The Toyota Tundra Capstone stands out for many reasons. First, it’s motivated by a hybrid powertrain, a not-too-common option in the full-size pickup segment even as the industry giants move toward electrification. It also starts at over $76,000, making it even more expensive than the top ICE-powered pickups from Ford, Chevy, and Ram. Finally, to make it worthy of that price, the Capstone is chock-full of technology and hardware that has resulted in what is certainly a luxury-level pickup.

Effectively then, the Tundra Capstone is what happens when Lexus’ engineers have grown weary of working on sedans and SUVs and want to have a go at a truck. Or at least it seems that way, because the Capstone, the top-trim of the 2023 Tundra, could easily double as Lexus’ first truck that just happens to be wearing Toyota badges. While still capable of doing all the truck things one expects from a full-size pickup, the Capstone leans more toward the market of trucks acting more as luxury family haulers than movers of stuff. But for that purpose, it’s certainly worth a look if you have the means to afford its notable price tag.

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What’s New For The 2023 Tundra?

The Tundra underwent a significant update for the 2022 model after remaining mostly untouched since 2007. For the update, the Tundra received reworked styling inside and out, new equipment, a new standard powertrain, and other enhancements. As expected, few changes have been made for the 2023 model, and for the top-level Capstone trim, it arrives this year with no updates.

2023 Tundra Capstone Powertrain

One of the most notable features of the Tundra Capstone is its hybrid V-6 powertrain, which completely replaces the V-8 found in previous models. The i-Force Max hybrid system may sound like the product name of a testosterone supplement you see peddled to middle-aged guys on late-night TV, but it provides notable oomph and efficiency.

The Tundra Capstone’s 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid delivers 476 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The market for hybrid pickups is limited as only the Tundra and F-150 PowerBoost offer electrified engines. In this case, the Tundra packs more power and grunt over the Ford’s 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The F-150 is notably more efficient at 25/26 mpg compared to the Tundra’s 19/22, but the Ford is also pricier.

The Toyota’s grunt is made obvious with a stab of the throttle as the rear end buckles down and delivers ample hustle to move the bulky pickup from a stop to 60 mph in just under six seconds. There is a whiff of turbo lag, but most V-8 engines in modern trucks aren’t the most responsive to throttle inputs anyway, so it’s easy to overlook. With 10 gears at its disposal, the hybrid engine’s gusto is readily available at any speed, and it moves through the gears with relative smoothness. Power delivery is also buttery, making the V-6 hybrid a solid setup.

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The Capstone Is Still Capable, But Short Of Its Rivals

Opting for the Capstone and its upscale amenities does impact the Tundra’s capabilities, however. Within the 2023 Tundra range, the Capstone is only available in Crewmax configuration, Toyota speak for crew cab, with a 5.5-foot bed, whereas those looking for a hybrid V-6 pickup have more options from the F-150 PowerBoost. The Capstone is rated to tow up to 10,340 pounds, which is about 800 pounds less than what is offered in other 4X4 Tundra models.

It also has less towing capacity than what’s offered by the PowerBoost, which can haul up from 11,000 to 12,700 pounds depending on the configuration. It’s a similar story for the payload — the Tundra is limited to 1,450 pounds while the Ford ranges from 1,810 to 2,120 pounds.

Still, the Capstone’s generous number of aids and cameras are appreciated when towing. Standard equipment includes a panoramic view monitor, multiple exterior display angles, a digital display rearview mirror, a hitch view to assist with trailering, Trailer Back Guidance, a Straight Path Assist feature, and a blind-spot monitoring system that includes the trailer when towing.

It’s enough conveniences to make towing far less of a daunting experience for the uninitiated or inexperienced. Additionally, the Capstone is fitted with power running boards and a StepBed feature that automatically pops out a step under the lower bumper when the tailgate is opened.

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The Tundra Capstone Is Practically Lavish

Though the Tundra trails some of its rivals for capability, more truck buyers are becoming less concerned with peak practicality and more on features, tech, and comfort as pickups are becoming more family haulers and commuters. Toyota clearly understands this with the Capstone, which feels more like a large SUV on the inside. Not to mention, the Capstone’s seats are white and black semi-aniline leather, and we don’t expect too many people using their trucks as workhorses will want them decked out in white upholstery.

The cabin is sprinkled with generous slabs of Dark American Walnut open-pore wood, the panoramic moonroof is so massive it could double as an observatory, the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster greets drivers with a sharply colored animation and graphics, and the 14-inch multimedia display looks and feels like a small TV more than an iPad-like tablet. Driving the tech and creature comfort aspects home, the Capstone also sports a 10-inch head-up display, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system.

The upscale features aren’t the only factor that makes the Capstone feel like a Lexus product. There’s ample sound deadening, the buttons and knobs feel well-built, and the ride quality with the bed empty is relatively comfortable. You certainly won’t mistake it for an ES behind the wheel, but other than a tendency to vibrate while heating up on cooler days, the Capstone is certainly in the upper echelon of pickups with comfortable ride quality, undoubtedly helped by its coil-spring rear suspension that debuted in the 2022 model.

While it’s certainly attention-grabbing for its size and display quality, the 14-inch touchscreen isn’t the most intuitive system to use, though there are some cool features baked in and plenty of knobs and dials for redundancy to avoid using the touchscreen while driving.

The cabin is also certainly spacious, even though the rear seats actually have slightly less legroom than the last-gen Tundra. The rear doesn’t have under-seat storage like the F-150, but they are more supportive. The Capstone also features rear seat controls on the center console. In the front, the center console is hugely spacious with a small tray up top good for storing small items while the remainder could easily swallow a 12-pack for the drive home from the store.

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Tundra Capstone Pricing

The Tundra’s top-tier features list commands a top-tier price as the Capstone starts at $75,845 excluding destination, which is about $2,500 more expensive than the 2022 model. While a PowerBoost F-150 can be had in the mid-$40,000 range, to truly compete with the Tundra on size and features, you would need to spring for the top-tier Limited F-150, and with the upcharge for the hybrid powertrain, the cost will surpass $80,000. Still, the F-150 has a few tricks up its sleeve like its semi-autonomous BlueCruise driving system and onboard generator.

Tundra Capstone Overall

Though not as overall competent as its rivals from the Big Three, the Tundra Capstone is an appealing choice for those who don’t mind foregoing some truck aptitude for everyday comfort and features. It appears upscale and has the delivery to hold true to that visual promise with plenty of tech, luxuries, and upmarket appointments. And with just a 5.5-foot bed available, the Capstone certainly seems geared toward those who want the capabilities of a truck with the convenience of a family mobile that isn’t too harmful to the wallet at the pumps.