I Off-Road Every Version Of The New Toyota Tacoma | The One You Should Buy Is NOT What You Think! 

For a 90 year old man , tommy has too much fun! 😂

Next time, start with a base SR and then go up from there for the FULL range. My homely 2021 SR was $20K less than TRD Pro new and has been through Moab, CO and WY, no problem. 👍

Hahahahaha ignore the CRV in the background..that was funny. Great review Tommy

I’ve had my trail Tacoma for 4 months now and wow. The rims are sweet & a rear locker is so clutch. No complaints from me

I have a TrD off road in manual and I can tell you I use the sunglasses holder a lot more than the automatic folks will use their crawl control. 👍🏻.

As per the locker comment.. the difference is the Bronco Locker system (exactly the same Dana/Spicer locker as the Rubicon BTW) does not confirm engagement, it only tells you that you have in fact only turned the locker on.. The Toyota Locker system on the other hand is like the Wrangler Rubicon where it actually confirms that the locker is in fact engaged before the light appears solid..

One benefit to the decals is you can more easily remove them over stampings. My dad had the dealership remove the giant 4x4 and z71 decals off our truck before it even left the dealership. Just a thought for those who prefer a cleaner/unassuming look.

Great video, Tommy! Very impressive that I think you shot it all solo!

I feel like this new trail package is gonna be a top seller. Sr5 yet with the locker with lifted suspension and bronze wheels?!? Hell yeah!!

I really like the SR5 with the Trail package. Smart money purchase. One question, how were you able to go off-road without front red tow hooks? Lol

Credits to Tommy! This was a great video! Positive Vibes all round and we can see how a vehicle can be twice as capable with a good spotter upfront. KEEP EM COMING!!

Just purchased a Trail Edition this week and I’m loving it. It was nice hearing you say it’s the one to buy. Give me ground clearance, 4x4 and a rear locker and I’m good to go! Plus those gold rims 😍

Great detailed comments and really helped me with my buying decision. Very well done, Tommy!!!!

Appreciate the focus on function and value over frills!

This was a great video with great details. Keep this trend. All Tacoma owners will love this feedback for different Tacoma trims!

Awesome video! As cool as all of these trucks are I have to go with the 2022 TRD Pro. The suspension, skid plate, badging, and extra clearance are worth it in my opinion.

Since the pros finally started showing up here I’ve compared them all side by side. Best truck option after driving them all is the pro with a manual transmission if you can handle rowing the gears on a trail. The extra 2” height and better shocks make a noticeable difference and the pro just looks cool.

Thanks for the great video. I've been going back and forth in recent weeks on the SR5 trail vs. TRD OR, and settled on the TRD OR. The toyota builder has the msrp of the SR5 Trail higher than the TRD OR in 2022. I do love those wheels though...

Nice video Tommy! I actually love that Electric Lime green on the ORP, even more than the duller green on the T4R ORP. It is nice that Toyota put some real features on the Taco Trail, but they should put the better LED headlights on all models as a safety improvement. As Roman often says, safety should not be limited to the most expensive models. I have a '16 T4R SR5 4x4, and the OEM headlights were among the worst I've had on any vehicle since I bought my first car in 1985. The OEM brake rotors and pads were also subpar, so I had to upgrade them. When you start adding up the upgrades needed on SR5 models, it makes the OR and ORP models more attractive.

Love my 17 stock Taco offroad. Did Black Bear, Imogene, and Clear Lake easily

Nice job on the video. Going the extra mile to get video of the stuck truck.

Great advice on the TRD Off-Road. I bought a 2021 Off-Road and put the $10k I saved into a 3-2 lift, RCI Metalworks sliders, full underbody armor, tires, bedrack, bed stiffeners, and rooftop tent. Pretty sure it outdoes the Pro now.

With regards to Bronco’s “instant” locker: I keep hearing that when you “engage” the lockers on Bronco, the light comes on immediately, but that doesn’t mean the lockers have engaged. Apparently Jeep and Bronco use the exact same supplier; Ford simply chose for the locker light to come on regardless of the lockers having engaged or not. Toyota and Jeep, on the other hand, choose to let the driver know when the locker engaged by lighting up only after it does.

The 4Runner TRD Off Road is the way to go. I love these Toyota videos!

I have a 2003 4 Runner SR5 4x4. Over the years, I added a suspension lift, bigger tires, sliders, skid plates, UCA's, rear locker, and a front bumper/winch. It only has 145k miles on it, can conquer the same terrain as the expensive new ones. I'll keep it forever!

Great review! Looks like you went over some epic trails!

Hey Tommy - you mentioned how a manual really transforms the Tacoma. I'd love to see a video where you compare the automatic to the manual in multiple off-road scenarios. Keep up the great work!

I love the 3rd gen Tacoma seating position. I’ll take ground clearance any day. I find to make the rear locker lock easier is to actually turn as it is trying to engage. It will make the rear tires turn at different speeds which will help engage to lock pin.

I love the front locker, the rear locker that can be locked in 2HI and 4HI, and the terrain management features that can be used in 2HI and 4HI. Oh wait…. The Tacoma has NONE of those, lol!

750 miles on my trd off-road 2021! Absolutely love it so far! I really like the 2022 trd pro wheels tho! Very Clean

100% agree on the seat comfort. Had 2 different rental Tacoma TRD Off road models for 2 weeks 2000 miles and I just could not get comfortable in either of them. Transmission tuning is interesting, it was terrible in the first one which had very few miles, but felt a lot better in the second one which had 12000 miles on it. And the 3.5 was not happy above 10 thousand feet of elevation but that's expected.

One feature I really like on the SR5 Trail that's missing from the fancier ones is the pale-gray headliner. Makes the interior feel a lot more open and spacious than the black one.

I'm with you Tommy. The SR5 seems like the clear choice. Especially seeing as how I'm only interested in the manual transmission (call control wouldn't be available anyway). Thanks for the nice review.👍

TY for explaining seating position for driver, that’s exactly what I like in driving position 👍🏻

Fun review. I agree, the lesser Off Road and Trail models do make a good value proposition. And the Trail rims are hella cool. I love my 2020 Green TRD Pro, but it came at a high price.

Seat Jackers that mount under the front seat brackets fix the seat issue. Getting the KDMax tune installed improves the gear hunting and increases throttle response. Ive had both and almost makes it feel like a different truck.

Falken Wildpeak AT3W would of been an awesome factory add on for the off-road package.

yesterday I found out why the Tacoma does not have a front locker! Does not need one if you have the MTS! If you are using the MTS, don't use the rear locker. Tried it out on a hill called "Big Money" in the snow. the hill cost a lot of money to get up and not making it up results in sledding down at a high rate of speed in reverse even with your foot pushing the brake pedal through the floor. In my previous Toyota's I could usually make it up with my locker engaged. This time, no locker, but used MTS in mud and sand mode, didn't even air down. crawled right up the hill. turning around at the top and coming down is usually just as treacherous as you go down in 4 low 1st gear for as long as you can until you start sledding again. Crawl control on and the truck came down the hill very slow and controlled, although noisy as the ABS was very busy on the way down. I may never use my locker again!!!

Really great video that showed what is possible with these Tacomas. I recently ordered the SR5 Trail, and the more I find out about it, the better I think my decision was.

Love my 2018 Cement TRD Sport with the 6-speed manual, bought that truck brand new during that time and currently has almost 61,000 miles and it’s been an awesome truck ever since new! But I have to say, I love the looks of that SR5 Trail in Lunar rock! Really like the fact that it has a rear locker. Makes me almost want to trade in my Sport when these come out.

That SR5 Trail edition is my choice! Simple and functional

Great video. The bluegrass playing in the background was a nice touch

Tommy, I love your review on the Trail Edition. It makes me very happy that I bought mine. I had no idea I was going to buy a Tacoma when I bought mine. I went to look at 4Runners, but when I went to the dealership, I was drawn to the Trail Edition based on its great looks with the Bronze wheels and heritage grill. I also noticed it was lifted. When I got inside of it I really liked the all black interior and comfortable cloth seats. When I saw that it had a rear locking differential, I was sold. And ten months later, I have zero regrets. I've been off roading for 20 years and never used a Crawl Mode option and I dont think I'll need it anytime soon.

The SR5 with the trail package is what the 4Runner Trail “Special Edition” should have been. Instead, to get a locker, I had to get the TRD Off Road, and in Hawaii that means I had to get KDSS, which I didn’t want. Still great trucks though.

Great review Tommy! No interruptions from dad. The TE finally makes sense for 2022 and would be the trim I’d choose once my 2005 wears out, but that might have to wait until the 4th Gen? 5th? 😂

Love Tommy's explanation. Been watching him for years.

I agree with you again here Tommy. For less money and a step up from old school 4WD off road action, that Trail with the rear locker is a great choice! So many times back in the old days I had wished for at the very least a rear locker to aid me along in some technical spots.

Realizing a 200 series was on this trip- how did it do size wise? I’m certain it had no problems going over obstacles, but how well did it fit around obstacles- trees and such? Am also curious, Tommy, how you felt the 4Runner did when comparing the same trim level against a Tacoma.

Im loving my 19' TRD off-road 4x4 so far, its my first truck and i don't see myself looking into a different brand any time soon

Great video and nice trail. It's way more fun going down on a bike than in a truck though ;)

Really enjoyed this video great job 👏

I do love the Tacoma, but that long trip seating position. I am short and struggle with it. I love the fact they added the locker to the trial edition. About time it had something more than looks. Tommy this is the off-road stuff we want. I don't know about others, but I could careless about side by sides.

"Baby head sized boulders that spit out from underneath the tires ." Interesting visual. I'm looking forward to the 2022 Frontier and Tacoma head-to-head video. You guys are doing a great job.

Excellent video Tommy 👍🏼 Glad to see that Pro with the right tires. It's no secret though, that Pro should come from the factory with them on it. 🤷🏼‍♂️ And I sort of agree with the manual idea.....I have a lifted 2017 Tacoma. It's an automatic. ALMOST every day I wish it had a manual, then I get it in the rocks and off-camber a few times a month on my hunting property or to help friends with projects, and the automatic is so nice for any kind of technical maneuvering. My wish is for a dual clutch-like auto manual, that actually shifts when I tell it to, console shifter or paddles, either would be fine by me 😎 You trading your Wrangler for a Tacoma SR5 Trail, Tommy?!? 😁

I did a similar trail up and down Tincup pass down to Mirror lake and back from St. Elmo in my ‘03 Tacoma Prerunner. Toyota’s are the real deal💪🏻

Good review Tommy. The Tacoma is a very capable truck. For me to buy one, I would like: * 8 or 9 speed automatic * higher sitting seats, higher roof * updated dash, cluster, infotainment * not sure, I want heated seats and steering, power rear window * nice leather power seats for both front For now, the new Frontier is the most appealing to me.

Nice to see Emme again :-)

2021 Tacoma TRD offroad premium, love it. Done Extreme offroad and it performed excellent.

My dad bought my mom a 2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro with all the fancy off-roading stuff that comes with it. The most off road that car has seen is their mile long well maintain gravel driveway. Looks cool though!

I just checked the Toyota website, and the sr5 with the trail package (with no other options) is $38545 or the TRD Offroad (with no options) is $38745. So for $200 you get all the Offroad software, plus the additional resale that it will bring in the future? It sounds like the Offroad model is giving you a whole lot for $200...

The SR5 Trail Package definitely seems like the one I’d buy! Seems perfect for mountain bike camping trips!

Great video. I’m a trd OR and pro fan. All of them are nice trucks.

I agree that the Offroad or the new trail is the best value. However, if you option up an offroad to match the standard TRD pro options (heated seats, etc) it actually is more expensive. If you don't want the interior goodies, a SRD Trail with an aftermarket suspension is the way to go, although it doesn't look like you can get the manual on an SR5. I am ready to order a 2022 tacoma and would get the trail, as you suggested, if only they sold it with the stick shift.

Although I appreciate the idea that these trucks are great off-road, the majority of Tacoma owners like me buy them because they run forever, will get you to work in the snow and are fairly fuel efficient. Not to mention great resale value. That being said, even though the positives outweighs the negative, The negatives IMO after over 5 years and 73k are : shitty seating position, automatic tranny, front bumper is junk , paint is thin, cabin is very noisy,….besides that I never had an issue mechanically, rides as tight as day 1, interior while plain I’d sturdy, you can overload the bed and the truck doesn’t squat, actually has good acceleration for what it is, will go through any snow, rows up to 4000 lbs comfortably (6400-6800 max is bullshit). Avg fuel mileage for me with wildpeak at3 is 21 mpg avg. and I paid $32,700 out the door in 2016. So it made sense considering everything. I don’t go off road because I need this truck to get to work and don’t want to ruin it. Just my two cents. Good video.

If I was buying a truck with serious offroading in mind, the SR5 Trail Edition is absolutely what I would buy. I'm curious how a TRD Sport would have handled a trail like that. Any idea?

Thanks Tommy. Great job.

The tune does wonders to the trans issues, while it shouldn't be necessary it absolutely is. Where's the Sporty? My sport 4x4 keeps up with the off-road on the trails. I skipped the crawl control because imo it's pointless. Haven't been any any position where I needed the locker yet either. For 6k that offroad was a package I could live without, considering I'm going to do my own suspension.

TRD Bros get so caught up in their badge on the fender when in all reality they practically all have similar capabilities.

Would really like to see EVERY VERSION tested and not just the two highest trim levels.

Yeah another Awesome video by TFL

Glad to see Emme back in a TFL video!

16:16 - a famous classic sound of a high revving naturally aspirated engine... ;)

Tommy travels to the top of the mountain, only to find a Hond CR-V beat him!

Ordered the Tacoma TRD Pro in electric lime green metallic. Planning some long road trips with a lot of off roading.

Cruiser Kurt guiding your trip? Awesome!!! Love all the Taco’s but I think the one for me would be the SR5 Trail edition…maybe the Off Road but my personal needs wouldn’t need any more than that.

I like that they are kicking down the upgrades to lower trims. Reminds me of you Willys all be it without the locker but you get better suspension than stock

Hands down the best looking mid-size truck made! Unfortunately it’s really lacking in almost everything. Interior, drivetrain…ect 🥺

3/4 metal sleeve under rear mounts from ace hardware fixed seating angle. Huge improvement for my wife. Simple fix.

Access cab, off-road + manual is best Taco!

You can get a locking diff on the base XL Ranger 4x4, Toyota had to match, this is why competition is good.

Toyota’s been doing so well with the trd pro colors what were they thinking? That green plus the new feature on the trail package is looking like the SR5 is gonna have a good year.

The ECT option for these is a “must have” in these Tacoma’s. My 2020’ TRD off road was originally ordered with nearly every option known to man . Every single button module slot is currently being used . Leather heated seats , duel climate control, etc. it was definitely as much as , or close to the TRD pro . I personally added 3.5 Rough country lift with Vertex adjustable coil-overs, and Reservoir shocks. Which with the Cbi off road bumper gives me the clearance to run General Grabber x3 33x12.50 tires which run amazing on most surfaces .

I love Emme Hall. There are a lot of Automotive reporters and reviewers out there, but Emme Hall does her research.

Need off-road comparison with pro4x and trd off-road

Witch has the better ride your willies or the tacoma on that trail.

It’s always good to spend a little extra time on ones Life Choices..

I have a 2020 Pro with a stick. Only mods I've done is rock sliders, flexible mud flaps, and a canopy and bed stiffeners. I've taken it offroad quite a bit and enjoy it. The nastiest stuff it's been in is going up to American Basin and doing the Alpine loop clockwise out of Silverton. Everything else I've done with it has been much tamer. Something they don't tell you, the manual cannot get the JBL sound system or any of the offroad helper features.

So the Trail edition is basically a stripped down less optioned trd off-road for the same price

Really like the trail but at over 40 grand msrp(including destination), why wouldn’t you just get the trd off-road? Base msrp for a 2021 TRD OR is about 38? Doesn’t make sense…

Mouth opening backdrop scenes!!!! Great and Beautiful video guys of the Tacoma. Well done

I agree SR5is the way to go, especially if you want to mod it out with a 4in lift 35's and some rock sliders.

Tommy as always, your reviews are knowledgeable, full of experience of a someone that has done the deed. now if we could get the model we want in a stick shift. and the new ones come with a fat guy in shorts to direct you??? how special color I call BILE it's vile, how's the "chip" situation at Toyota? with GM shutting down production due to shortages

Yes, TRD Off-Road offers the best overall value in the Tacoma lineup for the trail: it has all the hardware -and software- you need, without the unnecessary flash of TRD Pro

Always good to see Emme!

Tommy you forgot to mention that the red TRD Off-road truck has the factory lift installed. You can tell by the shocks installed and the grill with the big TOYOTA across it. I have the factory lift installed on my 2021 Army green longbed TRD Off road too.

Get the Trail without the sunroof and then you can raise up more.

You forgot the SR No one reviews the SR package

This year’s Trd pro is another level and that new lime green but still not enough for me to buy over the off road version

The Trail Edition also comes with a factory front and rear lift as well.

I see there’s a rescue 4runner and Landcruiser in the convoy. Lol