New Tundra Hybrid 3 weeks in…

[unclebilly]

I’ve had my truck 3 weeks now and have racked up over 3500 kms.

It now has a tonneau cover, nerf bars, and is soon to have a goose neck hitch and a small lift so I can install 35” tires.



The mileage is getting better as the engine breaks in. The last tank was 13.2 l/100 or 17.8 mpg on the trip computer but actually better in terms of fuel used and distance covered.

The traction control and multi terrain select is really good. I’ve only used deep snow mode so far and it worked really well.

There is NO turbo lag. The electric system goes to full power when you floor it and then the boost builds to max power. It’s totally seamless and excellent engineering. Lots of passing power.

I pulled a trailer with a light load on it the other day. That was interesting and I need to properly setup my trailers in the computer. It detects a trailer is connected and learns the trailer for braking and turning. It will actually back up a trailer straight once programmed. My initial trailering experience was NOT good. The trailer is setup for my old Tundra and the wiring is too short for the new truck so if I turned right, it would pull out the 7 pin connector, then the truck would lose its mind. As I was backing up ( to the right), with the trailer wiring disconnected, it kept slamming on the brakes so I wouldn’t run into something. I now know how to turn this off. I am making a wiring extension and will properly program the trailer to the truck with the trailer and hitch lengths. It towed just fine with a 66 mustang shell on the trailer at 70 mph once we were on the road.

This truck is very refined. It is quiet, perhaps a bit more wind noise than my 2011 Tundra but maybe not. I miss the shorter wheelbase of my crew max with the 5.5’ box in parking lots.

The lights in the box and all of the cameras on the truck are awesome for checking on a load while driving or getting into tight parking spots.

The cab is comfortable, the stereo is great, I wish there was more storage. The hybrid battery takes all of the under seat storage in the back and the rear seat doesn’t move forward.

In my mind, this type of electric vehicle is the only type that makes sense. The electricity is generated by braking, this recaptures energy otherwise converted to heat and improves braking. It doesn’t have a massive battery like a Tesla and I can fuel it at any corner gas station.

[rfuerst911sc]

Toyota hybrid technology is excellent . Toyota engineering is excellent . That's a winning combo . Good luck with it .

[1990C4S]

One step closer to the federal goals. Good thing someone us helping, I'm not...

[oldE]

Unclebilly, I suspect part of the reason the mileage is improving is the truck's computer is "learning " your driving methods.
The regen braking is one of the greatest benefits in my mind, but with one caveat: service your brakes annually. The rears may get no use at all with the regen system and they may seize.
Enjoy the beast!

Merry Christmas
Les

[Cairo94507]

I have been wanting to buy a new Toyota Tacoma (small truck) but the absolutely horrible mileage keeps me away. I see no reason a small pick-up can't get 30+ MPG all day long.

[slow&rusty]

Great review!
Thanks for sharing

[wdfifteen]

That trailer technology sounds amazing! I’m sure it adds to safety, what with the untrained and the “in too much of a hurry to do it rights” (guilty on occasion ) trying to drag trailers around.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by Cairo94507

I have been wanting to buy a new Toyota Tacoma (small truck) but the absolutely horrible mileage keeps me away. I see no reason a small pick-up can't get 30+ MPG all day long.

Toyota needs to shytecan that 4.0 engine in the tacoma and 4Runner. That's why I switched over to a 3.5 Ecoboost F150. More power and better MPG in a larger truck.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Great review!
Thanks for sharing

It was. Thanks, UB.

Originally Posted by craigster59

Toyota needs to shytecan that 4.0 engine in the tacoma and 4Runner. That's why I switched over to a 3.5 Ecoboost F150. More power and better MPG in a larger truck.

I could not agree more.

Before we did the horse thing 20 plus years ago, I managed the farm with am SR 5 then a 1999 Tacoma. That and a mid-sized utility trailer.

I needed a 1/2 ton for horse trailer towing.

When we no longer own the farm, my desire is for a small truck, hybrid or not, that I can fit in. Maybe the Stout:

https://www.hotcars.com/toyota-stout-compact-pickup-what-we-know/

[Tobra]

Must. Not. Click. Link.

I even like the color of the one in that thumbnail

[908/930]

A lift and 35" tires why? It will only make it less appropriate for the road, and that truck looks great as it is. I did have 40" tires on my 1981 Toyota for a short time, it could only pull 3rd gear on the highway, lol.

[aschen]

We have had our hybrid hylander a few months now, get pretty close to 40mpg with me driving and 35 mpg with wife driving. She is not aggressive or a leadfoot, but i am conscious of coastdown energy recovery and try to maximize ev only mode to a degree. I like the toyota UI for gamifying efficiency. 20 years ago i never would have thought 40mpg was possible in a largish suv.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by 908/930

A lift and 35" tires why? It will only make it less appropriate for the road, and that truck looks great as it is. I did have 40" tires on my 1981 Toyota for a short time, it could only pull 3rd gear on the highway, lol.

I farm and need the ground clearance for chasing cows and for in the snow.

I have these on my current Tundra and it’s about right.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

I’ve had my truck 3 weeks now and have racked up over 3500 kms.



It now has a tonneau cover, nerf bars, and is soon to have a goose neck hitch and a small lift so I can install 35” tires.







The mileage is getting better as the engine breaks in. The last tank was 13.2 l/100 or 17.8 mpg on the trip computer but actually better in terms of fuel used and distance covered.



The traction control and multi terrain select is really good. I’ve only used deep snow mode so far and it worked really well.



There is NO turbo lag. The electric system goes to full power when you floor it and then the boost builds to max power. It’s totally seamless and excellent engineering. Lots of passing power.



I pulled a trailer with a light load on it the other day. That was interesting and I need to properly setup my trailers in the computer. It detects a trailer is connected and learns the trailer for braking and turning. It will actually back up a trailer straight once programmed. My initial trailering experience was NOT good. The trailer is setup for my old Tundra and the wiring is too short for the new truck so if I turned right, it would pull out the 7 pin connector, then the truck would lose its mind. As I was backing up ( to the right), with the trailer wiring disconnected, it kept slamming on the brakes so I wouldn’t run into something. I now know how to turn this off. I am making a wiring extension and will properly program the trailer to the truck with the trailer and hitch lengths. It towed just fine with a 66 mustang shell on the trailer at 70 mph once we were on the road.



This truck is very refined. It is quiet, perhaps a bit more wind noise than my 2011 Tundra but maybe not. I miss the shorter wheelbase of my crew max with the 5.5’ box in parking lots.



The lights in the box and all of the cameras on the truck are awesome for checking on a load while driving or getting into tight parking spots.



The cab is comfortable, the stereo is great, I wish there was more storage. The hybrid battery takes all of the under seat storage in the back and the rear seat doesn’t move forward.



In my mind, this type of electric vehicle is the only type that makes sense. The electricity is generated by braking, this recaptures energy otherwise converted to heat and improves braking. It doesn’t have a massive battery like a Tesla and I can fuel it at any corner gas station.

Beautiful truck. I'm thinking very seriously about trading in my Gladiator for one of these.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[upsscott]

Also, thank you for the review.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[look 171]

Wow, sounds like a very nice vehicle. Enjoy it.

[David]

Unclebilly, I made a 0-60 run this cool morning in my non-hybrid 2wd Tundra. It was cold so pretty ideal but it was 5.0 seconds! This screen print only shows 5 seconds but the data is 5.0 seconds so pretty darn good for a stock truck with an average driver. I let off so the quarter mile isn’t accurate.

I was riding in a friend’s stupid expensive Saleen F150 last week and when he got on it I was thinking, I don’t think this is much faster than the tundra.

I’m curious to see what you get with the same free GPS race timer app in 2wd and 4wd.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by David

Unclebilly, I made a 0-60 run this cool morning in my non-hybrid 2wd Tundra. It was cold so pretty ideal but it was 5.0 seconds! This screen print only shows 5 seconds but the data is 5.0 seconds so pretty darn good for a stock truck with an average driver. I let off so the quarter mile isn’t accurate.

I was riding in a friend’s stupid expensive Saleen F150 last week and when he got on it I was thinking, I don’t think this is much faster than the tundra.

I’m curious to see what you get with the same free GPS race timer app in 2wd and 4wd.

Challenge accepted but I’m at 3440 feet elevation.

[unclebilly]

I got the BW gooseneck hitch installed yesterday. The shop that did it did a really nice job. It’s a clean install.

[Flatbutt1]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Toyota needs to shytecan that 4.0 engine in the tacoma and 4Runner. That's why I switched over to a 3.5 Ecoboost F150. More power and better MPG in a larger truck.

I have the 3.5 in my '20 Taco and routinely get better than 21 mpg. But I drive like an old man.