2022 Toyota Trucks Explained
Toyota’s 2022 pickup truck lineup is a bit confusing. This is partly because Toyota dropped an all-new generation of its full-size Tundra pickup truck this year, loaded with new technology. Toyota’s midsize Tacoma, on the other hand, has been on the same generation since 2015. So here are the models and trim levels of Toyota’s 2022 pickup trucks explained once and for all.
| 2022 Toyota Tacoma | 2022 Toyota Tundra | |
| MSRP | $27,150 | $35,950 |
| Engine | 2.7-liter I4 or 3.5-liter V6 | 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 |
| V6 Output | 278 horsepower 265 lb-ft of torque @4,600 RPM | 389 horsepower 479 lb-ft of torque |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic 6-speed manual | 10-speed automatic |
| MPG | 2WD: 21 combined (19 city/24 highway) 4WD: 20 combined (18 city/22 highway) | 2WD: 20 combined (18 city/24 highway) 4WD: 19 combined (17 city/22 highway) |
| Tow Rating | 6,800 pounds maximum | 12,000 pounds maximum |
| Suspension | Rear leaf springs. | Rear coils. Available auto-leveling air. |
Toyota Tacoma engine options
Toyota is offering its 2022 Tacoma with a pair of tried-and-true engine options. But the 2022 Tundra debuts an all-new V6 that makes the Tacoma look hopelessly outdated.
You can order a 2022 Tacoma with one of two naturally-aspirated (non-turbocharged) engines. Its base engine is a 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder. This engine makes 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. A base Tacoma with a base engine can only two 3,500 pounds.
For an extra, $2,260 you can upgrade your 2022 Tacoma with a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6. This engine makes 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Along with the towing package, it bumps the Tacoma’s tow rating up over 6,000 pounds.
Toyota offers both these engines with either a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual.
Toyota Tundra engine options
For its third-generation Tundra, Toyota tossed its 5.7-liter V8 and set about creating a new engine with more power and better fuel efficiency. The result is a twin-turbocharged 3.44-liter V6. Every 2022 Tundra has some variation of this new engine.
The entry-level Tundra SR’s V6 makes just 348 horsepower/405 lb-ft of torque. Other Tundra trim levels with the non-hybrid V6 make 389 horsepower/479 lb-ft.
The premium powertrain option Toyota offers for its 2022 Tundra is the i-FORCE MAX hybrid. The hybrid includes a 184 lb-ft electric motor sandwiched between the V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission. The resulting truck makes 437/583 lb-ft of torque. That’s more torque than a Ford Raptor.
The i-FORCE MAX won’t be available until mid-2022. Then, Toyota will include the hybrid powertrain in every Tundra TRD Pro and Capstone, and buyers will be able to upgrade other trim levels with the option for $3400.
Toyota Tacoma vs Tundra
By designing a new turbocharged V6, Toyota was able to build a Tundra that’s almost as fuel-efficient as a Tacoma. But full-size trucks are also unwieldy off-road, rough-riding on-road, and suffer from big blind spots. Toyota took a swing at all these issues with its 2022 Tundra.
Firstly, Toyota debuted the TRD off-road package for the Tundra. This includes many of the driver aids that make 4×4 Tacomas so capable off-road. This includes off-road cruise control called CRAWL and a multi-terrain-select (MTS) system which uses the ABS to prevent wheel spin in low traction situations.
Toyota also upgraded the 2022 Tundra by moving it to the Land Cruiser 300’s new chassis. This chassis leverages a fully-boxed frame and composite bed to save weight. In addition, rear coil springs and available air suspension smooth out the big truck’s ride.
Finally, driver aids on certain Tundra trim levels include an available forward-facing trail/parking camera (in addition to the standard rearview camera), 360-degree camera technology, and automatic trailer backup.
The 2022 Toyota Tundra is capable of full-size truck hauling and towing. In addition, it can do most things a 2022 Tacoma can do while off-road. That said, it starts at $10k more than the Tacoma. So die-hard midsize truck fans may be hold out for the all-new 2023 Tacoma before buying a new Toyota truck.
See the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma go head-to-head in the video review below:
