2022 Toyota Tundra Road Test and Review

2022 Toyota Tundra Front Quarter ・ Photo by Nicole Wakelin

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is all-new this year, marking the third generation of this full-size truck. There are lots of improvements from technology to safety to capability. Power comes from a choice of two engines that are paired to a new transmission. There’s also a new composite bed available in three lengths and a revised suspension system that improves the overall ride.

Inside, the Tundra adds comfort to its capability with available features including a panoramic roof, heated steering wheel and front seats, and a rear sunshade. There’s a new infotainment system that includes standard smartphone connectivity and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 is also standard with features including pre-collision with pedestrian detection and lane departure alert with steering assist. This truck has no shortage of features. Let’s take a closer look at the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra to see if it’s the right truck for you.

Six Trims With Multiple Configurations

The Tundra will be available in a wide range of configurations with two engines, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, three bed lengths, and two cabs across a range of six trims. Pricing has yet to be announced. That wide range of possible configurations makes it easy to get a Tundra perfectly suited to your specific needs. The base SR an SR5 come with a modest range of standard features while the Limited adds a 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats.

The Platinum adds a power tilt and slide moonroof, wireless charging, and leather-trimmed 10-way power front seats while the 1794 adds unique badging and walnut interior trims. The TRD Pro is the choice for off-roading with a modified suspension system, front skid plate, front coil-over springs, stabilizer bar, and additional drive modes. Whatever your plans, there’s a Tundra that fits the bill.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Two Powertrains Including a Hybrid

The base engine in the Toyota Tundra is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This powerful engine is plenty capable of getting the Tundra up to speed with strong acceleration, even when towing a trailer. It’s paired to a new 10-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and quietly, making the Tundra an easy truck to drive.

There’s also a hybrid version of this engine that delivers 437 horsepower with 583 lb-ft of torque paired to the same transmission. Although fuel economy numbers have yet to be finalized, this is sure to be the best choice for saving money at the pump. It also delivers impressive performance with higher horsepower and higher torque. This gives the Tundra better acceleration and makes it a better choice for those who frequently tow heavy loads with the torque to easily get up to highway speeds and conquer hills.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

An Improved Suspension Delivers a Better Ride

The ride in the 2022 Toyota Tundra is greatly improved with an upgraded suspension system that hides imperfections in the road. Whether it’s rough pavement or potholes, the ride doesn’t jostle passengers. It’s not as smooth and compliant as what you’ll find in a sedan, but it’s also a far cry from trucks of old that were harsh.

That smooth ride is partly due to the new multi-link suspension system that ditches the old leaf springs for new coil springs. This improves the ride for passengers and the handling for the driver. Uneven road surfaces don’t cause the same bounce and sway of the previous generation truck, so the Tundra is easier to control. Especially when towing, the new Tundra delivers a smoother ride combined with better handling that both driver and passengers will appreciate.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Tow With Confidence

Towing is a key consideration when you’re buying a truck. Whether it’s the occasional trailer loaded up for a weekend of fun or a daily activity required for getting work done, a truck needs to be able to tow. The 2022 Toyota Tundra has a maximum tow rating of up to 12,000 pounds when properly equipped. It also has new features to make towing easier than ever.

There are two new Tow/Haul modes. The standard mode adjusts throttle response to accommodate smaller loads like box trailers and small boats. The Tow/Haul+ mode adjusts the throttle for larger loads including RVs and large boats. There are new cameras that show multiple angles, an available multi-terrain monitor that quickly shows views all around the trailer, and new power extending and folding tow mirrors. In addition, the available air suspension offers rear load-leveling for improved balance between truck and trailer.

A Durable Composite Bed

The Tundra can also handle a payload of up to 1,940 pounds. Its versatile bed is ready for carrying everything from mulch to sports equipment to the tools you need to get through the workday. There are three bed choices from which to choose. Double cab models have either a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed while CrewMax models have either a 6.5-foot or 5.5-foot bed.

There’s also a new high-strength steel box with a composite bed. Toyota chose a composite rather than steel or aluminum for its added durability and resistance to dents, scratches, and rust. Reinforcing aluminum cross members provide extra strength for the bed. There’s also a new tailgate that weighs 20 percent less than the old one. It features an available side bump switch by the driver’s-side tailgate for easy opening when your arms are full and a standard release on the key fob.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Interior Creature Comforts With Plenty of Durability

While a truck is focused on getting work done, it also has to be comfortable for passengers. The Tundra has a roomy interior with seating for five people in a choice of two cabs. Both have four doors, but the rear doors of the double cab are smaller and it has less rear legroom than the CrewMax cab. Whichever you choose, there’s plenty of space for everyone to get comfortable. Standard features include single-zone automatic climate control, fabric seats, and a manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

Move up through the trim range and amenities improve with available heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, 10-way power front seats, leather seating surfaces, and walnut interior trims. The Tundra combines comfort and quality with the durability to handle the rigors of hard use.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

All-New Infotainment

The all-new infotainment system in the Tundra includes a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen, a six- or nine-speaker audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also available is a 14-inch touchscreen, upgraded 12-speaker Bose audio, and wireless charging. The Tundra is the first Toyota to feature this new infotainment system. Improvements include five times the processing power of the old system along with higher screen resolutions and a more responsive touchscreen that lets you pinch and zoom just like you can on your smartphone. It also accepts natural language voice commands with ease.

There are well-organized menus that reduce the need to constantly drill down to find what you need. It’s easy to learn and straightforward enough that even passengers new to how it works will quickly get the hang of it all. There’s also a large volume knob that’s easy to grip, even if you’re wearing heavy work gloves.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

An Impressive Standard Safety Suite

The 2022 Toyota Tundra has not yet been evaluated by either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, every 2022 Toyota Tundra includes a wide range of standard safety features as a part of Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). It includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist.

There’s also standard parking brake support with rear-cross traffic alert. Additional available features include blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and trailer detection. It’s an impressive amount of standard safety, and it removes the need to stretch your budget to get key safety features. You won’t feel like you skimped on safety simply because you chose to go with a more affordable trim.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Final Thoughts

The 2022 Toyota Tundra brings a needed update to this full-size truck. It’s a competitive segment, and the Tundra now has the capability and features to make it a more compelling choice. Its two available engines, including a hybrid, offer plenty of power for towing and hauling. The ride is smooth and controlled when carrying loads with an improved suspension system that also enhances passenger comfort.

There are good standard infotainment features along with good standard safety, so you don’t have to push your budget to get a well-equipped Tundra. Multiple configurations with two cabs, three beds, and rear-wheel or four-wheel drive let you choose just the right combination to fit your needs. There’s also a wide range of trims with modest base trims, luxurious top trims, and the off-road ready TRD Pro. The all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is a compelling choice for full-size truck shoppers.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin