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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Next truck will be another Tundra - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By bassman - July 20 - 5:00 amJust turned 10,000 miles and I am just as pleased with this truck as the day I picked it up. Had taken it in for the gas pedal recall and also had the radio replaced. Other then that, this is the best truck Ive ever owned. After 3 Chevys and Dodge Im glad I listened to my mechanic. When he said Dodge, GM and Ford make pretty good trucks. But their not a Tundra!
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Toyota - why buy anything else? - 2006 Toyota Tundra
By Kinsey - July 19 - 4:06 pmWe drive back and forth from city to city and this Tundra cruises like a full size sedan. You wont believe how quiet the engine is or how smooth the ride is in a double cab Tundra.
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Better than all the rest - 2005 Toyota Tundra
By manny - July 19 - 5:06 amI had my heart set on the F150. However, owning an old 94 F-150 with a multitude of problems and hearing about questionable reliability through consumer reports for all GM and Ford trucks led me to Toyota. Youre not gonna get the fancy interior. What you do get, is lots of power in the 05, awesome handling, a silky smooth auto trans, and whisper quite ride through 50 mph, with the sound slowly increasing as you pass through 70-80. I avg 14.5 mpg driving around town. Im not a leadfoot. If you slam on the gas, youre gonna get 12 mpg. I can get 16.7 mpg on the highway (75 mph). and 17.8 mpg (premium gas). The cockpit is simple but very spacious and functional. Test drive IT NOW.!
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Poor Towing Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By Keith - July 17 - 6:50 pmThis 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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Toyotas best truck ever - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By Steven - July 16 - 3:36 pmI have already towed on a 16 hour trip and it was like I was driving without a trailer.
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Not what I expected - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By Trucker72 - July 15 - 9:33 pmWell 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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Its almost perfect - 2001 Toyota Tundra
By Todd - July 15 - 3:13 pmMy parents bought this car in 2004 with about 45,000 miles on it. The truck is smooth, powerful, quiet, confidence inspiring. We have been averaging 19 mpg in town and about 21 on the freeway w/out 4 wheel drive. Pretty good for a V8 and heavy truck. The only problem is the transmission...It works wonderfully until you have to tow your heavy trailer! 6500 pounds down hill broke the weaker parts in the Tranny, atleast it was safe enough to drive the rest of the way home! Otherwise, great truck...does that kill the point of having a truck? I tend to think so.
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Nice truck - 2017 Toyota Tundra
By Bennie Button - July 11 - 2:54 amGood truck, great looking, low on power, get the 5.7, I got the 4.6.
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Great Truck - 2000 Toyota Tundra
By bassrek - July 6 - 10:00 amIve had the truck for about 2.5 years, 38000+ miles without a snag. Only problem was the O2 sensor needing to be replaced, but was covered on warranty. The engine provides plenty of juice when needed, and the ride is great. Went to look at new F150s and Ram 1500s recently and decided Id be better off keeping my Tundra. Its still a joy to drive. Planning on keeping until the crewcab comes out.
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Worth the money and the ride - 2005 Toyota Tundra
By hydrosport - July 4 - 7:30 pmI have owned my tundra for four years. It has been a workhorse and still rides like the day I brought her home. Mileage is 15/18 which isnt bad. No problems and engine is still silky smooth. Would buy another one. Tows my boat well and limited slip is very sure footed.
