2023 Toyota Tundra Review: Not the Most Anything and Better for It

The best truck is rarely the most extreme. If it beats everything else in terms of performance, then it oftentimes lacks livability. Meanwhile, if it’s the comfiest, it’s rarely the most capable. Not to mention that if it’s the top dog in any one category, it’s typically pretty pricey. The 2023 Toyota Tundra Limited doesn’t worry about being the most anything, and for that reason, it’s pretty darn good.

I tested one that ticks all the right boxes for me, an everyday pickup truck driver. Sporting Softex-lined seats, the non-hybrid power plant, and the value-packed TRD Off-Road package, it’s everything you need and little that you don’t if you expect to wander away from the pavement. And if you ask me, it looks slick too. That Army Green is killer.

The Tundra is like it always has been in a lot of ways. It isn’t the punchiest, nor is it the most luxurious—but it gets the job done. Whether the job is running to town, towing a boat, or, in my case, carrying whatever the heck will fit in the bed, it’s a superb daily driver.

The Basics

Toyota knows that full-size trucks are the United States’ bread and butter. The automaker may sell more Tacomas by a country mile, but there’s more market share to be had in the half-ton space. That’s why it totally redid the Tundra for the 2022 model year and while it’s largely unchanged for 2023, it still feels fresh. (Considering the last-gen Tundra stuck around for 15 years, this iteration has a lot of life left in it.)

The exterior design is angular and aggressive. For sure, it looks like a modern pickup. This Tundra’s styling has proven to inform other models in Toyota’s range, from the also-full-size Sequoia SUV to the smaller Taco. It’s the brand’s body-on-frame flagship, so its design language reflects that with sharp creases and a stout stance.

It’s nice inside, too. I, for one, am a fan of the 14-inch infotainment screen. I get why some might not like it—huge displays can be distracting and troublesome for plenty of valid reasons—but the resolution is clear and the operating system is intuitive. My tester had physical gauges with a modest digital display in between the tach and speedometer, so I wasn’t overwhelmed. The seats were also pretty comfy if not totally remarkable.

All new Tundras have a twin-turbo V6 measuring 3.4 liters—or 3.5 liters, depending on what Toyota feels like claiming that day. Some have a power-adding hybrid system, while others (like this one) do not. Power is still healthy at 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque without the fancy battery and electric motor.

Driving the Toyota Tundra

I’ve actually tested several versions of the new Tundra, but this is the one I’d buy. I know we’re just getting started here but a crew cab Limited trim is the right blend of simple and stylish if you care as much about features as you do your budget. Of course, it’s hard to call this a budget-friendly truck at $62,194 as tested, but considering how much half-ton trucks can cost, this is the new middle-ground. Don't shoot the messenger.

The truck has push-button start and a console shifter, so right off the bat, it’s way more modern than those old ‘Yota pickups that started with a key you actually turn and a column shifter you yank down to go into drive. It’s also a decent amount punchier than even its V8-powered predecessor thanks to an 8 hp and 78 lb-ft advantage. Acceleration isn’t as immediate without the hybrid assist but there’s still very little lag thanks to the properly sized turbos.