This was the first time in a long time that I had a full-size pickup in my driveway — and I couldn’t find a single thing to tow or haul.
I spent a week with the 2025 Toyota Tundra Capstone and even took it to a local rock pit for photos and video content. But here’s the honest truth: I didn’t dare get it dirty. Not because it couldn’t handle it — the truck is more than capable — but because this wasn’t just a tool. It was a showpiece. And when you’re behind the wheel of a truck this refined, you begin to treat it more like a premium SUV than a contractor’s companion.
That might sound strange to some folks, but it actually aligns with how most trucks are used today. According to a 2021 CarGurus study, only 28% of pickup owners regularly tow, and just 33% haul loads consistently. Meanwhile, nearly 70% use their trucks as daily drivers, for commuting, errands, and the occasional road trip. Trucks are no longer just for labor — they’re lifestyle vehicles, and Toyota knows it.
And I know it, too.
Because once upon a time, I bought a truck for the same reason many men do: to impress someone. It was a brand-new GMC Sierra, fresh off the showroom floor with factory 20-inch chrome wheels and the Z85 suspension package — the budget setup that made the truck look like it belonged in the valet line. I was trying to catch the attention of my now-wife, who’s from Oklahoma. Out there, the cool guys drove trucks tall enough to need running starts. I thought I had it dialed in. She looked at my truck and said, “It’s cute.”
That stung.
Fast forward to the 2025 Tundra Capstone. It doesn’t sit sky-high either, and I’m still not sure my wife was blown away by it — but I was. Deeply. And a truck may very well be in my future again, as soon as I stop funding every need and whim of my 17-year-old daughter. (Priorities, right?)
Let’s get into it.
What’s New for 2025
Toyota didn’t reinvent the Tundra for 2025, but the Capstone trim received some meaningful updates:
• A refined dark chrome mesh grille that dials up the sophistication
• Exclusive 22-inch chrome and machined alloy wheels
• A power-closing tailgate, now standard
• A new wireless trailer camera system has been added to the Tow Tech Package
• And updated infotainment software with quicker response and better voice recognition
In the world of luxury trucks, refinement matters — and Toyota clearly paid attention to the details.
Built in Texas, for American Buyers
Despite wearing a Japanese badge, the Tundra is one of the most American-made trucks on the market. It’s designed, engineered, and assembled in San Antonio, Texas. That matters, especially as tariffs on foreign-built vehicles loom large in upcoming trade policies.
The Tundra’s Texas roots insulate it from those price hikes and ground it firmly in American soil. Toyota has an answer ready for buyers who care about where their trucks are built.
Hybrid Power That Pulls
Gone is the V8, but Toyota didn’t trade down. The Capstone comes standard with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, pairing a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor—the result: 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Acceleration is smooth. Throttle response is immediate. And the bonus? Up to 22 MPG combined, depending on configuration. This refined and powerful thing is no small feat in a full-size pickup.
Towing and Tech for When the Job Calls
I didn’t have anything to haul this week, but the Capstone could’ve handled it easily.
Toyota’s flagship truck is rated for:
• 12,000 lbs of towing capacity
• 1,940 lbs of payload
You also get rear air suspension, trailer backup assist, panoramic camera views, and power-folding tow mirrors with built-in blind spot monitoring — and now, for 2025, a wireless trailer camera system. It’s a premium tow rig whether you’re pulling a camper or a side hustle.
Interior Comfort with Lexus DNA
Toyota has created a space inside the Capstone that feels nothing short of premium. The cabin is quiet, polished, and purposefully designed to make every drive feel like an upgrade.
You get semi-aniline leather seats, open-pore walnut trim, and ambient lighting that wraps around the dash and doors. Both front and rear seats are heated and ventilated, and the panoramic moonroof brings in natural light, making the space feel open and refined.
The 14-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster are crisp and intuitive, but the power rear window—a signature Tundra feature—might be my favorite touch. With the push of a button, the entire rear glass drops completely out of sight, connecting the cabin to the open bed in a way no other truck in the segment offers.
From the power-deploying running boards to the soft-close tailgate and acoustic glass, the Capstone doesn’t just talk luxury — it lives in it.
Infotainment, Safety & Driver Assistance
Toyota’s Audio Multimedia system is faster and cleaner than before, with:
• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Amazon Alexa integration
• Cloud-based navigation with live POI and OTA updates
Every Tundra includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, giving you:
• Pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection
• Radar cruise control
• Lane tracing and sway warning
• Trailer-aware blind spot monitoring
• Parking support braking
• Rear seat reminder 360-degree camera system
It’s one of the most comprehensive safety suites in the segment.
Final Word
The 2025 Toyota Tundra Capstone isn’t trying to out-Ram the Ram or out-Ford the F-150. It’s something different — a hybrid-powered, Texas-built, Lexus-like luxury truck that reflects what today’s truck owner actually wants: performance, comfort, capability, and presence.
The Capstone hits differently for someone like me, who once tried to flex with chrome wheels and a Z85 package to impress an Oklahoma cowgirl. It’s grown-man luxury with the muscle to back it up.
One day, when my daughter’s grown and the tuition payments slow down, I’ll make space for a truck again. And when I do, it’ll be something like this.
Verdict:
Toyota isn’t just building trucks — they’re building alternatives to the norm.
If you’re looking to stand out, and still do the work, the 2025 Tundra Capstone is worth your time.
Watch my full video review on YouTube — “AutoNsider 2025 Tundra Capstone Review.”
