2022 Tacoma Trail Review

The Toyota Tacoma is a leading mid-size truck that offers an excellent blend of capability and value. But if you want to take the Tacoma deep into off-road territory, the best option used to be the high-end TRD Pro model which added increased rock-crawling ability but also boosted the model’s cost. All that’s now changed with the launch of the Tacoma Trail Edition, which adds genuine off-road excellence to the lineup at a highly attractive price.
What does the new model bring to the off-road arena? Read our 2022 Tacoma Trail review to find out.

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Powertrain and Performance

The Trail Edition is based around the Tacoma SR5 trim, placed in the middle of the range and boasting a mighty 3.5L V6 engine making 278 horsepower and 265lb-ft of torque. The output is passed through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission to all-wheel drive as standard. The overall result is meaty performance that’s suited to highway cruising and wilderness rock-crawling alike.

Upgraded Off-Road Features

But successful off-road adventuring relies on much more than pure engine power. The Trail Edition adds several important upgrades to raise its wilderness credentials, starting with custom 16″ wheels wrapped in chunky all-terrain tires, with the width stretched by 1.25cm compared to the regular versions for greater grip and a more aggressive profile.
The coiled spring suspension has been given a lift of 2.8cm at the front and 1.25cm at the rear to create higher ground clearance, while the improved approach angle of 34 degrees is mirrored by a departure angle of 23.6 degrees and a breakover angle of 26.4 degrees.
Lastly, the Trail Edition also gains a locking rear differential for better grip, and skid plates to protect the truck’s underside when traversing challenging terrains.

Towing Package as Standard

The Trail Edition also includes the Tacoma towing package as standard, adding a new level of versatile capability. The package includes a Class IV towing hitch, power steering and transmission fluid coolers, essential electrical connections, and trailer sway control. The combination takes the Tacoma’s maximum towing capacity up to a healthy 2,909kg to go with its payload capacity of 450kg.

New Pickup Bed Features

The Trail Edition also has several useful features added to the pickup bed. A lockable storage box keeps valuables away from prying eyes, and is also insulated for storage of refreshments on long trail trips. What’s more, the truck bed also features a 120V power outlet for easy running of small appliances while far from any other energy source.

Advanced Tech

But while the Trail Edition’s focus might be firmly on rugged off-road performance, the interior offers a generous amount of advanced technology. An 8″ touchscreen powers the infotainment system, featuring full compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

2022 Tacoma Trail Concept: The Verdict

The Tacoma Trail Edition takes an already excellent mid-size truck and boosts its off-road chops by a significant amount. If you’re searching for an affordable but powerful route into off-road adventuring, you need to take a close look at the 2022 Tacoma Trail.

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