MotorTrend’s Most Improved Pickup Truck
After waiting nearly 14 years to give its full-size truck a full update, Toyota finally gave us a redesigned Tundra in 2022. And as someone who has been behind the wheel of the last-gen version and the current-gen Tundra, I have to say that it feels like the wait was worth it. Apparently, MotorTrend agrees with that sentiment.
What is MotorTrend’s most improved truck?
It makes sense that the Toyota Tundra would get significantly higher marks than it used to. Before the redesigned Tundra was released, it had been 14 years since it got a true update. For the 2022 model year, the Tundra switched its platform, got a more aggressive design, and some major powertrain changes.
This isn’t to say the new Tundra is the best full-size truck on the market. But it is a legitimate improvement over the previous generation. Now, I’ve had the opportunity to drive both a 2017 Toyota Tundra with a V8 and a 2022 Toyota Tundra with the new twin-turbo hybrid V6.
The old 5.7-liter V8 makes 381 horsepower and 401 pound-foot of torque. In the case of the 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid V6, you get 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. That additional power certainly makes the new Toyota Tundra feel like a more potent truck.
The other major improvement that comes from the new engine is with fuel economy. According to MotorTrend, the fuel economy is significantly better than old Tundra models even though you get an increase in power.
Is the Toyota Tundra still reliable?
The Tundra might not be as reliable as it used to be. Because it is a recently redesigned truck, it’s not as tried and tested as the old version. The engine is more complex, and there are a lot more features, even on base models. While those things do come with their perks, it also means that there are some additional points for failure.
That said, Toyota does have a reputation for reliability, at least a perceived one. So time will tell if the third-gen Tundra is able to go as far as some of its predecessors have.
Does the 2023 Tundra have a V8?
If you want a full-size truck with a V8 engine, it’s not going to be the 2023 Tundra. Each version of this pickup comes with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which is also found in things like the Toyota Sequoia and Lexus LX600.
Although you do not get the traditional power of eight cylinders, I have found this new powertrain to be fairly impressive. In the current-gen Tundra, I think some folks could actually confuse this V6 for being a V8.
The lack of engine options might be a downside to some consumers. Models like the Ford F-150 offer an array of powertrains, allowing folks to find what works for them. But it is clear that Toyota is invested in this new powerplant. It is now featured in a variety of the brand’s products.
