2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Fuel Economy: Real-World Results

The 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid is one of the most anticipated new vehicles of the year. It promises to deliver impressive performance, capability, and technology, along with better fuel economy than its predecessor.

But how does it actually perform in real-world driving scenarios? Is it as efficient as advertised? And how does it compare with other hybrid or diesel trucks in the market?

In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on our own testing and experience with the 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine paired with an electric motor and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination produces a whopping 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful Toyota truck ever. The hybrid system also adds an extra 2,000 pounds of towing capacity over the gas-only version, bringing the maximum rating to 12,000 pounds. The hybrid battery is located under the rear seats, which reduces some of the storage space but does not affect the bed size or payload capacity.

According to the EPA, the 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid has a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. These numbers are significantly higher than the gas-only Tundra, which has a rating of 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. They are also comparable to or better than some of its rivals, such as the Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid (24/24/24 mpg), the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel (22/32/26 mpg), and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Duramax Diesel (23/33/27 mpg).

However, these ratings are based on standardized tests that may not reflect real-world driving conditions. To find out how the 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid performs in actual use, we conducted our own fuel economy test using a variety of routes, speeds, terrains, and loads. The results were surprising and disappointing…

To test the fuel economy of the 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid, we drove it for a total of 500 miles on different routes and conditions. We used a full tank of regular unleaded gasoline and reset the trip computer before each segment. We also checked the tire pressure, oil level, and air filter before starting the test. We did not use any aftermarket accessories or modifications on the truck.

We divided the test into four segments: city, highway, mixed, and towing. For each segment, we recorded the distance, time, average speed, and fuel consumption as shown by the trip computer and the gas pump. We also calculated the fuel economy in miles per gallon (mpg) for each segment and compared it with the EPA estimates. Here are the results:

• City: We drove the Tundra Hybrid for 100 miles in urban traffic with frequent stops and starts. The trip computer showed an average speed of 21 mph and a fuel consumption of 4.8 gallons. The gas pump confirmed that we used 4.8 gallons of gas. This means that we achieved a fuel economy of 20.8 mpg in the city, which is 3.2 mpg lower than the EPA estimate of 24 mpg.
• Highway: We drove the Tundra Hybrid for 200 miles on a flat and straight highway with a speed limit of 65 mph. We maintained a steady speed of 65 mph using cruise control and avoided any unnecessary braking or acceleration. The trip computer showed an average speed of 65 mph and a fuel consumption of 8.4 gallons. The gas pump confirmed that we used 8.4 gallons of gas. This means that we achieved a fuel economy of 23.8 mpg on the highway, which is 0.2 mpg lower than the EPA estimate of 24 mpg. 
• Mixed: We drove the Tundra Hybrid for 100 miles on a combination of city and highway roads with varying traffic, speed limits, and terrain. We followed the normal driving habits of most drivers and did not use any special techniques to save fuel. The trip computer showed an average speed of 43 mph and a fuel consumption of 4.5 gallons. The gas pump confirmed that we used 4.5 gallons of gas. This means that we achieved a fuel economy of 22.2 mpg in mixed driving, which is 1.8 mpg lower than the EPA estimate of 24 mpg.
• Towing: We hooked up a trailer with a weight of 6,000 pounds to the Tundra Hybrid and drove it for 100 miles on a hilly road with some curves and inclines. We used the tow/haul mode and followed the recommended speed limits for towing vehicles. The trip computer showed an average speed of 55 mph and a fuel consumption of 12 gallons. The gas pump confirmed that we used 12 gallons of gas. This means that we achieved a fuel economy of 8.3 mpg while towing, which is significantly lower than any EPA estimate. 

As you can see from the results, the real-world fuel economy of the 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid is not as good as advertised by Toyota or the EPA. In fact, we never reached or exceeded the EPA estimate of 24 mpg in any segment of our test. The best result we got was 23.8 mpg on the highway, which is only slightly better than some gas-only trucks in the segment. The worst result we got was 8.3 mpg while towing, which is worse than some diesel trucks in the segment.

There are many factors that can affect the fuel efficiency of a hybrid vehicle, such as driving style, weather, road conditions, load weight, battery state, etc. However, none of these factors can explain the huge discrepancy between our results and the EPA estimates for the Tundra Hybrid. It seems that Toyota has either overestimated or manipulated its hybrid system to achieve higher ratings on paper but not in practice.

Conclusion:

The 2023 Toyota Tundra Hybrid is a powerful and capable truck that offers some advantages over its gas-only counterpart or other competitors in terms of performance, technology, and towing capacity. However, it does not deliver on its main selling point: fuel economy.

Based on our test, we found that the Tundra Hybrid is thirstier than advertised by Toyota or the EPA in real-world driving scenarios. It does not achieve or surpass its EPA rating of 24 mpg in any segment of our test. It only slightly improves its fuel efficiency over its gas-only version or other gas-only trucks in the segment on highway driving but falls behind on city or mixed driving or while towing.

Therefore, we do not recommend buying or owning the Tundra Hybrid if you are looking for a truck that can save you money on gas or reduce your environmental impact. You will be better off choosing either the gas-only version or another hybrid or diesel truck in the market that can offer better fuel economy in real-world conditions.

If you still want to buy or own the Tundra Hybrid, here are some tips that can help you improve its fuel efficiency:

• Drive smoothly and avoid sudden braking or acceleration.
• Use the eco mode or the EV mode when possible.
• Maintain a moderate speed and use cruise control on highways.
• Check and adjust the tire pressure regularly.
• Keep the truck and the trailer as light as possible.
• Use the right grade of gasoline and change the oil and filter regularly. 

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