2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro: A Cost-Effective Ford Raptor
The top-trim Toyota Tundra is the TRD Pro. This full-size truck merges Japanese engineering and American manufacturing. It is an off-road beast at a competitive price–starting at just $49,125. And the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is shaping up to be even better than the 2021 model.
The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will be an all-new truck on a next-generation 4×4 drivetrain. In addition, it will likely feature a cutting-edge, turbocharged engine. At the same time, Toyota is carefully carrying over all the best aspects of the beloved 2021 TRD Pro.
The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Retains Favorite Features
Toyota manufactures many of the most popular 4x4s in the world. Toyota’s compact trucks of the 1980s and 1990s won hearts across the American heartland. Then, in 1999, Toyota launched the full-size Tundra. The new truck immediately seized best full-size truck of the year awards from Motor Trend and Consumer Reports. At launch, it sold better than any vehicle in Toyota’s history.
Toyota has always offered a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) trim level of the Tundra. The automaker equipped the 2021 Tundra TRD Pro with standard tow packages, a backup camera, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Available features for the 2021 TRD Pro include TRD FOX shocks with piggyback reservoirs, a front skid plate, and a power tilt/slide moonroof. In addition, the 2021 TRD Pro is resplendent with exclusive badging, including leather-trimmed front bucket seats, a “TOYOTA” front grille with color-keyed surround, and a distinct “TRD Pro” bedside stamp.
For 2022, Toyota is treating the Tundra to a third-generation redesign. The manufacturer has teased photos of the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Fans of the trim level are happy to see it will retain many of their favorite features.
The Tundra TRD Pro is getting an updated version of the familiar “TOYOTA” full-width grill complete with the familiar color-keyed surround. The 2022 truck will also retain leather-trimmed bucket seats, although they are now available in red. In addition, the new TRD Pro will offer a vast glass roof, stretching over the front and back seats.
Tundras have always been ready to tow. Fans will be happy to know the new TRD Pro will have a Tow/Haul setting. The truck will also be available with TRD emblazoned skid plates. Finally, Toyota has assured buyers that the new Tundra will retain body-on-frame construction.
The 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Improves On The 2021 Truck
The 2021 Tundra TRD Pro has its shortcomings. First, the truck is only available with a naturally-aspirated 5.7-liter V8. Unfortunately, this engine gives up horsepower and mpgs to Dodge’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8. To make matters worse, the outdated Tundra weighs nearly two thousand pounds more than a Ford Raptor.
Engineers turned to tried-and-true technology to redesign the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro from the ground up. They began with Toyota’s New Global Architecture Full-frame chassis (TNGA-F).
The new TNGA-F chassis improved every specification of the 2021 Land Cruiser: reducing its weight by 441 pounds, lowering its center of gravity, and increasing its overall rigidity. Off road, the new Land Cruiser maintains its 9.1 inches of ground clearance and its impressive departure and approach angles.
Riding on its new frame, the Tundra trades its rear leaf springs in for coils–just like the Ford Raptor. Toyota will even increase the Tundra’s lug nuts to six per wheel. The new 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will also have a Multi-terrain system controlled by a knob on the center console with settings labeled MTS and DAC/CRAWL, as well as the TOW setting.
The iForce MAX: Will It Make Ford Raptor Power?
Toyota has also teased a brand new Tundra engine: the iForce MAX. Early pictures of the power plant appear to show a six-cylinder manifold cover. This would fit with Tacoma World’s assertion that the TNGA-F chassis is not V8 compatible and MotorTrend’s suspicion that the Tundra will benefit from the Land Cruiser’s turbocharged V6.
The 2021-present Land Cruiser, and the 2017-present Lexus LS 500, are powered by Toyota’s cutting edge V35A-FTS twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6. This powerful and fuel-efficient V6 is the flagship the Toyota Dynamic Force engine project. It is a hydraulic VVTi with a long stroke capable of creating 10.5:1 compression. The new engine would certainly improve on the old Tundra engine’s MPGs. It would also incirease the truck’s power.
In the 2017 Lexus sedan, this V6 is tuned for 416 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 443 lb-ft. of torque anywhere between 1,600 and 4,800 rpm. How would Toyota tune this engine for duty in the new Tundra? Only time will tell.
If rumors are true, the 2022 Toyota TRD Pro will be in the same class as the Ford Raptor–the SVT F-150 powered by a 3.5-liter, 450 horsepower V6–but cost $15,000 less.
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