If you’re looking for a truck that’s not just a tough workhorse but also offers a comfortable ride for daily driving, you can’t go wrong with the Toyota Tundra. This full-size pickup is smooth as butter out on the road while still offering plenty of towing and hauling capability for when you need to get hard work done. We’re proud to offer the Toyota Tundra for sale here at Toyota of Bowling Green, and we are happy to let you know all you need to know about it so you can choose a truck that’s just right for your needs.

The Tundra is a highly configurable truck with different cab styles, bed lengths, trim levels, and packages that you can choose from in order to make your truck exactly what you need it to be. With the third-generation Tundra, which debuted for the 2022 model year, you can also choose between two capable powertrains: the i-FORCE and the i-FORCE MAX. You can probably tell from the name that the second option is the more powerful of the two, but what does it actually bring to the table? We’re going to take a look at this powertrain by the numbers so you can decide whether it’s worth upgrading to.

Components: 3

Both the i-FORCE and i-FORCE MAX use a 3.4L twin-turbocharged V6 engine, so you might be wondering just what puts the “max” in the i-FORCE MAX. The answer shouldn’t surprise you if you’ve been following Toyota over the years. Toyota has become well-known for making quality, reliable hybrid vehicles, and for the third generation of the Tundra, it’s bringing that electrification knowledge over to its full-size truck. In addition to the gasoline engine, the i-FORCE MAX powertrain also has a 48 hp electric motor and a 1.87 kWh battery that’s charged by regenerative braking as you drive. Together, these three components work in parallel to boost performance and improve your ride.

Power: 583 lb-ft

Exactly how much power does the hybrid system produce? Well, first, let’s put it in perspective. In the last year of its second generation, the 2021 Tundra was powered by a 5.7L V8 engine that produced 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. You’d think that the switch to a more efficient V6 would bring those numbers down, but thanks to clever engineering, that’s not the case. The i-FORCE powertrain of the 2024 Tundra delivers up to 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, making it livelier and better for getting up to highway speeds and passing slow-moving vehicles on two-lane roads. The i-FORCE MAX powertrain gets all of the power of that V6 engine plus a boost from the electric motor, giving you 437 hp and a best-in-class 583 lb-ft of torque from the entire system.

Fuel Economy: 22 MPG

Many of Toyota’s hybrids advertise fuel efficiency as the main reason for choosing them over non-hybrid options. With the Tundra, however, fuel economy takes a backseat to performance. That makes sense when you think about it: truck drivers are more likely to care about power and performance than drivers looking for a commuter car or a family SUV. But while it’s not the main focus of the i-FORCE MAX, the hybrid powertrain does still offer improved fuel economy. The non-hybrid i-FORCE powertrain delivers an EPA-estimated 20 MPG combined, while the i-FORCE MAX bumps that number up to 22 MPG combined. That adds up over time, especially if you log a lot of miles on the highway, so you can save money at the pump while also enjoying improved performance.

Acceleration: 5.7 Seconds

Just how improved is that performance, anyway? It can be a little abstract when you look at it in terms of horsepower, so let’s take a look at more real-world figures. The Tundra’s standard i-FORCE powertrain can go from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 6.1 seconds, but the more powerful i-FORCE MAX hybrid can do it in just 5.7 seconds, making it a better choice for sporty drivers looking to get their thrills behind the wheel of a truck that can accelerate in a flash. That's only 0.3 seconds slower than Toyota's GR86 sports car!

Towing: 11,450 lbs

There is one advantage that the i-FORCE powertrain has over the i-FORCE MAX, and that’s towing and payload capacity. While the hybrid powertrain delivers more horsepower and torque, it uses a heavy battery and a motor in order to do it, and carrying around the weight of these components eats into the Tundra’s ability to tow or haul a heavy load. So while an i-FORCE Tundra can tow up to 12,000 lbs and haul up to 1,940 lbs of payload, an i-FORCE MAX Tundra can tow up to 11,450 lbs and haul up to 1,680 lbs of payload.

For many drivers, this won’t be a real cause for concern. Plenty of truck owners never come anywhere close to the sky-high capacities that their vehicles offer. However, for others, this drawback may be a dealbreaker. If you really need that full 12,000 lb capacity, don’t worry. You’ll still be getting a fine setup with the standard i-FORCE powertrain, and the Tundra is a fun truck to drive, no matter how you configure it.

Trims: 5

When deciding which powertrain is right for you, you’ll also have to take a look at the 2024 Tundra’s seven available trim levels. Let’s start with the most basic and affordable trims and climb our way up the ladder. The entry-level SR and SR5 can only be had with the i-FORCE powertrain. In the middle, the Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition trims come standard with the i-FORCE powertrain, but you have the option to upgrade to the i-FORCE MAX if you want the electric boost.

The top two trims come standard with the i-FORCE MAX. The TRD Pro is the most off-road capable version of the Tundra, so it makes good use of the hybrid powertrain’s additional horsepower and torque, allowing you to conquer tough terrain and have thrilling adventures in the wilderness. The luxurious Capstone has the best of the best inside and out, and the smooth and powerful i-FORCE MAX is the cherry on top, making every ride fun and comfortable for you and your passengers.

Now That You Have the Numbers, We Can Help You Do the Math

With these numbers in hand, you have the information you need to decide which of the Tundra’s powertrains is right for you. If you come to a strong decision on your own, you’re one step closer to getting behind the wheel of your next truck. But if you’re running into roadblocks trying to weigh the pros and cons of each option, don’t let your wheels spin—give us a call or come by and visit the dealership! The friendly staff here at Toyota of Bowling Green knows this truck inside and out and is always happy to answer any of your questions and offer advice if you want it. We’re willing to go the extra mile to make sure that you end up with a truck that’s not just high-quality and reliable but 100% perfect for you.