On September 19th, Toyota unveiled the long-awaited third generation of the Tundra. The 2022 Toyota Tundra gains nearly a ton of towing capacity (increased from 10,200 pounds to 12,000 pounds) over its second-generation predecessor. Learn about the adaptive air suspension, powerful hybrid drivetrain, and suite of driver aids Toyota uses to make towing easy.

The top-trim 2022 Toyota Tundra is a 437 horsepower hybrid

The base engine in the 2022 Toyota Tundra is the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. Toyota chose this powerplant to improve on both the fuel efficiency and power of the outgoing 5.7-liter V8. The new turbocharged V6 is the flagship engine of Toyota’s new Dynamic Force engine family. In addition, it has already proven itself in Lexus and Land Cruiser models.

In Lexus and Land Cruiser 300 series applications, the turbocharged V6 makes over 400 horsepower. But for the new Tundra, Toyota tuned the engine for torque. So in the third generation Tundra, it makes 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. For this reason, this drivetrain is critical to the 2022 Toyota Tundra’s towing capacity improvement.

One of the benefits of a turbocharged V6 is it can make as much power as a naturally aspirated V8 when necessary but sips fuel when less power is needed. According to a Toyota leak, the automaker expects the Land Cruiser with the same engine to get 23.7 mpg. Whatever fuel mileage the V6 achieves in the Tundra should be a significant improvement over the outgoing powerplant. The 2WD 2021 Toyota Tundra only got 13 city/17 highway mpg (15 combined).

The top trim 2022 Toyota Tundra will make more power and earn better fuel mileage. That’s because the premium Tundra drivetrain will be a hybrid. The maker of the famed Prius is adding an electric engine to the twin-turbo V6. Toyota markets this powertrain as the i-FORCE MAX. Toyota engineered it as a “performance-minded approach to hybrid tech.” The result makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrain options benefit from a new, ten-speed automatic transmission.

Adaptive air suspension improves the 2022 Toyota Tundra’s towing capacity

One significant change for the third generation of the Toyota Tundra is the switch from rear leaf springs to rear coil springs. As a result, the rear axle of the 2022 Toyota Tundra now floats on a coil spring, multi-link rear suspension. Thanks to Toyota engineering, the switch to coil springs actually improved the 2022 Toyota Tundra’s towing capacity.

The new suspension hardware enables Toyota to offer some 2022 Tundra trim levels with a state-of-the-art Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system. This new system adjusts damping to the road surface and truck’s load. Toyota also equips the 2022 Tundra with air suspension. The air suspension makes load-leveling rear height control possible. Drivers can adjust height settings manually: low ride height for entry or loading and a high setting to maximize ground clearance. Drivers can also set the air suspension to adapt to towing and hauling needs in realtime for maximum stability.

Tow/Haul mode backs up your trailer for you

The third-generation Tundra is also the smartest Toyota truck to date. For example, the 2022 Toyota Tundra is available with a Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system that adjusts the air suspension, damping, and powertrain to your terrain. This system has a standard drive mode and several off-roading modes to leverage the electronically-locking rear differential. In addition, the mighty Tundra features a Tow/Haul mode. This mode makes it easy to trailer, even at the upper limit of the 2022 Toyota Tundra’s towing capacity.

The new Tundra’s Tow/Haul driver aid system, coupled with the backup camera, makes it easy to hook up to a trailer. In addition, the Tundra can provide steering input to back up your truck and trailer. The 2022 Toyota Tundra even features a “trailer garage” database that saves the specifications of trailers it’s towed before. The third-generation Tundra offers an incredible 14″ screen for even more visibility while using the built-in backup camera.