In what is quickly becoming one of the best truck traditions, Toyota has made its annual updates to the special-edition Tacoma lineup. For the 2022 model year, the Tacoma TRD Pro gets a new electric lime paint job along with a higher lift and other off-road and styling changes; the Tacoma Trail returns as a more affordable offering with a lifted suspension, locking rear differential, and a selection of prior-year TRD Pro paint colours.
Tacoma TRD Pro
That electric lime paint is what really leaps out about the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro, but, like last year's lunar rock, this one's from the Toyota back catalogue – the Prius C was offered in this shade back in 2016. But that's about the only thing the Tacoma has in common with a Prius other than the T badge on the steering wheel.
The refreshed TRD Pro gets a taller suspension lift than last year, up 28 mm in the front and 13 mm in the rear (over the existing 28-mm lift) and for extra ground clearance. TRD-engineered forged aluminum upper control arms were such a popular accessory that Toyota made them standard for 2022, and they help control the TRD-tuned Fox internal bypass shock absorbers.
New black wheels are fitted with beefy Goodyear Territory all-terrain tires, while cosmetic upgrades include an updated TRD Pro stamped logo in the bed. It wears a Toyota heritage-look grille and will have body colour trim bits like the door handles, bumpers, and mirrors.
Offered only as a double-cab short bed with a six-speed manual or automatic, the TRD Pro has front skid plates and LED front lighting. It also wears a TRD-tuned cat-back exhaust for the 3.5L V6. The model will arrive later this year with pricing to be announced.
Tacoma Trail
The Tacoma Trail is based on the double-cab truck as well, but on the lower-spec SR5 trim to help make it more affordable. It wears a 28-mm lift in the front with taller coil springs and a rear spacer lifts that axle 13 mm. A locking differential in the rear is standard and the front air dam is removed, both to improve off-road capability. The TRD Off-Road lends its skidplates to protect the underside.
Paint options on Trail include Lunar Rock and the previous TRD colour Army Green, both get black exterior badges and a Trail Edition badge. The Heritage Toyota grill wears bronze accents, a new addition to the grille, and the wheels are also finished in bronze.
While US trucks get a cooler and locking bed storage, Toyota Canada felt that it wasn't an option Canadians wanted. Trail comes standard with a tow package that allows up to 6,400 lbs towing and uses Toyota's 3.5L V6. Other goodies include a 10-way power-adjust seat and all-weather floor mats.
Both the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and Trail are expected at dealerships later this year, with pricing to be announced.
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