Since that Toyota only underwent a facelift of the Tundra last year, it largely maintains the same appearance for 2023. The SX aesthetic option, which is brand-new for the SR5 trims this year, gives the Tundra’s exterior and interior trim additional design features in black and dark gray.

The SX option adds 18-inch dark grey wheels, black door handles, body trim, middle area of the rear bumper, and a darker rear 4×4 emblem. The Tundra door badges are gone, and the inside embellishments are now all black. White, silver, gray, or black exterior paint options can all have the SX package applied.

Pricing

The starting price of the 2023 Tundra is higher than that of its domestic rivals. The Toyota’s base SR grade, though, comes with more enticing standard features, such as a 379-hp twin-turbo V-6 and a coil-spring rear suspension.

(The Ram 1500 also comes with a coil-spring rear suspension as standard.) The SR5 with the TRD Off-Road package, which includes enhanced suspension, exclusive wheels, an electronically locking rear differential, and other features, is the one we recommend.

Performance – Engine, Transmission

The only full-size pickup truck without a V-8 engine option is the 2023 Tundra. Instead, a 10-speed automatic transmission and a twin-turbo V-6 are the only options available. There are three different potencies of this engine. The non-hybrid engine’s output on the base SR trim is 348 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque.

Otherwise, it produces 479 pound-feet and 389 horses. Our non-hybrid Limited test vehicle achieved a zero-to-60-mph time of 6.1 seconds at our test track. The hybrid model has an electric motor built into the transmission, allowing for low-speed pure electric drive.

The combination reduces the duration from 0 to 60 mph to only 5.7 seconds and produces a total of 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet.

The rear suspension, which previously utilised a leaf-spring configuration, has also been altered from its predecessor. The Tundra now has a more advanced coil-spring rear suspension, which enhances the way it rides and handles.

With the versions we’ve driven, this was obvious. The well-liked TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road packages are still available from Toyota. The former has special wheels, skid plates, and an off-road suspension. The latter has 20-inch wheels and a lowered suspension.

The TRD Pro, which has a raised suspension, unique dampers, and a unique set of black 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, is the best option for those looking for the most off-road capability.

Payload and Towing Capacity

The Tundra’s maximum towing capacity, which is somewhat less than that of most full-size pickups, is 12,000 pounds. For instance, the F-150 has a 14,000-pound towing capacity. A maximum payload of 1940 pounds is also possible with the Tundra.

Again, the Ford’s maximum payload is 3250 pounds, but a number of competing half-ton pickups can carry more weight in their cargo beds.

Fuel efficiency and actual MPG

The two-wheel drive Tundra is capable of up to 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the interstate with a non-hybrid powertrain; four-wheel drive lowers those ratings by 1 mpg apiece. The hybrid vehicle may achieve up to 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

The hybrid vehicle barely achieved 19 mpg on our lengthy testing regimen’s 75 mph interstate route. See the EPA website for more details about the Tundra’s fuel efficiency ratings.

Cargo, Comfort, and the Interior

The Tundra’s interior features a large dashboard peppered with noticeable air vents, as well as a big, smooth middle portion that joins the door panels. Compared to the previous version, much finer materials were chosen for the doors, dash, and center console.

The quality does, of course, improve with the trim levels, with the top-of-the-line 1794 Edition featuring lovely wood embellishments. Every model has a flexible center console with a sizable center bin and tons of cubby storage. The top trim levels contain a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster instead of the standard instrument panel’s two analog gauges and small driver information display.

Three alternative cargo bed lengths are available for the Tundra, which has two body types. The 6.5- or 8.1-foot bed options are available for the extended cab (also known as the Double Cab). The crew cab, also known as the CrewMax, comes with a 5.5- or 6.5-foot bed.

Connectivity and Information

Almost all full-size pickup trucks now come with enormous touchscreens that are at least 12 inches wide, with the exception of the Nissan Titan. Although the Tundra comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, it can be upgraded to a 14.0-inch touchscreen that is horizontally oriented, which is larger than the ones found in any other vehicles.

Although it has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a handy volume knob, the steering-wheel controls are only partially functional and lack a tuning knob. There is also a Wi-Fi hotspot that requires a subscription.

Features for Driver Help and Safety

Automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and other driver aid features are standard on every Tundra.

Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for more details regarding the results of the Tundra’s crash tests. Important safety elements include:

• standard automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning
• lane-keeping assistance and the common lane-departure warning
• conventional adaptive cruise control

Coverage for Warranties and Maintenance

The limited and powertrain warranties offered by Toyota are comparable to those of any other full-size pickup truck. The free scheduled maintenance provided by Toyota, however, is unparalleled.

• Three years or 36,000 miles are covered by the limited warranty.
• Five years or 60,000 miles are covered by the powertrain warranty.
• Two years or 25,000 miles are covered by the free maintenance.