The full-size pickup truck segment continues to be one of the most popular ones in the industry. To stay competitive, Toyota recently came out with a fully redesigned Tundra for 2022. The Japanese pickup features a bolder design, more impressive tech features, and modern engines. The 2022 Tundra is one of the few full-size pickups to be available with a full hybrid powertrain, too. There’s no denying that the Tundra has taken a massive leap forward for the new model year.
The last time the Ram 1500 was fully redesigned was in 2019. The pickup continues to feel fresh and is one of the most upscale options in the class. Ram also offers the 1500 with electrified V6 and V8 engines, though they’re not full hybrids. Tech is also one of the Ram 1500’s strengths, being one of the first in the segment to come with a vertically-oriented touchscreen similar in size to a small laptop.
Has Toyota done enough to make the Tundra stand out against the Ram 1500? That’s what we’ll find out in this comparison.
What the Toyota Tundra Gets Right
When it comes to standard engines, the Tundra has a more powerful one than the Ram 1500. Toyota offers the Tundra with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that produces 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The Ram 1500 comes with a 3.6-liter V6 that generates 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The Ram 1500 is available with more powerful engines, but its standard engine doesn’t have the performance to match the Tundra’s.
The majority of full-size pickup trucks don’t come with a lot of standard safety features. That’s the case with the Ram 1500, but not the Tundra. Toyota offers its pickup with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition as standard. All you’ll find on the Ram 1500 is a rearview camera.
For consumers that want to get a lot of standard tech features, the Tundra is the clear winner. The Japanese truck comes standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, six audio speakers, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a USB port. The Ram 1500’s standard infotainment system includes a five-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, a USB port, and six audio speakers. The Tundra also has more impressive tech features than the Ram 1500, as it can be fitted with a 14-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Read Our Overview of the Toyota Tundra
What the Ram 1500 Gets Right
Ram offers the 1500 in a barebones Tradesman trim for consumers that are interested in getting a basic work truck. Pricing for the cheapest Ram 1500 starts at $36,195 (with destination). The most affordable Tundra costs $37,645. While the Tundra comes with far more standard features than the Ram 1500, it does cost more.
When it comes to available engines, the Ram 1500’s list of powertrains is far more expansive than the Tundra’s. The Ram 1500 is available with two different V8 engines and a V6 diesel engine. For consumers looking to tackle sand dunes and hit absurd speeds on rough terrain, the 1500 TRX features a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that makes 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The TRX is the most powerful truck in the full-size segment and delivers blistering performance.
Previously, the Tundra couldn’t get close to other full-size pickups on the towing front. While that changes for 2022, the Tundra still can’t match the Ram 1500. When properly equipped, the Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds and has a maximum payload capacity of up to 2,300 pounds. The Tundra can tow up to 12,000 pounds and haul 1,940 pounds of payload.
Read Our Overview of the Ram 1500
Closer Than Ever
Toyota really did give the Tundra a gigantic boost in the right direction with the fully redesigned model for 2022. The truck is better than ever and consumers that were waiting years for a new pickup can rest assured knowing that the wait was worth it.
The Tundra may not have the capacities, powerful engines, or lush ride as the Ram 1500, but it focuses on things that matter to consumers that plan on using their truck every day. When it comes to standard features, available tech features, and standard engines, the Tundra blows the Ram 1500 out of the water.
Our Verdict
Full-size pickup truck buyers are people that tend to be looking for burly, highly-capable machines. If that’s the case, the Ram 1500 is the better option. It can tow more than the Tundra, has more powerful engines, is available in a wider range of trims, and has more upscale trims and features. The Tundra puts up a serious fight, but it’s aimed at a different type of buyer.