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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Big three cant touch this! - 2010 Toyota Tundra
By ryan - September 19 - 2:13 amI love this truck! Dodge,Ford,and GM could not offer what I got for 0% financing. A ton of horse power. Four wheel drive. Great looks and nice ride.
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na - 2002 Toyota Tundra
By jec - September 18 - 10:00 amI have owned my toyota tundra for almost 8 months now. I love it, the only critsim I have is the turning radius is way to small compared to other vehicles in this class.
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Love IT!! - 2002 Toyota Tundra
By Nick Ramos - September 2 - 12:50 pmI Love my Tundra and would like to be buried with it. After having this truck I feel really weird going on the highway in other vehicles, b/c of the noise reduction and comfort Ive had with my Tundra. Though it chugs gas you really cant buy one of these w/o expecting to pay out.
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Awesome power - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By John - August 24 - 10:23 amWhat a great truck this is! We have had trucks from all the majors, just recently had an 03 F250 diesel. Then come our Tundra and all I can say is WOW. The powertrain in this thing is great, sleek styling lines, tow capabilities and Toyota quality is what sold us. The interior plastics could be better, ride can get a little funky over expansion joints at high speeds. In 6 months been into dealer for squealing belt twice, under warranty. We live in a GM town, and have always tried to drive something different. All the Chevys and Gmcs tend to all look alike and there are lots of them around. Cant wait to tow our camper this year.
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Farming Man - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By Cattlehauler - August 18 - 11:26 amThis truck is very nicely designed, does everything that I bought it for. Right now there is no truck that has as much horsepower than the 5.7. Great truck.
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My Bulldog - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By jake - August 10 - 5:13 pmWell it looks like a Bulldog sitting in the drive, just waiting to go off to work! I am very pleased and proud of the whole vehicle. Another fine Toyota! I have a few complaints though. See below.
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3rd great tundra - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By mcs-m - August 9 - 7:30 am3rd tundra, first one was an 00 sr5 reg. cab., long box 4wd. 2nd one was an 05 reg cab long box 4wd, which was used heavily this last year in Wisconsins cruddy winter. The 4wd held up fine after a beating. The new tundra rides nice (a bit more jittery than the 05, 00) but has great room inside. It was really hard to find int. wipers and cruise control in this model, looks like a ploy to have everyone buy the sr5.
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Like this truck - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By Rob F - August 8 - 2:00 amI was really happy to get one of the first to roll into the dealer. It is a little under-powered for my towing needs, but when my supercharger is installed, look out hills !!!!
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toyota tundra d-cab - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By mr big red - August 8 - 2:00 amtoyota quality along with fun to drive front seat. roomy comfortable rear seats. talk to you in 10 years with the more important review.
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Great Truck - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By billy artic - August 8 - 2:00 amThis truck is great.I think everyone should get rid of there junk fords and gmcs and get the tundra.The tundra is the hottest truck out there.It drives and handles great.It is very good off road.I put lots of miles on and have no problems.If you had a gmc or ford you would have to replace many things after alot of miles.Overall its a great truck as for the money and its reliability.
