The redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra has arrived and begins a new third generation. Since the second generation was around for 14 years, the update is exciting for fans. Toyota Tundra enthusiasts have to be wondering if this third generation will now be stronger competition for the big three: the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500. So, what does the new Tundra have to offer, and what is the best trim level of the 2022 Toyota Tundra?

Introducing the 2022 Toyota Tundra

Toyota has its loyal full-size truck fans, and their faith is about to be rewarded. The new 2022 Toyota Tundra has some dynamic new features like coil springs in the back, as opposed to the outdated leaf-spring rear suspension of the past. As a result, the new Tundra offers a smooth, comfortable ride.

Need towing chops? The new Tundra can tow as much as 12,000 pounds even though it doesn’t have a V8 under its hood. It comes equipped with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s the standard powertrain offered, but it’s a good one. You can also get a hybrid setup with a power output of 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system uses the same gas-powered engine within its setup. It’s optional on the Limited, Platinum, 1794 Editions trims and standard on the TRD Pro.

The 2022 Tundra is a four-door pickup truck available with either a crew cab (CrewMax) or an extended cab (Double Cab). Each of the body styles has a short and long bed option. According to Toyota, there are seven trim levels to choose from, including the SR ($35,940), SR5 ($40,755), Limited ($46,850), Platinum ($56,990), 1794 Edition ($57,690), TRD Pro ($TBD), and Capstone ($TBD).

The best Tundra trim

According to Edmunds, the most popular trim on the 2022 Toyota Tundra is the SR5. 

The base SR trim comes equipped with 18-inch steel wheels, proximity keyless entry and start, and LED headlights. It has an 8-inch touch screen with wireless connectivity to use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It has a sheet-molded compound (SMC) composite bed. Standard active safety features include the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, pre-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keeping system.

With the SR5 trim, you get alloy wheels, LED foglights, and a rear center armrest and cupholders. The bed has adjustable tie-down cleats. A towing package is also included with a Class IV trailer hitch, integrated trailer brake controller, and four and seven-pin trailer connectors. 

Car and Driver recommends the SR5 trim with the TRD Off-Road package, which adds an electronically locking rear differential, an enhanced suspension, distinct wheels, and other significant extras. 

The other trim levels of the 2022 Toyota Tundra

Aside from the base SR and the SR5, there are five remaining trims for the 2022 Toyota Tundra. The Limited trim adds comfort and convenience features like faux leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a digital instrument panel for hybrid models. It has a 14-inch center touch screen, 20-inch wheels, a power vertical-sliding rear window, blind-spot monitoring, and a tailgate release button for easy access.

The Platinum trim is a luxury model with ambient interior lights and premium LED headlights. It gets authentic leather upholstery, a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated rear seats, and a premium JBL audio system. The trim level is equipped with a wireless device charger, panoramic sunroof, rear door sunshades, a trailer backup guide system, a 360-degree camera system, and household-type power outlets in the bed and cabin. Meanwhile, the 2022 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition has a lot in common with the Platinum model but with ranch-style badging and accents.

The TRD Pro builds on the Limited model but is beefed up for rougher roads. It has 18-inch TRD wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires. It comes with a 1.1-inch front suspension lift, skid plates, Fox suspension dampers, and a rear locking differential. You also get crawl control, which is a beast of an off-road feature.

According to Car and Driver, the top-shelf Capstone model is new for the 2022 model year. It gets a standard twin-turboV6 iForce Max hybrid system with a 437 horsepower output, along with air springs and plenty of luxury elements. While it’s fully loaded and shining in chrome, it’s a few thousand dollars more than the top trims of the big three, which all start under $70,000.