The full-size pickup truck market is dominated by domestic manufacturers, but the 2022 Toyota Tundra targets a different demographic, namely Toyota fans. Despite its aging design, leaf spring rear suspensions are still used on the majority of half-ton trucks. Coil springs on the rear of the Tundra help it ride and drive better than other vehicles. It’s still capable of pulling a 12,000-pound trailer and comes equipped with a host of driver assistance features as standard.
The Tundra lacks a V-8 engine option, which sets it apart from its domestic competition. Gasp! The only available powertrain is a twin-turbo V-6 with a hybrid system, which produces 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque when properly equipped. It’s easy to see why Toyota’s 2022 Tundra is ready to take on the United States with a cabin that’s far more attractive than its predecessor’s and also an infotainment system that has a 14.0-inch touchscreen.
What Is New in 2022 Toyota Tundra?
Redesigning the Tundra was long overdue after the previous version remained almost unaltered since its launch in 2007. In spite of the fact that it received a makeover for the 2014 model year, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500, both of which are domestic half-ton trucks, continue to outsell it. However, when it arrives in showrooms this winter, the new Tundra should be far more competitive and appealing than any of those choices. The new top-tier Capstone trim level comes with 22-inch wheels, showy chrome, and a plethora of opulent extras.
How Does the 2022 Toyota Tundra Drive?
The loss of the growling 5.7-liter V8 engine may cause some anxiety among loyal Tundra customers, but the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine is a more than adequate alternative. Even at low revs, there’s plenty of available torque, and the 10-speed automated gearbox shifts seamlessly. It took 6.6 seconds for a 4WD Tundra to go from zero to 60 mph in our tests. With that kind of power, merging with traffic and passing on the open highway becomes second nature.
This is also true of braking. From 60 miles per hour, the Tundra stopped at 131 feet, which is a bit better than average. Our test truck had the more rugged tires from the TRD Off-Road package. When navigating narrow rural roads, the light and precise handling make the truck seem like a smaller Tacoma at times.
While our test truck’s TRD Off-Road package included a locking rear differential and more off-road driving options, it didn’t seem to significantly enhance the truck’s off-road performance. As a large truck, this one has a lengthy wheelbase that makes it easy for the underbody to become caught on apparently little obstructions. The TRD Pro is a must-have if you plan on doing any trail running with the Tundra.
How Comfortable Is the 2022 Toyota Tundra?
The current Tundra is a significant upgrade over the previous model. Comfort and noise levels in the cabin of the Tundra have been much improved, making it a comfortable pickup for both front and back passengers to travel in. When pushed hard, the V6 engine sounds much like a full-size pickup truck’s V8 counterpart while being less sonorous. In terms of overall ride quality, the Ram 1500 still reigns supreme, but the Toyota Tundra provides a smooth and quiet ride under most conditions. Though some of the labels on the Tundra’s temperature controls may be difficult to see in broad sunshine, we love the huge buttons and dials.
Performance – Engine, Transmission, and Other
The only full-size pickup vehicle without a V-8 engine option is the 2022 Toyota Tundra. A 10-speed automatic gearbox and a twin-turbo V-6 are the only available powertrain choices. Depending on your needs, you may choose between a three-potency engine. The Non-hybrid SR engine produces 348 hp and 405 lb-ft. There are 389 horsepower and 479 pounds of torque in all. Our non-hybrid Limited test vehicle achieved a zero to sixty miles per hour sprint time of 6.1 seconds on our test track. At low speeds, the electric motor included in the gearbox of the hybrid model makes it possible to drive entirely on electricity. The 437-horsepower and 583-pound-feet-of-torque combo reduce the zero-to-60-mph speed to 5.7 seconds.
The rear leaf-spring suspension has been replaced. With a more tuned coil-spring rear suspension, the Tundra now has better handling and a more comfortable ride. Versions we’ve driven have shown this to be the case. Toyota’s well-known TRD Off but also TRD Sport options are still available for a limited time. Skid plates, special wheels, and an off-road suspension are among the features of the former. Lower suspension, as well as 20-inch wheels, are standard on the latter. TRD Pro has a raised suspension, special dampers, and 18-inch black wheels with all-terrain rubber for ultimate off-roading.
What’s the Tundra’s Towing Capacity?
On this route, the first step is to get on the motorway once you’ve refueled. Edit’s a short, steep on-ramp, but it leads to an exit lane that’s almost a mile long. Allows the slower cars the time they need to catch up before merging. While on the on-ramp, the Tundra was able to attain highway speeds without needing the additional run-up distance. Prior to reaching motorway speeds, the truck’s RPMs never even climbed over 3,500 RPMs. After the motorway stretch, there was a brief city segment with a lot of traffic lights. While driving through a metropolis, the 2022 Toyota Tundra had no trouble accelerating or stopping. The trailer’s tracking was excellent, closely following the truck’s movements.
Suspension Setup
Coil-spring multilink suspension in the rear replaces the outdated leaf springs, making the new Tundra much more comfortable and refined overall. We’re curious to see how it compares against the Ram, the only other vehicle in this class that comes close in terms of standard equipment. The Tundra’s rear axle may be outfitted with air springs. Additionally, Tundra’s electronic adaptive dampers are a first. The Silverado is the only other vehicle with this feature set. Even while leaf springs are still used in the Titan, Silverado, and F-150, we wouldn’t be shocked if other automakers followed suit in the near future in order to update and compete with the increasing market.
Other Alternatives of 2022 to Choose
The Toyota Tundra has a lot going for it. When properly outfitted, it can pull 10,200 pounds and has a large list of useful features. It’s recognized for being generally dependable. The 2022 Toyota Tundra, on the other hand, isn’t a good match for everyone. Fortunately, there are other alternatives to the Toyota Tundra.
The 1500 Ram
Instead of opting for the Toyota Tundra if you want to treat yourself, the Ram 1500 is an excellent choice. It has a roomy cabin with best-in-class legroom in the back and a class-exclusive reclining back seat option. The model for this year is equipped with a number of cutting-edge technological innovations, including a head-up display, a premium audio system by Harmon Kardon, as well as several ultra-fast USB charging outlets. That’s not all, however. Consumer Reports says that the inside of the Ram 1500 is upmarket. It’s not only Consumer Reports that has claimed that. According to Car and Driver, the Ram 1500 has set the bar high for the whole pickup market.
The Ford F-150
Trucks are a lot to pay for. That much is certain. If you’ve ever wondered why the Toyota Tundra is so pricey, you’re not alone. If you want the least expensive Tundra, you’ll have to fork up $33,825. For the SR5, you can expect to spend over $35,000 for an upgrade. The price of the Tundra only rises from there. If you want the top-of-the-line Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, you’ll have to fork over about $49,000 for the 2017 model.
Fortunately, there are less expensive pickup trucks besides the 2022 Toyota Tundra. Consider the Ford F-150 as an illustration. The new Ford F-150, which has a starting price of $28,940, is much less expensive than the new Tundra. There are other less expensive trim options available for the F-150 as well. It’s possible to upgrade to a model that has even more features while still staying within your budget. As a result, the Ford F-150 would be a good replacement for this year’s Tundra.
Chevy Silverado
Let’s say you don’t care much about pricing or luxury features. Perhaps the towing capacity of a truck is most essential to you. That being the case, the Chevy Silverado is a great option for this year’s Toyota Tundra. To be sure, we can’t merely rely on our own words. This year’s Chevy Silverado has a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds if it is equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine. So, how does the 2022 Toyota Tundra do in comparison? When properly outfitted, this year’s model can pull up to 10,200 pounds. That’s a significant discrepancy.
Ford Maverick
An all-new hybrid drivetrain is standard on the Maverick, a tiny pickup truck that debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. As a tiny hybrid SUV, it’s a lot more fuel efficient than any other vehicle out there. If you intend to use the hybrid off-road or reside in a cold region, you should rethink. On the positive side, a Maverick costs less than a small car to get started, making it the cheapest pickup truck on the market. It has a 1,500-pound payload capacity and can haul as much as a typical compact SUV. The price and fuel efficiency of the Maverick hybrid is appealing, but it’s also a very practical pickup.
2022 Toyota Tundra Engine
People’s initial inquiries regarding a new truck revolve around the vehicle’s power and speed. People want to travel quickly, but this is also significant since the engine composition defines what a vehicle—especially one with a truck—is capable of. The 2022 Toyota Tundra offers everything necessary to thrive in the majority of driving situations. Toyota’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivers 389 hp at 5,200 rpm and 479 lb.-ft of torque at 2,400 pm.
Despite the fact that some may be surprised to learn that the V8 normally present in the Tundra has been omitted, those who do will likely welcome the decision to reduce displacement in order to improve fuel efficiency. It is also important to point out that this model is much more powerful than its predecessor, the 2021 version, which had a V8 engine that provided 381 horsepower but also 401 lb-ft of torque.
A 10-speed electronically regulated automatic gearbox is standard on the 2022 Toyota Tundra. The model has a sequential shift mode, as well as uphill and downhill modes. On the interstate, the Tundra achieves an impressive 23 mpg, while in the city, it gets an impressive 18 mpg. This is an increase of more than 20mpg over the V8 from 2021. A hybrid version of this vehicle is also available.
It Has a Hybrid Bed
An excellent bed comes standard on all trucks, which means it is not only spacious but also capable of withstanding the weather and the weight of any cargo it may be transporting. The business chose a composite bed over steel or aluminum to guarantee that the 2022 Toyota Tundra can do all of these tasks. Steel rusts and aluminum aren’t as long-lasting as the latter two, despite their benefits. The composite bed, on the other hand, offers the best of all worlds (according to Top Speed): it’s resistant to rust and corrosion while yet being relatively light in weight.
This won’t affect everyone, of course, since not everyone uses their truck’s bed for much more than transporting groceries or other necessities. In spite of this, knowing that one of the vehicle’s primary components was built to a high standard is comforting.
Off-Road Options
The Tundra is offered with two alternative off-road configurations for people who choose to keep going when the paved finishes. A locking rear differential, skid plates, and a terrain selector are all included with the TRD Off-Road package, which is available on four-wheel-drive vehicles only. There’s also a Crawl Control feature for getting across particularly tough terrain with the least amount of bother. The TRD Pro is equipped with Fox shocks that are 2.5 inches in diameter, a stabilizer bar that is more rigid, a front suspension lift that is 1.1 inches, and other upgrades.
Mays praised the TRD Off-Road for its ability to “handle the mountainous terrain with minimum drama” on Toyota’s off-road course. As soon as we dropped an axle into stuff that was too deep for Crawl Management, we had to apply relentless throttle to get going again. It did so without discernible wheel slippage in any corner, even while traversing steep rock faces without the rear differential locked. The Tundra crawled off-kilter and, with the little tire, spun over half-buried logs with the lock engaged.
Driving Impressions
Outside of the engine, the Tundra’s largest change is in its suspension, which now uses multilink rear suspension featuring coil springs in place of the original leaf spring configuration. Even though this suspension setup makes it harder to tow, the new 2022 Toyota Tundra can still tow 17.6 percent more than the last generation and carry 11 percent more weight. A more car-like ride is made possible by the independent rear suspension. Despite this, we found the rear end to be a little jumpy on bad pavement.
The Tundra is at least on a level with the leaf-sprung F-150 in this regard, but the Ram 1500 is better. Tundras of a higher grade may be had with a suspension that can adjust to various road conditions and has air suspension in the back. In Sports mode, the system is less bouncy than in Comfort or Normal mode, but a fuller review will need more time.
There is a noticeable improvement in the connection between the driver and the vehicle as compared to the previous generation of Tundra, with different weights and ratios depending on the driving style. During a quick off-road excursion, we found the Tundra to be very competent but significantly inferior to the Ford F-150 Raptor as well as the Ram 1500 TRX.
Interior Design
The inside of the outgoing 2022 Toyota Tundra was the most obvious area in need of modification. Consider this new model to take care of it. SR5 models come standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, but Toyota’s gorgeous new 14-inch device is also available for those in the lower price bracket. The brand-new touchscreen is powered by a brand-new multimedia system that includes a Human Machine Interface.
The system comes standard with Wireless Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto, despite the fact that none of these capabilities are necessary to operate the system since it is so simple to use. For example, the Lexus NX’s virtual Intelligent Assistant, cloud-based native navigation, including user profiles that remember your preferences are all part of this interface. The virtual Intelligent Assistant may be activated with the wake-up phrase “Hey, Toyota.”
As for the remainder of the cabin, it doesn’t feel cheap to the touch, even in the cheaper tiers. However, the Platinum and 1794 versions, which are at the top of the range, feature steering wheels that look and feel like they belong on a Lexus. With heated & ventilated seats (front and back), a panoramic glass sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and a digital gauge cluster, the 2022 Toyota Tundra has a lot to offer. Inside, there are various compartments for storing items, and the controls are all well labeled.
Cargo Space
Each of Toyota’s two 2022 cab designs will have a two-bed option for the following year. The shorter double cab gives up some space inside for a longer bed, which can be either 6.5 or 8.1 feet long. The front legroom in both cab variants is 41.2 inches. However, the back legroom in the double cab is only 33.3 inches. The Crew Max, on the other hand, has a spacious rear seat with legroom of 41.6 inches. This is the best choice if you usually have passengers in the rear, but the beds are just 6.5 or 5.5 feet long. No multi-configuration tailgate like some American competitors. However, the Tundra has an automated bed step.
Price & Trims
However, we anticipate the 2022 Tundra to start higher than its American competitors and end up at a less ridiculous price point based on the outgoing model. The previous Tundra SR began at $34,125, much above a basic Ford F-150, while the Platinum and 1794 grades maxed out at $49,345, well behind the F-150 Limited. We’ll have to wait for official information on the price of Toyota’s hybrid powertrain and other enhancements before we can make an informed decision.
SR, SR5, Platinum, Limited, 1794, and TRD Pro are all offered at launch. Although the SR5 trim is bare-bones, we were surprised by the amount of options offered. At the very least, we suggest upgrading to a higher trim level. Customers who like a more luxurious ride should choose the Platinum and 1794 trims, while the Limited is the greatest all-around option. As previously mentioned, the TRD Pro delivers the most off-road competent package with Limited-grade equipment.
Date of Release
Japan will be the first place to get its hands on the all-new Tundra, Toyota has said. On its official website, Toyota will broadcast the launch live for anyone who chooses to see it there. The carmaker claims that on September 21 in Detroit at the Motor Bella Auto Show, the Tundra would also tip its hat to attendees.
Last Thoughts
The 2022 Tundra makes towing a snap. The vehicle is up to the job, and the drivetrain has been optimized for towing. As with other driver assistance systems, Toyota’s Trailer Backup Assist works well but is not flawless. In this scenario, novice towing drivers may benefit from this information. However, mastering the requisite abilities is always preferable to relying on a machine that may be picky. When equipped with the TRD Off-Road package, the 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited is a fantastic vehicle for driving both on and off-road. It enhances the Tundra’s suspension, making it more comfortable for all passengers, regardless of the terrain.
Although it lacks the power of a V8 engine, the Toyota pickup truck nonetheless performs well. Even the turbocharged V6 can handle a snowy mountain climb. The Limited model’s JBL sound system masks the V8’s growl. Because of this, the 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited seems to be a formidable opponent both in the snow and on the road.
