Tacoma year to buy 2018 vs 2020 vs 2022

Same here. My '22 040 Ice Cap Tacoma with 51k miles doesn't have any issues so far. Also knocking on wood

 

Drive them all …. Really give them a good drive .
Highway and city
Which ever one drives the best go with that after a really good inspection
Inspection notes look around power steering pump for any oil . ( timing cover leaks) just to make sure it’s dry . If not they can fix on their dime .
Coolant bypass hose in the back of motor make sure that is checked also . Two very important things to be mindful of . It’s a very solid truck otherwise

 

The Off-road will have an electric brake booster, versus the vacuum booster on the Sports. Personally, I like that more.

The other aspect is that the 2022 will have the (nearly) most recent ECU, which should help it perform better. Toyota did make some changes to address perceived performance issues.

And, as noted by others, the OR has a different suspension than the Sport; more comfy on bumpy trails, not ideal for cornering at high (for a truck) speeds.

 

Didn’t see it mentioned, but 2020 was the first year for the power drivers seat as well, which most considered a substantial upgrade.

 

Do you have any maintenance records from previous owner?

 

This is good advice. I drove three trucks when shopping. First one was a '23 Limited. Nice truck but I noted during the test drive that it seemed like the steering effort was kind of heavy, and the leather seats were very firm and somewhat uncomfortable for my back lower back. Next, I drove a pristine '23 TRD OR with 4k miles on it that sold before I could make a deal on it, and it drove way better than the Limited, and I wished I had been able to buy that one. But I finally found my SR5, and surprisingly, it drove the best of all three. Maybe it was the narrower stock tires, but it rode really nice, quiet, and steered easily. Definitely can be differences with each truck so drive them all if you can and pick the one you like the most.

 

I absolutely love my 22 2wd sr5. 80k mi. on it. Drives like new. Completely stock, wouldn’t change a thing on it …and that’s with a 300# lumber rack and 36 Knack box full of tools in it.
I also have a stock 22 Pro ….a completely different animal but love it all the same, and when I say different I mean it's hard to believe that they share the same chassis.

 

No paint issues on my '17 TRDOR that's parked outdoors since I bought it new. Recently passed 100k miles, no mechanical issues.

Choosing among the three, @Mik86 I'd go with the '22 to have the most up to date "stuff".

 

Mine was made in Texas. 2017 Sport MT

 

I said some 2nd and 3rd gens, not all. I was well aware Toyota made Tacomas in San Antonio and before that, Fremont. Toyota originally had their Baja California Mexico plant to jointly produce Tacomas along with their American plant starting with the 2nd gen.

I was just trying to say it's nothing new that Toyota produced Tacomas in Mexico, so people will still need to check the 1st digit of the VIN if they want to buy a USA made Tacoma. Some people act like Toyota never made Tacomas in Mexico until now.

 

If things are equal, I would lean toward the 2022. I am a big fan of white trucks. Plus, it is newer.

 

Get an Off Road. You'll thank me later....

The Sport is a TRD without the TRD options....

 

What?

 

I think he's saying it’s just an SR5 with an optional moon roof.

 

Which truck do you like better?
buy that one.

 

The 22 will have Apple CarPlay.
Power drivers seat (as mentioned)
Nicer grill.

 

moon roof isnt standard on sports. its on option on multiple trims.

trd sports gets
17" wheels and street tires
stiffer valved shocks
stiffer sway bar
color matched flares and front and rear bumpers
hood scoop
led drl headlights
different tail lights for 2020+
trd grill
supposedly more agressive auto lsd

 

2020 on will have apple carplay infotainment system

They may have keyless entry on the passenger side and electric seat controls( I'm mostly counting stuff my wife's "22 4runner SR5 has)

Not sure if 2018 has the sensor in the grill?

 

Unless you want a DCLB then it's out of the question. DCSB just won't cut it for space. I can always add a locker it's real hard to extend a bed

 

DCLB offroads exist.