2022 Toyota Tundra vs. Tacoma TRD Pro

TFLoffroad recently compared Toyota’s two pickups: the 2022 Toyota Tundra and the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. So which is better? TFL put both vehicles through the same rigorous tests to determine which one will handle better in various situations and terrains. The course included a dirt track with deep holes to test articulation, a log track to test traction, and a rock track to test ground clearance.

The Tacoma started with the holes test, making good use of its Fox shocks. It cleared the course with no issues and continued to the log course. The log course was no different, as the Tacoma used its Crawl mode to travel up the course like nothing was there. Finally, the smaller pickup took on the rock course, which tests everything about the vehicle including ground clearance. If it can’t clear the rocks, it will end up scraping the underside of the vehicle. Luckily for the Tacoma, even if that happens it has a skid plate underneath for protection. In the end the Tacoma didn’t even need the skid plate, as it passed the rock test with flying colors.

The Tundra was another story, however. While its Bilstein shocks, which are made for low-speed off-roading, handled the holes course arguably better and more comfortably than the Tacoma, it showed its weaknesses on the other two courses. The tires spun when the truck tried to go over the log course and its lack of maneuverability showed when it tried to make a sharp turn at the end of the rock course.

The main issue with the Tundra is that it is much bigger than the Tacoma. But that is what the Tundra is made for, isn’t it? Yes, the Tundra has more towing capacity and offers a more comfortable ride than the Tacoma, but the Tacoma is built better for off-roading. It’s also worth mentioning that the Tacoma TRD Pro starts at $50,000, while the Tundra starts at $57,000. So which one is better? Well, that’s up to how you plan to use your pickup.

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