2022 Toyota Tacoma

2022 Toyota Tacoma Overview

Is the Toyota Tacoma a Good Truck?

The Toyota Tacoma is an adequate compact pickup truck . It's more than capable of hitting the trails, especially in TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims, and its towing and hauling capabilities are normal for the class. The Tacoma also boasts lots of standard features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Unfortunately, it also has a cramped back row, a harsh ride, and lackluster engine power.

2022 Toyota Tacoma Dimensions and Weight

• Length: 17 feet, 8.3 inches
• Height: 5 feet, 10.6 inches
• Curb weight: 3,915 to 4,505 pounds
• Gross vehicle weight: 5,600 pounds

Should I Buy the Toyota Tacoma?

The Tacoma is a solid pick if you're interested in a truck with off-road prowess and a feature-filled cabin. However, there are several more well-rounded trucks worth a look, such as the Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline .

Find a 2022 Toyota Tacoma for sale near you »

Why You Can Trust Us: 42 Reviews Analyzed

We’ve analyzed 42 Toyota Tacoma reviews, as well as performance specs, interior dimensions, fuel economy ratings, and more, to give you all the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision.

This 2022 Tacoma review incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2016.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we never accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an outside firm manages the ads on our site.

2021 vs. 2022 Toyota Tacoma: What's the Difference?

The only notable difference between the 2021 and 2022 models is that the newer Tacoma has a taller suspension lift that gives the TRD Pro trim increased ground clearance for off-road adventures.

Compare the 2021 and 2022 Tacoma »

Here are the key changes for the Toyota Tacoma over the last few years:

• 2022: increased suspension lift in TRD Pro
• 2021: Trail and Nightshade Special Edition packages introduced
• 2020: refreshed exterior design; gained standard Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, as well as larger standard and available touch screens; a surround-view monitor, a multiterrain monitor, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat became available
• 2019: no major changes
• 2018: several driver assistance features added to standard features list

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2019 Tacoma , 2020 Tacoma , and 2021 Tacoma reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

Pricing

How Much is a 2022 Toyota Tacoma?

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma starts at $26,500, which is above average for a compact pickup truck .

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Toyota dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Toyota deals page .

Toyota Tacoma Versus the Competition

Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger outperforms the Tacoma in several areas. It does a better job of absorbing road imperfections, and it has a significantly stronger base engine than the Tacoma. In addition, the Ford's 7,500-pound towing capacity is better than the Toyota's 6,800 pounds, and the Ranger gets better gas mileage as well. The Tacoma comes standard with more features than the Ranger, and it's the better off-roader, but the Ford finishes higher in our rankings.

Compare the Tacoma and Ranger »

Toyota Tacoma vs. Honda Ridgeline

The Honda Ridgeline is a comfort-focused compact pickup truck with adult-friendly seats and nicer cabin materials than the Tacoma. The Ridgeline is powered by a potent V6 engine, and its unibody construction helps it drive more like a crossover SUV than a truck. The Ridgeline is a more well-rounded pick than the Tacoma, but the Toyota is the more capable truck. The Tacoma is a more confident off-roader, it can tow 1,800 pounds more than the Ridgeline, and it's available with a longer bed. The Toyota also costs several thousand dollars less than the Honda, though it comes with fewer standard features.

Compare the Tacoma and Ridgeline »

Compare the Tacoma, Ranger, and Ridgeline »

Tacoma Performance: Great Off Pavement, Harsh On

Tacoma Engine

The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine makes 159 horsepower. It's standard in the SR and SR5 trims, and it lacks meaningful power. You'll likely prefer the upgraded 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine that's available in the first two trims and standard in every other. However, don't expect too much from this engine. The V6 helps the truck move quicker, but it doesn't make it especially fast.

The Tacoma is the only pickup truck available with a manual transmission, and most critics prefer it to the standard six-speed automatic, which often struggles to find the right gear.

Tacoma Gas Mileage

Models with the four-cylinder engine get up to 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, which is below average for a compact pickup truck . With the V6 engine, the Tacoma gets up to 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Tacoma Ride and Handling

The Tacoma has stable handling and responsive steering. Ride quality is stiff, however, so you will feel bumps over uneven pavement.

Tacoma Off-Road Performance

The Tacoma is known for its fantastic off-road ability. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims are especially good for hitting the trails, as they offer unique suspension tuning and off-road-oriented shock absorbers, a locking rear differential, and skid plates.

Tacoma Towing Capacity

When properly equipped, the Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds. That's about average for a compact pickup truck . It has a maximum payload of 1,685 pounds.

Read more about performance »

Tacoma Interior: Lots of Features, but Not Much Rear-Passenger Space

Tacoma Interior Quality

The Tacoma's cabin has a mix of high-quality materials and hard plastic surfaces. It's not the nicest cabin in the class, but it's not terrible.

Tacoma Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

The standard infotainment system gets good marks for its straightforward touch and physical controls. You can also easily integrate your smartphone with the touch-screen interface via standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

• Standard infotainment features: a 7-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, three USB ports, satellite radio, and voice recognition
• Available infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, wireless device charging, and a six-speaker JBL stereo
• Other available features: remote keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a moonroof

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? , What Is Android Auto? , and What Is Amazon Alexa Auto?

Tacoma Cargo Space

This Toyota truck is available with either a 6-foot-1-inch bed or a 5-foot bed. Either way, you won't need a bed liner. Composite bed lining comes standard, and so does a removable tailgate and bed rail system with adjustable tie-downs.

There are only a few small-item storage compartments around the cabin, including a couple under and behind the rear seats of Double Cab models and small under-seat bins in Access Cab models.

How Many People Does the Tacoma Seat?

There's seating for up to four people in the Access Cab, while Double Cab Tacomas seat five. Headroom is lacking in both variations. Rear-seat space is also in short supply, especially in Access Cab models, which only provide small jump seats behind small rear-hinged doors.

Double Cab models are the clear choice if you need to regularly haul passengers in the back, as they offer more space, as well as traditional doors to access that zone. However, even the Double Cab doesn't offer as much rear-seat space as some rivals' crew cab setups. In addition, the front seats are low to the floor, though driver's seat adjustments allow you to find a more comfortable driving position.

Tacoma and Child Car Seats

There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the second-lowest rating of Marginal for its ease of use because the upper tethers are hard to find, and the lower anchors are too deep in the seats.

Read more about interior »

Tacoma Reliability

Is the Toyota Tacoma Reliable?

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Toyota Tacoma Warranty

Toyota covers the 2022 Tacoma with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

2022 Toyota Tacoma Safety

Score: 9.2/10

Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2022 Toyota Tacoma an overall safety rating of four out of five stars, with four stars in frontal crash and rollover tests and five stars in the side crash test.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2022 Tacoma the highest rating of Good in four crash test categories. The Tacoma received the second-highest rating of Acceptable in the small overlap front passenger side test and the second-lowest rating of Marginal in the updated side test. Depending on trim level and options, the Tacoma's headlights earned either a Good or Marginal rating for how well they illuminate the road.

The IIHS uses a different system for grading collision avoidance features. The 2022 Tacoma earned the highest rating of Superior for its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system. The standard vehicle-to-pedestrian system received the midtier rating of Advanced.

Safety Features

Standard driver assistance features:

• Forward collision warning
• Forward automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Available driver assistance features:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Rear parking sensors

Where Is the 2022 Toyota Tacoma Built?

Toyota builds the 2022 Tacoma primarily in Mexico.

Which Toyota Tacoma Model Is Right for Me?

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma comes in six trims: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. Two cab styles are available: the Access Cab, with seating for four people, and the Double Cab, with seating for five. The SR and SR5 trims come standard with a four-cylinder engine, and they're available with a V6. The V6 is standard in all other trims. All models come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual transmission is available in TRD models.

The base SR trim is a decent pick because it has plenty of safety and technology features, and it's available with the stronger engine. If you want the manual transmission, you'll have to step up to one of the TRD trims. The TRD Off-Road and Pro trims are best suited for off-roaders.

Toyota Tacoma Powertrain Options

• Base engine: 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque; starts at $26,500 (standard in SR and SR5)
• Available engine: 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque; starts at $28,290 (standard in TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro; available in SR and SR5)
• Drivetrain: standard rear-wheel drive; available all-wheel drive
• Transmission: standard six-speed automatic; available six-speed manual (in TRD models)

Toyota Tacoma Appearance Packages:

• Utility package (this package lowers the total price by $1,715; available in SR): adds black door handles, black mirror caps, a black rear bumper, and a fixed rear window; removes the rear speakers and rear seats
• SX package (prices start at $840; available in SR): adds black 16-inch alloy wheels, fenders, mirror caps, and door handles
• SR5 Appearance package (prices start at $685; available in SR5): adds black 16-inch alloy wheels and fenders
• Nightshade Special Edition package (prices start at $1,000; available in Limited): adds dark 18-inch wheels and black badging, door handles, and grille

Toyota Tacoma Work and Performance Packages:

• Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau cover (prices vary by trim; available in SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited): a weather-resistant, lockable tonneau cover

Toyota Tacoma SR

The base SR trim (MSRP: $26,500) comes with cloth upholstery, four-way manually adjustable front seats, a 7-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, three USB ports, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Standard active safety features include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Remote keyless entry is a $230 option.

Toyota Tacoma SR5

The SR5 trim starts at $29,180. It gains a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, an 8-inch touch screen, and fog lights.

A 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat is available.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport

Starting at $33,410, the Sport trim adds a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped shift knob, wireless device charging, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a sport-tuned suspension.

The available Technology package costs $800 and includes rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. Access Cab models are available with a TRD Premium Sport package ($1,945) that includes heated front seats and navigation.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road

The TRD Off-Road trim (MSRP: $34,690) adds an off-road suspension, a locking rear differential, and Bilstein shocks. Models with the manual transmission also have active traction control, while models with the automatic transmission and four-wheel drive have crawl control and multiterrain select.

A Technology package is available for $1,255 and includes LED headlights, LED fog lights, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Limited

The Limited trim starts at $39,255 and features leather upholstery, heated front seats, a six-speaker JBL premium stereo, a moonroof, rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a surround-view monitor. The Limited is only available in the Double Cab body style, and the automatic is the only available transmission.

Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

Toyota hasn't released pricing information for the range-topping TRD Pro trim at the time of writing. The Pro has trim-specific styling, a TRD-tuned suspension and exhaust, a front skid plate, LED fog lights, and a multiterrain monitor. It's only available in the Double Cab body style.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Toyota dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Toyota deals page .

Which Tacoma Cab Style Is Right for Me?

Two cab styles are available for the Tacoma. The Access Cab can seat up to four people, while the Double Cab can seat five.

The Access Cab is fine if you don't need to carry back-seat passengers often. Its rear seats are tight, making it uncomfortable for folks to ride back there for long. This body style's half-size, rear-hinged doors also make it tricky to enter and exit the vehicle.

If you need more space for rear-seat passengers, you'll want the Double Cab. It has an additional rear seat and full-size rear doors. Still, it doesn't offer as much space as class rivals like the Honda Ridgeline .

Which Tacoma Bed Length Is Right for Me?

The smaller Access Cab comes with a 6-foot-1-inch bed, and the Double Cab is available with either the longer bed or a 5-foot bed. All models come with a removable tailgate, a bed rail system with adjustable tie-downs, and composite inner-bed walls.

Which Tacoma Model Is Best for Towing and Hauling?

To get the Tacoma's maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds, you'll need the SR, SR5, or TRD Sport trim with an Access Cab, the V6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and the Tow package.

Models with the four-cylinder engine can tow around 3,500 pounds. Opting for the four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive will get you the lowest towing capacity, but these models come with the highest payload capacity of 1,685 pounds.

Access Cab SR models with the V6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and the Tow package will give you the most well-rounded capability. It offers the truck's maximum towing capacity as well as a solid payload capacity of 1,525 pounds.

Which Tacoma Model Is Best for Off-Roading?

The top-of-the-line Tacoma TRD Pro is the most expensive model in the lineup, and it is also the most capable off-roader. It comes with four-wheel drive, a TRD-tuned suspension and exhaust, Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, a multiterrain monitor, a front skid plate, and trim-specific styling. Opting for the automatic transmission gets you crawl control and multiterrain select.

Shoppers with a smaller budget should consider the TRD Off-Road trim, which starts at $34,690 and includes a locking rear differential, Bilstein shocks, and an off-road suspension. Models with the manual transmission also come with active traction control, and four-wheel-drive models with the automatic transmission include multiterrain select and crawl control.

See 2022 Toyota Tacoma specs and trims »

The Final Call

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offers exceptional off-road capability and a wealth of standard and available features. However, its ride is shaky over uneven and bumpy roads, its engines are nothing to write home about, and the rear seats could benefit from additional space. Unless off-roading is your priority, you should consider others in the compact pickup truck class .

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "This truck felt pure and simple while still providing the comfort and luxuries we've become accustomed to." -- Motor Trend
• "The 2022 Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup truck has a reputation for being tough. And reliable. And for class-leading resale values. These are all connected, as one quality leads to another. It’s not the newest truck on the block or on the rocks. This third generation launched for the 2016 model year. But the promise of off-road adventures and the reassurance of making it home afterward has a timelessness about it. The range goes from a basic work truck to a bona fide off-road vehicle that can go anywhere a Jeep can." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "The Tacoma lacks the refinement of top rivals, but it remains a popular option for both off-road enthusiasts and the truck's long-time fans." -- Car and Driver (2021)