Builders of half-ton trucks in this nation are perpetually searching the upper limit of what customers are willing to pay for a new rig, with the moneyed set having plenty of choices when looking for a leather-lined and luxurious pickup. For the last few years, Toyota has had the 1794 Edition as an arrow in its quiver to compete against the crew from Detroit. Now, with their recently refurbished pickup truck, they’re going a step further. Meet the Toyota Tundra Capstone.
We’ll start by noting the Capstone name requires a heckuva lot less explanation than the mystifying (to some) 1794 Edition trim. The word itself literally refers to an item fixed at the very top of a wall or building, eliminating the need to launch into a diatribe about the history of the land upon which the Tundra factory is built in Texas. Toyota itself calls Capstone a halo trim for its new Tundra.
It’ll be equipped with the truck’s burliest engine, which currently stands as a twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain making 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This is lashed to a ten-speed automatic transmission. Typical exterior jewelry is added to the Capstone compared to other Tundra trims, including look-at-me 22-inch wheels and a unique grille featuring a color-keyed surround and chrome-look mesh inserts. There’s extra brightwork on the mirrors and tailgate as well.
Inside, customers will find the typical largesse of bucks-deluxe trucks, including so-called semi-aniline leather-trimmed seats in a black and white colorway that’s specific to the Capstone. The center console and dashboard area are trimmed with dark American walnut wood that has a snazzy open-pore finish. You’ve noticed by now that the Capstone logo on its dash is illuminated, because why not. A panoramic moonroof is standard as is Toyota’s best iteration of their current infotainment system which is, it must be said, leaps and bounds ahead of the old one. The touchscreen measures a vast 14-inches and features all the typical goodies plus a 12-speaker JBL audio system.
Toyota didn’t say outright if the Capstone will replace the 1794 Edition, but we think it’s very unlikely. After all, why sell one expensive truck when you can sell two? Besides, the 1794 – with its brown leather and wood trim – appeals to those of us who like expensive cowboy boots and timber chalets; the Capstone seems more suited for a night in the city. Ford has played this game for years to much success; witness the marked differences between King Ranch and Platinum trimmed F-150 pickups. Both are expensive but appeal to different demographics.
Speaking of price, Toyota ain’t yet saying what a Capstone will cost, but you can bet it’ll be stickered right on top of or a smidgen above the 1794 Edition. It’ll be available in any body style you want as long as it’s a short bed CrewMax. Look for them on dealer lots (barring supply chain hiccups) later this year.
[Images: Toyota]
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MOARGRILL name already copyrighted?
It was but GRILLPOCOLAPYSE is still available.
Remember pop-up headlights?
Soon we will have a massive grill that folds out of the way of the headlights when they are turned on.
Pop up grille? I like it.
I think “Grillzilla” is also taken.
Oh no, there goes Tokyo
Go go Grillzilla, yeah!
A Blue Oyster Cult cover if I ever saw one.
Chevy front, Ford bed, Lincoln interior… they had to copy all of that because they had their entire design staff figuring out how to make one of the most complicated wheel designs ever.
I swear these large and especially Super Duty pickups get more cartoonish with each nip and tuck. Not sure that’s the image they are going for, but these are starting to resemble what a bunch of 80 pound wimps thinks something beefy and rugged looks like. Not working guys. And this is going to age very badly.
Remember the old days, when the styling on Toyota trucks was understated, and Ram trucks were cartoonishly overstyled? Seems we’ve gone Mirror Universe here. Next thing we know, Spock shows up with a Fu Manchu beard and says he needs to see naked pictures of your wife.
Did you ever get your GLI quandry resolved, by the way?
It was the all new 94 Dodge Ram that was Kenworth inspired. It was a large grill for the era but still not obscene and nicely tapered into the lower fenders. Then other manufacturers followed suit and got into model and grill bloat.
Soon they will introduce the heavy duty model,
the tun-and-a-half-dra.
@mor2bz – that’s beautiful man…
Complete with an 8 foot grille. Guaranteed to crush everyone under six feet tall.
Product name of the day – awesome!
Do I get a discount for watching that gawd awful pop up add?
The rear three-quarter view isn’t that bad. But I really can’t wait for this monster-mouth bubble to pop.
Last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it.
It’s not all bad. Think of what could be saving on climbing gym memberships.
The grill reminds me of those sliding bin racks minus the bins.
I wonder how long until I can get a 3BR/2BA bungalow style truck?
That’s actually not the worst idea, if you think about it.
I’m not a country guy, but I like the 1794 trim much better.
The gaping maws on the trucks are getting bigger,
grills on the EVs multiplying like rabbits are non existent
Which are we to get used to? I don’t get it..
And here I thought the Chevy front end was ugly. A new standard has been set.
Anyway, looking at the various Lexus and Toyota vehicles I’m becoming convinced their styling department is seeing how far they can go with practical jokes.
You are not wrong on this. It is as if they sit around a computer while drunk and daring one another to design a grill bigger and more hideous than the previous. Lexus sales alone, the joke is on us as they are everywhere in my hood.
I am amused folks have so easily forgotten the gas guzzlers of the 70’s and 80’s and the self righteous demonization of anyone who bought one.
Is the engine air cooled?
Why grills are getting larger and larger while industry is transitioning to EV which have no grill at all. I am afraid consumer will get dazed and confused.
@InsideLookingOut: Kind of funny how the most bad-assed trucks on the planet, the Kamaz Dakar Trucks, have almost no grill.
youtube.com/watch?v=3NSY57hck9s
youtu.be/MkRI6JgMaMM
I do believe that with the Kamaz Dakar trucks, most of the cooling is behind the cab like trophy trucks.
So, basically a replacement for the Land Cruiser, except with a pickup truck bed.
Grills are plastic, lightweight and cheap to manufacture. Metal is eliminated, it requires less paint and everyone else is doing it, so it must be okay.