Drip-teasers are finally over, and the 2022 Toyota Tundra is officially here!
Lo and behold, the latest pickup truck in town — the 3rd generation Toyota Tundra — features a completely new design and a raft of improvements all around. But first is the look. At first glance, the truck is obviously designed to appear beefier than ever, with the gaping grille contrasted by plastic inserts and Toyota’s badge proudly displayed in the middle. The heavy-duty front bumper and all-LED headlamps with DRLs that spill over to the sides only make it look even wider.
Unsurprisingly, the Tundra will be offered in various styles and variants, including two different four-door configurations and a variety of bed lengths (5.5′, 6.5′, or 8.1′). Of course, there’s also a top-of-the-line TRD Pro version with an upgraded hybrid powertrain and a couple of extras like aluminum skid plates, a longer-travel suspension, among other goodies, which will be elaborated below.
But first, one of the biggest changes to the Tundra includes the brand new iForce powertrains. The outdated 4.7- liter V8 has given way to a modern 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine pumping out an impressive 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque on the standard variants. An optional iForce MAX powertrain packs a hybrid setup with a single electric motor that boosts figures to an even more impressive 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. And to send all that power to the wheels, Toyota went for a 10-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with Intelligence (ECTi), a versatile setup in all environments making gear hunting a thing of the past.
The new Tundra’s off-road capability is further enhanced by the high-strength steel ladder frame holding everything together. Indeed, it’s engineered with further reinforcements, including cross-bracing and the use of composite materials to improve overall rigidity while keeping weight in check. Moreover, this chassis is coupled to a newly developed Multi-Link rear suspension (Fox shocks) to improve the ride quality while ensuring it performs as expected off the beaten paths.
Also aiding the suspension are adjustable dampers and piggyback reservoirs for that extra damping in demanding situations. If that’s still not enough for you, you can also go for the TRD Pro kit, including a front TRD Pro stabilizer bar, red suspension components, a TRD badged aluminum front skid plate, extra underbody protection, and all-terrain Falken tires.
So, it’s got the looks, the powertrain, and the chassis to handle it all. What about comfort and convenience? There is nothing to worry about here, as the Tundra is equipped with all the bells and whistles that you can expect from a modern pickup. The center console features a large 14-inch infotainment display housing all the controls, Toyota’s Audio Multimedia system, and the Panoramic View Monitor, displaying a top-down view of the truck (handy to see where those big rocks and trees are). And of course, it also receives Toyota’s complete Safety Sense 2.5 ADAS system with features such as radar-aided cruise control, emergency brake assists, lane keeps assist and blind-spot detection.
With such an impressive list of upgrades, the Tundra should serve as a formidable opponent against other veterans like The Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and RAM 1500. Unfortunately, Toyota hasn’t disclosed any information on the price yet, but we’ll keep you posted when it does.
Stay tuned!
Gallery: 2022 Toyota Tundra
