On September 19th, we finally saw the 2022 Toyota Tundra and 2022 Toyota Tundra hybrid. The fully redesigned truck features a host of welcome upgrades with something for everyone.

The new Tundra will offer Toyota Racing fans a 389 horsepower, turbocharged V6 engine. Fuel savers, on the other hand, will welcome a fully hybrid drivetrain option from the Prius manufacturer. Even off-road enthusiasts prayers’ have been answered: the 2022 Toyota Tundra rides on a lightweight, coil-spring chassis with available FOX Racing shock absorbers.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra was outdated

The reviewers at Car Gurus lovingly called the 2021 Toyota Tundra “the last old pickup.” Although the Tundra was originally a compelling alternative to the Detroit Big Three’s full-size pickups at launch, it has only received one redesign since 2007. 

Every 2021 Tundra had a naturally-aspirated 5.7L V8. This engine loses both horsepower and fuel efficiency to Ram’s 5.7L Hemi. The Tundra also has a six-speed automatic that Car Gurus says is “outclassed by everything in the segment.”

The outgoing Tundra also had outdated rear leaf springs. According to Edmunds, the Tundra offered a “stiffer ride than other trucks” and handled so poorly it “feels especially large when driven on tight, congested roads.”

The 2022 Toyota Tundra will offer multiple powerplant options

Toyota is the world’s largest automaker. The manufacturer currently offers over 800 engine options worldwide. But Toyota knows this is unsustainable. The company is consolidating all its engine technology into a single family of next-generation engines. The new powerplants are called the Dynamic Force engine family.

All of the Dynamic Force engines leverage Toyota VVT-i technology and long-stroke pistons to produce incredible compression. The flagship Dynamic Force engine is a twin-turbo V6 named the V35A-FTS. Its displacement is 3.44-liters (advertised at 3.5-liters), and its maximum compression ratio is 10.5:1. For the Lexus LS 500, engineers have tuned the V35A for 416 horsepower. In the Land Cruiser 300, it makes 409 horsepower.

In the 2022 Toyota Tundra, the V35A is advertised as the i-FORCE engine. It makes 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of toque.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra hybrid

For the first time in years, Toyota will offer the Tundra with multiple powertrains. Customers can buy the 2022 Toyota Tundra with either the turbocharged V6 or an all-new hybrid drivetrain. The Hybrid drivetrain is branded as the Toyota Tundra i-FORCE MAX and appears to be an upsell of the standard drivetrain.

With the addition of an electric motor, the i-FORCE MAX makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft. of torque. The 2022 Toyota Tundra hybrid’s max towing capacity is 12,000 pounds.

Ram offers its Ram 1500 with mild-hybrid drivetrains. But mild-hybrids only feature a starter engine that can roll the vehicle a few feet and do regenerative braking. The Ford Maverick is a full-hybrid but a small, midsize truck. The only full-size hybrid pickup currently available is the Ford F-150.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra rides on rear coil springs

Toyota is also aiming to consolidate its chassis technology. The result is the Toyota New Global Architecture system. All new full-frame vehicles will ride on the TNGA-F chassis. The only vehicle currently leveraging the TNGA-F chassis is the Land Cruiser 300 series.

This new frame is both more rigid and lighter than the outgoing frame. The latest Land Rover is 441 pounds lighter than its predecessor. Toyota says it also has a lower center of gravity and flexes less. The 2021 Toyota Tundra’s specs should improve as well.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra features rear coil springs, a favorite of extreme off-road trucks such as the Ford Raptor. Finally, the top-trim Toyota Tundra TRD Pro comes with FOX Racing shocks with piggyback reservoirs.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra will also offer a new Multi Terrain Select (MTS) dial, allowing drivers to select a driving mode. These modes include Crawl Control (CRAWL) and Tow/Haul. The new Tundra will come loaded with multiple driver assist technologies, including a mode to make connecting to a trailer much easier.

The 2022 Tundra hybrid brings back favorite features and adds next-gen options

Toyota’s teaser photos show a Tundra with a much larger infotainment center than the 2021’s 8-inch screen. The new Tundra’s screen will be one of the largest in the segment: 14 inches. The infotainment center will be loaded with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. In addition, some models of the truck will feature wireless charging capability.

A favorite Toyota fan feature is the roll-up rear window. The 2022 Toyota Tundra will retain its powered rear cab window. Some models will also receive a powered, panoramic glass sunroof.