The next year will be very interesting in the world of pickup trucks, as there are several interesting novelties to come. Among them, the new 2021 Toyota Tundra Hybrid definitely takes a special place. The super-reliable pickup truck has been around for a very long time and every truck enthusiast eagerly waits to see some changes. After 13 years of production, the current generation is definitely too old to compete with much younger rivals but fortunately, big novelties are coming for the next year.
Of course, we are talking about a complete overhaul, which is about to bring a completely new design as well as various other kinds of novelties. Among them, one of the things that draw a lot of attention is the powertrain, as the new model is about to come in the electrified form. At this point, the exact details about the new system are still a mystery, but we definitely know some of the most basic things.
2021 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Specs
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind about the 2021 Toyota Tundra Hybrid is the specification. As we’ve just mentioned, it is still early for precise numbers, but we definitely know some of the base design characteristics. Of course, the new model will use a system that is based on a twin-turbo V6 engine, similar to one that can be found under the hood of Lexus LS 500h.
The luxury sedan is good for about 354 horsepower, but we expect that the 2021 Toyota Tundra Hybrid will feature significantly higher output, considering that we are talking about a much bigger and heavier vehicle, which also needs to haul and tow. Therefore, it’s no wonder that most reports suggest a max output of 450 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Along with a new hybrid powertrain, we also expect to see the new 10-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
If we look at the current Tundra, there is no doubt that one of the biggest drawbacks is a poor fuel economy. The current model returns just around 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. Those are the lowest ratings in the class, so expectations from the new 2021 Toyota Tundra Hybrid are pretty big. At this point, it is still early for estimations, but if we look that the luxury LS 500h is good for about 27 mpg combined, we could count on decent numbers from this model as well. Of course, we expected that this hybrid system will be significantly modernized and that it won’t just feature mode power, but also higher efficiency. Therefore, it’s no wonder that some sources suggest more than 30 mpg on the highway, while the combine fuel economy should go around 25-26 miles per gallon.
2021 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Towing Capacity
One of the hardest tasks for Toyota engineers will be to find a perfect balance between fuel economy and capabilities. Of course, we all expect to see great mpg ratings, but a pickup like this one also needs decent towing ratings. With the expected output, as well as a new chassis, we have no doubt that the new model will feature much better ratings than the current model. Some reports suggest a max towing capacity of 14.000 pounds, which would be a pretty respectable number for the class.
V8 Remains or Not?
Of course, another question that comes to mind is what’s going to happen with the current V8 engine. Although extremely thirsty, this engine is also the most reliable unit in the class, so it would be logical to keep it in the offer, especially because of the price tag, considering that the hybrid model will probably be notably more expensive. Therefore, a good thing would be to see some improvements in terms of fuel economy, as well as a slight power increase. In that way, this engine would definitely remain the first choice for many truckers.
What Else to Expect from New Tundra?
Of course, this redesign will be much more than a new powertrain. We count on improvements in all aspects and one of the first things that come to mind is a new platform. It has been codenamed F1. The new layout will bring various improvements, starting from weight reduction, improved drive quality, higher comfort and more. Also, we count on a completely new rear suspension setup, probably with air components.
There is no doubt that the upcoming redesign will bring big novelties in terms of styling as well. We still don’t know the details, but we are pretty sure that changes will be mostly evolutionary. On the other side, the cabin should come with huge improvements in terms of quality, particularly in terms of aesthetics and finer materials. Finally, we count on loads of new tech goodies, including a completely new infotainment system.