First introduced last year, the Toyota Tacoma Trail Edition returns with an emphasis on storage, styling, value, and a focus on off-road performance built around the Tacoma 4×4 Double Cab, the automaker announced.
The 2022 Trail Edition adds some key upgrades, is based on the SR5 grade and only available in 4×4 Double Cab.
Toyota engineers lifted the front of the new Tacoma Trail 1.1 inches thanks to taller coil springs. The front air dam found on the standard SR5 is deleted to help improve ground clearance. With the air dam removal and the front suspension lift the approach angle of the truck improves to 34 degrees. The rear suspension receives attention too, and it is lifted 0.5 inches thanks to a spacer between the rear axle housing and leaf springs to help level the truck’s profile and improve departure angle to 23.6 degrees. Breakover angle is also improved to 26.4 degrees.
Based initially on SR5 4×4, Tacoma Trail Edition gets upfitted with a standard locking rear differential to offer added traction in slow-speed four-wheel-drive situations. Undercarriage skid plates are borrowed from the TRD Off-Road grade to provide added protection.
Tacoma Trail Edition offers distinctive styling to set it apart from the lineup. Four exterior color choices are available, headlined by new Trail Edition option Lunar Rock, but there’s also returning colors Army Green, Midnight Black Metallic and Super White in the mix. Regardless of paint choice, black exterior badging accents the truck, a new Trail Edition badge is fitted on the rear tailgate, and the rear bumpers are now color-keyed to match the exterior paint color.
Tacoma Trail Edition is equipped with the heritage-inspired grille first found on TRD Pro but has unique bronze-colored lettering. The bronze-accented grille complements the new bronze-finished wheels that are adorned with a Toyota center cap. The wheels offer a 0.5-inch wider track width both front and rear for a broader stance, and they are fitted with new Goodyear all-terrain tires.
Added versatility in the truck bed comes in two forms: storage and power. Lockable bed storage means gear can be safely stored when in transit or away from the vehicle, and the driver’s side storage includes insulation and can double as a cooler. Trail is also equipped with a 120V power outlet in the bed, adding additional power options for whatever needs arise away from home.
Tacoma Trail Edition comes standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine features Toyota’s VVT-iW technology and Atkinson-cycle combustion to help maximize efficiency, and it also employs Toyota’s D-4S fuel injection system that incorporates both direct injection and port injectors.
The Tacoma Tow Package comes standard on V6-equipped models, like Tacoma Trail Edition, offering the Double Cab model a maximum towing capacity of 6,400 pounds (per the SAE J2807 tow standard). The package includes a Class IV towing receiver hitch, engine oil cooler, transmission fluid cooler (automatic transmission only), power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, 4- and 7-pin connector with converter and Trailer-Sway Control (TSC).
A host of standard features await inside, including a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat featuring 2-way power lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, standard all-weather floor liners and black fabric seating featuring unique tan stitching.
The standard 8-inch multimedia touchscreen features Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Other features include a six-speaker sound system, hands-free Bluetooth phone and music capability, a USB media port, two USB charge ports and an integrated backup camera display. In addition, all Tacoma multimedia systems include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility and SiriusXM capability with a three-month All-Access Trial.
Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) features are all standard. TSS-P includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams. The Tacoma is also equipped with the Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop brake override technology (SST).
