The 2022 Toyota Tacoma Trd Pro arrives with a jolt of Electric Lime Metallic, a color that’s as attention-grabbing as a Gatorade flavor. While this vibrant, TRD Pro-exclusive hue certainly turns heads, my recent test drive across the rugged terrain of Colorado’s Forest Service roads revealed that this truck offers much more than just a striking paint job. Beneath the surface, the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro boasts significant upgrades and capabilities that make it a true off-road contender.
Conquering the Colorado Trails
My adventure began in Golden, Colorado, where I joined fellow automotive journalists and a seasoned logistics team. They had meticulously planned a route that would put the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro to the test, traversing both familiar and uncharted mountain paths.
Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and 4Runner TRD Pro
Fresh off the lot and ready for adventure: the 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and Tacoma Trail Edition.
The first day started with a mix of city and highway driving as we journeyed southwest from Golden on Highway 285. As we ascended into the foothills, the route climbed to the summit of Kenosha Pass, perched at 10,000 feet. Gazing out at the majestic Park Range overlooking South Park Valley, we transitioned from pavement to dirt, reducing tire pressure, engaging four-high, and embarking on the off-road portion of our expedition.
Our initial trail segment led us to the summit of Georgia Pass, reaching 11,585 feet, before descending along the Middle Fork of the Swan River. The trail progressively intensified, becoming more rocky and demanding as we climbed again, reaching a peak elevation of 12,600 feet on the boundary of the Pike and White River National Forests. Here, panoramic views stretched in every direction. From this vantage point, we navigated switchbacks down Deer Creek, eventually passing through the historic mining town of Montezuma and following the Peru Creek drainage to our overnight campsite.
A convoy of Toyota trucks navigating the challenging trails.
2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro conquers Georgia Pass summit.
Day two offered a brief return to civilization as we descended into Silverthorne. From there, we took State Highway 9 to Ute Pass Road, winding through the mountains to Hot Sulphur Springs. Our journey continued through Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park, concluding the test drive in Loveland, Colorado.
Driving the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: First Impressions
Before diving into my driving impressions, it’s important to understand my background with the Tacoma. My experience primarily involves older first and second-generation models, a testament to Toyota’s enduring build quality and perhaps my friends’ penchant for value-driven vehicle purchases. While the latter might be more accurate, I’ve yet to encounter a Toyota owner who questions the brand’s legendary longevity. My most relevant modern Tacoma experience was with a Titus Adventure Co. 2019 TRD Off-Road model in the San Juan Mountains in 2020. However, that particular truck featured an aftermarket suspension and numerous off-road modifications, making a direct comparison less straightforward.
2022 Tacoma TRD Pro Exterior Styling
The 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro’s Electric Lime Metallic paint immediately commanded attention, eliciting reactions ranging from admiration to aversion from my Instagram followers. While my personal preference leans towards more subdued, earth-toned colors, and Lunar Rock remains my favorite in Toyota’s current palette.
Side-by-side comparison: 2022 Trail Edition Tacoma (left) and 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro (right).
The 2022 Tacoma’s exterior receives subtle yet noticeable updates, including a heritage-inspired front grille, a “TRD Pro” stamp on the rear quarter panel, and a “Tacoma” door emblem replacing the 2021 “TRD Pro” emblem. Enthusiasts are sure to appreciate these refined details.
Close-up of the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro quarter panel with TRD Pro stamping.
The Tacoma’s bed remains compact, and the new wheel-well cargo compartments, while offering limited storage, present a mixed bag in terms of functionality. One compartment is insulated, and both provide space for oddly shaped items or a few beverages.
2022 Tacoma TRD Pro Interior Comfort and Features
Stepping inside the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro, the interior largely mirrors the 2021 model. The blacked-out cabin evokes a sporty rather than luxurious ambiance, characterized by black leather and silver accents. Having also driven the 4Runner TRD Pro during this event, I found the SUV’s interior to be more aligned with Toyota’s top-tier trim level. However, this distinction is understandable considering the different target audiences for these vehicles.
From a driver ergonomics perspective, the armrest positioning, seat adjustability, and steering wheel placement were all well-considered. Even after extended hours on challenging trails, the seats remained supportive and comfortable. As someone of modest height (five-foot-seven), I appreciated the seat’s height adjustment range, allowing for a higher position that enhanced visibility during off-road driving. While comfortable, the 4Runner TRD Pro seats offered a slightly superior level of comfort compared to the Tacoma.
The TRD Pro’s inclinometer, tilt gauge, and comprehensive camera system, providing a 360-degree view, are valuable assets. However, it’s crucial for novice off-roaders to remember that these tools are supplementary aids and not substitutes for a skilled spotter and sound judgment on the trail.
Constructive criticism for the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro interior includes the absence of a driver-side grab handle for entry and stability. Improving the infotainment system’s usability with larger physical buttons and dials alongside the touchscreen would be beneficial. The 8-inch screen feels somewhat small by modern standards, and a higher-resolution display, especially for the integrated cameras, would be a welcome upgrade. Finally, relocating the rear locker toggle switch from the overhead console to a more accessible position near the transfer case dial would enhance driver convenience.
2022 Tacoma TRD Pro Off-Road Performance and Suspension Enhancements
The most compelling updates to the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro lie in its suspension system. The introduction of Fox 2.5-inch internal-bypass shocks provides a 1.5-inch front lift and a 0.5-inch rear lift, resulting in a 9.4-inch ground clearance. Forged TRD red upper control arms accommodate the increased rebound stroke of the Fox suspension, enhancing both performance and visual appeal.
On the trails, the updated suspension delivered a remarkably composed and comfortable ride. It effectively absorbed impacts, minimizing excessive bouncing and inspiring confidence when tackling substantial obstacles and enabling higher speeds across moderate terrain.
The suspension demonstrated commendable articulation on uneven terrain, and the breakover clearance proved surprisingly generous. All of the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro’s clearance metrics surpass the 2021 model:
- 36.4-degree approach angle
- 24.7-degree departure angle
- 26.6-degree breakover angle
For drivers who appreciate technological assistance, the Tacoma’s Multi-Terrain Select system offers tailored traction modes for various surfaces: Mud/Sand, Moguls, Loose Rock, Dirt/Rock, and Rock. During the test drive, the Dirt/Rock setting impressed with its performance. The 2022 TRD Pro exhibited no wheelspin, even without engaging the rear locking differential, while the 2022 Trail Edition, lacking the locker (in this pre-production model), showed only minimal wheel slip.
Editor’s Note: The 2022 Tacoma Trail Edition driven during this test was a pre-production vehicle, and its rear locking differential was not functioning correctly.
The 4Runner TRD Pro, another capable and comfortable vehicle in the test group.
Beyond Multi-Terrain Select, the 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro features Crawl Control (CRAWL), a rock-crawling/hill-descent setting that enables near-autonomous low-speed maneuvering in 4-low. Once engaged, the system manages acceleration and braking, allowing the driver to focus on steering and line selection.
Assisting a vehicle that slid off-trail in loose rock, highlighting the importance of recovery gear and skills.
While conceptually strong, CRAWL mode felt somewhat jerky in practice. Adjusting vehicle speed (from one, extremely slow, to five, still quite slow) via the terrain-select dial is possible, but the system generates noticeable operating noises, reminiscent of an amplified ABS system, both inside and outside the vehicle, which can be initially disconcerting.
Final Verdict: The 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Delivers
The 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, with its styling enhancements and performance upgrades, establishes a high benchmark in the mid-size truck segment. Straight from the factory, the TRD Pro is equipped to handle the vast majority of off-road challenges owners are likely to encounter, from tight, rocky trails to steep switchbacks and everything in between. While payload and towing capacities are inherent limitations of this platform, its rear locking differential, Fox suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, underbody armor, and all-terrain tires make it a compelling choice for fast-paced off-road adventures.
Breathtaking views from the Pike and White River National Forests during the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro test drive.
Toyota enthusiasts should find the third iteration of the TRD Pro Tacoma a worthy successor. Production of the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro commenced in November 2021, with a starting MSRP of $45,935 (manual transmission) and $48,640 (automatic transmission).
Explore the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro further: Toyota.com
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