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It took 15 years for the third-generation Toyota Tundra to reach and all through my time with it, one query saved recurring: “Is that this the most effective they may do?”
With a brand new luxurious Capstone trim, a robust hybrid powertrain, an in-your-face design, and revolutionary options, the 2022 Toyota Tundra isn’t a foul truck.
It simply seems like an enormous missed alternative. Toyota may’ve come out swinging with a segment-busting product like the A-BAT hybrid pickup idea from 2007, but it surely performed comply with the Ford F-150 chief as a substitute. No one wins by following.
I spent per week selecting up provides on the native fleet provide retailer, towing boats, and hauling youngsters on a highway journey to determine the place the 2022 Toyota Tundra suits within the truckosphere. The reply is murky, particularly within the $75,000 Capstone trim.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone hybrid engine
Going hybrid
A hybrid Tundra was lengthy overdue for the corporate that made its modern-day fame on the again of a fuel-sipping Prius. However as a substitute of punching a gap available in the market and delivering a truck with unimaginable gasoline effectivity, Toyota aimed for energy in an try and finest the competitors. Numbers on paper aren’t the identical as actuality.
The highest-shelf Capstone trim atop the Tundra lineup pairs a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and hybrid system to supply 427 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. On paper this powertrain is essentially the most highly effective choice in a light-duty pickup truck this facet of a Ford F-150 Raptor R or Ram 1500 TRX, but it surely doesn’t really feel as highly effective. The hybrid system operates seamlessly and within the background, in contrast to the hybrid system within the F-150 with its clunky 1-2 and 2-3 shifts and hybrid energy handoffs. Even when unloaded mashing the go pedal doesn’t present the identical ahead grunt discovered within the F-150 Hybrid with its 400 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, and even the outgoing high-out twin-turbo V-6 beforehand accessible within the F-150 Restricted with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.
4-wheel drive is commonplace on the $75,925 Capstone mannequin, however regardless of the luxurious mannequin’s giant value its four-wheel-drive system is an historical part-time system. No full-time system is out there on any Tundra, although Capstone fashions characteristic an automated limited-slip rear differential.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone gasoline economic system
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone gasoline economic system
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone gasoline economic system
The massive energy numbers on paper went for gold on the sacrifice of gasoline economic system. The hybrid Tundra horse-trades gasoline economic system rankings with the non-hybrid variant. Hybrid fashions carry EPA rankings of 19 mpg metropolis, 22 freeway, 20 mixed whereas non-hybrids are rated at 17/23/19 mpg. In actuality I noticed a tragic 15.1 mpg in (a reasonably brief) 40 miles of combined suburban driving in accordance with the journey pc. Falling in need of EPA rankings, once more, the Tundra averaged 19.4 mpg over the course of 203 freeway miles. With the boat (towing is a particularly inefficient exercise) the truck averaged 9.4 mpg over 158 miles. None of those real-world numbers are markedly higher than a V-8-powered truck from the competitors, although they’re higher than the outgoing 5.7-liter V-8 within the second-generation Tundra, which at occasions would common simply 14 mpg on the freeway unloaded.
As disappointing because the hybrid powertrain is, the 10-speed automated transmission delights. No matter whether or not its stop-and-go visitors, freeway cruising, or towing 5,000 lb, the Toyota-built unit snaps off fast, clear shifts. This is perhaps the most effective transmission accessible right now in a light-duty pickup truck. The programming by no means permits the transmission to get misplaced in all of the gears.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone towing
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone digicam views
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Hooking up the boat
The act of bodily hooking a ship as much as the Tundra in all fairness easy because of the large display screen and a number of digicam angles. As soon as the boat and trailer combo is hooked up to the rear of the Tundra, there’s the flexibility to enter just a few key particulars comparable to variety of axles on the trailer, sort of hookup used (i.e. hitch), and brake sort (i.e. electrical brakes or surge). This data may be saved in a profile, after which the truck can do its personal evaluation in regards to the trailer’s size throughout the first few toes of driving. It then integrates the trailer with the truck’s blind-spot displays to consider the additional size. It labored flawlessly and was a lot easier than Ford’s enter system for trailer data.
With a 5,000-lb fiberglass walleye boat and dual-axle trailer hooked to it, nevertheless, the motivation at velocity was downright disappointing regardless of the load checking in nicely below the Capstone’s 10,340-lb max towing capability. Two front-seat occupants and a 19-lb highway bike within the mattress additionally did not even contact the 1,485-lb max payload capability. Passing isn’t a difficulty, however the place the high-output twin-turbo V-6 within the final F-150 would lunge ahead as if the identical boat and trailer didn’t exist, no Tundra driver will ever overlook there’s a trailer hooked to this factor. This doesn’t really feel like 583 lb-ft of torque. And whereas the Capstone’s rear air shocks will self-level the suspension so it doesn’t sag, the trailer lash is current always in contrast to with an F-150.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone security techniques disabled
The security techniques demand the motive force be buckled throughout low-speed reverse maneuvers; in any other case, a chime always dings. Having a seat belt on makes backing up a lot much less snug and in sure conditions tough. Tow mode or hooking up a trailer with the 7-pin gentle and brake connection doesn’t disable security techniques comparable to reverse automated emergency braking. As an alternative, the motive force has to manually flip off the techniques by digging by way of the menus within the gauge cluster. Ought to somebody overlook this step it should inevitably result in the truck slamming on the brakes whereas reversing a trailer, which may severely harm somebody within the boat on the launch.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Attracting glares or stares?
The second-generation Tundra blended in, however nobody will accuse the third-generation of doing the identical. With a daring exterior design there’s no lacking the Tundra happening the highway.
Whereas not for everybody, the design is distinctive. The large grille is a bit a lot, however the sculpted headlights with multi-element LED items, massive bumper finish caps, and centrally-mounted fog lights that border on driving lights are all engaging. The vertical LED talilights characteristic sequential flip indicators. The sculpted hood and fenders give the truck a punched-out look with out including precise width.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Not like each different light-duty pickup in the marketplace, the Tundra retains its brief mattress sidewalls that make it doable for somebody to succeed in over into the mattress to seize issues. The shorter mattress partitions additionally make for a decrease tailgate peak when open, which interprets to a decrease lift-over peak for loading cargo into the mattress. The mattress is now product of a resin composite as a substitute of metal, which suggests it received’t rust, although different bits on the truck nonetheless can.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
In a “I can’t imagine Ford didn’t consider that” truck innovation, Toyota put in an electrical tailgate launch that may be bumped with an elbow whereas carrying one thing with each arms subsequent to the driver-side taillight. Clutch.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
However identical to with Ram and Nissan, the rear bumper step continues to be a drop-down step. Not less than on the Capstone mannequin it’s automated and energy operated. Basic Motors’ nook bumper steps are a significantly better concept.
Capstone fashions class up the Tundra with a satin silver grille, chrome facet mirror caps, chrome trim, and engaging 22-inch wheels.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
White was a foul selection
Each Tundra Capstone contains a two-tone white and black black leather-based inside. A variety of touch-heavy surfaces together with the seat backs, entrance heart armrests, door uppers, and door pulls together with a part of the dashboard are lined in white leather-based.
On day one it most likely seemed good. Upon hooking up a ship and fidgeting with the receiver for the hitch I discovered myself wanting on the inside questioning, how on the planet was I going to close the door with out ruining the white leather-based with my soiled arms? White isn’t a sensible leather-based colour for a pickup truck.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
The large 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system’s interface is straightforward to navigate and is augmented by onerous buttons, but it surely lacks the flexibility to separate the display screen. When Apple CarPlay is pulled up it overtakes all the system, and no person wants that a lot Apple CarPlay.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Whereas snug for 5 passengers, the inside packaging is compromised. The entrance seat occupants’ view of the highway is hindered by a brief windshield. This is because of a excessive entrance cowl and tall dashboard to present the Tundra its imposing look inside and outside. It’s the alternative of the terrific view from the entrance seat of a Ram 1500 or a Ford F-150. The rear seat, which has loads of knee, foot, and leg room, is stadium-style with the hybrid battery pack mounted beneath the seat backside. This locations the rear seat occupant larger than these in entrance for a bizarre view, and people over 6 toes tall will both run out of head room or really feel as in the event that they’re sitting on a perch.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Whereas total the inside feels hole and low-cost with good supplies offering a skinny veneer, the gear selector is an odd excessive level. The beefy console-mounted shifter doesn’t wiggle just like the unit within the Ford F-150, and isn’t a rotary design like most Ram 1500s. It’s immediately my new favourite shifter in a light-duty pickup truck with stable, satisfying motion because it clicks into place.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Toyota continues to supply an digital rear window that slides down into the again of the cab. It’s helpful when backing up and attempting to speak with somebody. It’s a very pleasant characteristic that solely the Tundra gives.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Fails to vary the sport
The $75,925 Tundra Capstone is a troublesome promote in opposition to the nicer Ram 1500 Restricted or Ford F-150 Restricted.
However with a composite mattress that’s simpler to entry than the competitors, distinctive design, and neat touches just like the sliding rear window and bump launch for the tailgate, the Tundra may simply be price contemplating in a inexpensive trim.
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