Toyota Tundra: Only Truck to Earn Top Safety Pick+

The 2022 Toyota Tundra crew cab, a large pickup, earns a Top Safety Pick+  award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thanks to improved performance in the two small overlap front crash tests and better headlights.

To earn either of the Institute’s two awards this year, a vehicle must earn good ratings in six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, including the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It must also be available with a front crash prevention system that earns advanced or superior ratings in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and daylight vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.

For the lower-tier Top Safety Pick, at least one good or acceptable headlight system must be available. For the higher-tier Top Safety Pick+, good or acceptable headlights must be standard across all trims.

The Tundra is available with good or acceptable headlights, depending on the trim level, as well as a standard front crash prevention system that earns superior ratings in the vehicle-to-vehicle and the daylight vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. The popular pickup also earns an advanced rating in the nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian test, though that evaluation is not a requirement for a 2022 award.

According to the IIHS, the Tundra’s ratings represent a substantial improvement over the 2021 model year, which fell short of an award because of marginal and poor ratings in the driver- and passenger-side small overlap tests as well as marginal headlights.

For 2022, Toyota made some major updates. The 2022-MY model offered two powertrain options: a twin-turbo V-6 engine and a hybrid twin-turbo V-6. Both engines include a standard 10-speed automatic transmission and a choice between 4x2 and 4x4 drivelines. The twin-turbo 3.5L V-6 engine produces up to 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft. of torque. When paired with the i-FORCE MAX, it produces an output of 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-8 engine is no longer available. 

In addition, the 2022 Toyota Tundra can also tow up to 12,000 pounds and has a max payload capacity of 1,940 pounds. To accommodate the higher capacities and improve ride comfort and handling, Toyota switched from Tundra's traditional leaf-spring rear suspension to one that uses coil springs.

Curious to learn more? The 2022 model was also named the "Truck of Texas" by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at the annual Texas Truck Rodeo event.