Toyota has always been proud of its pickups – and after this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas at the beginning of November, they’ve got even more reason for that pride! Taking top place in not one, but two different categories, the 2021 Tacoma and 2022 Tundra certainly came to impress – and impress they did.
First, in a newly created category, the Mid-Size Truck of the Year was awarded to the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, a first for the top-selling mid-size pickup as well as Toyota’s first year to earn top honors at SEMA. As noted by Lisa Materazzo, Group Vice President of Toyota Division Marketing, “The SEMA Awards honor the most customizable vehicles in the industry…[the Tacoma has a] loyal fan base who like to push the limits with unique customizations, making SEMA the perfect laboratory to explore what is possible.” Some of the more memorable examples put on display were the Tacozilla Tacoma Camper and the Tacoma Overlanding Concept, two terrific specimens for anyone suffering from wanderlust.
Thanks to its versatility, the Tacoma is one of the most popular pickups on the market, and its features explain why – there’s a Tacoma for every driving need! With 6 different trims to choose from, this truck has a couple of engine choices. The SR and the SR5 get their power from a 2.7-liter four-cylinder gas engine that develops 159 horsepower. The rest of the Tacomas have a 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 278 horsepower. If you want this more potent engine with the entry-level trims, it’s available as an option. Both powertrains use a six-speed automatic transmission.
Over in the Lone Star State, the annual Texas Truck Rodeo near Austin was finishing up: and a clear winner had emerged. “The Texas Auto Writers Association Truck of Texas award is a prestigious honor and there’s no doubt the 2022 Toyota Tundra roared in with the intention to impress,” said TAWA President Kristin Shaw.
“TAWA journalists had the privilege of driving the brand-new Tundra on- and off-road at the same time as the national launch,” Shaw continued. “By the end of the Texas Truck Rodeo, our members’ votes were loud and clear: the 2022 Tundra is a winner.”
The all-new 2022 Tundra, available in December 2021, has a host of new features to complement its redesign that’s built on a new fully-boxed chassis and equipped with a new multilink coil-spring rear suspension, a new powertrain, and a fresh new exterior. Completely new from top to bottom, and the inside out, you’ll find this workhorse has for its base engine a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, capable of generating 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. A 3.5-liter twin-turbo hybrid powertrain is newly available for 2022, making 437 horsepower and generating 583 lb.-ft. of torque.
Always looking to improve, Toyota has certainly found a winning formula with its trucks – and people everywhere are noticing! When you find yourself in the market for a reliable pickup, the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra ought to be at the top of your list. Visit Priority Toyota Chesapeake today for a test drive so you can enjoy the powerful performance in person!
Image via toyota.com
Information sourced from hardworkingtrucks.com (Article 1 and Article 2)
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