Toyota Tundra 2022: design failure

There is a new Toyota Tundra released, ultimately! Toyota’s old full-size pickup was so old that if it was a human it would’ve been ready to go for that talk about your changing body and those weird new feelings. But there’s a whole new design, so let’s really dig into it and see what our weird new feelings are.

First of all, I have to note that the new inverted horseshoe grille design, when lined with aluminum / chrome glitters, looks a lot like our old pal’s alabaster mustache. Hulk hogan. This may or may not be a selling point for potential buyers; as I feel I have to say too often here, I am not ashamed.

No there are Actually several variations of the grille depending on the level of finish. WWith that grille that commands so much front space, it’s a pretty effective way to change the overall tone and appearance of the truck without altering the body panels.

All in all, the new Tundra is definitely a product of modern truck design, with all the absurdity and caricature that goes with it. Yes, the grille is massive, the hood is high enough that you need oxygen if you’re up there changing a coil pack or something, and the greenhouse looks too short. It’s just the state of modern truck design, and I’ve accepted that, for now, so that’s all I’m going to do about it. It’s like that.

There are some good detailing throughout the design, although I don’t think it’s particularly noticeable overall. The recent Toyota cybaroque trends have calmed down over the past few years, and I think the result here is a truck with a number of interesting design choices all over it.

Here, I have broken them down for you:

These wheels seem oddly small, don’t they? Maybe it will be different in person. Or everyone will just have huge crazy tires.

I think the best angle of the new Tundra is its butt, with a tailgate design that feels like unique in this segment. There’s an interesting exterior rake all the way to the top edge of the bed, and the main tailgate area is a horizontal extrusion that lines up with the rear lights too.

Speaking of taillights, they have a striking design and incorporate a really useful feature that would make life with the Tundra noticeably better:

The driver’s side tail light has that little latch that opens the tailgate, so when your arms are full of sofa bed or dead llama or kiddie pool full of gumbo, you can open that tailgate even if you forgot to do so. before choosing up that heavy thing. It is nifty and useful.

Another clever touch, this one inside:

The phone’s wireless charging cradles are nearly vertical, making it easy for you to peek at your phone (when it’s safe at a traffic light or whatever, of course) to see why the heck it’s there. keep beeping you. It’s thoughtful.

It’s not a radical design for a modern truck, all things considered, but there is enough quirky touches that I think it stands out, at least a bit, especially from the rear.

I mean, it took them long enough.