Another year, another victory for the Toyota Tacoma. The midsize truck has led its segment in sales for many years, and it sat at the top again in 2022. What makes so many people want to keep buying the Tacoma year after year? There are a few reasons the Toyota Tacoma was the best-selling midsize truck of 2022.

Best-selling midsize truck of 2022

The best-selling midsize truck of 2022 was the Toyota Tacoma. Like many years before, the 2022 model year showed that customers still are loyal to the popular pickup. According to Fox News, Toyota delivered 237,323 Tacoma trucks to customers in 2022, which is a 6% drop from the previous year. Primarily, the drop is due to the ongoing supply shortages affecting the industry, but the Tacoma’s numbers remain impressive. Other models saw a far higher decrease in sales for the same reason.

Holding the top spot for 17 years in a row is no easy task. However, the Tacoma did it with ease over the midsize truck competition. For example, the Chevrolet Colorado sold the second-most units during the 2022 calendar year, but only 89,197 went to customers. That’s far less than half the sales of the class-leading Toyota model. Additionally, other midsize trucks are even further behind. The Nissan Frontier finished third with 76,183, followed by the Ford Ranger at 50,302.

Why does the Toyota Tacoma sell so many more units than any other midsize model?

The Toyota Tacoma is more affordable

First, the price is one of the most significant reasons customers continue buying the Toyota Tacoma over its rivals. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma starts at $27,750 for the cheapest model in the lineup. While it’s a similar price to the $27,400 Ford Ranger, it’s much more affordable than other midsize trucks. For example, the Chevrolet Colorado starts at $29,200, the GMC Canyon at $36,600, the Jeep Gladiator at $38,775, and the Nissan Frontier at $29,190. It’s easy to see why buyers would choose the popular Toyota when other models are more expensive.

Additionally, the base model for the Tacoma isn’t the only trim that’s well-priced. Even the highest trim, TRD Pro, remains under $48,000. Although costly, it’s nothing compared to some competitors’ highest trims, and the TRD Pro adds so much equipment most buyers find it worth the price. Off-roading is the best place to be with the TRD Pro’s off-road suspension, Fox shock absorbers, all-terrain tires, and more.

Tacoma SR5 and packages are a steal

According to Edmunds, the most popular trim in the 2023 Toyota Tacoma lineup is the SR5 model. It’s more costly than the SR base model but remains affordable at just over $30K. First, it comes with equipment from the SR trim, like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Wi-Fi, USB ports, bed cleats, a tough composite bed, and other great features.

Next, the SR5 upgrade adds alloy wheels with the V6 engine, locking/unlocking vehicle remote, chrome exterior trim, a power-sliding rear window, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an eight-inch touchscreen.

However, the real value comes with the exclusive SR5 packages, which unlock with the V6 engine. The Dynamic Navigation, Technology, and Trail Edition packages offer tons of value for a low price. Highlighted features include navigation, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitor, all-terrain tires, a front/rear suspension lift, unique seat trim, all-weather floor mats, and locking in-bed storage.

Toyota trusted reliability

The final reason so many customers continue buying the Toyota Tacoma year after year is reliability. Some automakers, like Toyota, are synonymous with reliability. Possibly none in the lineup from the automaker falls into that category more than the Tacoma. Drivers often brag about how long their Tacoma lasts and how few problems they face. Like few other models, the Tacoma is a 200,000-mile or more purchase, so buyers find it to be worth it.

The real question is, how is it still the best-selling midsize truck if everyone’s Tacoma is lasting so long? We don’t know other than assuming there are only new buyers every year. With off-road capability, a luxurious interior, safety, and immense reliability, buyers know the Toyota Tacoma is a name they can trust.

Toyota Tacoma: Best-selling midsize truck of 2022

Another year topping the sales charts is nothing new for the Toyota Tacoma. For 2022, it kept mostly everything the same as the previous model year. With no significant changes, some critics said it needed updating, especially to its interior. Luckily, within the next few years, we expect a full redesign of the most popular midsize pickup for the first time since 2016. Will that make the Tacoma even more popular? Or will another model reach the top of the charts for the first time in 17 years?