Previously, I’ve defined many instances how Toyota’s methodical method to updating their automobiles has accomplished effectively for them contemplating how dependable and trusted the model has been for numerous years. To reiterate such a notion, the Toyota Tundra has gone 14 years in its second era, and for the 2022 mannequin 12 months, it will get a full redesign marking the third era of the full-size truck that’s extra poised to compete with the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra, and RAM 1500.
The utterly redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra is a extra refined truck that does away with the outdated V8 engine for a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine (i-Power) and a brand new hybrid V6 setup referred to as the i-Power Max. The bottom engine, the brand new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 present in my Tundra Platinum trim take a look at automobile, touts enhancements over the V8 in nearly each space having a clean supply of its 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Energy is shipped via a brand new 10-speed computerized transmission that feels principally direct and does a very good job of discovering the right gear with out pointless shifting.
Gasoline consumption is far improved as you’d count on with the Tundra now getting 17 mpg metropolis, 22 mpg freeway, and 19 mpg mixed within the 4×4 setup of my Tundra Platinum CrewMax long-bed take a look at automobile. Should you go for a two-wheel-drive mannequin just like the Restricted CrewMax you’ll enhance upon these gasoline consumption figures to get 18 mpg metropolis, 23 mpg freeway, and 20 mpg mixed. The place issues begin to get even higher, not less than throughout metropolis driving, is within the hybrid trim Tundra fashions, that are presently designated for the 2 prime trims of the Tundra TRD Professional and opulent Capstone trim. The TRD Professional and Capstone trims get the hybrid powertrain with 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque and return 19 mpg metropolis and 21 mpg freeway for the TRD Professional and the identical metropolis mpg however 1 mpg higher for the freeway within the Capstone trim.
Towing functionality for the brand new Tundra maxes out at 12,000 kilos should you go for a base SR trim with the smaller double cab, which additionally has a max payload of 1,940 kilos (5,095 curb weight/gross weight at 7,035 kilos). From there, towing is just barely down with trims like my take a look at automobile maxing out at 11,180 kilos and a max payload of 1,630 kilos (5,535 curb weight/gross weight at 7,165 kilos).
Toyota’s long-standing and confirmed reliability ought to translate effectively for the brand new 2022 Tundra as there’s a extra refined bundle right here with no rattles and an impeccable construct high quality in and out. The experience of the brand new Tundra is smoother partly because of adaptive dampers, and the cabin is surprisingly quiet for a truck. A few of that quietness is because of the turbocharged V6 engine that doesn’t sound something just like the outgoing V8 however does have a neat growl that Toyota managed to conjure up from intelligent engineering.
Energy from the brand new engine comes on sturdy with ample torque and will get the automobile shifting effectively because of its barely lighter curb weight over the outgoing mannequin. I used to be in a position to make a number of 0 to 60 mph assessments and the perfect time got here to six.9 seconds. The mid-range energy was the candy spot for the turbo V6 and it by no means felt prefer it was missing for its pulling energy. For essentially the most half, the brand new Tundra felt somewhat lighter on its ft versus the outgoing mannequin and the braking really feel is superb with an preliminary seize that impressed some confidence in controlling the truck and bringing it to a secure cease. Total, the braking pedal really feel is the perfect I’ve skilled on this class of a truck. When stopped, there’s a brand new begin/cease operate that shuts down the engine should you apply sufficient brake strain on the cease, however you’ll be able to briefly disable the function (it’s going to require disabling after a brand new preliminary automobile startup). As a fast be aware, the brand new Tundra has obtainable distant begin via the Toyota app (paid service) however when you’ve got the function you may as well distant begin the Tundra by urgent the lock button 3 times in your key fob (with out the paid-service). Although, the automobile shuts off once you try and unlock the doorways, which is unusual.
To intensify the Tundra’s place among the many competitors, there’s the supply of a rear load-leveling suspension system, which was geared up on my Tundra Platinum take a look at automobile. The decreasing and elevating of the rear does take a while to finish via the sprint button however proves to be very helpful for towing or hauling heavy gadgets to forestall rear sag and doubtlessly enhance upon stability at pace. The general look of my take a look at automobile appears to be a bit low even with the system set into the automated mode on the regular experience peak. Should you want further floor clearance outdoors of the brand new Tundra Platinum’s 9.4 inches, you’ll wish to step as much as the TRD Professional to get 10.9 inches. There’s additionally the supply of energy tow mirrors discovered on my take a look at automobile that may be prolonged on the press of a button, that are already tremendous large and sometimes create a small blind spot that you simply should be aware when maneuvering.
Inside the brand new 2022 Toyota Tundra is a reworked cabin that takes issues up a number of notches for being extra premium, particularly within the higher trim ranges like my Platinum take a look at automobile, and much more within the luxurious Capstone trim. There’s now a soft-touch dashboard and extra soft-touch areas for the higher face of the sprint. Bringing a central focus to the motive force is a brand new instrument cluster that may be had in a totally digital 12.3-inch show providing you with all pertinent automobile info and a few customizable elements of the display. There’s additionally a brand new 10-inch shade heads-up show and a big 14-inch infotainment system that comes normal for the Restricted trim and all larger trim ranges rather than the usual 8-inch system within the decrease trims.
Toyota’s quest to match and considerably surpass some competitors pays off effectively with the brand new 14-inch infotainment system that now listens for extra pure language instructions beginning with a immediate phrase of “Hey Toyota,” very like how different new methods from BMW and Mercedes-Benz immediate voice recognition instructions. The brand new infotainment system could be very responsive and has a brief studying curve. Nevertheless, the system has lots of hidden options that often current themselves at random via pop-up notifications, which might be considerably of a distraction should you enable it. The system could be very open and easy for its settings and anticipated over-the-air updates to maintain it working with new integrations. There’s additionally wi-fi or USB-wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration that works seamlessly throughout my expertise with my iPhone 13 Professional.
The seating preparations are extra snug than I bear in mind within the outgoing mannequin and there are further refined touches that make the inside really feel premium, such because the accented stitching all through the dashboard and seats, that are heated and ventilated up entrance in addition to for the again outboard seats. The seating areas have plentiful area, and the rear seat nonetheless looks like a big sofa and has giant storage areas under the folding bottoms that’s in any other case taken up by the hybrid battery within the TRD Professional or Capstone trims.
Toyota needed to do one thing to replace the Tundra and it was previous time for a redesign. After upwards of 14 years of the identical era, the Tundra was outdated and fell behind the competitors. Lately the Tundra rested on its reliability issue however there have been many areas in want of a lot enchancment, which I imagine the all-new 2022 mannequin has addressed with a number of fascinating surprises just like the providing of the hybrid powertrain within the higher two trim ranges together with the eye-catching large-and-in-charge 14-inch infotainment display. So far as seems, the brand new 2022 Tundra matches the right half for having its distinctive character with its auto-highbeam LED headlights, LED foglights, and sequentially lit LED flip alerts up entrance and out again. What’s lacking, in my view, is one thing further for the tailgate that’s in any other case “regular” however has a power-retractable footstep for simple entry to the composite-lined truck mattress and a fast power-release button on the motive force’s facet taillight. Additionally, there aren’t any tow hooks obtainable that I do know of in any trim stage.
As anticipated, there’s a bevy of lively security options for the brand new Tundra with Toyota’s Security Sense 2.5 bundle being normal throughout the board, which incorporates pre-collision warning with computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, and a lane-keeping system. The extra security options, such because the blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, are normal beginning with the Restricted trim. The Platinum trim provides a 360-degree digital camera system and a trailer backup information system.
At a beginning value of $35,950 for the bottom Tundra SR Double Cab 4×2 trim, the brand new 2022 Toyota Tundra is a revered worth. The pricing scale shortly catches up with the competitors as you go larger into the trim ranges the place the Restricted begins at $46,850 and my Tundra Platinum CrewMax 4×4 with the 6.5-foot mattress, leveling suspension, the ability working boards, and energy tow mirrors, assessments out at $63,939. On the prime finish of the spectrum, the brand new Tundra TRD Professional begins at $66,805, and the Tundra Capstone at $73,530, that are each hybrids.
On the finish of the day, the brand new 2022 Toyota Tundra, proudly made in Texas, will proceed to maintain its fan base proud and fairly pleased with all of the enhancements, even when there’s now not a gas-guzzling V8. So far as successful over those that presently personal rivals or newcomers, the brand new Tundra will just do effective to seize some who might have had a foul expertise or are curious on how effectively the Tundra might impress them as a result of it’s from an Americanized model with an unsurpassed historical past of reliability.
