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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Differential problems - 2002 Toyota Tundra
By Hauffmanstuppe - October 7 - 2:00 amWonderful 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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class of the class - 2003 Toyota Tundra
By Mantis - October 7 - 2:00 amIt is nice not to know any service writers although Precision is a great dealership. The truck rides better than the Avalon and hauls what I need it to. Most of the larger trucks, the so called heavy duty, are great for just that, however, the majority of the miles call for comfort and reliability.
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Toyota Tundra, one great truck - 2003 Toyota Tundra
By Bobtoyota - October 7 - 2:00 amThe Tundra feels/drives very solid, no rattles or sqeaks and does not drive like a big truck. Excellent braking and acceleration. The interior fit and finish is high quality. The front seat does not have enough leg room for a 6 foot man and the back seat is very small.
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TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By NEWTRUCKOWNER - October 7 - 2:00 amTHE ONLY BAD THING IS THE GAS TANK DOESNT HAVE A LOCK. MY OLD TOYOTA TRUCK, TO GET TO THE GAS TANK YOU HAD TO UNLOCK IT WITH THE KEY. I FELT THAT WAS SAFER, THAN I KNEW, WHEN I LEFT WORK I STILL HAD MY GAS THAT I CAME TO WORK WITH. ANY SUGGESTIONS??
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Love my 2005 Tundra - 2005 Toyota Tundra
By Steve Dahlgren - October 4 - 12:38 amThis car will probably never wear out! The upholstery will go first because mechanically its bulletproof and I drive like a grandpa
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dang good truck - 2001 Toyota Tundra
By love-it - October 1 - 2:00 amI owned three 4x4 Toyota trucks in the last 25 years then bought a 4x4 Dodge. A year later went back to Toyota. Reliability counts for a lot and this is the most reliable truck I have owned. I have been pulling a 24 foot boat on flat land and cant even tell its there.
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Best half ton - 2010 Toyota Tundra
By big blue - September 30 - 12:26 pmI drove every truck out there, Chevy, Ford, and Dodge. The Ford look nice inside and out, but when you drive it (it lacks power for a v8 5.4) and to me the engine is the heart of a truck! The Chevy was a good truck but didnt have the resale valve that Toyota has. The 6.0l was good but 5.7l was better. The Dodge had the best ride but cant tow as much as the others. The 5.7 hemi is better then last gen but the 5.7 is just better. All the trucks have great things going for them but the Toyota has it all. The ride on all trucks are ok at best, but Toyota has the worst bed bonce.
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Fragile, very fragile. - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By Tom R. - September 30 - 5:00 amFirst the good news, this truck with the 5.7L engine gets very good MPG, hwy 21, city 15 unloaded. Unfortunately, thatÂ’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 conditionsÂ…..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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My Tundra - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By Al Sulsona - September 26 - 10:00 amMy Toyota Tundra has been the BEST Vehicle I have ever owned!!!! Ford, Chevy or Dodge can not hold a candle to its performance, workmanship and above all its reliability. I have owned Ford Chevy and Dodge and I am sorry to say that they have a long way to go before they can produce a vehicle that will not fall apart with in a few years. Let me make it clear, I DO NOT ABUSE my vehicles, I guess all Im trying to say is that our domestic trucks may be beautiful machines but they just dont hold up!! Sorry for being so honest. Im just sharing my experience as a consumer.
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07 Tundra - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By electro-tek - September 23 - 5:06 amOnly 1600 miles so far. Real hot rod for a truck. Hard time finding standard cab with 5.7. 6 speed auto, towing pkg. tranny cooler, 4.30 gears.
