The Toyota Tundra Hybrid Is Thirsty but That Doesn’t Matter
In a world where all of the trucks are going green, the 2022 Toyota Tundra recently jumped on this trend. While the Toyota Tundra Hybrid might have a just OK fuel economy, it’s still an improvement. Plus, the i-Force Max takes power to the next level.
Does the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid have a good fuel economy?
Yes, the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid does have a good fuel economy. It might just be a little lower than expected. The Tundra i-Force Max without AWD gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg in the city.
The gas-powered Tundra with 4×4 gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. this is the same fuel economy that the Hybrid with 4×4 gets. Despite having the same numbers, the Hybrid still saves fuel.
But the Hybrid provides a lot more power, and typically, more power burns more fuel, so the savings are there. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine offers 389 hp and 379 lb-ft of torque. The i-Force Max cranks out 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque.
According to Auto Blog, on the subject of saving fuel, the outgoing Tundra gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg on the highway and up to 13 mpg in the city. So, Tundra fans are probably super excited about 24 mpg.
Is the Tundra i-Force Max worth the extra cash?
Yes, it’s worth it to upgrade to the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid. It only costs $3,400 to upgrade from the gas powertrain to the i-Force Max. But unfortunately, it’s not available with every trim level.
You can add it to the Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition models. The Limited starts at about $46,850. This price doesn’t include dealership markups or the destination fee, so adding the hybrid powertrain should raise the price slightly above $50,000.
The i-Force Max powertrain comes standard with the TRD Pro and Capstone trims. So that’s an extra perk if you want the off-roading or super-luxury trim. Also, the entry-level Tundra starts at about $35,950.
Let’s not forget about the competition. Plenty of electric trucks are on the way, but there’s only one other hybrid option, and that’s the Ford F-150 PowerBoost. It also gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg. The PowerBoost pumps out 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. It costs about $47,000.
How capable is the Tundra Hybrid?
When properly equipped, the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid can tow up to 12,000 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,940 lbs. This is an 11 percent increase over the outgoing generation. But the gas-powered Ford F-150 can tow up to 14,000 lbs.
New driving modes consist of Tow/Haul and Tow/Haul+. The first option is optimized for pulling lighter loads. The second one is for hauling heavier loads like boats and RVs. Helpful towing features include powering extending/folding mirrors, new cameras, a Panoramic View Monitor System, Trailer Back Guidance system, and Straight Path Assist.
According to Car and Driver, the Tundra Hybrid can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.7 seconds. Their team tested the TRD Pro model, which is designed for off-roading. Other trim levels could be faster.
Even though the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid isn’t breaking new ground with an excellent fuel economy, it’s still very impressive. The i-Force Max powertrain provides tons of extra power while saving fuel.
Related: What Parts Do the 2023 Toyota Sequoia and Toyota Tundra Share?
