2022 Toyota Tundra packs hybrid power and a big interior upgrade

When it comes to pickup trucks, Toyota is often loath to change, but the company is finally making strides in the full-size truck space with the introduction of the third-generation Tundra on Sunday. It’s been 14 years since Toyota launched the second-gen Tundra, and it’s definitely been left in the dust by heavyweights like the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra and Ram 1500. (Click here to see how these trucks stack up.)

The 2022 Toyota Tundra will be available in SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 and TRD Pro trims. The Double Cab configuration can be chosen with a 6.5 or 8 foot bed, while the larger CrewMax is offered with 5.5 or 6.5 foot bed options.

Overall, the 2022 Tundra is a bit longer and not as tall as its predecessor. The truck’s design is quite modern, with a large grille and headlights that live high on the front fascia, surrounded by well-made running lights. Depending on the trim you buy, the Tundra can be decorated with lots of chrome or oversized badges.

The rear of the truck is dominated by new elongated taillights with three distinct lighting elements. Toyota didn’t go all the way in the hatchback war, so don’t expect extra features like Ram’s split design or GMC’s multi-function setup. The Tundra’s tailgate simply opens as usual, with the only improvements being a 20% weight reduction and the inclusion of a shock button on the side of the taillight that you can use when your hands are full.

Under the hood, the 2022 Tundra drops the V8 engines from the latest generation truck in favor of a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with a hybrid option. The standard i-Force V6 produces 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the electrified i-Force Max delivers 437 hp and 583 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid option is available on Limited, Platinum and 1794 trims, and allows all-electric cruising at low speed, in addition to providing more chutzpah when the throttle is on the ground. Off-road and towing enthusiasts will likely appreciate all that torque, which comes in at a low revs of 2,400 rpm.

In order to improve the ride quality of the Tundra, Toyota ditched the truck’s old leaf springs in favor of a multi-link coil spring setup at the rear. The Tundra can be fitted with adaptive rear air suspension, which can adjust damping forces according to road conditions. The rear air configuration has high, normal and low modes, to make loading and leveling the platform easier when towing a trailer.

Speaking of towing, the new Tundra can pull up to 12,000 pounds. There are also two modes of towing / transport. One is designed for light loads like a small box trailer, while the Tow / Haul Plus feature boosts throttle response for heavier items. Likewise, the payload is also increased, up to a maximum of 1,940 pounds. That’s an 11% increase over the previous Tundra.

There are now more camera views to keep an eye on everything, including one for the truck bed, a split-view camera for each side, a hitch view, and a bird’s eye perspective. Blind Spot Monitoring can cover the entire length of the trailer, and Toyota’s rear trailer guidance helps drivers make those precise turns when backing up. Straight Path Assist can help keep the trailer in reverse in a straight line. Yes, the latter is harder than it looks.

Of course, Toyota wouldn’t be Toyota without its TRD trims. The TRD Off-Road Package is available on the SR5, Limited and 1794 models and gives you TRD-specific wheels, grille and skid plates, as well as Bilstein shocks. If your truck has four-wheel drive, the package also adds a locking rear differential, various terrain driving modes, and Crawl Control, which is akin to low-speed cruise control for off-roading. For those who prefer a quick look, the TRD Sport can be added to the SR5 models and includes a TRD grille and wheels, as well as a lowered suspension.

However, it’s the TRD Pro model that gets all the best off-road goodies. Available only with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, the TRD Pro features 33-inch Falken Wildpeak tires wrapped around 18-inch TRD wheels. A set of 2.5 inch Fox internal shocks with stacked tanks lives at each corner and the front of the truck gets 1.1 inch of lift over other trims. Other TRD elements include an upgraded front stabilizer bar and TRD aluminum protective plating, in addition to the aforementioned rear locker, Multi Terrain Select and Crawl Control.

Inside, the Tundra gets a massive update in terms of design and technology. The Tundra comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, although drivers can opt for a 14-inch center screen oriented horizontally. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, as is Bluetooth compatibility for up to five devices. You can save up to three driver profiles in the Tundra multimedia system.

The infotainment system itself is drastically different from what you’ll find in other Toyotas, with decent voice recognition, quick reaction times, and pinch-to-zoom capabilities. Other high-tech upgrades include an available 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster that lights up with one of the five rotating tundra animations. Who doesn’t like a good welcome animation?

As for advanced driving aids, Toyota includes its Safety Sense 2.5 on every Tundra. This gives you features like pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure assistance and lane departure warning which now comes with steering assistance if you get out of the way. the way. Automatic high beams, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign assistance and a rear seat reminder are also available.

Gone is the bulky and chunky design of the latest generation Tundra, replaced by better materials and a cleaner look. Buyers can opt for a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, and heated and cooled seats. And don’t worry, the electrically sliding rear center window is still there.

The gear lever has been redesigned to be stronger and thicker and there is more storage space for small items. The venerable big buttons below the infotainment screen have been replaced with a row of sleek toggle switches, but Toyota has done the right thing by keeping a physical volume knob.

We’ll know more about the 2022 Tundra when we get the chance to drive it in the coming weeks. Information on pricing and fuel economy is also expected to be available around this time, before the 2022 Tundra hits dealers later this year.