The Toyota Tundra is a force to be reckoned with in the full size truck category. The 2023 Toyota Tundra lineup offers a diverse range of options catering to every truck enthusiast’s preferences. Whether you’re seeking the perfect balance of utility and style in the SR, the enhanced features of the SR5, the luxury of the Limited, Platinum’s top-tier excellence, or the premium experience of the 1794 edition, there’s a Tundra that will likely suit your needs. Furthermore, the formidable TRD Pro and the highly anticipated Capstone grade make a triumphant return, both exclusively available with the potent i-FORCE MAX powertrain. My test week with the 2023 Toyota Tundra Limited Crew Max with TRD package was filled with adventure and also some surprising new discoveries about the Tundra along the way.
2023 Toyota Tundra TRD 4×4 near Goodyear Airplane Graveyard
Exterior:
My test vehicle was in the Supersonic Red Exterior paint which is a deep metallic red that looks amazing with the black TRD grille/trim. The Tundra is a tough looking truck and the skid plate which adds important functionality also gives it a rugged and off-road ready vibe. The 20 Inch TRD Alloy wheels with all terrain tires give it a tall stance and add a nice finishing touch to an already aggressive looking exterior.
The LED headlights and taillights, and special badging that sets it apart from the standard Tundra really make the exterior of the Tundra stand out in a crowd.
2023 Toyota Tundra TRD 4×4
Interior Features:
Inside, the Tundra TRD is well-appointed with a range of features designed to enhance comfort and convenience. It comes with heated and ventilated front seats, a 12 speaker JBL premium audio system, and a 14 inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system. The multimedia screen does stand out and is really nice and everything is user friendly and easy to navigate. The Black SofTex-Trimmed 8-Way Power-Adjustable front seats make it easy to find that perfect fit for the driver and passenger alike. As a taller driver, I really like the space and comfort in the interior. It is easy to customize and make it your own and the interior has a good mix of functionality and good quality materials.
2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Interior image
Engine and Transmission
The Tundra is a versatile truck that offers choices, even with the engine and powertrain. The thing I love about the Tundra is it has the power when you need it and the acceleration is ample for its size.
The Tundra introduces two impressive new powertrains to its lineup: a twin-turbo V6 engine and a hybrid twin-turbo V6, with the latter being the more potent of the two. Both powerplants are paired with a 10-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECTi), featuring sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic, and TOW/HAUL driving modes.
The i-FORCE 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 incorporates DOHC 24-valve cylinder heads and Dual VVTi systems, producing an impressive 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. At the top of the Tundra range lies the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, delivering a remarkable 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and an astonishing 583 lb.-ft. of torque at a low 2,400 rpm. Remarkably, this powerhouse doesn’t compromise on efficiency, boasting EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of up to 20 MPG city/24 MPG highway/22 MPG combined, depending on the model grade and drivetrain.
The innovative i-FORCE MAX combines the twin-turbo V6 with a motor generator positioned within the bell housing between the engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission. This motor generator supplements power through the transmission, while engine start-up, EV driving, electric assist, and energy regeneration are exclusively managed by the parallel hybrid components. The system relies on a proven and dependable 288V sealed Nickel-metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery located beneath the rear passenger seats.
While the electric motor predominantly operates at lower speeds, once the speed surpasses 18 mph, the gasoline engine maintains continuous operation for optimal performance in the mid- and high-speed range. Engaging TOW/HAUL mode ensures the i-FORCE MAX system remains consistently active, delivering impressive acceleration and torque suitable for towing requirements.
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 on All Tundras
Tundra models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 on every grade. This advanced system includes:
- Pre-collision System with Pedestrian Detection with intersection support
- Road Sign Assist (RSA)
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
- Lane Keeping Technology: Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Sway Warning System
- Automatic High Beams (AHB)
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) area available and come standard on certain grades. Plus, the available Parking Support Brake is designed to implement brake control when there’s a possibility of a collision with a stationary object, approaching vehicle or while parking.
Automatic High Beams are designed to detect preceding or oncoming vehicles and automatically switch between high- and low-beam headlights. Road Sign Assist (RSA) is designed to recognize certain road sign information using a forward-facing camera and display the signs on the multi-information display (MID).
For 2023, all Tundra models are equipped with Toyota’s Rear Seat Reminder. This feature detects whether a rear door was opened within 10 minutes of the vehicle being turned on, or at any time after the vehicle has been turned on. If so, it flashes a reminder message in the instrument cluster after the engine is turned off, accompanied by multitone chimes.
TRD Features:
For TRD Off-Road packages, Bilstein monotube shocks improve damping for on- and off-highway driving. For maximum off-road performance, TRD Pro grades are fitted with 2.5-inch diameter FOX internal bypass shocks. The front FOX shocks provide the truck with a 1.1-inch front lift. The TRD Pro gains additional off-road features, including a new TRD Pro front stabilizer bar, aluminum front skid plate, additional underbody protection and unique all-terrain Falken tires. Red-painted suspension parts add a distinctive TRD design touch.
The Tundra is, for the first time, available with a rear air suspension system with automatic and manual leveling functions. Another first for Tundra is the available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system. Adopted from the luxury-vehicle category, AVS is designed to continually adjust damping force based on ever-changing road conditions, enhancing both ride quality and handling.
Suspension:
The third-generation Tundra ditched leaf springs in favor of a new multi-link rear suspension. The change helps improve ride comfort, straight-line stability and overall handling dynamics – not to mention it also improves towing capability compared to the previous grade. The maximum towing capacity for Tundra increases 17.6% over the previous generation, to 12,000 pounds. The maximum payload increases to 1,940 pounds, an improvement of more than 11%.
The double wishbone front suspension enhances ride comfort, driving performance and overall durability.
Overall, the 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD is a well-rounded and capable pickup truck, with impressive performance, off-road capabilities, and a comfortable and feature-packed interior. It is off road ready and extreme off road ready with the TRD package. The things I really like about the Toyota Tundra is the overall driving experience. I like how high up the truck is and I feel like I am safe and my family is safe while driving. The handling is good and it is a fun truck to drive. The Tundra is a very comfortable truck and Toyota puts a good amount of technology into all of its vehicle lineup. If I was buying a full size truck this would be one of the top contenders. The starting MSRP for a 2023 Tundra $38,965 and my test vehicle came in at $59,608.00.
For the official word on all things Tundra and to learn more visit below:
https://www.toyota.com/tundra/2023/
