Over the past decade, upscale "luxury trucks" have taken over. What started with failed attempts to make a Lincoln F-150 boomed into a giant segment led by trucks like the F-150 Limited and Platinum, the Ram 1500 Limited, the GMC Sierra Denali, and the Chevy Silverado High Country. Now, Toyota's getting in with the Tundra Capstone.
The Tundra, which just received its first redesign since 2008, has long lagged behind the Detroit Three in terms of luxury. The new generation aims to change that, with twin-turbo V-6 powertrains, a hybrid option, and now a luxurious top trim. The Capstone features massive leather seats, open-pore Walnut wood, and a panoramic moonroof. Outside, you get 22-inch chrome wheels, power running boards, an automatic bed step, and chrome accents.
The Capstone exclusively comes with the Tundra's i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. It teams a twin-turbo V-6 with an electric motor-generator mounted between the engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission. That setup is good for low-speed all-electric cruising and a maximum combined output of 437 hp and 583 lb-ft. Adaptive dampers and air suspension are also offered on the Capstone, while hydraulic cab mounts are standard. This should improve the Tundra's noise, vibration, and harshness, while the torquey hybrid ensures you can tow up to 10,340 lbs. Max payload is 1485 lbs for the crew cab, 5.5-ft-bed truck—the only configuration available for the Capstone.
You also get plenty of screens and gadgets. In addition to the standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the 14-inch infotainment system, the Capstone gets a 12-inch color head-up display. A standard digital rear-view mirror tops it off. There's the usual combination of Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and an integrated smart voice assistant with "Hey Toyota" functionality. And like all Tundras, the Capstone gets Toyota's suite of active safety features, including automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping with active lane centering, and automatic emergency braking. The blind spot monitor on the Capstone truck can also be adjusted to detect vehicles in the blind spot of a trailer you're towing, which, along with systems that help you maneuver with a trailer, should make pulling large loads easier.
Pricing has not yet been announced. The current top trim, the 1794, starts at $59,385, so expect it to cost more than that. We expect it to go on sale this spring.
Mack Hogan previously served as the reviews editor for Road & Track. He founded the automotive reviews section of CNBC during his sophomore year of college and has been writing about cars ever since.
