Toyota has lastly launched a correct luxurious pickup. It comes within the type of the full-size 2022 Tundra Capstone, which can be powered by a brand new hybrid powertrain.
I bought behind the wheel of some of the 2022 Toyota Tundras early this yr. I already reviewed the brand new Tundra TRD Professional, and now it’s time to take a look on the different hybrid mannequin within the Toyota pickup lineup, the super-luxurious Tundra Capstone.
Each of those fashions of the all-new Tundra can be found with one powertrain, the i-Drive Max hybrid, and one base configuration, the 4×4 CrewMax short-bed (5.5 ft). All 2022 Tundras with the i-Drive Max hybrid powertrain have CrewMax cabs as a result of the area below the rear seats is required for the battery pack. However, some fashions are available 4×2 and in addition supply an extended mattress possibility, at 6.5 ft.
Right here, we’ll dive into what this new hybrid powertrain and the posh 2022 Tundra Capstone are all about, each on paper and from behind the steering wheel.
Toyota i-Drive Max Hybrid Powertrain
All new for the 2022 Tundra and 2023 Sequoia is the i-Drive Max hybrid powertrain. The system is a one-motor/parallel hybrid system, with an electrical motor/generator positioned between the three.5L V6 twin-turbo engine, derived from the Lexus LS sedan, and a 10-speed computerized transmission. The system additionally makes use of a 288V, 1.87 kWh, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack that lives below the again seat.
The driving pressure behind this technique is to provide easy, constant energy from the second you press the thin pedal. Optimized low-end torque particularly is tremendous helpful to truck customers, whether or not towing, hauling a heavy load, or tackling an off-road impediment. The concept was to supply the advantages and driving expertise of a diesel truck with out all of the black smoke, vibrations, loud exhaust, and DEF fluid.
The 2022 Tundra i-Drive Max powertrain places out 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. These are really spectacular figures for a half-ton full-size truck.
A lot Improved Gasoline Economic system
Whereas gas economic system is on everybody’s minds, it isn’t the driving pressure behind this hybrid system. With this technique, you don’t get an all-EV driving mode.
Toyota estimates that you simply’ll get 19 mpg metropolis and 22 freeway (official EPA numbers aren’t in but). With that mentioned, it’s a appreciable enchancment over the dismal 13/17 that the 2021 5.7L V8 Tundra bought.
2022 Tundra Capstone Evaluation
The 2022 Tundra Capstone is the head of Toyota truck opulence. It comes with practically the whole lot on supply as customary, with solely exterior paint coloration to decide on and the choice of Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with Load-Leveling Rear Top Management Air Suspension.
The Capstone is about luxurious, functionality, and luxury. You get issues like a 14-inch touchscreen, two-tone semi-aniline leather-trimmed 10-way power-adjustable seating, power-retractable working boards, energy mattress step, numerous inside accent lighting, acoustic entrance aspect home windows, a 10-inch coloration heads-up show, 22-inch wheels, numerous chrome, and a complete lot extra.
Pricing for the 2022 Tundra Capstone begins at $73,530.
Tundra Capstone Driving Impressions
Smash the thin pedal on the brand new Tundra Capstone, and the truck roars off the road with authority and gathers velocity rapidly. There’s a little bit of an influence lag early, however near-instant torque. It’s because the engine must activate and spool up the turbos, whereas the electrical motor kicks in straight away.
Moreover that little lag upon exhausting acceleration from a cease, you’ll be able to hardly ever inform if the engine is on or off, as the beginning/cease characteristic is sort of seamless and essentially the most unobtrusive I’ve skilled. I additionally discovered it tremendous spectacular how easy and constant the ability band is, because the EV system fills within the deficiencies within the fuel motor’s energy supply.
There’s additionally little or no throttle enter delay, particularly in Sport and Sport+ driving modes. The Capstone provides six completely different driving modes to select from; Eco, Consolation, Regular, Sport, Sport+, and Customized. I very a lot admire that after I informed the truck to go, it didn’t give it some thought and simply did because it was informed.
Comparable may be mentioned for the brakes. The f-wheel disk brakes are agency, linear, and confidence-inspiring.
The digital power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system was a bit numb however very exact for an enormous truck. The turning radius was noticeably poor and is rated at 24.3 ft within the Capstone, in 3.4 turns lock-to-lock. This makes it really feel like an excellent larger truck than it truly is.
Tundra Capstone Suspension
I can’t say that I’m an enormous fan of the adaptive dampers and rear airbags that the Capstone I drove had below it. I discovered the experience to be a bit harsh for such a luxurious truck. The usual monotube shocks would possibly present a greater experience, and I do know the Fox shocks on the TRD Professional for certain did.
The general suspension geometry is spectacular although, with unbiased double-wishbone entrance suspension and a multi-link rear suspension with outboard-mounted coil springs. This is identical setup you’ll discover underpinning the brand new Land Cruiser — which we received’t get within the U.S. — and 2023 Sequoia, as all are based mostly on the identical boxed metal chassis.
Carry the Toys Alongside
The Tundra Capstone can be arrange properly to tow. It has every kind of towing techniques baked proper in, like a Trailer Backup Information system with Straight Path Help, tons of digicam views, and an built-in trailer brake controller.
I towed a 4,500-pound Airstream trailer with the Capstone and located that you simply knew the load was again there, however the powertrain, brakes, suspension, and trailering techniques had been all as much as the job of dealing with it with ease. The 2022 Tundra Capstone is rated to tow as much as 11,170 kilos.
Whereas I didn’t get an opportunity to see how the hybrid truck dealt with carrying a heavy load, the 2022 Tundra Capstone provides a 1,485-pound payload capability.
Luxurious Cabin Life
Behind the wheel of the Tundra Capstone is a extremely comfy and good place to be. I used to be impressed with all of the touchpoints within the truck, from the open-pore walnut trim to the leather-wrapped the whole lot. The one touchpoint I wasn’t a fan of was the heated steering wheel, with its perforated-leather materials. Whereas it supplied good grip, it felt extra industrial and fewer luxurious than I’d count on on this truck.
The super-adjustable, heated and cooled, perforated two-tone leather-based seats are agency however comfy, and supply nice lumbar help. The seat bolsters are additionally extra aggressive than discovered on different full-size American pickups, which my skinny physique appreciated. I have a tendency to slip round in an enormous truck like this, however didn’t as badly within the new Tundra.
Contained in the cabin, you hear the engine’s turbos greater than you would possibly need to. However in any other case, it’s a reasonably quiet place to be. That’s, except you’re below exhausting acceleration. Then, the spectacular JBL audio system helps pipe in exhaust/engine noise into the cabin — fairly seamlessly, I’d add. All of the noise isn’t artificial, nevertheless, because the exhaust sounds good each inside and outdoors of the truck.
Capstone Cabin Controls
I used to be an enormous fan of the large 14-inch touchscreen on the sprint, because it was tremendous simple to learn even with polarized sun shades and had a fast response time to inputs. I wasn’t, nevertheless, an enormous fan of the driving force’s gauge cluster.
Whereas it displayed a ton of nice information, and in good decision, I discovered it to be overly busy and a bit distracting from the street when looking for data on it. I’d guess that you simply’d get accustomed to the format of information and over time, it will turn into much less of a difficulty.
I did like that there are exhausting buttons for issues just like the local weather controls. Sadly, the local weather management buttons are a bit exhausting to learn except in direct daylight, as they’re dimly backlit and on a really shiny floor.
Beneath the local weather controls is a vertical wi-fi charging pad that securely holds quite a lot of smartphones in a really handy location.
Rear Seat Life
The Capstone is simply as good for passengers as it’s for the driving force. The rear seats supply tons of legroom and are heated and cooled. Rear seat passengers additionally get built-in sunshades within the rear aspect home windows. USB and 110V plugs are additionally on supply on the again of the middle console for straightforward entry by rear seat passengers.
Avenue Appears, Actual Work Capabilities
The entrance finish of the Tundra Capstone encompasses a huge chrome grille with a color-matched encompass and a blue-accented Toyota brand. Distinctive LED headlights and built-in fog lamps assist outline the front-end look.
Large Capstone badges on the entrance doorways make sure that everybody is aware of precisely what you’re driving. Intricate, huge 22-inch chrome wheels let you recognize this truck is designed for the road.
Whereas the mattress on the Capstone is just 5.5 ft lengthy, it’s nonetheless set as much as do work. The composite liner is able to take no matter you’ll be able to throw at it. The mattress even provides adjustable tie-down factors, lighting, and 110V energy.
Accessing the truck mattress has by no means been simpler both. The Capstone has a tailgate launch bump swap positioned within the driver’s aspect taillight. On prime of that, because the tailgate drops, a powered mattress step extends from below the nook of the truck.
As with most Tundras, the again of the cab has a single-piece energy sliding rear window. It is a nice characteristic you don’t see in a lot of the competitors.
2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Toyota expects solely about 5% of all new Tundra gross sales to be the posh Capstone mannequin. Nonetheless, having this pinnacle luxurious pickup within the lineup helps patrons aspire to personal a Tundra. We’ll must see how this mannequin helps elevate gross sales throughout all Tundra fashions. For all issues Toyota Tundra, take a look at Toyota’s web site.
