The all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone comes only as a hybrid and now we know its price, fuel economy ratings, and how it tows on California highways and roads. Here is the first-drive review.
Before we get to the Capstone towing review, here are the specs on the long-awaited Tundra hybrid. The new I-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain will only be available in the Limited, Platinum, 1794, TRD Pro, and Capstone trim levels. The hybrid is not currently slated to be in the Tundra SR works truck or the SR5 trim. This is a bummer because it also makes the entry price to the Tundra Hybrid more expensive.
Toyota Tundra Hybrid – Price
The Tundra Limited hybrid crew cab 2WD starts at an MSRP of $52,300. It means the 437 hp, 583 lb-ft of torque gas/electric hybrid costs $3,400 extra for the Limited trim level. The Limited 4×4 model starts at $55,300. The hybrid powertrain is available only in the crew cab configuration, but you can have it with either a 5.5-ft or a 6.5-ft bed.
How does it compare against the 2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid? Ford offers its 3.5-liter twin-turbo gas/electric hybrid starting with the most basic F-150 XL crew cab 2WD. This one starts at an MSRP of $43,890. The Ford hybrid truck undercuts the Tundra hybrid by around $8,410.
Toyota Tundra Hybrid – MPG
How efficient is it? Toyota rates the new Tundra hybrid 2WD at 20 mpg city / 24 mpg highway / 22 mpg combined. The Tundra hybrid 4×4 is rated at 19 mpg / 22 mpg / 21 mpg respectively. The 2022 Tundra TRD Pro off-road model (hybrid) has its own MPG rating of 19 mpg / 21 mpg / 20 mpg.
These ratings are significantly lower than those of the 2022 F-150 Hybrid. The EPA rates the F-150 hybrid 2WD at 25 mpg combined and the F-150 hybrid 4×4 at 23 mpg combined.
We will have to put the new Tundra Hybrid on our MPG loop to figure out exactly what it’s like in the real world and how it compares against competition.
Tundra Capstone – Towing Review
Toyota is positioning the new hybrid powertrain as its premium choice. The all-new Capstone trim is the most luxurious Tundra ever made. You may even say – it’s a Lexus of pickup trucks. This Tundra has a premium and understated exterior trim. It has a luxurious interior with top-quality leather that is also used in some Lexus vehicles. It’s rolling on 22-inch wheels and it’s rated to tow up to 10,340 lbs.
At this first-drive event (set up by Toyota), they provided a nearly 5,000 lbs Airstream camping trailer for us to tow. The GVWR of the trailer was listed at 4,750 lbs and the logistics people said that the trailer had water on board and was loaded nearly to the maximum. Still, the Tundra made short work of this trailer. When the Tundra’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 combines with the electric motor in Tow/Haul mode, the acceleration is brisk and smooth. The Tundra’s new chassis and suspension are very stable, and this smaller trailer did not tax the new hybrid.
The Tundra Capstone that I drove was equipped with optional rear air suspension with a self-leveling feature. It was simply a joy to pull a trailer with.
Please stay tuned as we plan to put the new Tundra Hybrid to the ultimate test on the Ike Gauntlet and our MPG loops.
