Toyota Levels Up Its Flagship Truck with Rugged Options and Added Luxury

Yahoo

2 days ago

The 2026 Tundra gets a host of updates that make it even more prepared for adventure.
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Upon the launch of the third-generation Tundra back in 2022, Toyota ditched the truck's proven 5.7-liter V8 engine in favor of a cleaner, greener twin-turbo V6 and (gasp) a hybrid option.
At the time, many pickup enthusiasts grieved the loss of those two additional cylinders, even though the smaller engine resulted in improved fuel economy, more power and more torque.
That's not all — as part of the refresh, Toyota introduced multi-link rear suspension, a beefier fully boxed frame and a host of interior refinements.
In an effort to compete against domestic offerings, last year's update made eight-way front seats available on the SR5, added a power tailgate as standard and introduced a new TRD Rally appearance package.
Not content to stop there, Toyota has just unveiled its 2026 Tundra. Along with a bold new color option, the truck also benefits from some rugged TRD upgrades and even more luxurious trim choices. Here's what to expect.
Rugged trail readiness
For the 2026 model year, Toyota is treating the Tundra to some subtle but impactful tweaks that make it even more suited to towing and trail duty.
In practice, this means that all Tundra models will come equipped with the larger 32.2-gallon fuel tank as standard — even the SR and SR5 models that had previously featured the smaller 22.5-gallon option.
What's more, Toyota will be including a tow hitch and a 7/4 pin connector across the lineup to provide hauling provisions from the factory.
And the changes aren't exclusive to the lower-spec Tundras; as part of the refresh, Toyota is also adding several trim-specific updates.
For instance, the Tundra TRD Pro will get a bright Wave Maker Blue colorway and some optional ISO Dynamic seats similar to those found in the Toyota Tacoma.
Elsewhere in the lineup, the Platinum and 1794 TRD Off-Road Package models get power running boards, while the SX Package gains 20-inch wheels. The TRD Rally Package improves on its capabilities thanks to the option of a three-inch TRD lift kit and Tow Tech Package.
Elevated, inside and out
Beyond giving the 2026 Tundra TRD Pro a bright Wave Maker blue colorway, Toyota aims to elevate the driving experience — inside and out.
To improve cabin comfort, this means that all double cab Tundras will feature additional air vents in the rear center console. Moreover, Toyota says that all models equipped with single-zone climate control are to receive the automaker's SmartFlow management system.
For 2026, the Limited grade moves to leather-trimmed seats, with black and grey hides complemented by monochromatic stitching. As such, even the top-of-the-line Capstone grade gets a new option in the form of some Shale-colored leather-trimmed upholstery.
More to come
At this stage, Toyota has yet to release full pricing and specifications or the 2026 Tundra lineup.
However, it has confirmed that next year's model will retain its twin-turbo V6 i-Force and hybrid i-Force Max powertrain options. Output remains consistent with the 2025 model at 389 horsepower and 437 horsepower, respectively.
As such, it's unlikely that the above changes will result in a significant price hike (as inevitable as they may be).
The 2025 Tundra starts at $40,090 for the SR5 and tops out at $80,725 for the Capstone, so chances are pretty good that MSRP will shape up to be similar when the truck hits dealers later this year.
2026 Toyota Tundra
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