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:

• 

  Its a real truck folks! - 2014 Toyota Tundra
  By tlmiller - June 9 - 10:57 pm

  Had a 2012 and loved it. Now I have a 2014 and I like it even better. I like my trucks to ride firm and have power to do it all. This delivers on both counts and is the best looking truck on the road. The interior is huge and functional with everything I need within reach. Itll pass anything but a gas pump, but thats what a real truck can do. I drove them all and the others drove heavy and soft to me. I dont need a car ride. If youre looking for a "TRUCK", this is the one for you.

• 

  Great Truck - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By edw - June 9 - 3:36 pm

  Rides like a sedan not a truck. Very quiet and nice options like moon roof, great stereo system.

• 

  Toyota Tundra Fan - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By oregon-agates - June 8 - 10:00 am

  We went from a Camry to the full sized Tundra. The truck is every bit as comforatble and easy to drive as the Camry is. What an engine. Very smooth and powerfull. Reminds me of the 1950s and 60s V8 era. As far as the back seat goes, it is comforatble for short (less than 500 miles) trips. The bed is shallow but for city truckers that is fine. I would say we will buy another but this one will probably last forever.

• 

  Problems - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By bpierce - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I like the truck for its looks and comfort but Have I had problems. Brakes are horrible designed. Have had three brake jobs. Throttle body went out, that cost $1200. It is in the shop right now because the check engine light came on. Turns out that there is a crack in the exhaust manifold due to poor metalology. Toyota is covering repair but in turn my o2 sensor went bad and there is carbon build up on my valves and "new" throttle body that they want charge to fix. Said Toyota does not cover incidental problems. Please, now I have to hash it out with Toyota.

• 

  Tundra can Tow - 2012 Toyota Tundra
  By deejay8 - June 7 - 11:43 pm

  We got our Tundra from Cowboy Toyota. Billy Goss and James Smith provided excellent service. We previously owned a Nissan Frontier. There is no comparison between the towing performance of the Tundra compared to the Frontier. We just returned from our trip to New Mexico. The only "problem" was that we kept forgetting we were towing the camper. The 4.6L engine worked great. Im glad we didnt get the bigger engine because it was not needed.

• 

  Small problems - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By mac57 - June 5 - 3:06 am

  Love the truck! Small problems due to Toyota quality slipping. Rattle in door, kick panel loose, front end out of line at delivery, now my tail gate latch broke after only opening the gate maybe a half dozen times. Still love the truck but you do not expect these little problems from a Toyota.

• 

  First Truck/Best Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By JOG - June 4 - 10:36 am

  I am 47 yrs old, this is my first truck, so you know I have done my home work before purchasing. Very impress to say the least. The new Tundra beat all the other trucks in its class in every category. After owning a 2001 C5 Vette for three years, its kinda hard to give up speed all together. My vette did 0-60 in 5.3 seconds, but imagine a 7000 lb truck going 0-60 in 6.0 seconds. I LOVE IT!! I put some 22" U2 chrome wheels, added side bars, tinted my windows, bedliner and exhaust chrome tip. What a good looking Tundra!

• 

  THIS TRUCK IS AWESOME!!! - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By gaijinson - June 1 - 4:10 am

  I looked at a lot of trucks before deciding on the new 05 double cab. This truck performs like a dream. I realized how good it was when I was driving about 80 miles per hour in the fast lane around dusk and I came up on a contractors wheelbarrow in the center of the lane. (This thing was huge.) I did not have enough time to stop so I had to swerve. While other vehicles were slamming on their brakes and spinning out in the breakdown lane this truck handle like a sports car. I went around the wheelbarrow and I was back in the fast lane in just a few seconds. I was shocked that a truck so big could handle like so well. You gotta drive one!!!

• 

  This is the truck Ive always wanted - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Greg Phillips - May 30 - 3:56 pm

  I waited a long time for toyota to build this truck. Ive owned several late model domestics and they just dont stack up to the toyota product. I dont frequently tow and when I do the loads are well within the limits of this truck. It is quiet, refined and the engine doesnt strain to pull it around. Build quality is much better than on my last two domestic full size trucks.

• 

  Why I like my truck - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Mike - May 28 - 2:56 pm

  I have owned many Toyotas in my life and this truck by far is the bomb. With all of the extra room in this vehicle I am not worried about the new baby that is on its way. And I currently have three boys, so you can imagine what I am talking about. With the powerful engine I am assured that we are not going to be slow on the take-off, or not have enough power to pass someone on the highway. Am looking forward to really taking it off-road. Thank you for making such a fine vehicle.