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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  Very, Very Nice Truck! - 2009 Toyota Tundra
  By Robert L - August 6 - 2:33 am

  I have owned this truck for about 2 weeks now, I know it hasnt been long but I think I can give a review by now. Coming from an 08 Titan I can tell you the Toyota is built better. The bed is also deeper, maybe not bigger but deeper for sure. The engine and tranny are extremely smooth. The shifting is great - I can hardly feel! Unfortunately, thats the only thing that is smooth on this truck. The ride is very rough compared to the Titan. The stereo is amazing! Although the black glass looking dash has become a dust magnet.

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  BEST TRUCK ON THE ROAD - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By SOLDEBR - July 27 - 2:00 am

  THE TRUCK IS SMOOTH RIDING. POWERFUL AND FIT AND FINISH IS TOP NOTCH. BEST TRUCK!!!

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  An Already Good Truck Gets Better - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Ki Moy - July 26 - 4:56 pm

  As a happy ex-owner of a 2001 Toyota Tundra Sr-5 V-8 Access cab, I am even happier with my brand new 2006 Double cab v-8. I have so much fun driving this vehicle! Overall, the truck just got better over the years. I am so glad Toyota cares enough to keep their customers satisfied with dependable products.

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  Best Truck Ever! - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Bric - July 18 - 4:06 am

  I drove every large truck when deciding on this truck. The large toyota, now with its more powerful engine, just cant be beat. I totally disagree with the editors about the chintzy quality of materials. The others, especially Dodge, were not even close. The only thing you truly give up is the ability to tow more than 7K lbs, which most truck owners wont ever use.

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  tundra - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By mucwa - July 16 - 10:00 am

  love it!!!

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  2001 TUNDRA ACCESS CAB V8 2WD GAS SUCKER - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By FLBODACIOUS2U@AOL - July 16 - 10:00 am

  30,200 MILES NOW ON 2001.TWO OF FOUR OXYGEN SENSORS REPLACED BY 25K,GAS MILEAGE HAS BEEN AT 11-12MPG SINCE 2ND OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED, TOYOTAS SCAN TOOL ON MY TRUCKS COMPUTER "CANT FIND ANY PROBLEM"! FRONT BRAKES REDONE UNDER "SERVICE BULLETIN" NO PROBLEM THERE! SERPENTINE BELT WAS WORN AT 25K.DRIVEN BY 49 Y/O FEMALE ON PAVED CITY/INTERSTATE. YES, GUYS..THE TIRES ARE AIRED UP TO 35LBS. THIS 2001 HAS TURNED INTO AN ARAB OIL SALEMANS DREAM AND A FREAKIN NIGHTMARE TO BUY FUEL FOR AT $150 PER MONTH COST TO DRIVE 1,000 MILES!!! 11.22MPG/CITY&12MPG/HWY.THIS TRUCK IS COSTING ME $170 PER WEEK TO LEASE,INSURE, GAS AND OIL CHANGE!!!

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  Miles ahead of 2005 F-150 - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By stu - July 16 - 4:53 am

  Very disappointed with the brakes on my 2005 Ford F-150 XLT. I had test driven a couple of 08 Tundras in the past year and a half and I was very impressed with the feel and the power of Toyotas brakes. They are awesome! When you want to stop you stop! With the Ford I was always a little apprehensive with the brakes, always anticipating an early stop and even when I would plan ahead I always felt that they were unsafe. Well I have to tell you after 4 Ford trucks Ford has lost me as a customer.

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  05 LIMITED DOUBLE CAB 4X4 - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By RANDY - July 15 - 6:00 am

  I TRADED IN A 2002 CHEVY Z-71 THAT I HAD TROUBLE WITH FROM DAY ONE AND GM COULD NOT GET FIXED AFTER 40 TRIPS TO THEIR SHOP AND 2-YEARS! THE DOUBLE CAB HAS BEEN IN ONLY FOR OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. I HAVE ALREADY PUT 10100 MILES ON IT AND NOT ONE PROBLEM. DRIVES LIKE A DREAM, HANDLES GREAT. THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY BAD ABOUT THE DOUBLE CAB IS THAT IT LIKES GAS I GET AROUND 12 PER. GALLON ON AVERAGE. I HAVE PUT IT IN 4WHEEL HI AND FORGOT IT WAS IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IT HANDLES SO SMOOTH, NOT LIKE MY RATTLE TRAP 2002 CHEVY Z-71 I HAD YOU KNEW WHEN IT WAS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE FROM THE NOISE AND VIBRATION! YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG WITH TOYOTA QUALITY!! I TOW A 20 FOOT CARGO TRAILER 6800 LBS. NO PROBLEM!!!!

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  My 2006 Tundra - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By IQBALDHILLON2 - July 6 - 12:16 am

  My 2006 Toyota Tundra is a great truck. It is much easier to drive than a F-150. It has a super charged 282 horsepower. With a 7100 pound towing capacity. It will deliver about 325 pounds torque. This truck is incredibly smooth. One thing the Tundra lacks is towing and horsepower. I hope to drive out my Tundra to at least 100000 miles. Then I will trade it in for a 07 Tundra truck

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  Traded in my Lexus for it! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Chris - July 4 - 8:20 pm

  Great handling except for a little bed bounce. Have about 8000 miles with no problems what so ever. Stopped burning rubber at stop lights because of gas economy but MAN the power is awesome. Get plenty of looks and compliments. Put new chrome grille and chromed out all exterior parts "Its a head turner!"