Is There a Chance 2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel?

The next generation of the super-reliable pickup truck is about to hit the market next year. At this point, we know a lot of things about the new model. However, there are also many things that we don’t know and that are based on rumors. One of them refers to the possibility to see a diesel version of the popular truck. Oil-burners are becoming popular among half-ton pickups, due to a superior balance between fuel economy and towing capacity. Therefore, the 2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel sounds quite possible, despite we all eagerly wait to see a hybrid powertrain under the hood.

The new electrified powertrain will definitely be a technological state of the art, but a diesel engine might be a good choice for those who are looking for a cheaper alternative.

2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel Specs

The 2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel would definitely be a great alternative, but there is one tricky thing about it. The thing is that Toyota doesn’t have an engine that could be a good fit for this pickup truck. Of course, there are some interesting units that power the legendary Hilux, but those seem way underpowered for a full-size pickup truck. Therefore, getting an engine from a third party seems necessary.

One of the engines that have been in conversation for a couple of years is a well-known 5.0-liter V8 turbodiesel from Cummins, which is good for about 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque. Cummins is a renowned diesel maker, so this engine would be a great choice in terms of reliability and overall performance. However, the fact that Nissan Titan XD with this engine was a complete disaster is one of the reasons for Toyota management to thing twice.

The actual problem with this engine is that it is too big for a half-ton pickup. If you look at the competition, it’s all about smaller and lighter engines, which are also more affordable. All three U.S. pickups come with diesel engines that feature a displacement of 3.0 liters and a max output of 250-260 horsepower, while a max torque goes from 440 to 480 pound-feet of torque. Those are the numbers we would expect to see from the 2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel but once again, that would be an engine from the third party.

2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel HD

Some reports suggest that the 2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel won’t come in the manner you probably expect. Those reports speculate about the possibility to see the new Tundra in the segment of HD trucks. This sounds quite interesting and there is no doubt that such a design approach would require a pretty capable diesel engine. Of course, it might be the aforementioned 5.0-liter Cummins engine, though it would have to feature much more power if Toyota wants to keep pace with other HD trucks on the market.

Therefore, there is another Cummins turbodiesel we think it would be a great choice for the 2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel. It is a large 6.7-liter six-cylinder engine, which is good for about 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The same engine already powers Ram HD models, and it proved itself as an excellent choice for pickup trucks.

Hybrid is a certain thing!

While the 2022 Toyota Tundra Diesel is still an uncertain thing, the Hybrid model is definitely coming. Those are the latest reports about the next-generation Tundra, which is about to hit the market by the end of next year. The new system will be based on a twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine, which will come in pair with a couple of electric motors, for a total output of 450-500 horsepower. With such numbers, the new Tundra will become a serious performer in all aspects, while the fuel economy should be pretty impressive as well. More details should be known soon.

Despite the new hybrid powertrain, we also expect that the current V8 engine will remain in the offer as well. The famous V8 is well-known for its excellent reliability, though it is also an extremely thirsty unit. Still, if the company is capable to make it more efficient, and adds a little bit more power, this could be an excellent choice for all those who want to keep things simple and stick to the good-old gasoline V8 unit.