Toyota has unveiled two new grades for the Tacoma lineup, the TRD Pro and the Trail Edition 4×4. Both are designed with a view to improving the pickup’s off-roading capabilities. Both trucks offer lifted suspensions, more off-road tech, a handful of visual additions, and more and will be available for the 2022 model year. Starting with the Trail Edition 4×4, it builts on the base the SR5 and sports a 1.1-inch lift at the front and a 0.5-inch lift at the back. That helps improve the approach angle to 34 degrees and the departure angle to 23.6 degrees, while the breakover angle improves to 26.4 degrees.
The height is gained thanks to taller coil springs at the front and a spacer between the rear axle and the leaf springs at the back. The air dam is also deleted to help improve ground clearance. Moreover, the Trail Edition 4×4 gets a standard rear locking differential for more traction and undercarriage skid plates that are borrowed from the TRD Off-Road grade to provide added protection. The new TRD Pro package, meanwhile, offers a 1.5-inch lift at the front and a similar 0.5-inch lift at the back. The lift helps improve its approach angle to 36.4 degrees, its departure angle to 24.7 degrees, and its breakover angle to 24.7 degrees, all of which are better than the last
Its lifts come from TRD-tuned Fox internal bypass shocks that are designed to be good on- and off-road. Improving performance are machine-forged aluminum upper control arms that allow the front shocks to make use of the extra rebound stroke thanks to an adjusted ball-joint mount. It, too, gets an aluminum front skid plate to protect its undercarriage as well as TRD wheels that offer a wider track width and are wrapped with Goodyear Territory all-terrain tires. The Tacoma Trail Edition 4×4 is offered in four colors, including the new Lunar Rock, as well as Army Green, Midnight Black Metallic, and Super White. A new Trail Edition badge is also fitted to the rear tailgate and the rear bumper is color-keyed to match the exterior paint color.
The front heritage grille will look familiar to Tacoma fans, but stands apart thanks to bronze-colored lettering. Moreover, bronze-colored wheels in Goodyear all-terrain tires match the badge and offer a 0.5-inch wider track width. Its bed also comes with a locking bed cover and a driver’s side storage compartment that is insulated so that it can double as a cooler. It also features a 120V power outlet, so you can also power electronics.
The new TRD Pro is offered in a standout Electric Lime Metallic (pictured below), as well as Super White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and Midnight Black Metallic. It also gets the heritage-inspired grille that premiered on the outgoing Tacoma TRD Pro but not the bronze coloring. It does, however, get color-keyed grille surrounds, rear bumpers, door handles, and power outside mirrors. A blacked-out hood scoop, meanwhile, gives it an aggressive edge and matches the black overfenders.
The most eye-catching change is the new TRD Pro lettering that is stamped into the rear quarter panel. The add-on “TRD Pro” door badge that was present on the last version has been removed and a Tacoma badge was added to the front door. Unique LED Headlights come with sequential turn signals and TRD Pro inserts help mark the trim out even in the dark, while rigid LED fog lights help illuminate the road and trails.
No matter which trim you go for, it will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The TRD Pro is offered with a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. A towing capacity of 6,400 lbs is available to Double Cab models thanks to the standard Tacoma Tow Package offered on all V6 Tacomas. The TRD Pro comes equipped with a Multi Terrain Monitor, which helps show the driver the ground around the truck on its 8-inch infotainment screen. The 4.2-inch color instrument screen also includes an inclinometer, a tilt gauge, and other displays that might be helpful on or off the road.
The Tacoma Trail Edition comes with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and fabric seating with unique tan stitching. It, too, gets Toyota’s 8-inch multimedia touch screen, as well as two USB ports and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility. The TRD Pro gets a black theme inside, with leather-trimmed heated front seats, a TRD shift knob, TRD Pro all-weather floor mats, and a TRD badge on the headrests. The driver’s seat is also 10-way adjustable, and you can gaze up at the stars thanks to a standard power moonroof. A JBL Premium Audio system is also included on the trim when it’s equipped with the automatic transmission.
Both Tacomas come with an array of safety equipment, including Toyota’s Star Safety System, which features stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, and more, as well as radar-assisted cruise control, lane departure assist, and other advanced safety technology. Toyota hasn’t announced pricing details or a launch date for the new versions of the Tacoma. Both are 2022 model year vehicles, though, so don’t expect to wait too long for that information.
