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 2 wd dr,reg cab - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By Jlemma - January 20 - 10:00 amOutstanding truck. Decent gas milage for a six cylinder. Drives more like a car than a truck. Comfortable and for the most part gauges are well laid out except the clock, which is below the radio in the radio. Tis truck is quiet and is quite capable for towing and general hauling. The six banger is a little slow on the accleation but goes nicely once your up to speed. A/C is cold. Highly reccomended.
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Good and Bad - 2010 Toyota Tundra
By Double D - December 26 - 6:53 pm2800 miles and I really enjoy driving this truck. Lots of power, easy to drive, not many complaints. Overall a great truck.
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Fifth, but Last ,Toyota Pickup - 2006 Toyota Tundra
By red rider - December 24 - 12:36 amThis is my fifth Toyota truck. It is not as reliable as the other four. Delivered it with a badly warped disc brake rotor. I had the front rotors replaced. I also had the recalled ball joints replaced. Now, at 18,000 miles, the outside of the right front tire is worn bald. The auto-dimming rear view mirror and the Homelink circuits have been repaired twice.
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Little Red Truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
By jmday - December 23 - 10:00 amThe truck rides and drives very good. I have over 7000 miles on it now with no problems so far. This is my first Toyota and Im hoping to get a good truck this time. Its been a long time since I owned a truck that didnt need to go to the shop on a regular basis. I hope this is it. The main thing I dont like about it is that its not comfortable. The seats take some getting used to.
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Worst riding truck Ive ever driven - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By primo - December 23 - 8:10 amI have owned or worked out of 14 different trucks in the last 10 years and can safely say that this vehicle has by far the worst ride of them all. The amount of reverberation from the rear of the truck on concrete roads is insane. Hitting a speed bump at 10mph causes shockwaves to travel up to the front of the truck for 5 seconds while the bed bounces up and down like a diving board. This problem is supposedly only confined to the DC models so do yourself, and your pancreas, a favor and get the crew- max. Toyota has been told repeatedly about the ride issues with the DCs and still refuses to aknowledge it. I will be trading in this back killer as soon as I can.
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Paint is terrible - 2010 Toyota Tundra
By pastorjdh - December 6 - 12:06 pmI have had my truck for three months and it has the absolute worst paint job I have ever seen on a vehicle bar none. It scratches extremely easy and is impossible to buff out without removing the clear coat. I feel horrible about my purchase now. I bought the Tundra because of Toyotas reputation and I expected a well built vehicle. I dont know what else to say.
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She Shook Me! - 2000 Toyota Tundra
By Jaret - December 5 - 5:10 amThis truck had the shakes. It went back to dealer so many times, I just gave up. Toyota did replace all four wheels, but it didnt solve the problem. Oxygen sensors went out around 30k along with the tires. I had to pay for the oxygen sensors, but Toyota repaid me 4 years later. The tow wiring harness melted. The paint job was very poor. You could thump it and it would chip. The suspension was weak, and you could hit the bump stops in the rear very easy. I installed Bilstein shocks & Timbren ruber springs to solve the problem. I never had a brake problem. The engine was superb. Very smooth, responsive, and did a decent job pulling. I got over half my money back on trad-in after five years.
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2001 Tundra - 2001 Toyota Tundra
By paychek - November 27 - 12:43 pmOverall Ive been very happy with the performance & quality of this truck. Not happy with the poor gas mileage but I guess it takes fuel to make power. Also it has a vibration at certain speeds (~65mph). Ive had many attempts made at fixing the issue, including alignments, wheel balancing (including lug centric), wheel check, replacement of rotors, shocks & different brands of tires. A set of Michelins seem to make the biggest difference. With all of the work done it still has a vibration from the front end at about 65mph. Add a manifold leak to issues.
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Love this truck - 2006 Toyota Tundra
By truckie124 - November 10 - 6:22 pmBought in 2008 with 18000 miles and have put 30000 on it since then. I used it for 2 years for my carpentry business. Rear sliding window came in handy picking up lumber. My father has a 2004 SR5 and the 2006 rides much more car-like than the 2004. It really feels smooth and is an all around great truck. Used to drive a Chevy but had problems with the transmission at 30K miles and the dealership wouldnt do anything for us (after our family had bought 4 cars from them). Will never go back after driving this truck! I love this thing!
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LOTS OF POWER - 2003 Toyota Tundra
By Curtis - October 15 - 9:06 pmHauled firewood, dirt, gravel, etc. std shocks are weak. Should upgrade to heavy duty if hauling heavy loads. Overall happy with truck. Keep up with tranny maintenance. 2003 and up take ATF 4 only sold by toyota at 4+ a quart. Takes about 6-7 quarts every 30k mi. As far as backseat room, I have had a 350lb women and a 200lb man and they were comfy. ENJOY!
