After much fanfare and more leaks than Toyota would probably prefer, the new 2022 Tundra has been announced and is about to hit showroom floors. Given that the last time the Tundra was fully redesigned was in 2007, we feel that Toyota had plenty of time to get the next iteration practically perfect. Fifteen years to be exact. But now that the details are out, we see that the V8 which has always been offered on the Tundra is no more.
Now there are only two V6 options available. Both of them being twin turbos. The more powerful of the two is boosted by an electric motor as well. The problem that we run into is that the Tundra with the classic V8 had a major cult following.
Those who have been fiercely loyal to the Toyota brand and Tundras in particular now are wondering if this new powerplant can live up the true Tundra reputation.
It isn’t necessarily the problem that Toyota has gone with a smaller engine – we’re all for more efficiency. But a lot of other automakers offer a variety of engines that still often include an optional V8 for those who still want it.
Has Toyota foolishly placed all their eggs in one basket, or can they prove a truck doesn’t need a V8 to be tough?
Are More Turbos Better Than More Cylinders?
Toyota has been pioneering hybrid technology for decades now. This tech has found its way into most of Toyota’s lineup at this stage, so it makes sense that it would eventually make its way into more offerings like the Tundra. Toyota has been so committed to the hybrids that they have been pushing back at the prospect of electric vehicles being introduced at a fast pace. But with only six-cylinder engines offered, does that alienate those who appreciate a V8 in their truck?
There is also the fact that the outgoing V8 in the Tundras were practically bulletproof. There are countless examples of these Tundras going beyond a million miles. A big selling point for Toyotas is that they have impeccable reliability. We have a hard time believing that these new engines will be terribly unreliable, but at the same time some customers may mistrust this new technology.
Toyota also has to do away with the stigma of a hybrid. This stigma is not as bad as it has been in the past, but it is still generally the same setup as a Prius. Last time we checked the target customers for the Prius and the Tundra don't overlap.
Impressive claims have been made with the new hybrid system in the Tundra though. It has better power with it being rated at 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. This is compared to the existing 381 hp and 401 lb-ft torque. Official mpg ratings for the hybrid have not been announced yet but it is safe to say that they will also be an improvement.
It appears that Toyota executives have a high level of confidence in these two engines given that they are starting to appear in all their premium offerings. We first saw a twin turbo with the redesign of the Lexus’ flagship vehicle the LS. Since then, we have also seen it in the redesigned Land Cruiser and its corporate twin the Lexus LX.
Along with the Tundra, these are all heavy hitters in the world of Toyota and Lexus. Given that a lot of time and effort are given into these vehicles may bring some peace of mind to customers that this V6 is up to the job.
The Tundra’s V6 Hybrid Vs The Rest
As it was noted earlier, most of the Tundra’s competition gives more choice in the powertrain department. In the case of the Chevrolet Silverado, you can choose anything form a four-cylinder turbo to a V8. Ford will also offer a couple turbo V6s in their F-150 and a V8. Ram takes a V8 in a truck to a whole new level with the supercharged TRX.
The hybrid Tundra can still hold its ground given that it is on par with other hybrids in the segment. It has an extra 7 horsepower on the F-150 hybrid which puts out 430 ponies. It beats the 310 hp 4-cylinder Silverado in power as well and surely will rival it in efficiency once the official numbers are released.
Other trucks on the market can all make the Tundra as if it is quite limited in what it brings to the table. There are so many other engines and combinations out there. But Toyota knows you don’t need so many choices if the few ones available are the best ones. Big engines are becoming a thing of the past and the new Tundra proves that you can still have just as much fun with a hybrid.