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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  Suicide Doors were a mistake!!! - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By intuit4fun - August 8 - 2:00 am

  While looking at this truck it never crossed my mind that the suicide doors would be such a problem. Imagine trying to put groceries or anything youve purchased in the back seats in a crowded parking lot... You have to open the doors and be inbetween them...

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  Tundra doesnt drive straight - 2013 Toyota Tundra
  By thomasntexas - March 9 - 6:23 pm

  Its been a nightmare with this 2013 Tundra TSS since the day I bought it. First the toyota dealer gave me a horrible trade in on my old car and way overcharged for the TSS I bought once I did more investigation. I wouldnt suggest this truck, its been in the shop 3 times with front alignment issues and eating tires after just 15K miles. Everytime I take it to the dealership it comes back worse than when I took it in, I was also hit with a surprise, at 30K miles the truck is due for a major service costing between $300-400! I was not told that when I was buying the truck. The gas milage is also oversold, I was suppose to get 19 mpg in the city its more like 12 mpg, total gas hog.

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  Toy Truck For Kids and Women - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By capitolone - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This truck is a 7/8 scale of a full sized truck, it is about like a Dodge Dakota. The back seat is something to look at not sit in. Texaco loves the 14-15 mpg its gets, I dont. The brakes are weird. It doesnt haul a full load, like the Chevy C/K 1500 or Fords 1500. The interior is well designed and it is nice driving. This is a poor imitation of a full size truck. Sorry I got this looser.

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  Differential problems - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Hauffmanstuppe - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful quite ride on the road,off road is a pleasure driving also. I dont think it is a serious contender when 4X4 climbing comes into play. Just over 27,000 miles I take it off road a lot, blew out my front differential/and axle. Warranty to cover.

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  Fragile, very fragile. - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Tom R. - September 30 - 5:00 am

  First the good news, this truck with the 5.7L engine gets very good MPG, hwy 21, city 15 unloaded. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends, I purchased this truck to tow my 5800 lbs travel trailer to and from the NC Mountains during the spring, summer and falls months, I got the 5.7L, SR5, extended cab with the tow package. On our first trip to Boon, NC we experienced the well documented reverberation and bouncing that comes with just the slightest change in road conditions…..and we only traveled the interstates and four lane highways. The second thing we noticed and it also is well documented in this forum, it the shifting between 5th and 6th gear on straight road. It dents easily.

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  Poor Towing Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Keith - July 17 - 6:50 pm

  This truck has too much plastic for the money. It does look good. The TRD Package truck has towing issues. My truck cant seems to find the right gear to tow my 5500 trailer. It wont go it 5th gear in auto mode but can be shifted to 5th gear manually and stays there. The dealership doesnt have a clue and says no problem with truck. The field rep says I see the issue but theres nothing that can be changed out to fix it. The company headquarters says no problem exists and file for a 3rd party ruling to determine if they have to buy it back. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA TRUCK. P.S. I have talked to other TRD package owners and some have the same issue.

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  Not what I expected - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Trucker72 - July 15 - 9:33 pm

  Well Ive owned them all. I own a construction company and needed a truck that has a high towing capacity and horsepower rating. Ive put 21,500 miles on the 5.7L and has not proved to be what I expected. I am very hard on trucks but am adamant about service every 3k miles, and fuel filter every 12k. At 6800 miles the valve train started making noise so I took it in to discover my truck had leaked over a quart of oil in a 4 month period. My engine was totally overhauled. I was hauling a 9k trailer up the grapevine and my tranny overheated and would not shift.. had to wait till it cooled down.. weak.. Now brakes are shuddering. Toyota and quality dont go together anymore. Will be my last.

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  Not bad - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Billinin - June 17 - 10:26 pm

  Ive been a Toyota guy for the past 20+ years. I was looking for a vehicle to pull a mid-size fishing boat. Got the base 6 cyl long bed. Its been an okay truck but not on par with other Toyotas Ive had. No serious problems-- just not as nice. Ive had it for 7 years and its served us well. Getting about 15 mpg in town...21 on hwy

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  Storage space, dashboard lighting logic - 2015 Toyota Tundra
  By Mike - May 16 - 10:50 am

  In the 1794 model, there is absolutely no storage space other than the console. The jack and tire tools are behind the back seat almost impossible to remove or replace. No place to put trailer hitch equipment or anything else. Tools etc,? The dashboard lighting logic is completely bassackwards. Plenty light at night. Easy to read gauges, speedometer etc. Daylight, the video display, "mpg, miles to empty, outside temp, odometer and even the guages are not lit up. They should be lit up brightly during the day and low light at night. If you need to wear sun glasses, You might not be able to read the speedometer. The dashboard lighting logic needs to be upgraded. Dashboard lighting was my fault. Its o.k. I enlarged the front mud flaps because with the existing ones, the tires pile mud up on the running board. Sometimes over an inch thick. Storage room is still a problem. I get better than 16 mpg.

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  Stay Away, Bad Brakes - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By TundraBummer - May 15 - 4:20 am

  After about 6000 miles the truck started shaking when I stopped. I took it back to the dealer who did a complete brakes job. It drove great for about another 8000 miles then started shaking again. In total, I have had 3 new rotors, 2 new drums, 2 new front calipers, including the last time when they installed the updated brakes, just before the warranty ran out. now it still shakes when I stop. The dealer tells me there is nothing htey can do, since it has all the latest updates for the brakes. Also, the exhaust manifold leaked, and the check engine light has been on 4 seperate time for various emission problems that have totaled over $900.