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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VALVE TRAIN NOISE!!!!!!!! - 2002 Toyota Tundra
By rrcarson - May 17 - 10:00 amnasty sounding valve train noise at start ups even for short time after driving, possibly a lifter???? any solutions contact me,please. DEALER IS NO HELP!!??? why cant they hear it??? funny huh??? only 34,000 miles, come on Toyota, step up to the plate here...whats wrong with all are trucks???? all I want is the noise fixed is that so much to ask???
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Great Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By freedom - May 14 - 1:53 pmWe love the ride, very smooth and comfortable. The sliding window is a must. The crew max back seats are huge and comfortable, very nice that they adjust. The truck is very sporty, fast powerful engine. I, the wife, find the accelerator to be too sensitive. I have to pay attention to not push it too fast and give myself whiplash. There is too much black in the interior. Its hard to keep clean. Its our 3rd Tundra. Only replaced the last because we needed more towing power. It tows our 5500lb trailer very well. Not enough chrome on the outside even though we spent about 29k. Towing mirrors are nice. We liked the look of our 05 double cab better but this is a much better truck overall.
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2002 Tundra Review by Engineer - 2002 Toyota Tundra
By Fowler Toyota - May 4 - 2:00 amThe 2002 Tundra with the 4.7 Liter v8 engine has more than adequate power and acceleration with an automatic transmission. Fuel mileage averages 19 mpg with no loads and approximately 60/40 highway/city miles. Braking is the best of any vehicle I have driven. HVAC is excellent. Controls are simple to use and those features which are automatic such as automatic headlights off when door is opened are desirable but not
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105K miles - Best car I ever bought - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By kamikani - April 24 - 6:23 amIve owned this truck for a little over two years now, and over 100K miles. Aside from a Toyota Celica I had in college, this is the best car/truck I have ever owned. Great reliability, great power, great towing capacity. All Ive had done to it is change the oil & rotate the tires every 5K miles and recently, changed the front/rear differential oil. The ribber gaskets around the front doors do come off at the upper corner if you use automatic car washes. Thats my only complaint. Fuel mileage is what you would expect for a 5.7L with this much power and torque. I get about 18/Hwy and 16 City.
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Reliable Tundra - 2017 Toyota Tundra
By Royce Hubble - April 11 - 3:57 pmgreat rating on reliability, choppy ride, great handling. In the day time very difficult to see dash screen for backup camera. Cannot get bench split seat for front seat on the Limited, to bad. overall looks, kinda boring.
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My first big truck experience - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By PETER BOURLIN - April 6 - 2:00 amOverall I enjoy the smoothness of it ride.. When it got snowy and cold, the brakes started making ungodly metallic noises when I pressed on them to stop at a light The windows dont have a channel to let the water drip away if I have it cracked open to let in some fresh air during a rainy day or a snowy one..The water would drip into the door handling console inside the cab. I had to invest over $50.00 to buy an attachment for the
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Toyota Tundra 4x4 - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By Sharon Fulton - April 6 - 2:00 amWe have had good times in this truck and it is a nice truck but , we have had many brake troubles , even though , it has the so called state of the art brakes . Also , we has a exaust manafold leak . Not good for a newer truck . This truck had 7 miles on it when we bought it . We just sold it at 62,000 miles . We had 3 sets of brake on it and never pulled anything with it ! We have talked to many other people who have them and they all had the same troubles . TRD models and the works . We still liked the truck , not the brakes though . Also had to replace the 2 front rotors . Looked like they over heated . From what , who knows ? They should not have !!
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Cant beat Toyota Reliability - 2002 Toyota Tundra
By Rush PIKE - April 4 - 10:00 amWith all truck prices costing about the same (not too big of a difference), the reliability of a Toyota is what attracted me to this truck. I bought it on Memorial Day, trading in my 1996 Camaro RS. It was quite a change, but I am glad I made it. The large ground clearance is phenomenal and I actually find it harder to go the speed limit than I did in the Camaro! An unbelievably smooth ride for a truck, and an overall great vehicle.
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Solid and reliable - 2000 Toyota Tundra
By jtb - March 26 - 3:20 amI love Toyotas and will always own at least one. 100% reliable is why they get my business. However, this truck is weak and a total gas hog. Not made for pulling anything heavier than a jon boat. Look for to owning a full size Tundra.
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Very Good Truck - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By Kevin - March 16 - 9:50 pmI have had my Crewmax for 2.5 years and 66K. It has been very reliable. Just oil changes and tire rotation. As others have mentioned the body panels and paint are thin and will dent and chip easily. I have used my tundra for towing a 6K to 8K trailer with no issues and taken the family on several vacations. It has really been a do it all vehicle. My fuel mileage after 66k is averaged 16.8 mpg.
