It took 15 years for the third-generation Toyota Tundra to reach and all through my time with it, one query stored recurring: “Is that this the perfect they might do?”
With a brand new luxurious Capstone trim, a robust hybrid powertrain, an in-your-face design, and modern options, the 2022 Toyota Tundra isn’t a foul truck.
It simply looks like an enormous missed alternative. Toyota may’ve come out swinging with a segment-busting product like the A-BAT hybrid pickup idea from 2007, but it surely performed comply with the Ford F-150 chief as an alternative. No one wins by following.
I spent per week choosing up provides on the native fleet provide retailer, towing boats, and hauling youngsters on a highway journey to determine the place the 2022 Toyota Tundra suits within the truckosphere. The reply is murky, particularly within the $75,000 Capstone trim.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone hybrid engine
Going hybrid
A hybrid Tundra was lengthy overdue for the corporate that made its modern-day popularity on the again of a fuel-sipping Prius. However as an alternative of punching a gap out there and delivering a truck with unbelievable gas effectivity, Toyota aimed for energy in an try to finest the competitors. Numbers on paper aren’t the identical as actuality.
The highest-shelf Capstone trim atop the Tundra lineup pairs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and hybrid system to supply 427 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. On paper this powertrain is probably the most highly effective choice in a light-duty pickup truck this aspect of a Ford F-150 Raptor R or Ram 1500 TRX, but it surely doesn’t really feel as highly effective. The hybrid system operates seamlessly and within the background, not like the hybrid system within the F-150 with its clunky 1-2 and 2-3 shifts and hybrid energy handoffs. Even when unloaded mashing the go pedal doesn’t present the identical ahead grunt discovered within the F-150 Hybrid with its 400 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, and even the outgoing high-out twin-turbo V-6 beforehand out there within the F-150 Restricted with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.
4-wheel drive is commonplace on the $75,925 Capstone mannequin, however regardless of the luxurious mannequin’s giant worth its four-wheel-drive system is an historic part-time system. No full-time system is offered on any Tundra, although Capstone fashions function an automated limited-slip rear differential.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone gas financial system
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone gas financial system
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone gas financial system
The large energy numbers on paper went for gold on the sacrifice of gas financial system. The hybrid Tundra horse-trades gas financial system scores with the non-hybrid variant. Hybrid fashions carry EPA scores of 19 mpg metropolis, 22 freeway, 20 mixed whereas non-hybrids are rated at 17/23/19 mpg. In actuality I noticed a tragic 15.1 mpg in (a somewhat quick) 40 miles of combined suburban driving in keeping with the journey laptop. Falling wanting EPA scores, once more, the Tundra averaged 19.4 mpg over the course of 203 freeway miles. With the boat (towing is a particularly inefficient exercise) the truck averaged 9.4 mpg over 158 miles. None of those real-world numbers are markedly higher than a V-8-powered truck from the competitors, although they’re higher than the outgoing 5.7-liter V-8 within the second-generation Tundra, which at instances would common simply 14 mpg on the freeway unloaded.
As disappointing because the hybrid powertrain is, the 10-speed automated transmission delights. No matter whether or not its stop-and-go visitors, freeway cruising, or towing 5,000 lb, the Toyota-built unit snaps off fast, clear shifts. This is perhaps the perfect transmission out there in the present day in a light-duty pickup truck. The programming by no means permits the transmission to get misplaced in all of the gears.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone towing
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone digicam views
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Hooking up the boat
The act of bodily hooking a ship as much as the Tundra is fairly easy because of the big display and a number of digicam angles. As soon as the boat and trailer combo is hooked up to the rear of the Tundra, there’s the power to enter a number of key particulars equivalent to variety of axles on the trailer, sort of hookup used (i.e. hitch), and brake sort (i.e. electrical brakes or surge). This info will be saved in a profile, after which the truck can do its personal evaluation concerning the trailer’s size inside the first few toes of driving. It then integrates the trailer with the truck’s blind-spot displays to have in mind the additional size. It labored flawlessly and was a lot easier than Ford’s enter system for trailer info.
With a 5,000-lb fiberglass walleye boat and dual-axle trailer hooked to it, nonetheless, the motivation at velocity was downright disappointing regardless of the load checking in properly beneath the Capstone’s 10,340-lb max towing capability. Two front-seat occupants and a 19-lb highway bike within the mattress additionally did not even contact the 1,485-lb max payload capability. Passing isn’t a problem, however the place the high-output twin-turbo V-6 within the final F-150 would lunge ahead as if the identical boat and trailer didn’t exist, no Tundra driver will ever overlook there’s a trailer hooked to this factor. This doesn’t really feel like 583 lb-ft of torque. And whereas the Capstone’s rear air shocks will self-level the suspension so it doesn’t sag, the trailer lash is current always not like with an F-150.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone security techniques disabled
The security techniques demand the motive force be buckled throughout low-speed reverse maneuvers; in any other case, a chime consistently dings. Having a seat belt on makes backing up a lot much less snug and in sure conditions tough. Tow mode or hooking up a trailer with the 7-pin gentle and brake connection doesn’t disable security techniques equivalent to reverse automated emergency braking. As a substitute, the motive force has to manually flip off the techniques by digging via the menus within the gauge cluster. Ought to somebody overlook this step it should inevitably result in the truck slamming on the brakes whereas reversing a trailer, which may severely damage somebody within the boat on the launch.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Attracting glares or stares?
The second-generation Tundra blended in, however nobody will accuse the third-generation of doing the identical. With a daring exterior design there’s no lacking the Tundra happening the highway.
Whereas not for everybody, the design is distinctive. The huge grille is a bit a lot, however the sculpted headlights with multi-element LED items, massive bumper finish caps, and centrally-mounted fog lights that border on driving lights are all engaging. The vertical LED talilights function sequential flip alerts. The sculpted hood and fenders give the truck a punched-out look with out including precise width.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Not like each different light-duty pickup in the marketplace, the Tundra retains its quick mattress sidewalls that make it attainable for somebody to succeed in over into the mattress to seize issues. The shorter mattress partitions additionally make for a decrease tailgate top when open, which interprets to a decrease lift-over top for loading cargo into the mattress. The mattress is now product of a resin composite as an alternative of metal, which suggests it received’t rust, although different bits on the truck nonetheless can.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
In a “I can’t imagine Ford didn’t consider that” truck innovation, Toyota put in an electrical tailgate launch that may be bumped with an elbow whereas carrying one thing with each arms subsequent to the driver-side taillight. Clutch.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
However identical to with Ram and Nissan, the rear bumper step continues to be a drop-down step. At the very least on the Capstone mannequin it’s automated and energy operated. Common Motors’ nook bumper steps are a a lot better concept.
Capstone fashions class up the Tundra with a satin silver grille, chrome aspect mirror caps, chrome trim, and engaging 22-inch wheels.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
White was a foul selection
Each Tundra Capstone contains a two-tone white and black black leather-based inside. A whole lot of touch-heavy surfaces together with the seat backs, entrance middle armrests, door uppers, and door pulls together with a part of the dashboard are coated in white leather-based.
On day one it in all probability seemed good. Upon hooking up a ship and twiddling with the receiver for the hitch I discovered myself wanting on the inside questioning, how on the planet was I going to close the door with out ruining the white leather-based with my soiled fingers? White isn’t a sensible leather-based colour for a pickup truck.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
The huge 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system’s interface is simple to navigate and is augmented by onerous buttons, but it surely lacks the power to separate the display. When Apple CarPlay is pulled up it overtakes the complete system, and no person wants that a lot Apple CarPlay.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Whereas snug for 5 passengers, the inside packaging is compromised. The entrance seat occupants’ view of the highway is hindered by a brief windshield. This is because of a excessive entrance cowl and tall dashboard to provide the Tundra its imposing look in and out. It’s the other of the terrific view from the entrance seat of a Ram 1500 or a Ford F-150. The rear seat, which has loads of knee, foot, and leg room, is stadium-style with the hybrid battery pack mounted beneath the seat backside. This locations the rear seat occupant greater than these in entrance for a bizarre view, and people over 6 toes tall will both run out of head room or really feel as in the event that they’re sitting on a perch.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Whereas total the inside feels hole and low cost with good supplies offering a skinny veneer, the gear selector is an odd excessive level. The beefy console-mounted shifter doesn’t wiggle just like the unit within the Ford F-150, and isn’t a rotary design like most Ram 1500s. It’s immediately my new favourite shifter in a light-duty pickup truck with strong, satisfying motion because it clicks into place.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Toyota continues to supply an digital rear window that slides down into the again of the cab. It’s helpful when backing up and attempting to speak with somebody. It’s a very pleasant function that solely the Tundra affords.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Fails to vary the sport
The $75,925 Tundra Capstone is a tricky promote towards the nicer Ram 1500 Restricted or Ford F-150 Restricted.
However with a composite mattress that’s simpler to entry than the competitors, distinctive design, and neat touches just like the sliding rear window and bump launch for the tailgate, the Tundra may simply be price contemplating in a cheaper trim.
