7 Reasons Why the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport V6 is Still the King of Midsize Trucks

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport V6 continues to dominate the midsize pickup market by blending off-road capability with city-dwelling practicality. If you’re in the market for a truck that can take on muddy trails one minute and parallel park in a cramped urban lot the next then the Tacoma TRD Sport might be your match. Let's dive deep into what makes this truck a fan-favorite while pointing out some quirks (with a wink) that might just give you a chuckle.

Overview of the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport V6

The 2022 Tacoma TRD Sport V6 sits in a unique spot in Toyota’s lineup of trucks blending rugged performance with a hint of luxury. It’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine and offers drivers 278 horsepower—plenty of grunt whether you're towing a trailer or zipping through traffic. It's also known for its off-road prowess thanks to Toyota Racing Development (TRD). But before we delve into the performance let's take a look at the design and feel of the Tacoma inside and out.

Exterior Design: Rugged Yet Refined

With bold contours an aggressive grille and flared fenders the Tacoma TRD Sport V6 shows off its tough-guy persona. Toyota has gone all out to make sure this truck looks the part whether you're on an off-road adventure or stuck in traffic behind a minivan. The 17-inch alloy wheels and hood scoop give it a sporty edge that complements its beefy stature.

You know that hood scoop? It serves no real practical purpose but come on it looks cool. It’s like wearing sunglasses indoors—sure it’s unnecessary but nobody's judging.

Available Colors:

• Magnetic Gray Metallic
• Super White
• Barcelona Red Metallic
• Midnight Black Metallic
• Lunar Rock (which I’m convinced was named by a frustrated sci-fi writer)

Interior: Functionality Meets a Bit of Flair

Inside the Tacoma TRD Sport you’re met with an interior that tries to balance comfort and utility. Soft-touch materials line the doors and dashboard but there’s still plenty of hard plastic surfaces that say “hey don’t worry about scuffing me up.” The seats are supportive—great for long drives—and there’s plenty of headroom (unless you’re pushing NBA height).

Interior Features:

• 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto (Finally! We don’t want to admit how much we use Spotify)
• Available dual-zone automatic climate control
• Optional moonroof (for when you’re pretending to stargaze but just want some fresh air)
• Wireless smartphone charging (that one spot your phone never quite aligns with right)

But there’s a minor drawback: the rear seat space isn’t the most generous. If you’ve got passengers in the back they better be on the shorter side—or ready to relive their days of sitting in coach.

Fun Quote From an Owner:

"It’s roomy enough for me and my dog but my 6'3” buddy isn’t a fan of the backseat... unless he’s really into yoga." — Alex Collantes a Tacoma owner since 2019.

Performance: More Than Just Muscle

The 2022 Tacoma TRD Sport V6 is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine which produces 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. With a six-speed automatic transmission it’s smooth for city driving but the available manual transmission gives that extra bit of fun for those who still want to row their own gears.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The TRD Sport can tow up to 6,800 pounds which is more than enough to haul a small camper or boat for weekend getaways. Plus with a maximum payload capacity of 1,525 pounds it’s ready to carry all your gear. Whether you're a weekend warrior or using this as your daily driver the Tacoma won't leave you short-handed when it comes to capability.

Off-Road Capability: Not Just for Show

Even though the TRD Sport isn’t the most off-road-centric Tacoma (that title goes to the TRD Pro) it still holds its own when the pavement ends. With rear-wheel drive standard and the option for four-wheel drive you can conquer dirt trails without breaking a sweat.

However the TRD Sport is more about performance and handling on the road than it is about off-road features like crawl control or a rear locking differential (those are reserved for the Pro). But unless you’re scaling mountains on the regular the Sport model’s capability is more than enough.

Alex’s Take:

"I’ve taken my TRD Sport through some gnarly terrain and while it’s not as hardcore as the Pro it still tackles most trails without issue. My only gripe is that when you’re not off-roading you kind of feel like you’re wasting the truck’s full potential."

Tech & Safety Features: Modern but Not Too Fancy

Let’s talk tech. The Tacoma TRD Sport comes standard with a suite of Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) features which includes:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (because you know pedestrians are unpredictable)
• Lane Departure Alert with Sway Warning System (perfect for keeping you in check when you're drifting a bit)
• Automatic High Beams (great for blinding oncoming drivers… kidding they're smarter than that)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (it’ll do the hard work of keeping distance for you)

The 8-inch touchscreen is responsive but while it's modern and easy to use Toyota's infotainment system could use a slight update—it’s not as intuitive as some of its competitors. Though if you're just using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto you won’t have to fiddle with the native interface too much.

Pros and Cons of the Infotainment System

Pros:

• Easy smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Clear graphics and simple menus
• Responsive touch interface

Cons:

• Slightly dated system overall
• Voice controls can be a bit finicky at times (think yelling at Siri level)

Driving Experience: Is It Fun to Drive?

So how does the Tacoma TRD Sport handle on the road? In terms of ride quality it's... decent. The suspension is on the firmer side which is expected in a truck like this but it can feel a bit jittery over potholes or rough pavement. It’s not exactly what you’d call “buttery smooth.” Still when you’re zipping around town or merging onto the highway the 278 horsepower from the V6 engine ensures you’ve got enough oomph.

That said the Tacoma isn’t winning any awards for fuel economy. With an EPA rating of 19 MPG city and 24 MPG highway you’ll be stopping for gas a bit more often than you might like. But hey that’s the price of owning a truck with genuine off-road chops.

Potential Drawbacks (With a Smile)

No truck is perfect and while the 2022 Tacoma TRD Sport V6 is pretty awesome it has its quirks. Let’s look at a few “character-building” moments:

• Fuel Economy: It’s not exactly fuel-sipping (unless your idea of sipping involves a gallon jug). You’ll probably stop at the pump a little more than your Prius-driving friends.

• Rear Seat Space: Yeah... it’s a bit snug back there. Unless your rear passengers enjoy the intimacy of a tight fit you might want to save those seats for cargo or your friend’s very small dog.

• Interior Materials: The cabin’s a bit of a mixed bag. Some of it feels plush but then you touch a random hard plastic surface and get a flashback to 90s car interiors. But hey it’s durable at least!

• Technology: While Toyota’s infotainment system is functional it’s not winning any awards for being user-friendly. Sometimes it feels like you need to be a tech wizard just to figure out which button does what.

• Handling: Not the smoothest ride out there but let’s be honest—if you’re buying a Tacoma for its silky handling you’re probably shopping in the wrong section. Trucks are meant to be a bit rugged right?

Final Thoughts: Still the King of the Midsize Jungle

All in all the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport V6 is a solid choice if you’re looking for a midsize truck that can do it all (or at least most things). It’s got the power to haul tow and off-road with the best of them while still being practical enough for daily driving. Sure it’s not perfect—but would we really want it to be? Those little quirks are what give the Tacoma its charm.

Whether you're a weekend adventurer or someone who just loves the look and feel of a truck the Tacoma TRD Sport delivers the goods.

Alex’s Closing Thoughts:

"After three years of owning my Tacoma TRD Sport I still get excited every time I get behind the wheel. Sure it’s got a few quirks but that’s what makes it fun. If you want a truck that doesn’t take itself too seriously but can still handle serious tasks this is the one for you."

Quick Recap:

• Price Range: Starting at $34,335
• Engine: 3.5-liter V6
• Horsepower: 278 hp
• Towing Capacity: 6,800 lbs
• Fuel Economy: 19/24 MPG city/highway
• Pros: Rugged design capable performance modern safety tech
• Cons: Tight rear seats so-so fuel economy hard plastic interior parts

In conclusion the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport V6 remains a solid option in the world of midsize trucks. It's not perfect but hey that's part of the charm! If you can look past some minor quirks you'll be driving one of the most dependable capable trucks on the market.