2022 toyota tundra guide

2022 Toyota Tundra Guide: Is it the Best Option?

The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck that debuted in May 1999. Since then, it has been redesigned several times and developed a legacy of being a reliable work truck.

In this 2022 Toyota Tundra guide, we will be discussing the 2022 Toyota Tundra, its strong and weak points, how it evolved through 4 generations of design changes, and how it struggles to compete with contending trucks in the market.

The Bottom Line

The 2022 Toyota Tundra enters the full-size pickup segment with high spirits, but the Ram 1500 and the Ford F-150 still offer better features, road manners, and utility.

If your biggest concern is reliability, the 2022 Toyota Tundra can’t be beat, but if you’re looking for a truck with better performance and comfort, consider the Ram 1500 instead.

Related read: Complete Ram 1500 vs Toyota Tundra Comparison.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra

After 14 years, Toyota has finally redesigned the Tundra. The Tundra has always been known for providing value in the full-size pickup truck, and this new model is built keeping this in mind.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra boasts stylish new looks, integrates the latest technology, and drives on a brand new platform; it now has the feel of a modern pickup truck, and we love it.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is only available with hybrid and gas powertrains; both of them run a V6 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine.

Equipped with muscular looks, legendary durability, a range of features, and capability, the 2022 Toyota Tundra now stands as a worthy contender to the big three. But is it comparable to an American truck? Let us have a close look at the 2022 Toyota Tundra to find out.

2022 Toyota Tundra Prices

toyota tundra prices

The following are the prices and highlights for the 2022 Toyota Tundra trims without options:

SR: Starting at $35,950 MSRP

The SR is the base model you can buy. It comes equipped with 18-inch stylish steel wheels, a reinforced-aluminum composite bed, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and Toyota Safety Sense technology.

The drivetrain is restricted to the gas-only 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 geared to the 10-speed automatic transmission.

SR5: Starting at $41,455 MSRP

The SR5 comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, an integrated Trailer Brake Controller and tow hitch receiver, selectable driving modes, a powered rear window, and Toyota Safety Sense.

The hybrid drivetrain is not available on this trim, whereas you can get the optional TRD Off-Road and TRD Sport packages if you are willing to pay the extra.

Limited: Starting at $47,550 MSRP

The Limited gets the optional hybrid powertrain along with 20-inch alloy wheels, a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, 8-way powered front seats, Toyota Safety Sense, blind-spot monitoring, trailer-merge warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and optional TRD Off-Road package.

Platinum: Starting at $57,690 MSRP

Luxury hits the Platinum Tundra with 20-inch dark-gray alloy wheels, panoramic roof with sunshade, 10-way powered front leather seats, Toyota Safety Sense, and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster with selectable display screens. Air suspension and adaptive variable suspension are available as standard, which is a must-have.

1794 Edition: Starting at $58,390 MSRP

The 1794 Edition pays tribute to the Tundra heritage equipped with 20-inch finished alloy wheels, chrome-finished grille, exclusive interior colors, Toyota Safety Sense, and a trailer backup guide. The TRD Off-Road package is available if needed.

TRD Pro: Starting at $67,505 MSRP

TRD Pro is the most aggressive Tundra out there with 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, all-terrain tires, 1.1-inch suspension lift, Fox-tuned shocks, LED light bar package, crawl control, multi-terrain select, Toyota Safety Sense, and electronically locking rear differential.

Capstone: Starting at $74,230 MSRP

The most opulent Tundra on sale, the Capstone trim adds more styling with 22-inch finished dark chrome alloy wheels, 10-way powered leather front seats, two-tone exclusive interior color, 10-inch heads-up display, power running boards, Toyota Safety Sense, and optional adaptive variable suspension.

2022 Toyota Tundra Specs

2022 tundra specs

Toyota has targeted Ford’s EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo engines. Toyota’s 3,445cc i-Force V6 engine beats Ford’s entry-level 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine by five pound-feet of torque and 23 horsepower, which produces a total of 405 pound-feet of torque and 348 horsepower, which is available with the base SR trim.

The rest of the trims are offered with the same engine but produce a higher output of 479 pound-feet of torque and 389 horsepower, which is just 21 pound-feet and 11 horsepower less than Ford’s EcoBoost 3.5-liter engine.

The 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 scoots the Tundra to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and takes 14.7 seconds to cross the quarter-mile at 95.3 mph, which is decent considering a curb weight of 5820 pounds.

In comparison, the 2021 Ford F-150 XLT does better numbers at the track thanks to its lightweight aluminum chassis, with zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds at 99.9 mph.

A new 10-speed automatic transmission coupled with the 3.5-liter V6 is installed 9 inches rearward in the chassis, making enough room to fit in the beefy permanent-magnet electric motor that pumps 184 pound-feet of torque and 48 horsepower; hence the i-Force Max badge.

Combined, this setup has a rated output of 583 pound-feet of torque and 437 horsepower, which is about 13 pound-feet of torque and seven horsepower more than Ford’s PowerBoost hybrid.

This transmission allows the Toyota Tundra to smoothly accelerate from any given speed, and considering the size of the truck, the power-to-weight ratio just feels perfect.

The Tundra has lost the V8, but there is still a pleasing growl to hear from the current V6, depending on which drive mode is selected.

The i-Force Max Tundra, with its hybrid system and elevated power figures is the recommended choice here between the two available engines, that is because the electric motor significantly increases not only the capability of the workhorse but improves its fuel economy as well.

i-Force Max Tundra
Toyota i-Force Max Tundra

On the contrary, Toyota loses the power-outlet competition to Ford, providing only 400 Watts in the bed compared to the 2000 Watt offered in the Ford (110-Volt).

The i-Force Max engine coupled with the 10-speed automatic gearbox helps the Tundra achieve acceleration competitive with the Ram Hemi V8s and the Ford EcoBoost.

However, while slowing down around corners in Sport mode, the Tundra initially upshifts but then downshifts at the exit. The design engineers have explained that the transmission is programmed to maintain gears when the throttle is suddenly lifted.

The base engine redlines around 5000+ rpm, whereas the twin-turbo engine shifts at a maximum of 5800 rpm, with the first gear of the i-Force Max upshifting at 4200 rpm to keep the differential safe.

The i-Force Max’s auto-stop function restarts much better than the remaining trims by starting on electric power till it fires up the engine. It also helps in launching when the Tundra is heavily loaded.

Similarly, this setup allows the 2022 Toyota Tundra to tow a maximum of 12000 pounds, whereas no other hybrid is capable enough of doing so.

It is disappointing to know that the 2022 Toyota Tundra lacks modern hybrid screen graphics which show power flow, gauges that display EV mode, and energy regeneration. Launches on electric mode are also not available.

The JBL premium audio system installed in the 2022 Toyota Tundra used aural enhancement to send extra sound waves through the speakers to impersonate a V8, particularly when the drive mode is set to Sport. Without this aural enhancement, the Tundra sounds more industrial, as found in the SR5 trim.

2022 Toyota Tundra MPG

2022 Toyota Tundra

The 2022 Toyota Tundra, with its brand new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine, significantly improves the power output and fuel economy.

While the previous naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8 offered a fuel economy of 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, this new engine provides a fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

2022 Toyota Tundra Ride Quality

Toyota has traded the rear leaf springs with air and coil springs and has used a Panhard rod on a 4-bar system. The idea of dropping the rear leaf setup was a great move by Toyota, which significantly improved the 2022 Tundra’s ride quality and pulled it back in the game.

However, the air springs are not available in the front. By lowering the rear of the truck at highway speeds, Toyota has improved the fuel economy since hybridization is the Tundra’s key feature.

The air suspension available in the rear is offered in two options, yet both allow the Tundra to raise the rear of the truck by 1.6 inches to provide a better departure angle or to lower it by 1.2 inches to ease trailer connection or cargo loading.

The top-of-the-line Tundra TRD Pro trim still gets steel springs for maximum off-road capability.

Toyota Tundra OffRoad

In contrast, the 1794 and Platinum trims incorporate Bilstein monotube Adaptive Variable Suspension damping along with a 10-inch heads-up display. On the other hand, the Limited and SR5 trims get passive twin-tube shock absorbers.

All 2022 Tundra trims except the SR come standard with three drive modes; Sport, Normal, and Eco.

AVS damping gets Custom, Sport S+, and Comfort. Custom drive mode allows the driver to individually configure the suspension, steering, and powertrain between Normal and Sport, whereas the Sport S+ drive mode firms the damping.

The Tundra, now a completely redesigned model, offers class-competitive body roll, tire noise, steering feel, and road grip. Similarly, the brake pedal now feels predictable and linear without showing the influence of the regenerative brakes.

The ride quality difference between the third and fourth generations is significant; the new Tundra feels more planted on the ground and eliminates the sluggish steering control.

Though the Ram 1500 may be better at providing the level of satisfaction regarding road handling, Toyota has still done a great job improving the Tundra’s overall capability.

The added Bilstein shocks bounce the Tundra over imperfections, and the steering is still not as precise as in the domestic American trucks, but it’s balanced enough to make highway drives a piece of cake.

2022 Toyota Tundra Off-Road

2022 Toyota Tundra

While the big three’s half-tons integrate automatic-4WD drive mode, Nissan and Toyota only offer part-time 4WD on their trucks. Therefore, Toyota’s 4WD causes binding between the rear and front axles and tends to scrub tires when driving on dry pavement. Part-time 4WD is perfect for going off-road.

However, automatic 4WD systems offer more utility in changing road conditions by locking the center differential and allowing the vehicle to withstand its maximum towing and payload capacities.

The Off-Road package, now also available on Limited and SR5 trims, features skid plates, Multi-Terrain Select, mudguards, Bilstein monotube shock absorbers, 18-inch TRD-inspired alloy wheels, front dual-rate springs, and electronic rear differential lock (4Lo only).

The Multi-Terrain Select toggles through sand, mud, rock, and auto-terrain but is less intuitive than in competing trucks. These controls, along with crawl control and towing mode, are also operated by the same knob, which displays the selection on the instrument cluster screen once the appropriate button is pressed.

For convenience, Toyota has added quality cameras all around the 2022 Toyota Tundra; the driver can monitor the front tire sidewall condition, what is right ahead of the front bumper, and a 360-degree field camera that captures the surrounding and detailed imagery of what each tire is passing over.

2022 Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity

Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity

The 2022 Toyota Tundra can tow a maximum of 12000 pounds thanks to modern electronics and self-adjusting air springs. The driver can choose between 2 towing modes; Tow and Tow+. Tow+ mode optimizes the vehicle for loads above 5000 pounds by initiating an aggressive shift and throttle schedule mapping.

To aid trailer reversing, Toyota has installed a new Straight Path Assist (SPA) and Trailer Backup Guide System, making the job far less complicated.

The system works by making the trailer move straight in the direction you want it to, regardless of the orientation of the truck. This helps the trailer reverse only in one direction while you take care of your truck and eliminates the need of steering the trailer by a knob in which it may sometimes be uncertain where the trailer is heading.

However, to make this system work, some initial trailer details are required to calculate the correct steering angle and safe limit of the trailer; the number of axles, trailer length, braking type, weight, and hitch type need to be typed in.

Once these values have been entered, shift to park mode, log into the Trailer Backup Assist, agree to the trailer profile, put the vehicle in to reverse, align the trailer with the vehicle and then select Steer Assist on the screen to begin the auto-steering of the trailer.

You can also have the power-extending tow mirrors for monitoring the rear of the trailer and making trailer reversing effortless.

2022 Toyota Tundra Interior

Toyota Tundra INterior

The 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited trim gets the best interior finishing, yet it ranks in the middle of the lineup. The large 14-inch touchscreen, which is standard with the Limited trim, immediately catches your eye as soon as you enter the cabin. It also occupies the entire center of the dash.

The infotainment system is brand new with smartphone-fast responses and sharp graphics. When connected to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you can utilize the entire screen, which helps in reading Apple or Google Maps.

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls are beautifully integrated into the panel; it adds a premium feel to the cabin. The interior comes with big air vents, useful storage compartments, and a large bin between the front seats where you can easily store laptops and purses. In general, the 2022 Toyota Tundra provides plenty of storage space.

The interior comprises several materials, from pleasing and opulent leather seats to dated cheap and hard plastics on the door panels, some with sharp edges too. In my opinion, Toyota needs to improve the quality of interior materials considering the $60,188 price tag.

The rear seating row offers a spacious, reclined angle that passengers will find comfortable during long trips. There are also air vents and two USB ports in the rear (one type C, one type A) for creature comforts, but you will also find an annoying wide drivetrain bump in the floor, which will make placing a large item on the floor tricky and inconvenient.

Competition

The 2022 Ram 1500, 2022 Silverado, and the Ford F-150 are also great pickup trucks with their looks and features, which maintain high competition in the full-size pickup truck segment.

2022 Ram 1500

2022 Ram 1500

The 2022 Ram 1500 is one of the highest-selling pickup trucks on the market, offering the best value for money. It offers a range of powertrain options to choose from; from a 3-liter turbo-diesel V6 to a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the Ram 1500 can be bought with one of the five available engine options.

It is also the only pickup truck in the segment to win the Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It has also scored a 5-star overall safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Administration with four stars in front impact and rollover tests and five stars in a side impact test.

The top-of-the-line Ram 1500 TRX with its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 does zero to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 118 mph. With the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, it can tow a maximum of 12,750 pounds.

With the Ram 1500 TRX featuring its brute 6.2-liter supercharged V8, you get to have supercar-like performance without buying one. If you are looking for road performance as well as off-road capability, the Ram 1500 TRX is your go-to machine.

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Available in 4 engine options, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets a new design update for the 2022 model. Its base 2.7-liter turbo provides decent acceleration with smooth delivery, whereas the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel engine improves the towing capacity along with power and fuel economy—the 6.2-liter and 5.3-liter V8s pack a powerful punch.

The 2022 Silverado’s 6.2-liter V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission pumps out 460 pound-feet of torque and 420 horsepower.

The Silverado offers a range of bed options, which appeals to drivers with large cargo handling jobs. It also provides one of the greatest towing capacities in the segment, rated at 13,300 pounds.

Related read: Chevrolet Silverado vs Toyota Tundra

2022 Ford F-150

2022 Ford F-150

Last designed in 2021, the Ford F-150 steps in with cosmetic changes for the 2022 model year. The 2022 Ford F-150 comes with a great range of trims and features; a 2kW onboard power generator and foldable front seats speak about how much utility the Ford F-150 carries.

The F-150 is available in twin-turbo V6s, naturally aspirated V6, naturally aspirated V8, all-electric setup, and hybrid options.

The Ford F-150 manages to tow a maximum of 14,000 pounds which comes through the max trailer towing package and 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 RWD powertrain. The Ford F-150 falls behind the Ram 1500 in providing comfort, but it boasts impressive tech, a wide range of powertrains, and a great value rating.

The Ford F-150 is great for people wanting to extract maximum workability from their truck. If you are a construction worker or woodworker, the 2kW power output can be of great convenience during your chores.

Check out our complete F-150 vs Tundra Comparison.

FAQs

Question: How much will the Toyota Tundra 2022 Cost?

Answer: The Toyota Tundra 2022 starts at $35,950 with the base SR Double Cab trim featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. The cheapest 4X4 is the Tundra SR which starts at $38,950. The more capable SR5 trim begins at $41,455, and the most luxurious Limited trim is offered at $47,550.

Question: Is Toyota Redesigning the Tundra for 2022?

Answer: Toyota has redesigned the Tundra for 2022; it has introduced a more powerful and efficient 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and has discontinued all other previously available engines.

Question: Will Toyota Offer a V8 in the 2022 Tundra?

Answer: For the 2022 model year Tundra, Toyota has discontinued the thirsty old naturally aspirated V8s for two new engine configurations; a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid.

Coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, these engines produce 479 pound-feet of torque/389 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque/437 horsepower, respectively.

Question: Why is Tundra Getting Rid of V8?

Answer: The 2022 Tundra proves that a pickup truck doesn’t need to have a V8 to be a solid truck. With the advancement in technology, we are now seeing a shift from V8s to V6s with improvements in power, efficiency, speed, and fuel economy.

Question: How Long will a 2022 Toyota Tundra Last?

Answer: Toyota’s name is built upon reliability and durability. A 2007 Toyota Tundra clocked over one million miles with just routine maintenance, after which Toyota bought this Tundra from the owner, Victor Sheppard, to see how the vehicle was doing under the frame. The engine was tested and was found to be in great condition.

All other peripherals were also found in near-perfect conditions. However, since the 2022 Tundra features a brand new engine, we hope that it will also be as durable and reliable as the previous ones used in the Toyota Tundra.

Question: Is a Tundra Worth Buying?

Answer: Overall, the Toyota Tundra offers great value for money for people looking for a full-size truck. The performance and fuel economy have vastly improved with the addition of the new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which proves to be as capable as the naturally aspirated V8s other models in the segment offer. Moreover, the great resale value and rugged built quality also make it one of the best deals on the market.

Question: Which is more Reliable, f150 or Tundra?

Answer: There is no doubt that the Toyota Tundra is the class leader in reliability; it is what the brand’s reputation is built on. However, with modern technology and overall better features, the Ford F-150 is the preferred choice among drivers.

Question: Which is Better, Tacoma or Tundra?

Answer: While the Toyota Tacoma is a mid-sized 4×4 pickup truck that goes easy on the pocket, the Toyota Tundra is a full-sized workhorse that provides better capability and power but with a higher price tag.

Question: What is Comparable to a Toyota Tundra?

Answer: As a full-sized pickup truck, the Toyota Tundra competes with the Ram 1500, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Nissan Titan.

Question: What is the Longest-lasting Truck?

Answer: Though the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tacoma, and Toyota Tundra all provide excellent durability and reliability, the Toyota Tundra, with its one-million-mile mark milestone, respectfully answers the question.

Furthermore, this particular truck was later tested by engineers at Toyota to observe the engine and transmission health. It was found to be operating at 99% capacity, which speaks to how well the Tundra is designed to keep going.

Question: Do Tundras Get Good Mileage?

Answer: Though the 3rd generation Toyota Tundra with its naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8, offered impressive engine power and towing capacity, it failed to provide a decent fuel mileage, which stood at 17 mpg on the highway and 13 mpg in the city.

However, with the new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and hybrid combination, the 2022 Toyota Tundra makes use of modern technology to deliver more power while using less gas, delivering a fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, which is acceptable considering its bulky design and capability.

Verdict

The 2022 Toyota Tundra, with its latest powertrain, body, and technology upgrades, is a good option to consider when thinking about buying a full-sized pickup. Toyota’s image as a manufacturer of durable and reliable vehicles has made it one of the most successful automotive brands around the world.

But is the 2022 Toyota Tundra worth buying? Well, the Tundra is a great pickup truck that has proved its durability through Victor Sheppard’s million-mile Tundra.

But now, with competing models offering better road dynamics, creature comforts, and utility, the Toyota Tundra lags in the segment. It is not a below-average truck, but it is not the best either.

Consider the Ram 1500, which offers better road manners, more power, and a comfortable interior. Similarly, the Ford F-150 is next in the line offering tons of utility features such as the 2kW power generator for operating multiple tools.

For drivers looking for towing power, the Tundra simply does not compete with its 12000-pound capacity. Another reason why people might not like buying the Tundra is that it is now powered by a twin-turbo engine, which means more components hence higher maintenance.

It is not wise to say that Toyota should not have shifted to a smaller twin-turbo setup, but for the consumer, it is difficult to adopt this massive change. Turbo lag is another reason drivers are hesitant in buying the 2022 Toyota Tundra.

Though the Ram 1500 leads the full-size pickup segment, followed by the Ford F-150, the Toyota Tundra is the next in line. You can consider buying the 2022 Toyota Tundra if you are looking for a pickup that will provide a great value along with economical fuel consumption.

On the other hand, the Ram 1500 gets you better performance and comfort but lacks in maintaining a good fuel economy. Similarly, the Ford F-150 gets you the most technology and features with decent efficiency and performance.

Overall, the Tundra is a fine pickup truck, but there are better options also available. I hope this guide helped you get to know the 2022 Toyota Tundra, its trims, what capability it offers and where it lacks, and what other options can be considered. Cheers!

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