Ever since Toyota revealed the 2022 Toyota Tundra, I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about everything from the engine to the grille. I may have even been a part of the grille contingent.
But curiously, a new argument has popped up about this new Tundra being smaller than the previous model. With the trend of everything getting bigger, I’m not sure how that even got started. So, I figured it might be worth doing a spec-by-spec comparison to show how much better (and bigger) this new truck actually is – looks notwithstanding.
Yeah, that base V-6 has more power than the old V-8
I get it. There is something special about a V-8. From the way it sounds to the way it feels when you stomp your foot down on the gas pedal. It’s like the power courses up through your toes all the way to your heart.
And while Toyota did kill the V-8 (the last 2021 V-8 rolled off the line last week), the V-6 is no slouch. In fact, it gets 8 more horsepower than the V-8, and 78 more pound-feet of torque. Plus, fuel economy is better as well. That seems like a win-win-win proposition.
And that’s without discussing the hybrid i-Force Max powertrain that gets better power numbers than all the other V-8 engines still in full-size trucks (except the Ram TRX, no one beats the TRX). While those fuel economy numbers are TBD, you can bet your bottom dollar, they’ll be solidly in the 20-MPG range for combined driving.
2022 Tundra is pretty close to the 2021 Tundra size-wise
Sizing up the specs for both the 2021 and 2022 trucks, you can see the new truck is larger in several measurements – even if it’s only by 0.3 of an inch. So, even though the wheelbase for both trucks is exactly the same, the length of the 2022 Tundra is 4.7 inches greater. It’s also wider and taller.
Areas where the 2022 model is tad smaller: Bed length, width and depth as well as passenger volume. But those numbers aren’t hugely different, staying within an inch of previous measurements.
One measurement is truly different, however: Seating capacity. Previously, you could get a bench seat in the front to seat up to six people. Now, the only option is the front bucket seats, so seating decreases to 5.
The new truck is more capable than the old truck, but …
In addition to better tow ratings and increased payload, the 2022 Tundra has more ground clearance and a larger fuel tank, which, in addition to the better fuel economy, provides a larger driving range.
Whether on road or off, the new Tundra has some decent numbers. So, whether you’re looking for efficiency some off-road chops, the 2022 Tundra has got more than the 2021.
Where things get dicey, however, is if you compare it to the other newest truck on the market, the Ford F-150 – especially in the hybrid arena. The F-150 PowerBoost has higher power ratings as well as better payload and towing numbers.
But the 2022 Tundra is unquestionably better than the old one.
The bottom line on 2022 Tundra specs
Unlike the Ford F-150 (with its plethora of powertrains), the Toyota Tundra isn’t trying to be all things to all people. What it is trying to be is better than the old one.
And it is.
While Tim got more seat time in the truck and offers his first-drive impressions, I can say overall, I really liked how the 2022 Tundra handled, looked and drove. The acceleration was decent – especially when using the sport modes – and the interior is eons better.
Finally, to answer the question from the headline: The 2022 Tundra isn’t smaller in most dimensions. But to satisfy your curiosity yourself, feel free to peruse the specs below.
| 2022 Toyota Tundra | 2021 Toyota Tundra | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine type | 3.5-liter, aluminum block V-6, twin-turbo (i-Force); 3.5-liter, aluminum block V-6 hybrid, twin-turbo (i-Force Max) | 5.7-liter DOHC EFI V8, aluminum block with 32- valve aluminum alloy head with Dual VVT-i |
| Displacement | 3,445 cc | 5,663 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 85.5mm x 100mm | 3.70 x 4.02 inches |
| Compression Ratio | 10.4:1 | 10.2:1 |
| Horespower | 389 (i-Force) 437 (i-Force Max) | 381 |
| Torque | 479 (i-Force); 583 (i-Force Max) | 401 |
| Recommended Fuel | 87-octane or higher | 87-octane or higher (E85 capable) |
| Estimated Fuel Economy (MPG, city/highway/combined) | 18/23/20 (i-Force 4X2); 17/22/19 (i-Force 4X4); i-Force Max hybrid fuel economy numbers TBD | 13/18/15 (4x2); 13/17/14 (4x4) |
| Drivetrain Layout | i-Force: 4x2 front engine with rear-wheel drive with Automatic Limited-Slip Differential; 4x4 front engine with 4WDemand part-time 4WD with electronically controlled two- speed transfer case (high/low range) and Automatic Limited- Slip Differential (Auto LSD) i-Force Max: 4x2 front engine with rear-wheel drive with Automatic Limited-Slip Differential with Parallel hybrid system with electric motor/generator located between engine and transmission; 4x4 front engine with 4WDemand part-time 4WD with electronically controlled two-speed transfer case (high/low range) and Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD) with Parallel hybrid system with electric motor/generator located between engine and transmission | 4x2 front engine with rear-wheel drive with Automatic Limited- Slip Differential; 4x4 front engine with 4WDemand part-time 4WD w/electronically controlled transfer case, Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) and Automatic Limited-Slip Differential (Auto LSD) |
| Transmission | 10-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence, sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic, and tow/haul driving modes | 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence, sequential shift mode and uphill/downhill shift logic, tow/haul mode |
| Front Suspension | Core Models: Independent double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and twin-tube shock absorbers TRD Sport: TRD sport-tuned and 0.5” lowered suspension TRD Off-Road: TRD off-road suspension with monotube Bilstein shocks TRD PRO: TRD off-road suspension with 1.1-inch front lift, 2.5-inch FOX Internal Bypass coil-overs and rear remote-reservoir shocks, and TRD PRO front stabilizer bar | Independent high-mounted double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and low-pressure nitrogen gas shock absorbers Independent TRD coil-spring high-mounted double-wishbone front suspension with a 2-inch lift with stabilizer bar and TRD Fox front shock absorbers with piggyback reservoir (TRD Pro only) Live axle with trapezoid multi-leaf springs. Outboard-mounted low- pressure nitrogen gas shock absorbers |
| Rear Suspension | Standard: Multi-link rear suspension with outboard-mounted coil springs - Available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system - Load-leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension | Live axle with trapezoidal multi-leaf rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted TRD Fox shock absorbers with piggyback reservoirs (TRD Pro only) |
| Brakes | Front: Power-assisted ventilated 13.9-in. front disc brakes with opposed dual-piston calipers Rear: Ventilated 13.6-in. rear disc brakes with single piston calipers | Front: Opposed 4-piston calipers, ventilated disc/13.9 in.; Rear: 78.4 sq. in. each side, total 156.8 in. per rotor |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8 inch (SR, SR5, TRD Pro); 20 x 8 inch (Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition) | 18 x 8 in. (SR, SR5); 20 x 8 in. (Limited, Platinum, 1794) |
| Wheelbase (short bed/long bed) | 145.7/164.6 inches (Double Cab); 145.7/164.6 inches (CrewMax) | NA/164.6 inches (Double Cab); 145.7/NA (CrewMax) |
| Overall Length (short bed/leg bed) | 233.6/252.5 inches (Double Cab); 233.6/245.6 inches (CrewMax) | NA/247.8 inches (Double Cab); 228.9/NA (CrewMax) |
| Overall Width | 80.2 inches; 81.6 inches (TRD Pro) | 79.9 inches |
| Overall Height | 78 inches | 76 inches (4x2 Double Cab); 75.8 (4x2 Crew Max); 76.4 (4x4 Double Cab); 76.2 (4x4 CrewMax); 77.2 (TRD Pro) |
| Inside Bed Length | 77.6/96.5 inches (Double Cab); 65.6/77.6 inches (CrewMax) | NA/97.6 (Double Cab); 66.7/NA (CrewMax) |
| Inside Bed Depth | 20.9 inches | 22.2 inches |
| Inside Bed Width (total/between wheel wells) | 58.7/48.7 inches | 66.4/50.0 inches |
| Track (front/rear) | 68.4/68.4 inches; 69.4/69.4 inches (TRD Pro) | 67.9/67.9 inches |
| Max Ground Clearance (inches) | 11.1 (i-Force); 10.7 (i-Force Max); 10.9 (TRD Pro) | 10.6 inches |
| Approach Angle (degrees) | 21; 26.2 (TRD Pro) | 26; 31 (TRD Pro) |
| Departure Angle (degrees) | 24; 24.2 (TRD Pro) | 16; 17 (SR5 4x4; TRD Pro) |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5, 6 (front bench seat) |
| Headroom (front/rear) | 41.0/38.5 inches; 39.3/36.9 inches (with moonroof) | 39.7/38.7 inches (Double Cab); 39.7/38.9 (CrewMax) |
| Legroom (front/rear) | 41.2/33.3 inches (Double Cab); 41.2/41.6 inches (CrewMax) | 42.5/34.7 inches (Double Cab): 42.5/42.3 (CrewMax) |
| Shoulder Room (front/rear) | 65.0/63.4 inches (Double Cab); 65.0/62.4 inches (CrewMax) | 65.7/65.6 inches (Double Cab); 65.7/65.5 (CrewMax) |
| Hip Room (front/rear) | 62.6/60.5 inches | 62.6/61.6 inches (Double Cab); 62.6.60.4 (CrewMax) |
| Max Curb Weight | 5,720 pounds (i-Force, CrewMax 4x4, 6.5-foot bed); 6,185 (i-Force Max, 4x4, 6.5-foot bed) | 5,680 (Limited) |
| Max Towing | 12,000 lbs (i-Force); 11,450 (i-Force Max) | 10,200 lbs. |
| Max Payload | 1,940 lbs; 1,600 (TRD Pro) | 1,730 lbs. |
| Max Tongue Weight | 1,200 lbs | 1,020 lbs. |
| Fuel Capacity | 22.5 gallons (SR, SR5) 32.2 gallons (available on SR5, standard on Limited, Platinum, 1794, TRD Pro) | 26.4 gallons (SR, SR5); 38.0 gallons (available on SR5, standard on Limited, Platinum, 1794 and TRD Pro) |
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