Toyota is now solidly back in the ‘truck game’ with their all-new 2022 Tundra full-size pickup truck.
Diligently evaluating the competition over the last five years, Toyota truck people have been hard at work – developing a very competitive third-generation entry in segment.
Sporting all new design elements including platform, powertrain, technology and convenience features, the new 2022 Tundra is the most advanced ever built.
Based on our own personal experience driving Tundra for many years, this is the capable ever.
Starting with a new i-Force 3.5L twin turbo V6 base power plant mated to a 10-speed automatic, you can also go hybrid with the available Electrified ‘i-Force Max’ twin turbo V6.
Tundra for 2022 offers Adaptive Variable Suspension, Rear Load-Leveling Air Suspension, Electronic Locking Rear Differential, Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control and a new composite cargo bed.
Still solid body-on-frame, the 2022 Tundra is even more sturdy and reliable with an all-new steel-boxed frame, multi-ink rear suspension and a tow capacity up to 12,000 pounds.
Interiors are crafted for purpose, function, convenience and comfort. Elements include an all-new multi-media audio and information system w/new 14-inch touchscreen, Trailer Back-up Guide and Panoramic View Monitor and more.
Based on a recent week-long test drive, we think the new Tundra deserves a good look from discriminating truck buyers.
As Tested
Our factory provided 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited CrewMax came in a 4×4 drive configuration and equipped with a 5.5’ cargo bed. It was further fitted with the available TRD Off-Road Package.
The base price for the 4×4 Limited is $51,900. Adding the TRD Off-Road Package along with a select group of optional accessories, it arrived (delivered) for $60,318.
Sporting a hot Supersonic Red color, Black accents with Chrome trim and fitted with 20-inch TRD wheels, this all-new Tundra stood both bold and tall.
Let’s take a look………….
Exterior
There is no mistaking the new Tundra with its massive Black and Chrome Hexagonal grille fronting the very large – we say ‘hulking’ – hood. 
Chiseled muscular body treatments draw your attention leading to complimenting bold styling of the cargo bed, tailgate, lights and trims.
Features include LED Headlights, LED Fog Lights, LED Daytime Running Lights w/sequential turn signals and automatic leveling adjustment, LED Taillights and Power Heated Side Mirrors w/Integrated LED Turn signals.
The new 5.5-foot Sheet-Molded Compound, aluminum reinforced (stronger and lighter) cargo bed has an Easy Lower and Lift Tailgate w/’Bump Switch’ located in the driver side taillight. Other features include LED Bed Lights, 120V400W AC power outlet, mini-tiedowns and driver side Cargo Bumper Step.
TRD Off-Road Package
The TRD Off-Road package (in concert with the special Supersonic Red color) perfectly defines our test Tundra Limited – so let’s see what is in that before looking at the rest.
Starting with the 20-inch Black Alloy TRD Wheels mounted with 265/60R20 Falken All-terrain tires, there is the TRD Grille, TRD Off-Road Suspension w/Bilstein shocks, Skid Plates, Electronic Rear Differential Lock, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control (CRAWL), Downhill Assist Control, Aluminum Sport Pedals, Red TRD Engine Start Button, TRD Leather Shift Knob and ‘TRD Off-Road’ bedside decals.
Though not included in the TRD spec, we also noted the inclusion of cabin length rock rails on our Limited CrewMax TRD.
New Power Plant
As we said, the venerable Toyota 5.7L V8 with its 6-speed automatic is gone. Replacing it in the new Tundra is an awesome in its own right – 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 powerplant mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The basic engine in Tundra, Toyota calls the twin-turbo i-Force. It produces a healthy 389 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, delivering torque of 479 lb.-ft. at 2,400 rpm.
The 10-speed Electronically-controlled automatic transmission features sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic, Drive Mode Select w/ECO, NORMAL and SPORT settings plus Tow/Haul Drive Modes.
Equipped with Trailer Brake and Trailer Sway Control, our Tundra Limited Crew Cab 4×4 TRD Off-Road is tow rated at 11,120 pounds with a payload of up to 1,820 pounds.
Based on our local driving, we found this new power train to be very responsive and plenty powerful enough for us.
For the record, the fuel economy rating for our Limited 4×4 TRD Off-Road was 17/22 mpg city/highway and 19 mpg combined.
Drive Train
Our test Tundra Limited CrewMax 4×4 with the TRD Off-Road package is equipped with a 4WD part-time 4WD w/electronically controlled two-speed transfer case (high/low) and Automatic Limited Slip Differential.
We were unable to drive our new Tundra off-road this trip, but others report it performs very capably in the outback.
Hybrid Still to Come
Coming later is a hybrid-assisted version of this power plant that Toyota refers to as i-Force Max. A 48-horsepower motor generator between the engine and transmission boosts horsepower and adds torque. Delivering 437 horsepower w/583 lb.-ft. of torque, the i-Force Max should have significant impact on off-road performance.
Information just received (as we write this) indicates the premium for the hybrid i-Force Max will be $3,400.
Frankly, we think the i-Force (non-hybrid) provides all of the power and punch that most owners will want or use. We would save our $3,400.
Running Gear
Toyota made a major change in its running gear design on the new Tundra. The leaf spring rear suspension is gone. It is replaced with a Multi-link rear setup featuring coil springs and outboard mounted twin-tube shock absorbers. Up front is a TRD-tuned off-road suspension with monotube Bilstein shocks. The difference in the ride from prior generation Tundra models is seriously noticeable around town and on the highway.
Steering is electronic power-assisted rack and pinion. Brakes are power-assisted 13.9-inch ventilated front disc with opposed dual-piston calipers up front and ventilated 13.6-inch ventilated disc with single piston calipers – rear.
Interior / Technology and Infotainment
The interior of the Tundra Limited CrewMax is also all new with plenty of room front and rear, a plethora of current feature elements and a very quiet cabin.
Interior features of significant note on our test 2022 Tundra Limited CrewMax 4×4 TRD Off-Road included:
- Softex-Trimmed 8-way power adjustable heated and ventilated front seating
- Fixed center console w/gated shift lever and lighted storage compartments
- Rear 60/40 folding rear seat w/center armrest and cupholders
- Rear under-seat storage box w/adjustable compartments
- Power Vertical Rear Window
- Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control driver and passenger
- Rear seat center console air vents
- Smart Key system w/Push Button Start
- Optional 14-inch horizontally mounted Audio Multimedia screen
- Optional 12-speaker JBL Premium Audio System
- Qi-compatible Vertical wireless smartphone charging
- Back-up Camera w/Projected Path
- Rear seat 120V/400W AC power point
- Five USB Ports front and rear
Safety
And, of course, the 2022 Toyota Tundra features one of the most complete packages of safety systems out there. Included are: Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), the Toyota Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Connect.
Augmenting features include: Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Trailer Detection, Tire Pressure Monitoring, Hill Start Assist Control and Drive Start Control
More Information 2022 Toyota Tundra
You can review the 2022 Toyota Tundra line-up and more about all of the new features and elements at https://www.toyota.com/tundra/.
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KEY DATA: 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited CrewMax TRD Off-Road
- Trim Level Limited CrewMax
- Package Trim TRD Off-Road
- Class Full-Size Pickup Truck
- Seating Five
- MSRP $51,900
- As Tested $60,318 (delivered)
- Engine 3.5L i-Force Twin Turbo V6
- Horsepower 389 @ 5,200 rpm
- Torque 479 lb.-ft. @ 2,400 rpm
- Transmission 10-speed ECT w/sequential shift mode
- Drive System 4Wheel Demand Part-time 4WD
- Wheel size 20-inch Black Alloy
- Tire Size 265/60R20
- Ground Clearance 9.4-inches
- Steering EPS Power-Assisted Rack and Pinion
- Tow Capacity 11,120 pounds
- Payload Capacity 1,585-1,820 pounds
- Fuel Capacity 32.2 Gallons
- Fuel Economy 17/22 mpg 19 combined
- Range 600-plus miles
