Toyota Tundra is the future of the half-ton pickup truck. The Japanese engineered, Texas-manufactured truck is taking the market by storm. One of the secrets to the third-generation Tundra’s success is its technologically-advanced engine. This twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter Tundra V6 makes more power than the outgoing V8 and rivals the Tacoma in fuel efficiency. Will this next-gen engine revolutionize the Tacoma next?

	2022 Toyota Tacoma	2022 Toyota Tundra
Engine	2.7-liter I4 or 3.5-liter V6	3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6
V6 Output	278 horsepower 265 lb-ft of torque @4,600 RPM	389 horsepower 479 lb-ft of torque
Transmission	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual	10-speed automatic
MPG	2WD: 21 combined (19 city/24 highway) 4WD: 20 combined (18 city/22 highway)	2WD: 20 combined (18 city/24 highway) 4WD: 19 combined (17 city/22 highway)
Tow Rating	6,800 pounds maximum	12,000 pounds maximum

The 2022 Toyota Tundra’s iFORCE V8

Toyota fans have waited 14 years for the third generation of the Tundra. The 2022 truck does not disappoint. One of the most dramatic departures is Toyota’s decision to toss its naturally-aspirated 5.7-liter V8. In its place, an all-new Toyota engine will power every Tundra.

Toyota’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 is the flagship engine of its Dynamic Force engine family. These engines leverage Toyota technology such as VVT-i for precise control of the combustion process and to make unprecedented compression. The 3.5 has powered the Lexus LS 500 since 2017. In this sports car, it makes 416 horsepower.

When Toyota adapted its TT 3.5 for the Tundra truck, it tuned the engine to make maximum torque at low rpms. The resulting powerplant makes 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. All of this torque is available from 2,000 rpms.

The powerful engine bumps the Tundra’s towing capacity to a maximum of 12,000 pounds. It also drops the truck’s 0-60 time (as tested by Car and Driver) to 5.7 seconds.

Toyota paired the new Tundra engine with a 10-speed automatic. As a result, the full-size truck gets better highway mileage than most configurations of the Tacoma.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra’s top-trim engine will be the iFORCE MAX hybrid

Toyota’s top-trim Tundra V6 will be a hybrid engine. The automaker paired its TT 3.5 V6 with an electric engine and nickel battery. The resulting drivetrain makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. For those keeping track at home, that’s more torque than a Ford Raptor. And the new Tundra is faster than the Ford Raptor too.

After hearing numbers like these, most Tacoma fans will only have one question: “When can I order the turbocharged V6 in my truck?”

Toyota unlikely to change engine options before the Tacoma’s next generation

Unfortunately for Tacoma fans, the 2022 Tundra’s V6 is very different from the Tacoma V6. The Tacoma’s 3.5 liter V6 is a naturally-aspirated engine from Toyota’s GR engine family. The new twin-turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 in the 2022 Tundra is from the new Dynamic Force engine family.

Toyota’s new Dynamic Force engine family is part of Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) initiative. The 2022 Tundra rides on the TNGA-F chassis, designed for all future full-frame vehicles. The TNGA-F chassis first appeared under the new Land Cruiser 300 series (not available in the U.S), then the new Lexus LX 600.

This new chassis incorporates rear coil springs and available auto-leveling air suspension. In addition, the TNGA-F chassis drops weight with a fully-boxed frame. Toyota engineered the new twin-turbocharged 3.5 V6 and the TNGA-F chassis in conjunction.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma does not ride on the TNGA-F chassis. The mid-size truck offers a traditional ladder frame and rear leaf springs. In addition, the current Tacoma is not designed for the new Dynamic Force engines.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra actually highlights just how the current Tacoma is outdated. But until Toyota unveils the next-generation Tacoma, chances are that you will not be able to order one with the powerful new Tundra engine.