Toyota has finally given car reviewers a chance to sit inside their hotly anticipated new pickup truck, the 2022 Toyota Tundra. So far, first-drive reviews that have been released of the new truck are positive, praising the vehicle for its massive improvements over its predecessor, including its controversial new hybrid powertrain.
After months of teasers and leaks, Toyota officially launched the 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup truck last month. The company said the vehicle will be available in six trim models, namely the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794, and the TRD Pro.
A first drive review conducted by CNet praised the new vehicles' amazing tech upgrades. The reviewer said that pickup was more than what it seems given the massive improvement in overall functionality.
Actually sitting inside the cabin, first-time drivers noted the luxurious interior design and the huge space available. Both driver and passenger now have separate armrests. Apart from space, the tech inside the vehicle is futuristic with a 14-inch central touch screen and a 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster.
As for the drive, reviewers noted the significant improvements in the 2022 Toyota Tundra's suspension. Toyota has replaced the old rear leaf springs of the outgoing model with a new coil-spring setup. There is also now a self-leveling rear air suspension equipped with adaptive dampers.
Drivers noted that the improvements can be felt immediately inside the cabin, especially for drivers of the outgoing model. On uneven surfaces such as rocky roads, the vehicle's suspension performs remarkably well in isolating passengers.
The first drive review published by Car and Driver focused more on the vehicle's new powertrain. Toyota's decision to replace the truck's traditional V8 engines had sparked some criticism when it was initially announced. However, reviewers noted that drivers will likely not miss the old engines as the new ones are now much more powerful.
Toyota is equipping the new trucks with a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine paired with 10-speed automatic transmission. It is also offering models that are equipped with the same engine paired with a 48-hp electric motor.
The standard V6 models will be capable of generating 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque - higher than the 381 horsepower on the V8-equipped outgoing models. The hybrid model on the other hand will be capable of churning out 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque.
Toyota hasn't officially released pricing for the 2022 Toyota Tundra. Based on the prices of previous models, the new truck will likely be priced at around $70,000.
