Overview & Reviews
When it originally debuted near the start of the new millennium, the Toyota Tundra was considered by many people to be the first import full-size pickup truck to truly go head-to-head against the trucks from domestic brands. In the Tundra's favor were a refined V8 engine and Toyota's reputation for reliability and durability. This Tundra, however, ultimately found more of an audience with recreational pickup buyers than with hard-core users.
Second-generation Tundras, however, are significantly bigger and more capable. As an American-built truck with true full-size proportions, the second-generation Tundra features three cab sizes, three bed lengths and a choice of three engines. In pretty much every measure, the Toyota Tundra stands equal to competing 1500-series pickups.
Current Toyota Tundra
The full-size Toyota Tundra comes in regular cab, Double Cab and CrewMax body styles as well as base and Limited trims. The Double Cab is essentially a large extended cab with four forward-hinged doors, while the CrewMax is an extra-large crew cab. Available bed lengths for the regular cab and Double Cabs include both a 6.5-foot and an 8-foot bed, while the CrewMax comes with only a 5.5-foot bed.
Some Regular Cabs and Double Cabs have as their standard engine a 4.0-liter V6 rated at 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Other Tundras receive a 4.6-liter V8 putting out 310 horses and 327 lb-ft of torque. The big engine option is a 5.7-liter V8 cranking out 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. The V6 gets a five-speed automatic transmission, while the V8s are hooked to six-speed automatics. All versions are offered with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
In addition to its strong V8s, the Toyota Tundra stands out thanks to its passenger-friendly cabins. The extended Double Cab features traditional front-hinged doors, making day-to-day usability easier than Chevy and Ford trucks with the more traditional reverse-opening access doors. The Tundra CrewMax, meanwhile, is truly enormous, featuring excellent legroom and a rear seat that not only slides but reclines as well. Feature highlights include a standard rearview camera and available smartphone integration.
There are some downsides, however, including a sometimes jiggly ride quality, below-average fuel economy and driving characteristics than can make it feel bigger than it really is. But the latest Tundra continues to be one tough truck that certainly meets the needs of today's buyers.
Used Toyota Tundra Models
The current Toyota Tundra represents the second generation, which debuted for the 2007 model year. There have been a few changes to note if you're looking for a used Tundra. Models from 2007-'09 with the midsize V8 had a 4.7-liter V8 good for 271 hp. The 4.6-liter V8 with 310 hp arrived for 2010. That year also brought a couple new trim levels, as well as minor cosmetic tweaks and the addition of front-seat knee airbags. Also, prior to 2011 the V6 was less powerful (it made 236 hp). These Tundras also lack the 2014 model's updated interior and exterior styling, standard-across-the-board rearview camera and some available high-tech features, such as smartphone integration and blind-spot monitoring.
The previous-generation full-size Toyota Tundra replaced the unloved T100 pickup when it debuted for 2000. Production ran through the 2006 model year. Although it was available with an optional V8 and several configurations, it wasn't large or tough enough to compete with its more traditional rivals when it came time for serious work-site tasks.
Originally, the Tundra was available in regular and extended-cab versions. Regular-cab versions came only in long bed form, while the extended-cab models (Access Cab) came only with the short bed. The latter did include two rearward-opening doors for easier rear-seat access, but the backseat was cramped for a full-size pickup truck.
There were three trim levels: a sparsely equipped base trim, the midlevel SR5 and the top-line Limited. The base trim was available on two-wheel-drive regular cabs only. A 3.4-liter V6, making 190 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque, was standard on regular-cab Tundras and could be mated to either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.
Topping the lineup was an available 4.7-liter V8 engine. This smooth-revving power plant made 245 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque and was available with a four-speed automatic transmission only.
Only detail changes carried through to 2003, at which point Toyota expanded the Tundra's lineup to include an available sporty new StepSide cargo bed for V8-powered Access Cabs. All Tundras received freshened front-end styling that year, as well as standard antilock brakes and an upgraded center console. A power sliding rear window was also added to Limited models.
The big news for 2004 was the arrival of the Double Cab, a crew-cab version of the Tundra. Riding on an extended wheelbase and featuring a roomier cabin and a cargo bed equal in length to the Access Cab's, the Double Cab added some much-needed variety to the Tundra's lineup, providing a viable option for family-minded truck buyers.
Prospective used Toyota Tundra buyers who plan on doing a lot of hauling or towing should probably focus on 2005 or newer models, as Toyota enhanced the powertrains that year. A new 245-hp, 4.0-liter V6 coupled with either a six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic transmission became standard, and the available 4.7-liter V8 was now good for 282 horses and used the new five-speed automatic exclusively.
In reviews of the time, we commented favorably about the Toyota Tundra's smooth and refined V8, easy maneuverability in urban areas and roomy Double Cab configuration. Downsides included a lack of brawn for serious towing and hauling, uncomfortable front seats, a cramped rear seat in Access Cab models and chintzy interior trimmings.
User Reviews:
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Tundra Review - 2000 Toyota Tundra
By kbjmills - December 2 - 2:00 amVery reliable, stable vechicle with excellent towing capacity and vision. Mecahnically I have had no problems and the vechicle is still tight.
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The Good, The Bad and The Thirsty - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By Mixed Feelings - December 1 - 3:33 amI should preface with this by saying Im a car nut and scare people with my knowledge of cars and trucks. I looked at all of the full size pickups before deciding on the Tundra. It hasnt let me down but Im getting tired of the $70 fill ups. The concept for the all new Tundra is a little scary. If you want a Tundra and can afford the gas get one now! FYI- the Double Cab has more headroom than the other Tundras. I had a 97 F150 and this thing blows it away. You cant beat Toyota trucks for resale either. I practically had to give my F150 away and I was glad to see it go.
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What is Car and Driver Talking About? - 2015 Toyota Tundra
By John - November 27 - 12:03 amGranted, the fuel economy is not as good as the big 3 American truck companies, but for me its a small sacrifice for the comfort, convenience, options, and long term dependability of having a Toyota. This is my 3rd Toyota and I love it more than my previous Toyotas. I noticed that the road noise is slightly louder than the Ford equivalent. The towing weight needs to be improved on. Toyota needs a diesel option.
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Built to last - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By Toyota Pride - November 26 - 7:20 pmI own a V-6 but it has and does everything I need it to do. With todays gas prices, the V-6 comes in handy. I still get around 24 MPG while hauling a load of 1000 lbs. on the hwy. Im very satisfied with my purchase and wouldnt think twice about buying another Tundra. Toyota, thanks for producing a reliable product thats worth my hard earned money.
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Made me a repeat customer - 2017 Toyota Tundra
By Mac - November 17 - 6:35 pmThis is now my second tundra. I liked my first one so much I bought a second one. I think is a truck that does just about everything (except fuel economy) pretty damn well. Its not class leading in most respects but it does everything well. My last tundra had experional reliability only repair it had was a water pump replaced under warranty @ 80k miles. So far my 17 has been perfect as it should be sense it only is 2 months old at this point. If you want a truck that gets the best mpg, look else where, if you want massage seats look else where. If you want a reliable truck thats a strong preformer while maintaining expetional reliability the tundra may be the truck for you.
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1st truck and Disappointed - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By hrs73 - October 11 - 2:57 pmThis is my first truck and I bought a Toyota for its reliability and hopefully good re-sale value. I have been very disappointed in the tires. I have 69k and need a third set of tires. The dealer blamed the alignment, so on the second set of tires they have done all the aligments. So now the dealership is blaming the tire maker. All I travel is roads and highways. I keep it aligned but the tires are wearing out unevenly. The radio was replaced twice and the truck has a bounce that has made my child car sick on two occasions. The truck dents easily and is not as good on gas mileage as I would hope a 6 cyclinder would be. I like the acceleration and the look of the truck.
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Safety Issue - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By WJM123 - October 4 - 10:00 amThe limited visibility to the rear, through the drivers window, makes it impossible to tell if someone is in the side view mirrors blind spot when you are trying to shift lanes to the left.
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get one before they are all gone! - 2005 Toyota Tundra
By TESS - September 28 - 10:00 amI just purchased this truck after much research. I was impressed with the price and the way it handled when I test drove it. It rides like a car and is spacious and quiet. I was also concerned with resale but with toyota there is no problem in my area ( Texas).
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Toyota could improve - 2010 Toyota Tundra
By nnelgb - September 25 - 2:36 pmThings I dont like. When the engine starts cold it immediately hits 1800 RPM instead of a reasonable 1200 RPM. The bright light indicator is too bright. The gas & engine temperature gauge is down in a tube and in the daytime you cant read it part of the time. With a topper on the bed the dirt pours into the bed on dirt roads. This may be the topper installer problem but there is a 1/2" space between the tailgate and the bed. Lots of storage space-peppy engine(4.6) - rides good for a truck (I have the tow package) with the cruise control on it will down shift going down a grade to help keep the right speed. (first Toyota) Dealer is excellent to me. I havent been back to dealer yet.
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Solid, all-around truck - 2003 Toyota Tundra
By Fester - September 22 - 6:40 pmIf you dont need a heavy-duty work truck, this is the pickup truck for you. The V8 is a good compromise between power and gas mileage--if youre lightly-loaded. It has a smooth, quiet ride, high build quality and (so far) excellent reliability.
