Two 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrids raise $1.2 million for charity

Remember those two 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrids that we reported about last week? Well, they just raised $1.2 million for charity after they got auctioned at the 2022 Barrett-Jackson Auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona this past weekend. Both trucks were among the first examples to roll out of Toyota’s San Antonio, Texas facility. The Tundra Capstone was the first one built, wearing VIN 001 while the TRD Pro was the second example made with VIN 002. Of the two, the former fetched the most money with the winning bid being $700,000. The TRD Pro’s winning bid was $550,000.

Money raised from selling these two early examples of the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid will benefit the Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund. The first of its kind, this launched the brand’s efforts to support Team USA’s Paralympic athletes and has benefited more than 430 competitors and hopefuls. Contributions also come from other sources across the country including Toyota’s network of dealers. After this recent auction, Toyota U.S. Paralympic Fund has raised over $4.9 million for Paralympic athletes.

The winning bidders will also get a Toyota-hosted trip for two to Park City, Utah for an exclusive program to support Team USA athletes competing at the Paralympic Winter Games. Addition extras include a Tundra engine cover signed by Mike Sweers, the truck’s chief engineer, and an exclusive framed print of the original Tundra styling sketches from Calty, Toyota’s North American design studio. The print will also be signed by Kevin Hunter, president of Calty, and two of the Tundra’s exterior designers, Adam Rabinowitz and Chung Lee.

Both the TRD Pro and Capstone variants get the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain and 4WD as standard equipment. That pairs a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a nickel-metal-hydride battery. The total system output is 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. Capstone models are the most expensive and luxurious iterations of the Tundra, featuring power running boards, 22-inch alloy wheels, American Walnut interior trim, semi-aniline perforated leather upholstery, an illuminated Capstone logo on the dash, and acoustic glass on the front doors. It also gets the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with load-leveling rear air suspension as standard. Available only in crew cab configuration with the 5.5-foot bed, the Tundra Capstone is available in six exterior colors.

The Tundra TRD Pro is the most capable model of the lineup. Like the Capstone, it’s only available as a crew cab with the shortest bed. It, however, gets all the off-road goodies like an electronic locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, CRAWL Control, Fox off-road shocks, a TRD front skid plate, a 1.1-inch lift on the suspension, and a TRD anti-roll bar. The maximum towing and payload for the TRD Pro are 11,170 pounds and 1,600 pounds respectively. Capstone variants, on the other hand, can tow 10,340 pounds and carry 1,485 pounds.

Pricing for the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid starts at $53,995 for a rear-drive Limited grade with a 5.5-foot bed. The TRD Pro starts at $68,500 while the Capstone is the most expensive, setting you back $75,225. Other trims offered with the i-Force Max powertrain include the Platinum and 1794 Edition. Along with the Limited, you can only get the electrified powertrain on a crew cab with either a 5.5- or 6.5-foot bed.

By Chad Kirchner

Chad is the VP of Content for EV Pulse, and other Wrecked Media Group properties. He has years of experience covering the automotive industry and has been featured in Truck Trend, The Drive, Overland Journal, AutoGuide, Automotive Map, and other places.