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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  Solid Value for the Money - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Bob - June 12 - 10:16 am

  Bought this truck new, drove 15,000 miles and waited almost a year to do this review. Have also read other reviews. Yes, the transmission shift points and brakes took time to get used to, but now that I am used to them, I better appreciate the way they are designed and operate - and I like them. Tows my 6,000 lb boat and trailer adequately. Highway ride is great - I prefer over my wifes Lexus GX 470. Gas mileage has met my expectations at 17-18 mpg around town and on the road (reason I do not trade up for a 07 big engine). What I especially like is the value for the price: leather, stability control, side curtain air bags and all the practical accessories I needed.

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  Horrible truck - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By tmoney09 - June 9 - 5:10 am

  the paint job is very terrible, you could rub your fingernail across it and tear the paint off, it tries to take off but unless you push to the point where it roughly takes off it wont go, yes it turns sharp but when you go around curves at even low speeds things fly all over the truck, it also has horrible gas economy, i mean its expected of a truck but the gas tank is too small so filling up often is ridiculous, also the interior is not built very well who builds a center console with cup holders in the middle causing it to have a little storage space

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  WOW! - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Joe - June 8 - 11:33 am

  I bought this truck brand new. Awesome acceleration, and pulling power. I have pulled things with this truck I shouldnt have. It hasnt let me down yet! Only exceptions is I had to replace two o2 sensors ($90 each). I am driving this truck until the wheels fall off. Only down side is the doors and the access cab needed to be a bit bigger. I love my Toyota! I remember driving off the lot for $14,000 tt&l to include extended warranty.

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  Poor Design - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Michael - June 2 - 2:26 pm

  This truck came with no body side moldings and none are available from Toyota. Toyota did put an "Event Data Recorder" in the Tundra. This records vehicle operation data to be used by Toyota if it is sued (the data can also be obtained by court order and used against the vehicle owner). Guess that is where the body side molding funds went. Other manufactures are doing the same, but Dodge, for instance, at least offers side molding as an option. It gets better. I tried to find the oil filter and couldnt. I got online and found owners complaining that it was installed above the skid plate. You have to removed it to get to the oil filter.

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  Good truck!! - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By tarheel tundra - May 31 - 3:33 pm

  Ive owned this truck since new and it probably saved my life in an accident when I ran up on the rear end of broken down snowplow parked in the middle of an unplowed road on an extreme downhill. Get one with ABS and Lmt. Slip if you can. Mileage is ok 11 city / 17 hwy but the engine is butter and Ive loaded over a ton of used bricks/construction debris in the back and hauled it to the dump no problem. Not very nimble (turning radius is quite wide) but dependable and well thought out. Has required only routine maintenance and a couple covered TSBs (O2 Sensors) in its 35,000 miles. Id buy again but Id have bought an Ex. Cab in hindsight and gone with the 6 cyl.

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  Great Truck! - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By David - May 31 - 7:53 am

  This truck performs great! It drives through the snow with ease, I have only had to use the 4-wheel drive a couple of times. It is such a great ride. When we go somewhere its a fight about whose vehicle we are going to take. (I usually win.)

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  Best Overall Large Truck - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By JOHN M. - May 27 - 6:56 am

  Tremendous quality in design and manufacturing. High reliability.

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  Bad paint - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By william knerr - May 27 - 6:10 am

  Bought my new 07 Toyota tundra crewmax in june 07. Three weeks after I bought it small paint chips started comeing off it. Toyota said all they would paint the two passenger side doors. I said I didnt think the paint would ever match. Besides its only three weeks old. They said take it to your dealership. See what they can do for you. When I did that I noticed pen size chips coming off the drivers side. So now its the whole truck. By now a month has passed the people in California customer service center said your thirty days are up theres nothing more we can do for you. Its yours now.

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  great! - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By dezertwind - May 24 - 10:00 am

  For off-roading types, this is the truck to get, if you need a full-size truck. Ive had it off-road several times, and this is where you see the build quality come into play - it is very sure-footed, even in the loosest sand in the Arizona sand washes. Mine is a 4x4/TRD - dont settle for less. After an all-day trip on the highway, my back/butt were fine, so no complaints about the seating. I carry my dirt-bike up hills/no problem at all. The tranny was a bit jerky at first, but now it is starting to loosen up (as expected).

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  FUTURE TRUCK - 2009 Toyota Tundra
  By GLEN - May 22 - 4:38 pm

  After test driving the rock warrior i will be purchasing in a couple of days when the bank calls.