Buying a hybrid pickup truck is becoming the norm more than ever. Even in the full-size truck segment, most models offer a hybrid or electric alternative to their gas-guzzling standard variants. One popular model is the Toyota Tundra hybrid. There are many ways the Tundra is great, and in some ways it doesn’t measure up to its most popular competitors, the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. Before you consider buying a hybrid powertrain with your Tundra, there are a few things to consider. should consider. Here are three things to know before buying a Toyota Tundra hybrid.
Not all Toyota Tundra models are hybrids
Before you buy the 2023 Toyota Tundra, you should know that it can use a hybrid powertrain, but not on all trims. Many rivals offer a hybrid pickup in any version of the model. However, the Tundra hybrid is exclusive to more expensive models. First of all, buyers can’t equip the cheaper SR and SR5 models with the hybrid powertrain. The two lower models come exclusively with the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, making 358 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque for the SR model and 389 hp and 479 lb-ft for the SR5.
After that point, every Tundra model has a standard or optional hybrid version. For example, the Limited and Platinum trims have hybrid and gas-only variants. However, the top models, TRD Pro and Capstone, are available exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. That means buyers who choose the more luxurious Tundra models in the lineup can’t get a non-hybrid powertrain.
Hybrid Tundra is for performance, not fuel economy
Although most buyers get a hybrid powertrain because they offer better fuel economy than their alternatives, that’s not the case with the 2023 Toyota Tundra. While fuel economy is minimally better, the main reason to buy a system hybrid propulsion is its performance. It uses a 3.4-liter V6 paired with a parallel hybrid system with a single permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 48 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque alone. Together, the combination creates 437 hp and 583 lb-ft, ditching the standard SR and SR5 engines.
According to hot cars, the Tundra Hybrid can accelerate from 0-60 in just 5.7 seconds. However, its fuel efficiency is not the best. Toyota’s offering has an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and 24 highway. Rivals like the Ford F-150 hybrid offer the same numbers, so Toyota isn’t far behind. Know before you buy, though, that the Tundra Hybrid is a V8 replacement for speed, not a competitor to the Ford Maverick for fuel economy.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra is best when it’s a hybrid
The last thing to know before buying a 2023 Toyota Tundra hybrid is that it’s best when it uses a hybrid powertrain. The full-size pickup not only offers more power, but also consumes a little more fuel. Depending on which Tundra trim you select, the option can cost $3,500 to $4,000 more than the standard engine; In addition to speed, the hybrid variant gains around two mpg.
Alternatively, the expensive standard hybrid models are the height of luxury. The 2023 Toyota Tundra is one of the most luxurious trucks around. It has a luxurious interior with many standard features and drives smoother than some rivals. The Limited Hybrid version starts at $54,915, while the Platinum Hybrid is $63,000. The TRD Pro and Capstone come with the standard hybrid powertrain for $70,315 and $77,040, respectively.
Although they are quite expensive, the best models come with everything you could ask for in a full-size truck. For example, power-deploying running boards, 22-inch wheels, Fox suspension shocks, a 1.1-inch front suspension lift, all-terrain tires, drag control, and more mix with the Capstone and TRD Pro trims.
Things to know before buying
In conclusion, there are a few things you should know before buying a Toyota Tundra hybrid model. The full-size pickup has some versions that come standard as hybrids and some that don’t. Next, the optional powertrain is more for power and performance than fuel economy. Lastly, the best versions of the Tundra are hybrids, but they are also the most expensive.