The Toyota Tundra has entered its first complete redesign in fifteen years, a significant update for Toyota’s full-size pickup. For over a decade, the Tundra has lagged behind leading domestic brands in the truck market, especially when considering capability, technology, and overall innovation. Meanwhile, competitors like Ford, General Motors, and Ram have consistently pushed boundaries with new designs and features. The spotlight is now on the revamped Tundra to see if it can truly challenge the established leaders. This Toyota Tundra Review dives into whether the latest model elevates the Tundra to the top of the competitive full-size truck segment.
The new Tundra certainly boasts improvements over its predecessor. It’s undeniably powerful, feels quick off the line, and offers a spacious cabin. However, when you stack it against its rivals, the Tundra hasn’t made groundbreaking strides in areas like handling dynamics, fuel efficiency, or innovative storage solutions. Instead of surpassing the competition, it seems the Tundra has merely caught up, positioning itself as an equal player rather than a frontrunner. After rigorous testing, it’s clear that while the Tundra is a solid truck, it doesn’t necessarily “out-truck” its rivals in any definitive category.
One area where Toyota truly shines with the new Tundra is its powertrain. The all-new 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing an impressive 389 horsepower, is a remarkable replacement for the previous V8. This engine delivers abundant power across the rev range, effortlessly propelling the truck forward. With a robust 479 lb.-ft. of torque, the Tundra exhibits impressive low-end pulling power, making it feel strong and responsive in various driving situations. Complementing this potent engine is a fantastic 10-speed automatic transmission. Gear changes are exceptionally smooth, often more seamless than what you’d expect in many luxury cars. While downshifts are noticeable, as is typical in trucks of this size, the overall refinement of the powertrain is a major highlight of this toyota tundra review. In performance testing, the Tundra accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a brisk 6.3 seconds, establishing it as the quickest full-sized pickup in terms of acceleration.
However, when it comes to fuel economy, the Tundra lags behind some competitors. Achieving 17 mpg overall in testing, it doesn’t match the 19 mpg offered by the Ford F-150 with its popular 2.7-liter turbo V6 engine. Furthermore, unlike many full-size pickups in its class, the Tundra does not offer automatic 4WD. This means drivers need to manually engage 4WD in slippery conditions and remember to switch back to rear-wheel drive when road conditions improve, a feature that some drivers might find less convenient compared to automatic systems.
Toyota does offer a hybrid powertrain option for the Tundra, known as the iForce Max. Similar to the Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid, the Tundra’s hybrid system is primarily focused on enhancing performance rather than significantly boosting fuel economy. The iForce Max utilizes the same twin-turbocharged V6 engine found in the standard iForce models but incorporates an electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission. This combination elevates the total output to 437 horsepower and a substantial 583 lb.-ft. of torque, providing even more muscle for those seeking maximum power.
One of the most significant mechanical changes in the new Tundra is the adoption of coil springs for the rear suspension, replacing the leaf springs commonly found in most full-sized pickups. While Ram made a similar switch over a decade ago, resulting in a notably more comfortable ride in the Ram 1500, the Tundra’s ride quality is merely adequate. It still exhibits the characteristic rear-end bounce on uneven surfaces that is typical of pickups. Handling also remains somewhat cumbersome. The steering feels slow and overly light, contributing to a ponderous sensation in the front end, especially in corners. Despite this, the Tundra performed securely in track handling tests, achieving similar avoidance maneuver speeds as other trucks in its class. A point of concern in this toyota tundra review is the Tundra’s braking performance, with stopping distances that are longer than average for the full-size pickup segment.
Inside the cabin, the Tundra presents a robust and rugged design aesthetic. The layout features generously sized buttons, sturdy rocker switches, and a large, easily accessible volume knob. While the high-end 1794 Edition trim level, which was rented for testing, impressed with its interior appointments, the mainstream SR5 model, purchased for a more representative review, left a less favorable impression. The SR5 trim has a noticeably plasticky, work-truck-oriented feel, with budget-feeling steering-wheel stalks and several rough edges on trim panels. The large touchscreen infotainment system is user-friendly and easy to navigate. However, reaching the right side of the screen can be a stretch for the driver, and the system can be slow to boot up upon starting the vehicle.
As expected for a crew cab configuration, the Tundra’s interior is exceptionally spacious. The front seats are wide, offer reasonable comfort, and should accommodate a variety of body types, though their flatter design provides minimal lateral support during cornering. Ample headroom, a well-placed footrest, nicely padded armrests, and sufficient knee room for the driver, despite the wide center console, contribute to front passenger comfort. The rear seat is also very spacious, providing abundant knee room, good headroom, and decent leg support. Like many trucks, the rear seatback is fairly upright, but it offers just enough rake to remain comfortable on longer journeys. A unique and practical feature is the power retractable rear window, adding a touch of convenience and distinctiveness.
In terms of traditional truck capabilities, the Tundra is fully competitive. It boasts a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds (though more common trims are rated slightly lower, just over 11,000 pounds) and a maximum payload capacity of 1,940 pounds. The spray-on bedliner, constructed from a dent- and corrosion-resistant composite material, promises long-term durability. The tailgate is easy to operate, opening and closing smoothly, and it can be conveniently opened via a button on the key fob. Handy bed features like tie-downs, power outlets, and integrated bed lights further enhance the truck’s utility.
Safety is well addressed in the Tundra, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a rear-seat reminder system all included as standard features across the entire Tundra lineup. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are available as options on the SR5 trim and standard on the Limited trim and higher, but are not offered on the base SR model.
In conclusion, this toyota tundra review finds the redesigned Toyota Tundra to be a solid and capable full-size pickup that brings Toyota up to par with the leading domestic trucks. It boasts a superb powertrain, a spacious cabin, and robust truck capabilities. However, it doesn’t significantly surpass its rivals in key areas like fuel economy, ride comfort, or handling refinement. While a worthy contender, the Tundra positions itself as a strong option within the competitive segment rather than a definitive leader, making it a truck that deserves consideration for buyers in the market for a reliable and capable full-size pickup.
