Why Tacoma ?
First : it is a Toyota…. You get a good reputation, solid engine, solid transmission, less loss of value as the car gets older, cheaper repair and much more. Second: Not everyone needs a full-size truck, and that’s where the mid-sized ones come in handy. Depending on what you need a truck for, a mid-sized one can be more affordable and more fuel-efficient while doing the job.- Engine
2022 Tacoma comes with one engine option for all cab size options. It has an engine with Direct Injection 3.5 Litre DOHC V6 w/VVT‑i. It has the same horsepower for all cab options: 278 @ 6,000 RPM So nothing to choose from in this regard as the engine has the same solid features known for Tacoma in all 2022 cab options.- Fuel Consumption
No much difference between the 6 types of body styles. The table below shows the numbers, yet our advice is not to think much about fuel consumption when deciding which package/ body style you would buy.
Cab Type / Fuel Consumption |
City/Highway/Combined L/100km |
City/Highway/Combined mpg |
4x4 Access Cab 6M |
13.8/11.4/12.7 |
20/25/22 |
4x4 Access Cab 6A |
13.0/10.5/11.8 |
22/27/24 |
4x4 Double Cab 6A |
13.0/10.5/11.8 |
22/24/22 |
4x4 Double Cab 6M SB |
13.8/11.4/12.7 |
20/25/22 |
4x4 Double Cab 6A SB |
13.0/10.5/11.8 |
22/27/24 |
4X4 Double Cab 6A SB LTD Nightshade |
13.0/10.5/11.8 |
22/27/24 |
- Horse Power & Towing
Same as with fuel consumption, you should not worry much about the differences between each of the body styles in this regard. Tacoma is a mid-size pick-up truck with a reasonable and competitive power train among other similar trucks. Horsepower is standard in all options which are 278. Towing capacity is slightly more in the Access Cab style than in the Double Cab. If you require higher towing capacity and horsepower, you should consider a full-size pick-up truck.
HorsePower |
Towing Capacity |
4x4 Access Cab 6M |
278 |
2948 |
4x4 Access Cab 6A |
278 |
2948 |
4x4 Double Cab 6A |
278 |
2903 |
4x4 Double Cab 6M SB |
278 |
2903 |
4x4 Double Cab 6A SB |
278 |
2903 |
4X4 Double Cab 6A SB LTD Nightshade |
278 |
2903 |
So, what should I look for? confused !!!
Don’t be….. we will try to help out by answering a few questions. Hopefully, the following paragraphs and the designed graph will help you decide which truck is good for you.Which Truck Should I Get? What’s The Difference Between Access Cab & Double Cab?
Cab Options:
2 options to choose from: Access cab ( 2 doors ) or Double cab ( 4 doors )- Two Options For The Access Cab:
- Four Options For The Double Cab:

First Thing To Consider Before You Choose
Let’s Take It Step By Step From The Most Important Feature To The Least To Help You Decide.
Lots of first truck buyers get confused regarding the terminology and also the differences between each style. Let’s simplify things and help you choose what best suits you. The truck width, as well as the cargo bed width, are the same in all Tacoma styles. The engine and horsepower are the same with only minor differences in the towing capacity. Your decision will be basically based on two main things : 1- Seating capacity. 2- Cargo bed length. These are the two main differences between the Access Cab and Double Cab. The two Access Cabs styles come with 4 seating capacities, yet the four Double Cab options come with 5 seating capacities. So, your decision to choose between Access or Double Cab styles could be made at this point. More to know here though… Since we have 6 body styles ( 2 Access and 4 Double Cab ), let’s make it even clearer. If you want the biggest Tacoma ( seats 5 with longest cargo bed ), then you had made your decision! You should go with the Double Cab 6A.- Double Cab 6A
What’s Unique About The Double Cab 6A?
Well, its total length is the longest in all styles ( 225.4 inches as opposed to 212.3 in all other 5 styles ). Therefore, it has a long bed as the Access Cab ( 70.3 inches ), yet still has 5 seater Cab style. So, it is considered the biggest body style in all. It comes only in Automatic transmission. If that’s what you need (The longest bed and bigger Cab ), then it is the truck for you. But, you should know some features this style might be lacking. Some features are included in the other body styles, yet they are only an add on in the Double Cab 6A with extra $ in certain packages, as :- The 400 Watt (120V) Cargo Bed Power Outlet is an add-on with an extra $ in certain packages.
- Sport Tuned Shock Absorbers
- 2‑way Power Adjustable Driver Lumbar Support
- TRD Grade Fabric Seats
- 8‑way Power Adjustable Driver Seat, 4‑way Manually Adjustable Passenger Seat
- Leather Seats
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Power Windows with Driver Side Auto Up / Down
- Power Sliding Rear Window
- Sliding Sun Visors w/Illuminated Mirror
- Leather Wrapped Shift Knob.
- The Bilstein Shock Absorbers is not an option even in upgraded packages.
- Trail Grade Fabric Seats
- Unique Interior Accents
- Access Cab
If you are aiming for a longer cargo bed and happy with 4 seaters capacity, then the Access cab is your go-to. So, let’s differentiate between the two Access cab styles
What Are The Differences Between Each Style Then?
The most important difference is the Access Cab 6M has manual transmission while the Access Cab 6A has automatic transmission, Hence the 6A price is slightly more than the 6M ( The Access Cab 6A average price is 44,060 while the 6M is 42,550 Canadian dollars ). The outside dimensions are exactly the same. There are trivial differences that we will enumerate. Basically, the Access Cab 6A has slightly more options than the Access Cab 6M.The 6A Style Has These Extra Features :
- Smart Key w/Push Button Start
- Short Range Key Fob Remote Start (requires active DCM)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Auto Location
- Premium Audio with Remote – includes Embedded Navigation, Destination Assist (1‑year trial), Remote Connect (1‑year trial), Safety Connect (1‑year trial), Service Connect (up to 8‑year trial)
- Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD)
- Colour-Keyed Fender Flares
- Crawl Control + Multi-Terrain Select.
- Double cab
The Double Cab options with standard Cargo bed length ( 60.5 inches / 5 foot ) 4x4 Double Cab 6M SB 4x4 Double Cab 6A SB 4X4 Double Cab 6A SB LTD Nightshade ( The above 3 styles have SB as you can see, this stands for Standard Bed or Short Bed, which is different from the Double Cab 6A that we already discussed. ). One of these will be your choice if you prefer the 5 seater cab with a standard cargo bed length ( 5 feet). In return for choosing a shorter bed ( as opposed to the Double Cab 6A ), you have a few features not included in the 6A. So, it is time to decide which of these 3 Double Cab you will choose. The 4X4 Double Cab 6A SB LTD Nightshade is the top of these 3 and the most expensive one. It has no packages as opposed to the other two. Yet, it almost has all the options you might need. It also has all the extra options which you might/might not be able to add to the other 2 ( the Double Cab 6M SB and 6A SB ), yet at no extra charge like the 7 speakers, 8‑inch screen, 18” Black Alloy Wheels ( only in this model ), Led fog lambs etc It only comes with Automatic transmission. Basically, if you are looking for the top of a double cab ( except with a regular cargo bed ) while paying a bit more, that’s your go-to model. If you are happy with the 5 seater and standard bed while looking to spend less money or control the added features, then you should choose between 4x4 Double Cab 6M SB or 4x4 Double Cab 6A SB. 4x4 Double Cab 6M SB comes with a manual transmission while 4x4 Double Cab 6A SB comes with automatic transmission. You can basically decide at this point without looking further.- Packages
