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 one of the best they might do?”

With a brand new luxurious Capstone trim, a strong hybrid powertrain, an in-your-face design, and modern options, the 2022 Toyota Tundra isn’t a foul truck.

It simply appears like a large missed alternative. Toyota might’ve come out swinging with a segment-busting product just like the A-BAT hybrid pickup idea from 2007, however it performed comply with the Ford F-150 chief as a substitute. No person wins by following.

I spent per week selecting up provides on the native fleet provide retailer, towing boats, and hauling children on a street journey to determine the place the 2022 Toyota Tundra suits within the truckosphere. The reply is murky, particularly within the $75,000 Capstone trim.

Going hybrid

A hybrid Tundra was lengthy overdue for the corporate that made its modern-day repute 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 unbelievable gasoline effectivity, Toyota aimed for energy in an try to greatest 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 provide 427 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. On paper this powertrain is probably the most highly effective possibility in a light-duty pickup truck this aspect of a Ford F-150 Raptor R or Ram 1500 TRX, however it 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 out there 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 posh mannequin’s giant worth its four-wheel-drive system is an historic part-time system. No full-time system is out there on any Tundra, although Capstone fashions characteristic an computerized limited-slip rear differential.

The large 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 fairly brief) 40 miles of blended suburban driving in keeping with the journey laptop. Falling wanting EPA rankings, once more, the Tundra averaged 19.4 mpg over the course of 203 freeway miles. With the boat (towing is an especially 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 instances would common simply 14 mpg on the freeway unloaded.

As disappointing because the hybrid powertrain is, the 10-speed computerized 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 could be one of the best transmission out there immediately in a light-duty pickup truck. The programming by no means permits the transmission to get misplaced in all of the gears.

Hooking up the boat

The act of bodily hooking a ship as much as the Tundra is fairly easy due to the large display 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 power to enter just a few key particulars similar to variety of axles on the trailer, kind of hookup used (i.e. hitch), and brake kind (i.e. electrical brakes or surge). This info may be saved in a profile, after which the truck can do its personal evaluation concerning the trailer’s size throughout the first few ft of driving. It then integrates the trailer with the truck’s blind-spot screens to bear in mind the additional size. It labored flawlessly and was a lot easier than Ford’s enter system for trailer info.

With a 5,000-lb fiberglass walleye boat and dual-axle trailer hooked to it, nonetheless, the motivation at velocity was downright disappointing regardless of the load checking in properly beneath the Capstone’s 10,340-lb max towing capability. Two front-seat occupants and a 19-lb street bike within the mattress additionally did not even contact the 1,485-lb max payload capability. Passing isn’t a problem, 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 neglect 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.

The protection programs 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 mild and brake connection doesn’t disable security programs similar to reverse computerized emergency braking. As a substitute, the motive force has to manually flip off the programs by digging by means of the menus within the gauge cluster. Ought to somebody neglect this step it’s going to inevitably result in the truck slamming on the brakes whereas reversing a trailer, which might severely harm somebody within the boat on the launch.

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 street.

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, large bumper finish caps, and centrally-mounted fog lights that border on driving lights are all enticing. The vertical LED talilights characteristic sequential flip alerts. The sculpted hood and fenders give the truck a punched-out look with out including precise width.

In contrast to each different light-duty pickup available on the market, the Tundra retains its brief mattress sidewalls that make it potential for somebody to succeed in over into the mattress to seize issues. The shorter mattress partitions additionally make for a decrease tailgate top when open, which interprets to a decrease lift-over top for loading cargo into the mattress. The mattress is now product of a resin composite as a substitute of metal, which suggests it gained’t rust, although different bits on the truck nonetheless can.

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.

However similar to with Ram and Nissan, the rear bumper step continues to be a drop-down step. A minimum of on the Capstone mannequin it’s computerized and energy operated. Common Motors’ nook bumper steps are a a lot better thought.

Capstone fashions class up the Tundra with a satin silver grille, chrome aspect mirror caps, chrome trim, and enticing 22-inch wheels.

White was a foul selection

Each Tundra Capstone includes a two-tone white and black black leather-based inside. Lots 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 coated in white leather-based.

On day one it in all probability appeared good. Upon hooking up a ship and twiddling 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 fingers? White isn’t a sensible leather-based shade for a pickup truck.

The large 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system’s interface is simple to navigate and is augmented by onerous buttons, however it lacks the power to separate the display. When Apple CarPlay is pulled up it overtakes the whole system, and no person wants that a lot Apple CarPlay.

Whereas snug for 5 passengers, the inside packaging is compromised. The entrance seat occupants’ view of the street is hindered by a brief windshield. This is because of a excessive entrance cowl and tall dashboard to provide the Tundra its imposing look inside and outside. It’s the other 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 ft tall will both run out of head room or really feel as in the event that they’re sitting on a perch.

Whereas general 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.

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 really pleasant characteristic that solely the Tundra provides.

Fails to alter the sport

The $75,925 Tundra Capstone is a troublesome promote towards 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.