There’s no getting around it, full-size pickup trucks are extremely popular in the United States. Although most drivers would be better served by a sedan or SUV, there’s just something special about having a large truck with a commanding road presence.  So, when I got the chance to test the 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone, a vehicle that looks impractical on paper, I was eager to see how it would function with daily city driving. 

The 2022 Tundra Capstone is expensive to buy and to drive

A base 2022 Toyota Tundra SR has a starting MSRP of $35,950. But if you want true luxury and an elevated driving experience, set your sights on the top-of-the-line Capstone trim. Just don’t expect it to come cheap, though. The Tundra Capstone starts at $74,230, making it one of the most expensive Toyota trucks. 

At the same time, that price gets you some seriously convenient features. While driving in the city, I was pleasantly surprised at the functionality of the 360-degree camera. 

With an overall length of 233.6 inches and a width of 80.2 inches, parking this behemoth seemed like it would be a difficult task. But, the plethora of camera angles and sensors made navigating a pretty simple undertaking. 

The other factor that plays into the expense of the 2022 Tundra is fuel economy. If you actually need to do truck stuff, taking a hit at the gas pump is unavoidable. But according to The Drive, most truck owners hardly tow or haul with their full-size pickup. 

With the 2022 Tundra Capstone, the estimated mpg is 21. And during my test, Toyota’s full-size truck returned about the same. Still, with some reporting to get 50 mpg out of smaller pickups like the Ford Maverick Hybrid, is that fuel economy hit worth it? 

Why do Americans love full-size trucks?

You could likely write an essay on why full-size trucks are so popular in the States. Simply put, these vehicles are just plain cool. Driving something like the Tundra makes one feel like one could take on the world. And the Capstone trim just reinforces that with all of its bells and whistles. 

Despite the Tundra Capstone being a truly bougie truck, it does retain the capabilities of a full-size pickup. It comes with a 5.5-foot bed, and can tow up to 10,340 lbs. Toyota has also ditched the traditional V8 engine, opting for a more efficient hybrid V6. 

At the end of the day, the 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone might seem a bit ridiculous on paper. But, once you get behind the wheel of this full-size truck, there’s no doubt that Toyota has pulled out all of the stops. 

The top Tundra trim comes with nearly every feature as standard. Basically, the rear air suspension and power tow mirrors are the only options available.

Sure, maybe a Toyota Corolla would be more practical for daily use. But, a Corolla is not going to give you the same experience as a fully-loaded Tundra, and there is something to be said about that.