucks ride. In the case of the TRD Pro, the height is increased by 1.5 inches at the front, with the rear being lifted by 0.5 inches. This is achieved with Fox sourced internal bypass shocks, which have been tweaked for 2022. The end result allows the TRD Pro to boast an approach angle of 36.4 degrees and a departure angle of 24.7 degrees. As a bonus, the break-over angle checks in at 26.6 degrees, with Toyota claiming that all three of these figures are a sizable improvement over the 2021 model.
Forged upper control arms help enhance suspension travel while 16-inch wheels are mated to capable Goodyear All-Terrain tires. The rest of the changes here center on the visual aspect of the coin, with Toyota making minor revisions to the badging and paint. The TRD Pro badges on the doors have been removed, with blacked-out Tacoma badges taking their place. But the real eye-catcher is the Electric Lime Metallic paint that is a 2022 exclusive. This vibrant hue will make your truck stand out on the trail, but if you prefer a subtler way of expressing yourself, Toyota also offers Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and Super White.
Tacoma Trail Edition Gets In On The Act Too
The 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro is a very potent off-road treat, but what if you’re looking for an off-roader that can still deliver the goods out on the trail but at a slightly lower price point? Toyota has you covered with the 2021 Tacoma Trail Edition. The Trail Edition will once again be sold only as a double cab but will adopt a decidedly more retro theme, with the front grille, wheels, and lettering all being adorned in bronze paint. The Trail Edition also follows the TRD Pro’s footsteps with a suspension lift of its own. However, it dials back the front half of it slightly, with this model only receiving a 1.1-inch boost of clearance (versus 1.5), with the rear lift being unchanged.
The color choices here also change slightly too. While the Trail Edition does not get the Electric Lime that adorns its beefier cousin, Lunar Rock will be joining the pallette for 2022 with the otherworldly hue joining Super White, Army Green, and Midnight Black Metallic. In addition, the Trail Edition and the TRD Pro will be debuting new graphic packs, and we are confident that they will help make certain colors of the truck pop.
When Can I Buy One?
Toyota revealed that both the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro and the Trail Edition would go on sale this fall. Unfortunately, the company did not release formal pricing for the duo, but we’re confident that the numbers will not deviate too much from what can be found on the 2021 models. For those that need a brief recap on those, the 2021 TRD Pro starts at $44,325, and a Trail Edition will cost you $37,080. If these new models can stick to roughly that region in price, they could be a very compelling value play, especially against the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and the Ford Ranger Tremor.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.