How the Toyota Tundra 2022 Compares to Other Full-Size Pickups

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• The Toyota Tundra 2022 has been upgraded for its third generation to compete with rival full-size trucks.

• When the Tundra goes on sale later this year, it will compete with trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, Nissan Titan, and Ram 1500.

• It features a new hybrid engine, similar to the new Ford F-150 PowerBoost, and coil springs in the back, as does the Ram 1500.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra, the only other non-American pickup truck outside the Nissan Titan, is storming back into the half-ton truck market. Unlike the old Titan, the Tundra has undergone a slew of upgrades that should help it compete with industry stalwarts like the 10Best-winning Ram 1500, the Ford F-150, and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Instead of the i-Force Max hybrid, we’ll evaluate the four-wheel-drive non-hybrid version in a crew-cab configuration with a standard bed and wheelbase to the most similarly equipped rivals.

Powertrains

The 5.7-litre V-8 engine that powered this truck’s predecessor is no longer available in 2022. In its place comes a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V-6 that generates 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, outperforming the previous engine’s power and torque numbers. As a result, it has one of the most twitchy powertrains in the category. An identically outfitted F-150 with the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V-6 engine produces slightly more power, with 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. The Ram 1500, Silverado 1500, and Nissan Titan are all still powered by naturally aspirated V-8 engines. The Ram has a 5.7-litre engine that generates 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, the Silverado 1500 employs a 6.2-litre that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet, and the Titan employs a 5.6-litre that generates 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet. Both the F-150 and Tundra are available with hybrid powertrains that use an electric motor between the engine and gearbox. The F-150 PowerBoost has a combined output of 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. With 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, the Tundra i-Force Max outperforms the PowerBoost.

The single gearbox choice for any of the trucks in this category is a traditional torque-converter automatic. The Tundra, F-150, and Silverado all have 10-speed automatic transmissions, with the Tundra’s gearbox being all-new for this generation and having a sequential shift mode. The Titan features a nine-speed transmission, whereas the Ram 1500 has an eight-speed transmission.

The use of a coil-spring multilink system in the rear, rather than the old-school leaf springs, is one of the most important changes for the new Tundra. We’re curious to see how it compares against the Ram, the only other vehicle in the category that can be similarly outfitted. The Tundra may be equipped with air springs on the rear axle. Electronically controlled adaptive dampers are another first for the Tundra. The Silverado is the only other vehicle with such a feature. The Titan, Silverado, and F-150 all utilize leaf springs, but we wouldn’t be shocked if additional manufacturers ditch the leaf spring in the near future in order to modernize and compete.

Hauling and Towing

Regarding towing and payload, the Tundra lags well below its American rivals, although it’s not as bad as the Nissan Titan. With a maximum towing capability of 12,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,940 pounds, it outperforms the Nissan Titan (9310/1650) but falls short of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (13,300/2280), Ford F-150 (14,000/2980), and Ram 1500 (12,750/2320). However, anything above 10,000 pounds should be more than adequate for the typical truck buyer.

Entering the House

The inside of the Tundra will get a few technology upgrades over the previous model, including an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a standard 14.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Both the Ford and Ram feature optional 12.0-inch touchscreens, with the Silverado just receiving a 13.4-inch one. A panoramic sunroof, ventilated and heated seats and a heated steering wheel are among the possible options. All of these features are excellent additions, given the growing demand for luxury as more people purchase trucks as daily vehicles.