2023 tundra hybrid

Going to look at a 23 hybrid platinum tomorrow that my local dealer just got in. I currently have a 2020 f150 with the 2.7 eco boost. I love my f150 but was a Toyota guy before the f150. I love my f150 but with 80k I’m worried about something happening. Current 22 and newer tundra owners, what are something’s I should look for that you love and hate?

 

For what it’s worth, I had a 2006 Tundra (which my nephew still drives in college), a 2011 Tundra which I traded for a 2017 King Ranch. I had tech issues that never got resolved on the f150. I had to restart the head unit anytime the weather was below 35-40 degrees. Ford never could resolve. The tranny would jump gears and it kept getting worse. Dealer had no time to even look at it. Sunroof tracks broke last winter and I just never opened it anymore. That said, I traded it in on a Capstone about 4 weeks ago. I love my new truck and am so glad to be back in a Toyota. I do miss the keyless entry and keep forgetting my key fob now…lol
As far as reliability, I feel so much better now. I have the platinum 10 year/120K warranty and couldn’t be happier. The hybrid works as advertised and the tranny and gears are smooth as silk. The 14” screen is awesome. I bought the diamondback tonneau and love it. Good luck

 

Welllll... New Tundra isn't a perfect truck.

I guess it depends on what's most important to you.

It does have some quirks... Seats aren't cushy, cabin is noisy and not as quiet as domestic trucks, I got regular non Trd suspension and it sucks - too much lean and isn't comfy over bumps either... Sometimes Bluetooth disconnects, built quality is questionable - doors are light, rubber trim is light and some pieces are short on all trucks, your so called auto leveling led headlines aren't really auto leveling as it barely moves... Fuel economy isn't that good..

Pros: are good fast powertrain, Toyota name (although engine still need to be proven in long milage).

Personally I'm willing to deal with all of these small annoyed issues hoping that I can drive it for a very long time, more than 10 years/120k miles when my ram 1500 died... Now owning Tundra for 1k miles, it's possible that I would have went with f150 instead.

So yeah... Don't look at this new Tundra as a perfect truck. It's not perfect by any means. Consider other options as well.

I think you will miss your f150 especially that it didn't give you any trouble

 

So I have had my 23 TRD Pro for a month now. About 635 miles so far. 80% of it is street driving no faster than 40-50. It's my daily, but my commute is only 20 miles round trip, so it's not that bad.

Things I like:
- Power. I can tell this thing wants to go. The low-end torque gets this thing moving easy through city streets. I have not pushed it because of the break in period and am experimenting with the drive modes and fuel econ numbers. The smoothness of the power delivery is impressive. I normally hate cars with auto start stop systems. The hybrid virtually eliminates that starting lag before it transitions to the gas engine. The feeling of the transition is practically seamless. It's also fun seeing people look at a big truck trolling through a parking lot sounding like a Prius.

- Handles well. The FOX shocks and big sway bar up front make this thing handle pretty good. It soaks up bumps at speed yet holds firm in turns. This is a person coming from a Lancer Evolution and a CX-5 as a daily driver for the last 7 years. Not as tossable or maneuverable as those two, but it can brake into a turn and power out of it with no tire squeal. Unfortunately, I don't have experience with the other Tundra trims so I can't comment on the handling aspect of those vehicles.

- The amenities are very nice. Heated / ventilated seats, huge sunroof, large buttons, 14" screen, leg room, JBL Sound System and adjustability everywhere. Center console storage and cup holders are versatile. I know some people are expecting Lexus quality interiors at this price point. But I knew buying this vehicle, the money was in the mechanics, suspension, body and engine, not the interior. Also coming from more basic vehicles, it's pretty loaded to me.

- Camera and Sensor system. I can drive this thing with the windows blacked out if I had too. The cameras and sensors allow me to get this thing into some narrow spaces pretty easily.



Things I don't like:
- Fuel econ is not up to EPA levels. Yea, this was to be expected. Even while driving like I have an egg under my foot and trying to keep the electric motor engaged as much as I can, the best I am managing is 15 in city driving. I expect these numbers to improve as the break in occurs though. And if it doesn't oh well. It's a 6000lb truck. Maybe the wheels tires, and air dam combo for the Plat will make a difference in your fuel econ numbers in comparison against the pro.

- Infotainment system. This thing needs work. Probably the most annoying thing of the whole truck. I stream music from my phone as my primary source mainly from YouTube. So, two major issues: If trying to connect my phone via Wi-Fi, it will engage Android Auto. Android Auto freaking locks out the VOLUME CONTROLS! That is straight up unacceptable. The only way to get around this, is to Bluetooth connect instead. And Bluetooth has spotty connectivity at best. AND in order to connect my music via Bluetooth, I have to log in to my main profile with my pin EVERY SINGLE TIME! Sometimes when I am out of connectivity range, I can't log into my profile, or even more funny, get an actual 503 Bad Gateway error. If you don't stream music and or use Android like I do, or use Apple Carplay, it's probably a better experience. The only positive point I can think of, is the "Hey Toyota" voice command system works decently well when trying to use it for navigation.

- Remote start auto shut off when opening a door. Yes, I have known about this issue, way before I bought this truck. But it is the first vehicle I have ever owned with such a feature. Never did I realize how annoying it can be. I actually don't expect them to "fix" this issue.

 

What do you mean it locks out volume controls? I have a 23 Pro and only use Android Auto and have full volume control via steering wheel or the volume knob.

 

The problem is he listens to music through youtube which isn't supported through Android Auto or Apple Carplay. If you try and listen to any media outside of the applications, the volume knobs dont work. Same thing happens when I try to listen to a football game through my sunday ticket app. I had to shift to bluetooth only.

 

Got it. I use spotify so I didnt understand the issue.

 

Now I know this is for current 22-23’ owners (mine is here hopefully Saturday) but as stated before I do run 2 Ford Service shops. Now before you assume I’m 100% anti ford, I have owned: 3 powerstrokes, a 5.4 150 and my wife had an explorer. Having said that Ford quality has gone so far down lately that the ceo apologized to everyone at a National Ford meeting I attended.
First I applaud him for apologizing/ addressing the fact the Ford has more one recalls than any mfg currently and there are some insane scary ones. (Some coming I cannot discuss). Having owned 3 Tundras including my current 14’ with 130k I haven’t had a single issue which will always prompt me to buy another and deal with some of the quirks I hear about the new tundra. Is it perfect? Hell no, does Ford have some features I wish Toyota had? Yes. I think to each their own in this case, if you love your truck then keep loving it and don’t listen to the naysayers, I actually loved my 6.7 powerstroke myself. I will actually write a real review on my 23’ when it arrives taken into consideration everything I brought up.

My two or three cents

 

Just curious. Why are you using YouTube to listen to music for driving? Why not any of the other music streaming services?

 

I don't listen to mainstream music. I prefer independent content creators, soundtracks, and vods on YouTube to listen too.

 

I'm interested to know what you thought of the Tundra. I came from a 2021 Ford F-150 3.5 Ecoboost in my TRD Pro.