The all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra will go on sale later this year, and pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

Twin-turbo powertrains

The all-new Tundra will offer two powertrain options: a twin-turbo V6 engine and a hybrid twin-turbo V6.

What may be surprising to some is the hybrid powertrain will be the most powerful of the two. Mated to both engines will be a 10-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECTi). The new 10-speed features a sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic, and TOW/HAUL driving modes.

Calling the twin-turbo V6 a “base” engine just doesn’t seem right. Its aluminum block features a displacement of 3,445 cc via an 85.5 mm bore and 100 mm stroke. The 24-valve, Dual Overhead Cam V6 is chain-driven and features Dual VVTi systems.

i-FORCE MAX powertrain

• 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm
• 583 lb.-ft. of torque at only 2,400 rpm

The new i-FORCE MAX relies on the same twin-turbo V6 platform but features a unique attribute – a motor-generator with a clutch located within the bell housing between the engine and 10-speed automatic transmission.

Using the SPORT or SPORT+ settings under Drive Mode Select, i-FORCE MAX makes use of the electric motor’s instantaneous responsiveness.

Although the electric motor does the bulk of the work at lower speeds, once above 29 km/h, the gasoline engine is constantly in operation for excellent performance in the mid and high-speed range.

When in TOW/HAUL mode, the i-FORCE MAX system is constantly in operation to provide acceleration and torque for towing needs.

Multi-link rear suspension

The most noteworthy change to handling and performance is the new multi-link rear suspension, which ditches leaf springs in favour of coil springs.

The overall structure of the new frame and the multi-link rear suspension allowed engineers to adjust the placement of the shock absorbers, which are mounted outside the frame rails for improved efficiency and enhancement to roll damping and towing performance. And, as one more good measure, the lateral control arm provides increased lateral rigidity.

Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system is also available for the first time on Tundra. It is designed to adjust damping force based on ever-changing road conditions, whether it be a large pothole, bump, or small rock.

The linear-solenoid-type AVS features built-in actuators in the front and rear shock absorbers to continuously change damping force based on the conditions, all to enhance the handling, stability, and comfort of the new Tundra.

Towing capacity

The maximum towing capacity for Tundra increases 17.6 percent over the previous generation to 12,000 pounds (5,540 kg). The maximum payload increases to 1,940 pounds (880 kg), which is an improvement of more than 11 percent compared to the previous generation.

First off, two new Tow/Haul modes are available on Tundra.

• Standard Tow/Haul mode: increases throttle response and is ideal for lighter to moderate needs, such as small box trailers, utility trailers or small boats.
• Tow/Haul+ mode: throttle response is more aggressive for situations when towing larger trailers such as RVs, larger box trailers or larger boats.

On the i-FORCE MAX powertrains, not only is the electric motor constantly in operation for immediate responsiveness when needed but the Stop and Start functions are also deactivated so as not to inhibit performance.

Several new cameras are employed on Tundra, displaying multiple exterior angles that are viewable from the available 14-inch touchscreen or the available rearview mirror camera accessory.

Multi-Terrain Monitor is available to allow the driver to check the immediate surroundings for potential obstacles by simply pressing a button for front-, rear- and side-camera views on the display.

Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), which uses cameras to display a top-down view of the truck on the available 14-inch monitor for added visibility. Views include the rear truck bed to check on cargo, a rear split view to show what’s nearby on each side of the trailer, and a hitch view to assist with trailer connecting.

The new mirrors are heated, feature an integrated turn signal and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) notification, and they also house the cameras for the PVM/MTM systems.

Trailer Back Guidance aids in the overall maneuvering of trailers, while the Straight Path Assist feature is designed to ensure your truck and trailer will back up in a straight line. The available 360-degree cameras aid with visibility and tough-to-see areas around the truck and trailer.

TSS 2.5 standard safety features

Every Tundra will come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 on every single grade –  from SR up to 1794 and TRD Pro.

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) is designed to detect an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian when performing a left-hand turn and provide audio/visual alerts and automatic braking in certain conditions.

Additional PCS functions include emergency steering assist, which is designed to stabilize the driver’s emergency steering maneuvers within their lane while avoiding a preceding pedestrian, bicyclist, or vehicle.

Lane Departure Alert notifies the driver via an audible alert if it senses the vehicle is leaving the lane without engaging a turn signal.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is set and engaged, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) is designed to assist the driver by providing a slight steering force to help centre the vehicle in its lane using visible lane markers or a preceding vehicle.

Automatic High Beams are designed to detect preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switch between high beam and low beam headlights.

Road Sign Assist (RSA) is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display them on the multi-information display (MID).

In addition to the TSS 2.5 system, other standard safety features include:

• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM): detects vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes.
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA): detects vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting you with a visual and audible warning.
• Parking Support Brake: designed to implement brake control when there’s a possibility of a collision with a stationary object, approaching vehicle, or while parking.

Plenty of options

The 2022 Toyota Tundra will be offered in two four-door options: Double Cab and CrewMax.

Double Cab models will be offered with the choice of a 6.5-foot bed or an 8.1-ft bed. CrewMax models will be offered with either a 5.5-ft bed or a new 6.5-ft bed.

The grade breakdown for Tundra offers  SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum and 1794 available. TRD Pro will also return to the Tundra lineup, but it will only be offered with the i-FORCE MAX powertrain, whereas i-FORCE MAX will be an option on Limited, Platinum and 1794.

The TRD Off-Road Package is available on SR5, Limited and 1794 models, and it includes 18-inch TRD wheels (unique 20-inch wheels on Limited and 1794), TRD grille, TRD off-road suspension, skid plates, mudguards, and TRD leather shift knob, while 4×4 models will also gain electronic rear differential lock, Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), and Crawl Control.

The TRD Sport package is also available on 4×4 SR5 models in CrewMax and Double Cab configurations. It includes the addition of 20-inch TRD wheels, TRD grille, TRD lowered sport suspension and a TRD leather shift knob.