Hauling In Style With the 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone

Toyota's revamped 2022 Tundra is in the wild now, and seemingly overnight, the mega-luxurious $73,530 (MSRP) Capstone has become the flagship "Premium" trim for the company's revamped fullsize pickups and 2023 Sequoia SUV.

Unprecedented high-end treatments and maximum bling from chrome-treated mirror caps, door handles, grille, rear bumper inserts and massive 22-inch wheels are among the many highlights of this all-new model, along with Toyota's all-new twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine and ten-speed automatic transmission.

Automotive-media types recently experienced Tundra Capstone (as well as Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition-also premium trims) at a first-drive program in the beautiful oceanside surrounds of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. WhileMotorTrend's Aaron Gold gathered overall impressions on the new pickup and i-FORCE MAX, KJ Jones of the Truck and Off-Road Group used the opportunity to focus on Toyota's highest-ranking rig's towing capability, which, statistically at 10,340 pounds (max), is a tad-bit inferior to its also-hybrid-powered, four-wheel-drive, premium siblings (Limited Crew Max/shortbed at 11,170 pounds, and Platinum CrewMax/full bed at 10,960). Of course, their weight differences directly correlate to the variances, and solely as a reference point, there are 3.5-liter gas-powered Tundra models that tow a whopping 12,000 pounds.

Those are "on-paper" details. And, yes, they're significant. However, in the big picture, the numbers don't fully explain how well, or poorly, Toyota's 2022 Tundra Capstone tows. This deeper dive into the topic offers more detail.

Tundra Capstone: No Work, Limited Play

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Plushness, great looks and 437 horsepower/583 lb-ft powerplant aside, one of the 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone's most intriguing qualities is its standard configuration. The truck is only available as 4WDemand part-time four-wheel drive, CrewMax, shortbed (5'5"), and it sits on 22-inch chrome wheels and P265/50R22 tires.

This is not a "negative," per se, but honestly, we think it's too nice-especially in the cabin area-and the bed is too small for work-truck-style cargo carrying, or similar dirty or potentially body-damaging exertion.

And, even with a two-speed transfer case, this truck doesn't belong going too far off road. It's just not built for that. Capstone is Lexus-type elegance for Toyota; perfect for being seen on the boulevards of Beverly Hills, at the resort (like the Carmel Valley Ranch, where the drive took place), and other places of affluence. Period.

Capstone is a really nice driver. Without a load (pulling a trailer in our case), it rides smoothly, it's reasonably comfortable (the black and white, semi-aniline, leather-trimmed 10-way power-adjustable front seats are amazing, actually), loaded with amenities, and from a get-up-and-go standpoint, there's plenty-especially when torque peaks at 2,400 rpm.

Hooked Up

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As we noted earlier, towing is our primary interest, and we reckon it's also on the mind of those who own or are considering Ford's Limited, GM's High Country/Denali or Ram's Limited half-ton pickups.

The rig we tested, a Wind Chill Pearl unit that lines out at $74,575 all-in, is equipped with the Advanced Package, a $1,045 option that includes load-leveling rear height-control air suspension, Adaptive Air Suspension, 10-inch color Head-Up Display. It also features towing mirrors that can be had at additional cost.

Hooked up to a small, single-axle 22' Airstream "Sport" camper trailer weighing an estimated 5,700 pounds (dry), the 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone toted the weight around our predetermined non-aggressive drive route with ease, and the 22-inch wheels that initially gave us concern, really had no negative impact on how the truck tracked or handled with or without a trailer attached.

The 2022 Tundra's new multi-link rear suspension (gone forever are OG leaf springs) and optional air-bag setup theoretically does away with a need for auxiliary sway control systems (bars) for short trailers and bigger haulers as well. Of the five available driving modes (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom), we got the best seat-of-the-pants experience with the Sport setting. While we're not certain how conventional-better yet, advisable-this is for towing (from a fuel-consumption perspective), we were able to motor along briskly and confidently, all the while conversing with our ride-along chaperone in a cabin that was free of any noticeable road- or distractive ambient noise. Capstone's throaty exhaust note definitely comes to the front with throttle input, but it's actually a nice touch.

Toyota powertrain engineers say the i-FORCE MAX (twin-turbo engine, single front module, ten-speed automatic transmission) is designed to function similar to a diesel engine, with torque getting to the wheels quickly. Our towing experience confirms the drivetrain does this. And, audibly (for diesel fans), with its twin turbochargers whistling, the engine actually sounds more like a new 6.7-liter Cummins than a typical buzzing V-6 gasser.

Lots of Cool Towing Tricks

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Similar to every 2022 Toyota Tundra, Capstone features a dual-stage Tow/Haul mode function. This operation is brand new, and designed to allow drivers to select powertrain and handling operations based on a trailer's weight. Now, an enhanced Tow+ mode is available, in addition to the standard Tow setting, which basically adjusts transmission shift points. With Tow+ activated for trailers weighing upwards of 5,000 pounds, throttle-input, and steering-sensitivity change, as well as aforementioned shifting (upshift and downshift windows are extended).

Trailer Sway Control is another plus that we like. With this system, trailer wig-wag in windy conditions, when towing an improperly balanced load, or at higher speeds is limited by the automatic application of brake pressure at each wheel individually and a reduction of engine torque. Capstone also features a full complement of cameras that give drivers a panoramic view of all things in front of, alongside, and behind the truckandtrailer.

The coup de grace for towing with Capstone definitely is Toyota's Trailer Backup Guide with Straight-Path Assist. After performing a short initial setup procedure for the guide system (inputting trailer data such as measurements, etc.) and activating the system through a few button and touch-screen presses, we spent a considerable amount of time putting the straight-back deal through its paces. This revolutionary Straight-Path Assist literally is "hands free," as maintaining a straight line is solely controlled by the truck, again, by processing signals received from the trailer's tongue.

2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone: It's Impressive

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The 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone surely is capable of towing. As high-end half-tons go, it's right there with the likes of Ford's, GM's and Ram's, luxo-trims, with the added plus of having a twin-turbocharged hybrid V-6 powertrain that really shines.

All-important fuel economy was only Toyota official at the time of our road test. The manufacturer lists miles-per-gallon at 19/City, 22/Highway and 21/Combined, which we think should be very close to EPA calculations whenever they're released.

As a tow rig, we see Capstone as great for taking watercraft to the lake, dragging an Airstream to a campsite, or towing your Supra to the road course. It's capable of handling all of those tasks, easily, and definitely in a style that is unprecedented for Toyota, and a welcome change.

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