Some observations from my new 2023 Capstone

Hi Folks!

The husband totaled his 2017 SR5 Tundra with Magi supercharger on 02/15. Short version, went to Chicago and bought a 2023 Capstone yesterday. Just got back from a 1500 some miles drive to AZ.

Anyhow - we never even sat in one, but knew this is what we wanted. I'm honestly a little surprised how much I love the truck. It's shocking how much power it has!

It doesn't have the variable suspension or ride height adjustment. Despite that, I'm pretty impressed with how it handled and road manners.

It's the first hybrid I have ever driven. I know it's geared towards power rather than economy, but still pretty cool. It keeps me fascinated for sure.

It took some playing around with S mode to figure out that this thing WILL NOT go into 10th gear under 80mph. I could set cruise at 82 long enough for it to settle in, drop cruise to 79 and it would hold 10th gear. From what I can tell, it will hold a moderate amount of throttle even going up fairly steep grades and still remain in 10th gear. Seems like around 72 or 73mph was a forced downshift to 9th, regardless of throttle. In my mind, they were thinking of Texas drivers. It didn't seem to make much difference in fuel economy.

First tank 17, second 14 and final tank 19 mpg. Of course an 80mph cruise is definitely not compatible with good fuel economy in any vehicle.

Second odd thing: I read basically the entire owners manual while I was sitting in passenger seat. Nowhere does it mention remote start using the key fob. But sure enough, if I press lock 3 times and hold it the 3rd time, it remote starts. Have not figured that one out yet.

Having a real crappy time getting that dumb app setup on the phone. It's linked to the truck (can read tire pressures and odometer), but takes is in this continuous "Activate" loop by scanning QR code. Need to call Toyota Care tomorrow to straighten out.

And my FAVORITE FEATURE that I can't use because they put the stinking temp tag in the rear window is the rear glass roll down feature. Always wanted and never had!

Cheers! Comments welcome.

Still lots to figure out.

 

Congrats…!! Thanks for the observations and impressions !

 

Congrats on the truck!

 

Congrats on the capstone, but.....

 

I also love the that the rear-window goes down completely. Living in Florida, I can put all the windows down, open the top, and it has a very open and airy "jeep-feel" to the truck. Super nice way to ride around town or hangout on the beach!

 

I didn't realize the Capstone did not come with the adaptive variable suspension or the load leveling rear height control. I feel like when you buy the top, maxed luxury trim it should come with every option available with the exception of TRD related packages. Weird. I learned something new today

 

some people prefer to keep it really simple. the AQ package (avs + hud) isnt really needed if its only a mall/garage queen. i mean i would have preferred not to have it on our platinum so i dont have to deal with long term issues with those components if we keep it longer than 5-7 yrs.

 

It's the only option available for Capstone. I for one opted for truck without it because it didn't seem necessary for my use case.

 

Duly noted. I think I just put a photo up (I think...) Lol.

 

Haha, just so that you know, it is just a joke that most make, we love seeing trucks, when when someone claims they got a new truck, it is either picture or it didn't happen.
Just a thought, since you got it in Chicago and drove it back, have someone look at the underside and make sure you get some rust protection on it, I know you are residing in AZ, but those north sales are no joke....

 

I have wondered about this as well. I have a 22, 1794 edition and in my estimation it is the same as a Capstone, minus the 22" wheels. I don't really understand why the Capstone trim exists as it is essentially the same as as a 1794 or Platinum. It's obviously an awesome trim, I just don't think it really offers anything over a Plat or 1794.

 

Aside from adding the Advanced Package option which you can do with either of them, the difference is the 22 inch wheels, the capstone interior and the acoustic front windshield. So the only value I see in the capstone over a 1794 is my personal opinion that the amount of chrome on a 1794 is terrible and the capstone eliminates that. If you don't want chrome, acoustic windshield, or the capstone interior, the platinum is a much better value. I will say though, I love the 1794 for it's acknowledgement of the founding year of the ranch the Tundra factory sits on. If it wasn't for all the chrome, I would love that truck.

 

Congrats. Hope you followed the engine break in procedures over that 1500+ mile trip.

 

. I have a 1794 and love all my chrome

Mine came with the acoustic windshield. Wish I had the electric running bds/bed step, which looks like you have. My 2017 Ram Lariat had voice commands for climate control, which I miss!!

Your capstone looks good - looked at one, but chose my 1794 on price, color & non HV.

 

Congrats glad you enjoyed the trip. A buddy of mine and me drove mine back to Utah from Ohio. The temp in the rear window did not stop him from figuring out it rolled down. Only had to go another 1200 miles with a temp torn up in the back seat.

 

The 1794 has an acoustic windshield. I also love the chrome on the 1794, and I came out of a TRD Pro. I wasn’t hating on the Cap, I just don’t see the extra value. The interior on the 1794 is equal to the Cap in my opinion.

 

Thats a good looking truck! Almost as good looking as mine LOL

 

SAVED THE DAY! Many thanks for this very helpful tip!!

I hear you. It's all good. I mean...I kinda like showing it off. It's the nicest vehicle I've ever been in, let alone owned.

And the underside is already coated with salt. I-80 through Iowa and Nebraska...places I never want to see again.

Any recommendations on products for rust protection? I'm a pretty avid DIY'er if you got some suggestions.

I was really looking for a 1794 with hybrid powertrain, but they're so hard to find. And through a family friend, I got the Capstone for $1500 under MSRP, which this day in age is nearly unheard of. It was there, it was pretty, we wanted it. Lol.

I did not. I asked about the break-in period and (foolishly) did not read the entire owners manual. Should have known better than to listen to the salesmen, who said 500 miles. But Toyota specifically says not to travel at one continuous speed for long periods of time during the first 1000 miles. Welp...I did it. The first 500 miles, I used S mode to manually downshift and upshift to vary rpm's. After about 500 miles, I put it in D, set cruise at 80mph and left it mostly. I guess we'll see if it makes any difference. I've heard that breaking in a new vehicle on the highway without varying rpms would cause cylinder wall glazing, but I've never actually heard of this happening in a newer vehicle.

The electric running boards are disabled after knocking some shins on those stinking things a few times. I'm 5'11. I don't need it. But don't you think for a second I don't reach in there and tap the button to extend them when I'm showing it off to friends. Because it's still FREAKING COOL! Ha!

At first the dealership said it was gray. The last Tundra was the dark gray (metallic steel???). I was a little bummed because as long as it wasn't red, pink, brown or bright green, I was gonna get it. They sent the first photo of it and I fell in love with the color. ABSOLUTELY love it!!

 

You will get used to the running boards. I think the first week I bashed my shins every day. Its the tail gate one I whack all the time...shut the tailgate , take one step and basho goes the shin

 

No harm wanting to show off a new truck, I did the same, basically a salesman for my friends to get a new Tundra....haha
Iowa and Nebraska is lovely, during summer.... winter? I avoid it like hell, but I am in Houston, so not sure which is worse....lol
For rust protection, I think there is quite a few recommendations, but nothing that's long term and most likely will need re-application every year or few years.
But I would say look it up and get it done for the first couple of years as you have a thick cake of salt underneath and the last thing you need is the rust eating away your frame and under side of a Capstone.
After that, I mean, you are in AZ, where the air is hot and dry, you should be golden.

 

If you've never had the rear window, you can now experiment with having your front windows down, and how far down you need the rear window to eliminate buffeting and reduce wind noise. It hasn't gotten warm enough here to roll the windows down, yet, but I enjoyed that feature with my 4Runner. My wife loved being able to have the windows down and her hair not blowing everywhere.