Written by Marco Carvajal
2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax
The Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax I am driving is a very efficient off-road heavy-duty pickup truck ready to drive on any road and in any weather condition, with no limits.
The starting price of $35K makes it a very affordable pickup truck. But you can go all-features to the top-of-the-line Tundra TRD Pro for $67K or Tundra Capstone for $74K.
The Tundra 4×4 is your right arm with enough power to go anywhere, to drive anywhere. Onboard a Tundra you feel like Superhero, your body is so strong and you have the huge power of 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque pulling the Tundra on the most difficult roads
The Tundra is the Bulldog of pickup trucks, don’t mess with a Tundra….it is tough and powerful.
Toyota has recently made several key changes to Tundra, improving on-road performance, replacing the traditional rear suspension commonly found on full-size trucks due to its durability and toughness, with modern coil springs in the rear, providing a smoother ride.
The 2022 Tundra has the strength and torque for any difficult task, whether you’re working hard or enjoying traveling with the family. The new Toyota Tundra has been redesigned for 2022, Toyota’s full-size pickup new third generation is a welcome successor to the long-running second generation built from 2007 through 2021.
The Tundra has received many updates over the recent years, including a new more attractive look and a list of modern safety equipment. But the reality is that it is the same strong pickup truck we know for more than a decade.
The Tundra is proudly assembled in the United States, in San Antonio, Texas, where production was consolidated in 2008 and is the only full-size pickup made in Texas.
The redesigned 2022 Toyota Tundra is the third generation full-size pickup Truck made in Texas. The new Tundra is a well-rounded and reliable truck for the money, but competition is not easy, with the three pickup trucks from Detroit, long contenders, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500.
Maximum Towing of up to 12,000 Lbs
Whether you’re towing your trailer or taking the ATVs out to the desert, Tundra helps you haul with confidence with maximum Towing of up to 12,000 Lbs. More than you will ever need.
Test Driving the Tundra TRD PRO
The Tundra Limited trim includes the premium JBL audio system, wireless smartphone charging, rear door sunshades, panoramic moonroof, in-cab, and in-bed domestic-style power outlets. The TRD Pro model I am test driving is similarly equipped as the Limited version, but is optimized for rough terrain. It also gets 18-inch TRD wheels with all-terrain tires (33-inch tires), 1.1-inch front suspension lift, skid plates, Fox suspension shocks, and a rear limited-slip differential among many generous features.
Styles and Options
The 2022 Toyota Tundra is a four-door pickup offered in different configurations, including the Extended Cab (Double Cab) and Crew Cab (CrewMax) configurations, with a short bed and long bed option for each model.
There are seven trim levels to choose from: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and Capstone, I am test driving the The TRD pro.
Premium JBL premium audio system, wireless smartphone charger, rear door sunshades, moonroof panoramic seats, home-style power outlets in cab and bed, trailer backrest guidance system.
The Tundra, just like the Ram 1500 and F-150 Raptor, are the only trucks in this class to use rear coilovers. There’s also a new frame design to improve the truck’s strength and capacity.
Many features found on the higher models are available on the lower models as options. TRD Off-Road, off-road suspension, fenders, skid plates Locking rear diff, multi-terrain driving modes, crawl control (4WD only), rear air suspension with load leveling, tuned suspension shocks.
Fuel Consumption: 20 mpg city / 24 mpg highway (V6)
interior style
Seat comfort and interior sound levels have been improved, leaving a comfortable pickup truck feel for long distances for front and rear passengers. Tundra’s simple interior design and overall ease of use leave a lasting impression.
When equipped with the panoramic moonroof and exclusive full-width power rear window, Tundra feels downright airy and spacious. Even with the Tundra’s big hood, forward visibility is generally good. But the truck’s thick windshield pillars can easily block your view on two-lane roads.
The Tundra uses its space well. There’s a massive center console big enough for multiple mid-size laptops. The door pockets are large and equipped for large beverage containers. Tundra’s maximum payload capacity is competitive. Bed load height is high. It allows for plenty of storage options in the rear interior, for items you’d rather not put on the bed.
Storage under the rear seat is generous, as is small-item storage for front passengers. In this regard, Detroit pickups are more generous.
As for the interior, the comfort of the seats and the low noise levels make it a pleasant vehicle to cover long distances for front and rear passengers.
When equipped with the panoramic moonroof and exclusive full-width power rear window, Tundra feels truly spacious. A large 14-inch touch screen stands out, which also has sharp graphics and various on-screen menus that are very easy to use.
There’s a center console big enough for multiple laptops. Door pockets are equipped for large beverage containers. Storage under the rear seat is generous, as is small-item storage for front passengers.
Performance
The Tundra is supercharged by the i-FORCE Twin-Turbo V6 Engine.
The new 2022 Tundra comes with equipped with a powerful turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It’s connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the latter with low-range gearing.
The new Electrified i-FORCE MAX Powertrain is better than we anticipated. Tundra’s available i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain generates an electrifying 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque.
Optional on Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition trims and standard on TRD Pro and Capstone is the same engine, but paired with a battery-electric hybrid system. This powertrain has a combined output of 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. With its standard V6 engine and 4WD CrewMax setup, it’s rated to tow 11,120 pounds.
The Tundra’s maximum towing and hauling capacities of 12,000 pounds aren’t class-leading, but they’re certainly good enough for what most owners will do with their trucks. A bolstered composite bed is standard.
Driving on the highway the V6 sounds appropriately loud for a full-size truck, though it’s less loud than the old-generation V8.
There’s a substantial amount of torque available, even at low revs, and the 10-speed automatic shifts quickly and smoothly. That power makes it easy to merge into traffic and pass on the open road without a second thought. The brake is equally solid.
Toyota also made several key changes to the Tundra’s underpinnings that improve on-road performance. It replaced the traditional leaf spring rear suspension, commonly found on full-size trucks due to its durability and toughness, with modern coil springs in the rear for a smoother ride. Light, precise steering makes it easy to steer the truck down tight country lanes, and it can feel like the smallest Tacoma at times. This is a big truck, and its long wheelbase means the underbody can easily snag on seemingly easy obstacles.
The TRD model adds Bilstein shocks for better off-road performance, though you won’t notice much of a difference in ride and handling on pavement. The TRD handles high-speed ruts and crests with a bit more body control than the base setup. The truck is great on dirt roads, although it does feel a little bumpier on the highway compared to the stock suspension.
This Tundra outperforms the previous generation like overnight, and while its reliability is its forte, it should continue to fight in a segment dominated by the Detroit three.
Technology and Safety Systems
The Tundra’s optional 14-inch touchscreen is a nice feature, as it has sharp graphics and its various on-screen menus are easy to use.
Some smartphone users may prefer the native setup over standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for most features. The JBL audio system is decent.
The Tundra comes with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front knee airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags that cover both rows.
It comes standard with features like adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane departure monitoring. Adds forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control.
A rearview camera is standard, while parking sensors, and a blind-spot monitoring system with cross-traffic alert, are optional.
The Platinum model’s 360-degree camera system gives you an immersive view of the Tundra and its surroundings for tight parking situations.
Features like: TRD Off-Road, off-road suspension, fenders, skid plates, locking rear diff, multi-terrain riding modes, crawl control (4WD only), rear air suspension with load leveling, tuned suspension shocks.
Tundra gets a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 making 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the latter with low-range gearing.
This powertrain has a combined output of 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque.
With its standard V6 engine and 4WD configuration, the CrewMax version is rated to tow 11,120 pounds.
