The 2022 Toyota Tundra is the latest in a long line of large pickup trucks, while the 2022 Toyota Tacoma is an established midsized veteran. Here’s how they compare.
2022 Toyota Tundra
2022 Toyota Tundra Starting Price: $35,900 | Price yours or View listings near you.
Above Average: A perfectly timed update; features strong boxed ladder frame; two powertrain options including a hybrid; tough composite bed.
Below Average: No longer available in a regular cab; hybrid battery takes up under-seat storage; V8 power dropped; no bargain-priced work truck.
Consensus: The 2022 Toyota Tundra receives its first major makeover since being introduced in 2007. The look is bold and aggressive and its ride improved thanks to the shift from leaf to coil springs.
2022 Toyota Tacoma
2022 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Starting Price: $27,300 | Price Yours or View listings near you.
Above Average: Durable Toyota reliability and build quality; available V6 power; TRD Pro off-road capability; excellent resale value.
Below Average: Overdue for a revision; so-so fuel economy; cabin comfort suffers in access cab.
Consensus: The Tacoma can go from work to play and back again without breaking a sweat. At last count, there were at least 33 ways to configure the Tacoma to suit a wide variety of needs. For enthusiasts, the TRD models include standard all-wheel drive and can be optioned with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Tundra vs. Tacoma: Big Difference
2022 Toyota Tundra
Totally redone for the first time since its introduction in 2007, the 2022 Toyota Tundra is now more up to date and ready to take on its competition. The entry-level Tundra carries a base price of $35,900, which features a more dynamic presence than before. That’s thanks to a hexagonal grille that will include features related to their respective trim packages.
Two new powertrain choices help to bring the Tundra up to the standards of its rivals. A gasoline-powered 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged i-Force V6 makes 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful 427-horsepower 3.5-liter twin-turbo i-Force Max hybrid boasts 583 lb-ft of torque thanks to its electric motor assist.
A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard with both engines. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while 4×4 is available on all trim levels but standard on the TRD Pro model. This hybrid uses a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery with a rating of 288 volts and a 1.87 kWh capacity. The pack is located in the interior below the second row of seats, taking up extra storage space that’s there on the gas models.
Speaking of the interior, it benefits from new looks and premium materials that move the Tundra up into the realm of its competition. A new 14-inch touchscreen display is available on all grades but included on the higher trim levels.
The new Tundra is available in five trim levels: Tundra SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition models. TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road packages can be added to all models. Double Cab and Crew Max configurations, each with four doors. Double Cab models get a 6.5-foot bed or a new 8.1-foot bed, while Crew Max trucks connect to 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot boxes.
2022 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma continues its reputation for high-quality, resale value, and reliability. This third-generation Tacoma has been on the road since 2016 and in that time, the competition has stepped up. Last year’s refresh keeps the Tacoma in the game, but rumors point to a new version arriving in 2024.
Power for the Tacoma comes from a choice of engines: A 2.7-liter inline-4 making 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque or a 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Both are matched to 6-speed automatic transmissions with rear- or 4-wheel drive.
The Tacoma TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models are more hearty offerings that include the 3.5-liter V6 engine, and a suspension lifted 1.5 inches in front and a half-inch in back. The TRD Off-Road includes Bilstein shock absorbers, the TRD Pro has shocks from Fox. These Tacoma TRD versions also offer things like Multi-Terrain Select — a terrain response system with presets for certain conditions — plus Crawl Control and a Multi-Terrain Monitor for camera views of what’s happening around the truck.
We recommend opting for the 3.5-liter V6 engine package over the base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder. Fuel economy ratings are similar, despite the increased power and towing capabilities of the larger engine. In this case, more is better, bringing a 6,800-pound towing capacity.
The Tacoma keeps abreast of newer tech in the form of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and all models receive the Toyota safety suite with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
Similarities
Available 4WD; engine choices; off-road variants.
2022 Toyota Tundra Advantages
Available V6 hybrid powertrain; new composite bed design; max towing capacity of approximately 12,000 pounds; coil spring rear suspension.
2022 Toyota Tacoma Advantages
More cab/bed configurations; high resale value; tidier dimensions.
Which One is Right for Me
The new 2022 Toyota Tundra features an innovative drivetrain, 10-speed automatic transmission, and luxurious upper trims. This much-needed remake makes it a hot ticket in the full-size pickup market
The midsize 2022 Toyota Tacoma offers a body-on-frame platform with as much off-road ability as a mountain goat. What it lacks in towing capability and payload it makes up for in a tidier package.
Ready to buy a Toyota Tundra or Toyota Tacoma? Shop now for one on sale near you.
| 2022 Toyota Tundra | 2022 Toyota Tacoma | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter turbo V6 | 2.7-liter I4 |
| Horsepower | 389 hp @ 5,200 rpm | 159 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
| Torque | 437 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm | 180 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 6-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 20 mpg (18 city/24 hwy) | 21 mpg (20 city/23 hwy) |
| Also Available | 3.5-liter turbo V6 hybrid; 4WD | 3.5-liter V6; 6-spd manual; 4WD |
| Specs | ||
| Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | n/a | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 145.7 inches | 127.4 inches |
| Overall Length | 233.6 inches | 212.3 inches |
| Width | 80.2 inches | 74.4 inches |
| Height | 78.0 inches | 70.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 48.6 feet | 40.6 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.0 inches | 39.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.5 inches | 34.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.2 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.5 inches | 24.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 65.0 inches | 58.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 63.4 inches | 56.5 inches |
| EPA Passenger Volume | n/a | 100.1 cubic feet |
| Payload Capacity | 1,940 pounds | 1,620 pounds |
Keyword: 2022 Toyota Tundra vs. 2022 Toyota Tacoma Comparison