Review QuickTakes:
The 2022 Toyota Tundra is a full-size, light-duty pickup truck available in extended and crew cab styles, seven different trim levels, and twin-turbocharged V6 engines, including one paired with hybrid technology. Four-wheel drive is optional, except for the TRD Pro and Capstone trims, where it comes standard. Depending on the configuration, the new 2022 Tundra tows up to 12,000 lbs and hauls as much as 1,940 lbs of payload.
What's New for the 2022 Toyota Tundra?
The last time Toyota completely redesigned the Tundra from the ground up was for the 2007 model year. As you might expect, then, everything on the redesigned 2022 Tundra is new. From the styling and interior to the powertrains and technologies, this Texas-built truck is absolutely state-of-the-art.
2022 Toyota Tundra Price and Configurations
On its release date, 2022 Toyota Tundra prices ranged from the high $30,000s to the low $60,000s, including the destination charge to ship the truck from the automaker's San Antonio, Texas factory to your local dealership. This price span does not include the TRD Pro or the Capstone trims. As this review is written, Toyota has not released prices for these range-topping versions of the Tundra.
Toyota offers the new Tundra in Double Cab (extended cab) and CrewMax (crew cab) body styles with short, standard, and long cargo beds. In addition, Twin-turbocharged V6 engines in gas and hybrid specification are available, along with 4-wheel drive. Seven versions of the 2022 Toyota Tundra are available:
- Tundra SR — This is the basic work truck designed for businesses and tradespeople. But it does include Toyota's latest infotainment and safety technologies as standard equipment
- Tundra SR5 — The popular Tundra SR5 is where value and choice intersect. This version of the truck offers a wider variety of upgrades to help tailor the truck to specific preferences
- Tundra Limited — For a more upscale look and feel, consider the Tundra Limited, which offers more standard and available equipment than the SR5
- Tundra Platinum — Platinum trim denotes one of the most luxurious versions of the Tundra, featuring perforated leather, contrast stitching, wrapped interior elements, and lots of standard features
- Tundra 1794 — Named for the year a ranch was initially established on the Texas land where the Tundra factory now stands, the 1794 edition is the plushest version of the truck you can buy
- Tundra TRD Pro — The Tundra TRD Pro is ready for serious off-roading right off of the assembly line and comes standard with Toyota's new hybrid powertrain
- Tundra Capstone — If Lexus made a pickup truck, it would be outfitted like the Tundra Capstone. Standard hybrid power and 4WD pair with premium leather, real wood, 22-inch wheels, and more
2022 Toyota Tundra Review and Test Drive
Christian Wardlaw
Long overdue, the Toyota Tundra redesign has been a long time in coming. To say the automaker has enjoyed plenty of opportunities to contemplate how to build a class-leading pickup truck is an understatement; the last time an all-new Tundra went on sale, Billie Eilish was getting ready to celebrate her fifth birthday.
Now, finally, a completely redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra arrives to continue what sometimes seems a futile battle against the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ram 1500. Designed, engineered, and made in America, the all-new 2022 Tundra aims to take the quality and durability for which the nameplate is known and pair it with the design, technology, and performance exhibited by the sales volume leaders.
But there is a wrinkle here. Trucks are going electric, and fast. Startup EV-maker Rivian landed its new R1T in customer driveways first, but Chevrolet, Ford, and GMC are not far behind. Later this decade, Ram is also going the way of electrons, and Tesla's promised Cybertruck will show up at some point. As of January 2022, Toyota is mum about any future Tundra electrification plans.
One of the two new engines in the Tundra is a hybrid called the i-Force Max, which powered the test truck I had. The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro I reviewed was a pre-production example of the TRD Pro model in Southern California during a week of record-breaking rainstorms. Toyota provided the truck, but not related equipment or pricing because, at the time, the TRD Pro was still several months from reaching showrooms. However, the truck did come well equipped with what appeared to be all of the bells and whistles, suggesting that it likely cost more than $60,000.
The redesigned 2022 Tundra's styling grabs your attention. Love it or hate it, you notice it, and that's the point. Especially if the 2022 wears Solar Octane (orange) paint like my test vehicle.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Toyota Tundra Review: The Design
You can use the remote keyless entry fob to open the tailgate or, when your hands are full, you can bump the left taillight with your elbow to drop it down. The bed is constructed of sheet-molded composite material and contains the expected tie-down rings, adjustable cleats sliding within deck rails, and LED lighting. There's even a camera so that you can check on cargo while driving.
Christian Wardlaw
However, other than its clever taillight-bump trick, the Tundra's single-action tailgate is basic compared to what a Chevy, Ford, GMC, and Ram offers. The test truck also didn't have an assist step to help with access to the bed. And the only way to export power is through a 120-volt/400-watt inverter.
Christian Wardlaw
Toyota introduced a new Trailer Back Guidance with Straight Path Assist technology with the 2022 Tundra. Trailer Back Guidance offers different camera views to assist with reversing a trailer, while Straight Path Assist autonomously steers the Tundra to keep the trailer aimed straight in the direction you wish to reverse. Also, it's worth noting that when you're towing, the blind-spot warning system accounts for the trailer as long as you've engaged the integrated trailer brake controller.
Christian Wardlaw
2022 Toyota Tundra Review: The Technology
Climb up into the cab, and the CrewMax is spacious and the interior’s modular design is covered in soft-touch surfaces. The TRD Pro's orange stitching and accents give the new Tundra a more modern and sophisticated look and feel compared to the previous model. The perforated simulated leather front seats had heating and ventilation and they provided a commanding view over the Tundra's hood. Front and rear-seat comfort are excellent, and passengers in the back sit up high surrounded by large windows. Everyone who rode in the Tundra commented on the expansive view and how big the interior felt.
The available power panoramic glass sunroof only improves on the view, giving you the same feeling you get in a convertible without the hassle of a retractable roof or over-exposure to the sun.
One of the great things about the old Tundra was its old-school approach to dashboard controls. You could operate nearly everything while wearing a set of work or winter gloves. In the new Tundra the automaker enlarged the stereo volume knob, but the radio tuning knob is dropped in favor of a USB port.
Christian Wardlaw
Storage space is plentiful within the cabin. However, there is no rear under-seat storage when you get the Tundra's hybrid powertrain. And when you raise the back seat cushion to create more locked, weather-tight, in-cab storage, the resulting load floor is not as flat as within a Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid.
Intelligent Assistant
The new Tundra is the first of the automaker's models to get the company's new Toyota Audio Multimedia System. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, while an impressive 14-inch touchscreen is optional. Aside from the giant screen, the most impressive thing about this new tech is the Intelligent Assistant natural voice recognition system, which works just as fast and as accurately as a smart home speaker or smartphone digital assistant.
Christian Wardlaw
Just say something like "OK Toyota," and then ask a question or issue a command. The tech is so good that Toyota could argue it makes a radio tuning knob unnecessary. To that, I would say that for people who frequently listen to the radio and have favorite stations near one another, nothing beats a physical knob.
There is a potential flaw with the Intelligent Assistant. When asking the Tundra to give directions to the closest hospital, which is one of my standard evaluation queries, it wasn't clear if the single result the system returned was a hospital or a collection of medical offices. Of course, if you need directions to the closest hospital, you need to know that you're getting them beyond a shadow of a doubt. So when the assistant asked if I wanted to go to the ambiguously named result, I replied with "Options." Unfortunately, that response only served to confuse the technology. As impressive as the Intelligent Assistant is, the inability to choose a destination from a list of results is less than ideal.
Christian Wardlaw
Driver Assistance Technology
Every 2022 Tundra comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). For a full list of features, see the see the Safety Features section. Furthermore, TSS 2.5 has an intersection turn assistance function to brake the Tundra if a left turn is unsafe, while emergency steering assistance adds stability when the driver takes sudden evasive action to avoid an obstacle ahead.
So, how does all of this stuff work? The features we could safely sample are effective. Still, when using the adaptive cruise control and the lane-centering assistance system together for semi-autonomous highway driving, the technology is not as smooth and refined as expected. In some driving conditions, in low light or on pavements with missing or intermittent white lane paint markings, the system struggled to keep the Tundra centered. As a result of these characteristics, those particular driving assistance systems quickly became tiresome. Fortunately, it is easy to turn off.
2022 Toyota Tundra Review: The Drive
A twin-turbocharged 3.4L V6 engine replaces the last Tundra’s V8, and you’re not likely to miss the old engine either. Toyota calls the engine an i-Force 3.5L V6 and it’s paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. It makes 348 hp at 5,200 rpm and 405 lb.-ft. of torque at just 2,000 rpm in Tundra SR models. SR5 and higher trim Tundras get a version cranking out 389 hp at 5,200 rpm and 479 lb.-ft. at 2,400 rpm.
Christian Wardlaw
In i-Force Max format, the twin-turbo V6 is paired with an electric motor/generator housed between the engine and transmission and a 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery that lives under the back seat. Together, these hybrid powertrain components produce 437 hp at 5,200 rpm and 583 lb.-ft. at 2,400 rpm.
The Tundra TRD Pro we tested was equipped with the hybrid V8, and it’s terrific, exhibiting effortless power accompanied by an engaging engine and exhaust note. EV driving mode allows you to putter along in traffic on battery power at low speeds, and the motor-generator contributes plenty of immediate torque for low-speed off-roading situations. Plus, there is the promise of improved efficiency. Though official fuel economy ratings for the i-Force Max powertrain were unavailable from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the time of publication, when driven primarily in Normal mode and 2-wheel drive, the TRD Pro averaged 17.8 mpg. On the highway portion of the loop, the trip computer read 21.1 mpg before heading up and into a mountain range.
For comparison purposes, the old Tundra 4WD earned a rating of 14 mpg in combined driving and no better than 17 mpg on the highway.
Christian Wardlaw
The Tundra TRD Pro is Terrific to Drive
Driving the new Tundra is a treat, and not just because of its powertrain. The TRD Pro test truck's ride quality on the highway was fantastic and could be the best of any truck in the class. In urban environments, it handles broken pavement without any rear-axle skittishness and tackles speed bumps and humps like they're not even there. Plus, it's remarkably quiet inside, aside from the signature engine note while accelerating and the faint whirring of the all-terrain tires at speed.
Heavy and welcome rain drenched the area during our evaluation period, making off-roading on mountain trails a dicey proposition. I did take the truck mudding and the TRD Pro provided impressive traction and a ton of fun churning across the muck and through standing water.
Christian Wardlaw
A Few Points to Note
There are a few items of concern related to driving the new Tundra. First, a regenerative braking system helps to keep the i-Force Max powertrain's battery charged. The pedal can feel just a touch sticky and inconsistent in city driving. This feeling is typical of regenerative brakes, and in the Tundra, the issue is subtle, but it's there.
Second, while outward visibility is expansive, immediate visibility to the front is terrible. The shape of the hood makes it hard to judge the truck's front corners, and its towering height hides details you need for safe maneuvering. Make sure you get the available panoramic view monitoring camera system. The view directly to the rear is awful, too, so you'll need to pay attention to the standard reversing camera and the available surround-view camera. A digital rearview mirror providing a 180-degree view of what's behind the Tundra is available on some versions of the new truck, but not the TRD Pro we tested.
Third, the Tundra tows 12,000 lbs and hauls up to 1,940 lbs of payload, depending on the configuration. These numbers remain lower than the headline figures Tundra's main rivals can claim. However, in an apples-to-apples towing and hauling comparison when cross-shopping trucks you might be surprised to discover that the Chevy Silverado Trail Boss can tow 9,300 lbs, while the TRD Pro can handle 11,175 lbs.
Cross shop the trim level you want with the competition for the most accurate picture.
Christian Wardlaw
Is the 2022 Toyota Tundra a Good Truck?
Based on our time behind the new Tundra TRD Pro's steering wheel, it appears that Toyota's recipe for an all-new full-size pickup truck has paid off. Though the styling might not be to everyone's preference, there is no denying the Tundra's newfound appeal as a modern, head-to-head rival to the class sales leaders. It's not just a better truck than the one it replaces. It's fully competitive with Chevy, Ford, GMC, and Ram.
Toyota Tundra Competitors for 2022
With the new 2022 Tundra, Toyota targets the usual suspects in the full-size, light-duty pickup truck segment. They include the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Titan, and Ram 1500. However, compared to most of these alternatives, Toyota doesn't offer the same depth and breadth of cab styles, powertrain choices, and models from which to choose.
Toyota Tundra Features
Highlights
Designed, engineered, and built in the U.S., the 2022 Toyota Tundra is made for Americans by Americans. Aggressive styling and class-leading technology are sure to appeal to truck buyers, and the turbocharged engine lineup ensures torque-rich performance regardless of the situation.
2022 Toyota Tundra Safety Features
- Pedestrian and cyclist detection — Standard feature identifies cyclists ahead during the daytime and pedestrians ahead during the day and in low-light conditions
- Adaptive cruise control with Lane Tracing Assist — Used together, this standard feature works as a hands-on Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance system
- Blind Spot Monitor — Standard feature warns the driver of vehicles in the Tundra's blind spots and also takes a trailer into account
- Intersection turn assist — Standard feature identifies when it might be unsafe to make a left turn and automatically brakes the Tundra
- Emergency Steering Assist — Standard feature helps the driver retain control of the truck when taking sudden evasive steering action
2022 Toyota Tundra Technology
- Wireless smartphone mirroring — Standard feature with support for Apple and Android devices
- Intelligent Assistant — Natural voice recognition technology included with the new infotainment systems
- Digital instrumentation — Available 12.3-inch electronic instrumentation display*
- Multi-terrain and Panoramic View Monitors — Available feature to assist with visibility when off-roading and to maneuver the Tundra*
- Trailer Back Guidance with Straight Path Assist — Available feature to help drivers reverse with trailers attached*
2022 Toyota Tundra Specs
- Twin-turbocharged 3.4L V6 with and without hybrid technology
- Standard 348 hp and 405 lb.-ft.
- Available 389 hp and 479 lb.-ft.*
- Hybrid supplies 437 hp and 583 lb.-ft.
- 10-speed automatic and rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive*
- 19-20 mpg in combined driving (hybrid rating unavailable at the deadline)
2022 Toyota Tundra Interior
- Rear-seat reminder system — Standard feature reminds the driver to check the back seat before locking and leaving the Tundra
- Power rear window — Available feature that powers the rear window glass down between the cab and cargo bed*
- Panoramic sunroof — Available feature that installs a large glass sunroof*
- Heated steering wheel — Available feature that warms hands on chilly days*
- Heated and ventilated front seats — Available feature to help keep the driver and front passenger comfortable*
*Availability is subject to specific trim level specifications
