2022 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma presented itself as the quintessential pickup truck, embodying the classic truck design with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. Its lines appeared to be crafted with precision, offering a stark contrast to the more streamlined Ford Ranger and General Motors midsize twins. Certain Tacoma models, like the Nightshade Edition and TRD Pro, boasted unique styling features such as blacked-out trim and model-specific grilles, enhancing their rugged appeal. Despite its body-on-frame construction, which typically affects ride and handling, the Tacoma maintained its reputation for towing and off-road capability.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the beginning of its third generation with a complete redesign, featuring a more dynamic and expressive exterior. The Tundra's large hexagonal grille varied in finish across trims, with the TRD Pro trim showcasing retro "TOYOTA" badging. The Tundra's chiseled and muscular side styling, along with its neatly tucked rear, contributed to its robust appearance. Inside, the Tundra embraced premium materials and amenities, with a 14-inch touchscreen display standard on higher trims, reflecting its intent to serve as a versatile family adventure vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission and a part-time 4WD drivetrain with a standard electronic rear limited-slip differential. The TRD models enhanced the Tacoma's off-road capabilities with features like upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, and Crawl Control. However, the Tacoma's on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and poor ride quality. Its maximum towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, and payload capacity was 571 kg, respectable but not class-leading.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced two new engines, moving away from the previous V8. The base i-Force engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, produced 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain offered even more power, with 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra's new chassis and suspension improved handling, with a switch to a multi-link rear suspension providing a more compliant ride. The Tundra's towing capacity reached 5,443 kilograms, and it featured advanced towing aids like trailer sway control and a trailer backup guide system.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's interior space was limited, with the Double Cab offering the least rear headroom and legroom in its segment. The cabin's bunker-like feel was exacerbated by the tall hood and short windshield. While the Tacoma offered some in-cab storage and a standard rail system with tie-down cleats in the bed, it lacked innovative storage solutions found in competitors. The bed was made from sheet-molded composite, providing a lightweight and rust-resistant alternative to steel.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra offered more spacious interiors with its Double Cab and CrewMax configurations. The CrewMax provided an SUV-like 1,057 mm of rear legroom, while the Double Cab offered 846 mm. The Tundra's aluminum-reinforced composite bed saved weight and maintained payload capacity, with options for different bed lengths. The Tundra excelled in smart storage solutions, with features like a sliding tray in the centre armrest and a conveniently placed 12-volt power tap. Its towing capabilities were impressive, with a maximum capacity of 5,443 kilograms and standard trailer sway control.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a functional infotainment system with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with a seven-speaker JBL audio system available on higher trims. The TRD Pro model offered a Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, useful for off-road and parking maneuvers. However, the Tacoma's infotainment system lacked advanced features beyond basic navigation and phone connectivity.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced a new infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models, along with Toyota Connected services. Upper trims featured a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The Tundra also offered advanced off-road technology, including a multi-terrain select system with crawl control and a multi-terrain monitor system.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating. The Tacoma came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some advanced features offered by competitors, such as lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, the latest suite of driver assistance features, including a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, and lane-tracing assist. The Tundra also featured the Star Safety System, with enhanced vehicle stability control and traction control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on most trims.