The Toyota Tundra has long been a contender in the full-size pickup truck market, and the latest iteration marks a significant redesign after a 15-year period. In a segment dominated by domestic giants like Ford, General Motors, and Ram, who have consistently pushed the boundaries of truck innovation, the new Tundra aims to regain ground. This review delves into the key aspects of the redesigned Tundra, evaluating its performance, ride comfort, technology, and overall value proposition in comparison to its fierce competitors. While Toyota has addressed some previous shortcomings, the question remains: does the new Tundra truly “out-truck” its rivals, or does it simply catch up to the pack?
Powertrain and Performance: A Powerful Heart
One of the most significant upgrades in the new Tundra is its powertrain. Toyota has replaced the previous V8 engine with a potent 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6. This new engine delivers an impressive 389 horsepower and a substantial 479 lb.-ft. of torque. The result is a truck that feels remarkably powerful and responsive in various driving situations. Whether accelerating from a standstill or overtaking on the highway, the Tundra exhibits ample power reserves. The engine’s torque characteristics are particularly noteworthy, providing strong low-end pulling power that is essential for truck tasks.
Complementing this robust engine is a new 10-speed automatic transmission. This transmission is exceptionally smooth and refined, offering nearly imperceptible upshifts, rivaling even luxury vehicles in its seamless operation. While downshifts are more noticeable, as is typical in this vehicle class, the overall performance of the powertrain is a standout feature of the new Tundra. In independent testing, the Tundra has demonstrated its acceleration prowess, achieving a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 6.3 seconds, making it one of the quickest full-size pickups currently available.
Fuel Economy and Hybrid Options: Playing Catch-Up
Despite its performance gains, the Tundra’s fuel economy is an area where it merely meets, rather than exceeds, expectations. With an overall fuel economy of 17 mpg in testing, it falls slightly short of competitors like the Ford F-150, which achieves 19 mpg with its 2.7-liter turbo V6. This is a crucial consideration for truck buyers who prioritize fuel efficiency.
Toyota does offer a hybrid powertrain option for the Tundra, known as the iForce Max. This hybrid system enhances performance rather than primarily focusing on fuel economy. It combines the same twin-turbocharged V6 engine with an electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission. The iForce Max powertrain boosts total output to 437 horsepower and a formidable 583 lb.-ft. of torque. While the hybrid system provides even more power, potential buyers should note that its primary aim is enhanced performance, and significant fuel economy improvements may not be the primary benefit. Another point of divergence from some competitors is the Tundra’s lack of automatic 4WD availability. Drivers need to manually engage 4WD in slippery conditions, a feature that some may find less convenient compared to systems that automatically switch between 2WD and 4WD.
Ride and Handling: Tolerable Comfort, Familiar Truck Dynamics
Toyota has made a notable change to the Tundra’s rear suspension, switching from traditional leaf springs to coil springs. This change, similar to what Ram implemented over a decade ago, was expected to significantly improve ride comfort. However, the Tundra’s ride quality is described as merely tolerable. It still exhibits the characteristic rear-end bounce and jiggle common in pickup trucks, particularly when driving on rougher road surfaces.
In terms of handling, the Tundra maintains typical full-size truck characteristics. It can feel cumbersome in corners, with steering that is described as slow and overly light, contributing to a ponderous feel in the front end. While it performed securely in handling tests, achieving comparable speeds in avoidance maneuvers to other full-size pickups, it doesn’t represent a significant leap forward in driving dynamics. Furthermore, the Tundra’s braking performance is noted as being on the longer side, even within the full-size pickup segment.
Interior and Cabin: Robust Design with Material Discrepancies
The Tundra’s cabin design is praised for its robust and rugged aesthetic. It features large, user-friendly buttons, sturdy rocker switches, and an oversized volume knob, emphasizing functionality and ease of use. However, the perceived quality of interior materials can vary significantly depending on the trim level. While higher trims, such as the 1794 Edition, impress with their interior furnishings, lower trims like the SR5 model, which is expected to be more mainstream, exhibit a more basic, work-truck feel. The SR5 trim is criticized for its plasticky materials, less refined steering-wheel stalks, and rough edges on trim panels.
The infotainment system is centered around a large touchscreen, which is generally easy to navigate. However, its placement can be a slight reach for the driver to access the right side of the display, and the system can be slow to boot up upon starting the vehicle. On the positive side, the Tundra’s crew cab configuration offers ample interior space. Both front and rear seats are spacious, providing generous headroom and legroom. The rear seats, while having a fairly upright seatback typical of trucks, offer sufficient comfort for longer journeys. A unique and appreciated feature is the power retractable rear window, adding to the truck’s versatility and appeal.
Truck Capabilities and Safety: Meeting Segment Standards
In terms of traditional truck duties, the Tundra is fully capable and 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 is made of a durable composite material designed to resist dents and corrosion. Practical features like an easy-to-operate tailgate (with key fob release), bed tie-downs, power outlets, and bed lights enhance its functionality for work and utility.
In terms of safety features, Toyota includes a comprehensive suite of standard technologies on every Tundra model. These include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are available on higher trims, starting from optional on the SR5 and standard on the Limited trim and above.
Conclusion: A Solid Contender, But Not a Leader
The redesigned Toyota Tundra represents a significant step forward from its predecessor, particularly in terms of powertrain performance and interior design. It offers a powerful and refined driving experience with its new twin-turbo V6 engine and smooth 10-speed transmission. However, in key areas such as fuel economy, ride comfort, and handling, the Tundra largely aligns with its competitors rather than surpassing them. While the Tundra is a capable and well-rounded full-size pickup, it doesn’t decisively “out-truck” its rivals. Potential buyers will find it to be a solid contender in the segment, offering Toyota’s renowned reputation for reliability and durability, but should carefully weigh its strengths and weaknesses against other compelling options in the competitive full-size truck market.
