2022 Toyota Tundra Limited Review: A Great Personality

Design | Consolation | Know-how | Efficiency | Security | Gas Economic system | Pricing | FAQ

Toyota loves getting as a lot mileage as doable out of its truck designs, which is why the automaker went a decade and a half earlier than changing the full-size Tundra pickup. A large enchancment over the truck it replaces, the 2022 Toyota Tundra has higher know-how, extra energy, and improved gasoline effectivity, but it retains its predecessor’s (and little sibling Tacoma’s) fun-to-drive character and spectacular off-road functionality.

There are just a few shortcomings, particularly rear-seat room that’s means behind the full-size section, in addition to this Restricted TRD Off-Highway tester’s gaping maw of a entrance finish. The brand new Tundra can also be lacking just a few options that some self-indulgent pickup homeowners would possibly like. However, the redesigned pickup will not be solely an enormous step ahead for Toyota, it’s additionally a worthy competitor to the half-ton institution.

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The 2022 Toyota Tundra is far more enticing than the car it replaces, with a low beltline and upright greenhouse that look much more muscular than the virtually van-like quick hood and sloped windscreen of the previous-generation truck. Including to the attraction are blacked-out A- and B-pillars that give the brand new Tundra a wraparound-canopy impact, nearly just like the visor of a full-faced helmet. Conveniently, the composite-molded mattress is corrosion- and dent-resistant, precluding bedliners. I additionally actually just like the chunky, sculpted fenders, which associate with gleaming Supersonic Purple paint to catch gentle in fascinating shapes and patterns.

Nonetheless, there’s no denying that the Tundra has an outrageous entrance finish design, with a C-shaped chrome encompass and blacked-out bumper bar visually connecting the grille and skid plate in a single big opening. Pythons and anacondas may take a lesson from this Tundra’s unhinged jaw. In my not-humble-enough opinion, the inelegant entrance finish doesn’t match the remainder of the truck’s restrained, sculpted contours. If I had been shopping for a brand new Tundra, I’d be tempted to ship that black entrance bumper insert to the physique store to have it painted purple.

Inside, the Tundra is much much less polarizing. A typical 14.0-inch touchscreen show headlines the inside of Restricted fashions and above, with 4 trapezoidal higher air vents and a large dashboard accent proving that Toyota’s designers aced Geometry 101. A low beltline padded windowsill make it simple to hold an arm out trucker-style, and the armrests, door panel inserts, and different widespread touchpoints are accomplished up in pleasantly comfortable supplies. I additionally actually favored this instance’s black fake leather-based (Toyota calls it SofTex), which feels tender, supple, and sturdy.

The strategically positioned padded supplies do a great job of hiding the laborious plastic that seems liberally on the door panels and heart console, however the Tundra’s silver plastic accents gained’t win any Oscars for his or her portrayal of aluminum. Nonetheless, the brand new Toyota pickup is aggressive with its rivals’ quantity trims when it comes to materials high quality – to exceed the Tundra would require stepping right into a pricier Ford F-150 King Ranch or Ram 1500 Restricted Longhorn.

• Seating Capability: 5
• Seating Configuration: 2 / 3
• Mattress Dimensions (inches): 65.6L x 58.7W x 20.9D

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is a snug pickup, particularly for the 2 passengers within the entrance row. Neither I nor my co-pilot had any complaints after a full day of cruising down the freeway, and regardless of their width, the seats even do a great job of holding their occupants in place throughout off-road maneuvers. Area up entrance can also be greater than sufficient for a human of above-average peak, and discovering a snug place is the work of eight-way energy changes on each chairs. Normal seat heating and air flow solely add to the Tundra Restricted’s posh issue.

The rear seat itself is equally supportive on lengthy drives, however house within the again isn’t practically as spectacular as on the outgoing Tundra or on modern rivals. Within the outdated truck, I had greater than sufficient head- and legroom, whereas the brand new one has my hair brushing the headliner nearly always. Sadly, the measuring tape bears out that impression. Rear seat room for the 2022 Toyota Tundra CrewMax is down on each different full-size, crew-cab pickup besides the Nissan Titan. Households with youngsters or younger teenagers might not discover the distinction, however crews that roll 5 deep to a distant jobsite will.

This Tundra Restricted options the well-regarded TRD Off-Highway package deal, which incorporates dampers tuned for rugged situations, all-terrain tires, and another goodies. Regardless of being optimized for the filth, the Tundra rode fairly effectively on the freeway too. There are some pogo motions when driving over growth joints, however there’s restricted wind noise or tire roar, and the Tundra’s new four-corner coil springs enhance trip consolation over unhealthy pavement and potholes. And whereas the brand new truck is way smoother than its predecessor, it doesn’t overlook its roots, retaining the enjoyable and funky drop-down rear window from Tundras (and 4Runners) previous.

• Heart Show: 14.0-inch Touchscreen
• Instrument Cluster Show: 4.1-inch
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: Sure

Lastly, lastly, Toyota is retiring its dated infotainment system, and the 2022 Tundra would be the model’s first recipient of the brand new interface. Unimaginatively named Toyota Audio Multimedia, the brand new software program lives on a regular 8.0-inch touchscreen on the SR and SR5 trims, whereas Restricted and above get a segment-best 14.0-inch show. The display is gorgeous to have a look at and simple to make use of, however I do want there have been a house button to make it simpler to swap between native apps and smartphone mirroring. In any other case, the display may be very responsive to the touch inputs and pinch zooming, and the menu structure is intuitive and easy.

Wi-fi cellphone integration is commonplace, and it labored completely throughout my week with the truck. CarPlay appears beautiful on the Tundra’s large show, and the break up residence display view leaves loads of house for Google or Apple Maps whereas additionally incorporating cellphone and audio controls. And the display’s horizontal orientation is less complicated to get used to than the Ram 1500’s out there 12.3-inch portrait-style touchscreen.

The infotainment would possibly very effectively be best-in-class, however the Tundra comes up a bit quick in different tech areas. With solely a single 120-volt outlet within the mattress and one other within the cabin, the ‘yota lacks the performance of the Ford F-150’s out there Professional Energy Onboard generator, which nonetheless consists of two 120-volt mattress retailers and one cabin plug in its most simple type.

• Engine: Twin-Turbocharged 3.5-Liter V6
• Output: 389 Horsepower / 479 Pound-Ft
• Transmission: Ten-Pace Automated

Not since 1998 has Toyota supplied a full-size pickup with out a V8 engine choice, however that’s the case for the 2022 Tundra. The usual engine (and the one examined right here) is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 making a wholesome 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet, a torque ranking that far eclipses its rivals’ V8 engines – although the Ford F-150’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is gruntier nonetheless. The Toyota V6 additionally emits a mellow, husky growl on chilly begins or beneath full throttle, making me really feel rather a lot higher about shedding the outdated Tundra’s easy 5.7-liter V8 – and shocking anybody who would possibly count on the Ford’s vacuum-cleaner track.

Paired to a 10-speed automated transmission, the twin-turbo six is a prepared companion in day by day driving. The gearbox is easy and principally clear because it shuffles by the cogs – though when you’re watching the tachometer, you’ll discover it shifts rather a lot, particularly when ascending freeway grades. Sport and Eco modes have a palpable impact on powertrain habits, the previous best for towing and hilly driving and the latter good for regular errands round city.

That mentioned, the 2022 Toyota Tundra displays decrease general limits than a few of its rivals, with a most towing ranking of 11,120 kilos and a payload ranking of 1,820 kilos in Restricted 4×4 CrewMax type. Equally spec’d Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles have towing and payload rankings which might be at the very least just a few hundred kilos larger than the Tundra. These vehicles additionally really feel marginally extra composed on winding roads and freeway cloverleafs, because the Toyota is susceptible to bobbing round on its shock absorbers over midcorner bumps.

The place the Tundra distinguishes itself from its rivals is in good, soiled enjoyable. The aforementioned TRD Off-Highway package deal consists of monotube shocks from Bilstein, a full complement of underbody skid plates, an electronic-locking rear differential, and Toyota’s wonderful Crawl Management and Multi-Terrain Choose drive modes. The package deal additionally features a high-definition ahead digital camera view that makes choosing strains and avoiding obstacles simpler. All of it provides as much as the form of approachable off-road enjoyable we’ve come to count on from Toyota, with loads of floor clearance and a softly sprung suspension maintaining an excellent keel over large bumps.

• Driver Help Stage: SAE Stage 2 (Fingers-On)
• NHTSA Score: Not Rated
• IIHS Score: Not Rated

Each 2022 Tundra comes commonplace with automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise management, lane centering and lane-departure prevention, and automated excessive beams (all bundled inside the Toyota Security Sense 2.5 tech suite). The brand new Tundra additionally will get commonplace blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection, whereas my Restricted tester sported non-obligatory automated rear braking.

The lengthy checklist of ordinary security options is a boon for the Tundra shopper – getting lane-centering know-how and adaptive cruise management typically requires some options-ticking on the rivals. That mentioned, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will each supply hands-free Tremendous Cruise later this 12 months, whereas the Ford F-150’s Blue Cruise hands-free tech is already available on the market. Toyota hasn’t but introduced whether or not it might supply its hands-free Teammate driver help on the Tundra, nevertheless it gained’t arrive on Lexus fashions till later this 12 months.

• Metropolis: 17 MPG
• Freeway: 22 MPG
• Mixed: 19 MPG

Ditching the thirsty V8 from the outdated Tundra is an efficient transfer for Toyota, which can also be identified for environment friendly hybrids and zero-emissions gasoline cell autos. The 2022 Tundra CrewMax 4×4 is rated for 19 miles per gallon mixed, an enormous enchancment over its predecessor’s 14 mpg. Nonetheless, the Toyota nonetheless lags behind the Ford F-150 EcoBoost 4×4’s 20-mpg ranking, and surprisingly, the Chevrolet Silverado’s 5.3-liter V8 and the Ram’s mild-hybrid 5.7-liter V8 match the Tundra in mixed gasoline economic system. Going for the 6.2-liter V8 within the Chevy nets 18 mixed, whereas the non-hybrid Hemi will obtain 17 mixed.

In 300 miles of traffic-clogged driving and about 30 miles of low-speed off-roading, I noticed 15.6 miles per gallon – once more, a giant enchancment from the outdated Tundra, however about even with different trendy pickups. Like most of its rivals, the Tundra runs on a weight-reduction plan of normal unleaded gasoline, and though Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost can take common, it makes extra energy on premium, whereas GM’s 6.2-liter V8 calls for it.

• Base Value: $35,950 + $1,695 Vacation spot
• Trim Base Value: $53,595
• As-Examined Value: $60,188

Essentially the most fundamental Toyota Tundra is the Double Cab SR 4×2 mannequin, beginning at $35,950 plus $1,695 vacation spot and dealing with. Two rungs up the trim ladder is the Restricted mannequin, which is able to possible be the quantity trim when mixed with my tester’s extra spacious CrewMax configuration. Beginning at $53,595 in four-wheel-drive type, the Tundra Restricted is a good worth when in comparison with the $55,020 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4×4 outfitted with the three.5-liter EcoBoost V6.

Nonetheless, like most full-size vehicles, it’s simple to drive the worth of the Tundra skyward. The TRD Off-Highway package deal is the most costly line merchandise on my tester at $3,085, whereas a Know-how package deal (wi-fi cellphone charger and two 120-volt retailers within the mattress and cab) prices $385. The JBL premium audio most likely isn’t price its $565 value for many informal listeners, and though I’d be tempted by the $425 coat of purple paint, others won’t be. All in, my tester value $60,188 with a handful of packages and choices.

Sure, that’s some huge cash, however a equally outfitted Ram 1500 Laramie with the Off-Highway package deal calls for greater than $63,000 for the pleasure – ditto a comparable F-150 Lariat FX4 – whereas a Chevy Silverado LTZ with the Z71 package is at the very least $60,000. These fashions additionally lack the Tundra’s enjoyable persona and status for off-road functionality. On the similar time, the Toyota can’t match its rivals’ inside house or cargo-hauling functionality. In the end, the Tundra is aggressive when it comes to driving expertise, know-how, and effectivity. The remainder is all a matter of priorities.