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2022 Toyota Tundra update 10,000 miles later

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A year ago, we bought a 2022 Toyota Tundra for the channel, and after 10,000 miles driving the truck, there is a lot to talk about.

Our 2022 Toyota Tundra is a crew cab, 5.5-foot bed, Limited trim with a TRD Off-Road package. We added the Limited Premium and Power Package, and the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine is mated to a 10-speed transmission.. It has the Blueprint exterior color and Boulder interior coloring. Basically, it’s a dark blue exterior with a gray interior. It has the Softex seating surfaces, which are a synthetic leather-like material.

It does not have the hybrid powertrain option.

The good for the 2022 Toyota Tundra after 10,000 miles

Let’s kick this off with the good: The powertrain hasn’t had any issues, and the truck is still a pleasure to drive.

This lack of issues with the powertrain is big considering the uproar over the turbo wastegate issues found on some early models of the truck.

Also, there has and still continues to be a lot of debate about dropping the V-8 in favor of the turbocharged V-6. While consumers point to the V-8 as being more reliable, the fuel savings and reduction in emissions drove Toyota to offer just the V-6.

In my overall driving, I’m averaging close to 20 MPG, while my wife is averaging around 16 MPG for her in-town driving with some idling time. This is close to the EPA-estimated 19 MPG combined number and better than the old V-8 engine’s 15 MPG combined.

The bad after 10,000 miles

While still a pleasure to drive, the Tundra has had a variety of small issues leaving a bad taste in my mouth.

For starters, I still don’t love the look even after installing a leveling kit from Rough Country.

Second, the rear bumper — even with the optional bed step — still irritates me as it is now more difficult to use versus the prior generation with the new one opting to wrap the bumper and remove the small step when the tailgate is down.

Third, the driver’s seat is cracked, like many other owner’s trucks, the rear-window weather stripping doesn’t line up with no fix in sight, and there is now a piece of radiator insulation hanging below the engine bay. Deal breakers? Nah. Just small irritations for a truck priced at $59,525.

Lastly, the infotainment system still hasn’t grown on me. I deleted my driver profile, and I’ve had a much better experience using the system, yet the same things I discussed early on still apply — no split screen, no pinch/zoom on Apple CarPlay maps and no home button.

Buy it again?

You’ll have to watch the video to get that answer. But the one thing I’d make sure to do if I were buying a Tundra again: I’d get the Trailhunter package with the tow hooks and useful rear bumper with a step.

The bottom line

Did I just buy the wrong trim level? Would I have liked it more if I liked looking at it everyday as being a good looking truck? Should I have just waited and bought something else last year then bought the Tundra hybrid this year? All questions I’m sure I won’t stop considering.

Ultimately, it has been a good truck, not a great truck and I have a mixed bag of thoughts on it.

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Tim Esterdahl

Automotive Journalist Tim Esterdahl has been a lover of trucks and SUVs for years. He has covered the industry since 2011 and has pieces in many national magazines and newspapers. In his spare time, he is often found tinkering on his '62 C10 pickup, playing golf, going hunting and hanging out with his wife and kids in Nebraska.

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3 Comments

  1. Dan February 2, 2023

    Thanks as always,Tim. I was on the fence about the Tundra and after finding your channel, opted to wait. I am glad I did because those nagging things you described would have been very annoying. Looking forward to your reviews on the new truck!

    Reply
  2. John W February 7, 2023

    Have 22 tundra limited the big thing for me is the wind noise from and around side windows very bad Seat panel also broke for the second time they said they likely will not replace ìt again. I have 37000 km onit I do like driving it Drives and handles very good

    Reply
  3. Norman Stout February 9, 2023

    Love to be able to drive a new TUNDRA for a few months to compare it with the two previous Tundras I’ve owned. First Tundra had 4.7. Second one had the 5.7. Love to test a 6 cyclender turbo to pull my camper. The 5.7 did a great job not the 4.7 please put a TUNDRA in my driveway for the summer. Glad to talk about how it does. Thank u I’m waiting on a call to come get my TUNDRA

    Reply

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