Toyota completely redesigned the Tundra for the 2022 model year and it remains largely unchanged for 2023. Though it’s a completely rethought truck, the Tundra retains its unique Toyota quality as a basic option for everyday use.

The newly-redesigned Toyota Tundra is a much better truck when compared to its previous generation. The previous-gen enjoyed a reputation for reliability and general usefulness. There’s no reason to believe that will change with this new Tundra.

Adding a much more efficient powertrain design, which includes a couple of power-delivery-oriented hybrid options, and a better interior design have done wonders for the Tundra. This is a strong, livable pickup with a lot of capability and appeal.

A new composite bed, which resists dents and rust, makes for a more work-ready design. Added details such as the adjustable tie-down rails, smart locking tailgate, and the Toyota-exclusive sliding rear window are a boon.

Overall, Toyota did a good job bringing the Tundra into the current era and making it competitive with the traditional Detroit-based truck makers. Without muddying the expectation for a basic, working pickup truck that Toyota buyers are drawn to.

With over four decades of doling out trusted automotive advice and extensive vehicle knowledge, both behind the wheel and under the hood, Car Talk's founder and original Tappet Brother Ray Magliozzi shares his first-hand experience test driving the Toyota Tundra.

The Titan is a very large and powerful truck. It retains a V8 engine as its only powertrain option, but comes in both standard half-ton and the Titan XD heavy-duty half-ton chassis. The latter is not necessarily more capable than other trucks like the Tundra in terms of towing and hauling, but it is built to withstand more abuse.

The Tacoma is a mid-size pickup truck, making it smaller than the full-sized Tundra. The Tundra has more capability in terms of towing, hauling, and seating space. The Tacoma, however, is more maneuverable, is easier to park, and has stronger off-road capabilities thanks to its shorter wheelbase and more aggressive front and rear designs. Real-world fuel efficiency is not much different between the two.

A base, double-cab, Tundra SR model is priced at $39,660 plus destination. Most buyers, however, are going to opt for the SR5 or Limited models, which will be priced closer to $50,000 or so. Which is about what to expect in the current pickup truck market.

The Toyota Tundra was completely redesigned last year, gaining power, capability, and ergonomics as a result. The biggest change is in the powertrain, which drops the V8 engine in favor of a turbocharged six-cylinder and some hybrid components.

New for the 2023 model year is an SX appearance package for the SR5 consumer base model truck. The base model for the Tundra is the SR, but that model has limited add-on options and is mostly aimed towards commercial buyers. The SR5 is traditionally the base model throughout the Toyota lineup.

The SX package adds to the SR5 model with 18-inch dark gray wheels, black interior trim, and black trim elements to the four basic paint options (black, white, silver, gray). This package cannot be combined with the available TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road packages. But can coincide with most stand-alone options like power-deploy running boards and the load-leveling suspension.

There are basically two powertrain options for the 2023 Toyota Tundra. Both use a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. On most models, this produces a healthy 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque.

A hybrid upgrade for some trim levels (and standard on the top-most) adds electric motors and a small battery. That system ups the 3.5L’s output to 437 hp and 583 lb-ft. This adds capability in towing, hauling, and off-road without compromising fuel efficiency.

We found both the Capstone and TRD Pro models with this hybrid upgrade to be much more powerful trucks when compared to the base engine. This added umph may not be for everyone, but it makes a compelling argument for a hybrid system as a power booster versus varying engine options with different displacements or fuel sources.

Whether the hybrid system is opted for or not, though, the Tundra is an easy truck to live with while driving around day-to-day. Smooth delivery from the engine, easy shifts from the 10-speed, and nice returns from the steering rack all add up to a comfortable daily drive.

The NHTSA has not yet fully crash tested the current-gen Toyota Tundra. The IIHS, however, has done a full suite of tests and named the Tundra a Top Safety Pick + (Plus) for 2023.

Most consumer reliability indexes are putting the new Tundra in the “average” category for reliability. Most Toyota vehicles enjoy much higher reliability ratings with the company often topping lists in those ratings. The Tundra, however, has lost some of its rating luster thanks to an all-new and untested powertrain, consumer complaints about detail pieces on the truck, and the Tundra’s new, larger price tag.

We expect that the reliability ratings for the Tundra will remain this way through 2023 and into 2024.

Unless one has a need for extreme luxury or a lot of off-road capability beyond dirt roads and farm fields, the best option for the Tundra is in its SR5 package. This relatively low-frills trim for the Tundra includes Toyota’s full advanced safety suite of systems, LED headlamps, an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wireless), LED fog lamps, alloy wheels, the towing package, and more. This package makes for a livable truck that’s ready for work.

For those needing a few more creature comforts, the Limited is the next choice.

Toyota’s warranty for the Tundra is relatively basic for the industry and class, though there are some added items for the hybrid model.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• PowerTrain: 5 years / 60k miles
• Hybrid System: 8 years / 100k miles
• Hybrid Battery: 10 years / 150k miles
• ToyotaCare included maintenance: 2 years / 25k miles
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

Because its redesign was just last year, finding a used model of the current-generation Tundra is not very likely. Even so, the Tundra holds its value well, so getting a good deal versus new is also not very likely.

We’d suggest looking at new models and their warranty and maintenance inclusion as a better choice.

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