Quick Take: 2022 Toyota Tundra
Over the last ten to fifteen years, full-size trucks have gone from being dedicated workhorses for tradesmen and contractors to becoming day-to-day vehicles for a growing number of the American population. With the redesigned Tundra, Toyota is targeting that ever-larger pool of customers considering a full-size pickup for comfort and the ability to see the road from high. We managed to spend some time with the 2022 model of the Tundra to find out where the full-size truck market is going and how usable they can be.
The Tundra that we drove was the top-end Capstone trim level with a new 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 making 437 horsepower and generating 583 lb-ft of torque that replaces the venerable 5.7-liter V-8 that the last-generation Tundra was known for. It had a CrewMax 4-door bodystyle with a large cabin giving rear seat passengers plenty of legroom as well as a part-time 4-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled 2-speed transfer case and automatic limited-slip differential, handy for when venturing off the beaten path with a load of cargo. Maximum towing capacity of our test vehicle was 10,340 pounds with max payload capacity being 1,485 pounds.
Since this Tundra had the Capstone trim, numerous luxury features came standard such as 22-inch alloy wheels, LED lights all around, a 120V/400W AC bed power outlet, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display screen. Additional equipment included a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, leather throughout the interior, 10-way power front seats with 4-way power-adjustable lumbar support, panoramic cameras for parking, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system paired to an infotainment system with a 14-inch center touchscreen. Furthermore, our Tundra test truck has the Advanced Package which added load-leveling rear air suspension and adaptive variable suspension to noticeably improve ride quality even further. We appreciated all of those features as they made the interior of the Tundra a pleasurable place to be while driving up and down Highway 1.
After our time with the Tundra Capstone, we recognized firsthand what full-size trucks have become and why more and more Americans choose them as their next vehicle. Considering that one can get all the features on much more expensive vehicles while retaining the go-anywhere capability that a truck provides, it’s likely a quick decision for most shoppers to opt for a truck. And as the Tundra most probably comes with Toyota’s legendary reliability, we think that drivers across the country will encounter a lot more of them on the roads in the months to come.
