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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the real - 2003 Toyota Tundra
By maxpaulimus - May 12 - 2:00 amI test drove the big 3 and wasnt impressed with the build quality of them.The tundra is a little smaller, but, this makes it easier to park, more fun to drive and it actually fits into the garage.It does not however have as much interior room as the others, but, other than children (who fit fine in the tundra) how often are you going to drive long distances with adults in the back.I understand that some may need the chevy heavy duty for "heavy duty" truck work that calls for a diesal or bigger engine and payloads, but for the average truck person who occasionally tows, hauls, and uses their truck as a truck/commuter, the Tundra is a perfect fit.
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TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB, FORGET F150 - 2005 Toyota Tundra
By dennis Kasprzak - May 10 - 7:50 amI love my tundra. I waited to review it until I had it for a while 8 months now. 15000 mile service, and the first car I have owned, that hasnt been to the shop multiple times for engine lights, breakdowns. As you can tell this is the first toyota I have owned. Hauls great had 2000 lbs of sod with minimal rear end sag. Towed 16 foot enclosed trailer rated above the 6800 lbs towing capacity with no problems, trailer brakes were wired and only required 4 wire hook up. Never a problem with power, will be adding trd supercharger when it becomes available. Only problem thus far has been on door panels. The carpet keeps comming unglued, will adress that at the 15000 mile service coming up.
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Yes, this truck is great - 2006 Toyota Tundra
By geordy818 - May 3 - 11:30 pmThis truck has great power, it is stable anywhere thanks to the limited slip differential and it is pretty fast.
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Good but not great - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By RaymundoIrvan - April 27 - 12:00 amThe Toyota Tundra is a relatively good truck, the 5.7 is powerful and the 6 speed auto is excellent. It is very quiet and roomy and quite comfortable, however it does have its drawbacks. The climate controls and radio controls are hard to reach. The side walls of the bed are too tall making it hard to reach things in the bed. The gauges are too deep making it difficult to get good info quickly. Bottomline is that once the competition adopts a bigger engine and a new 6 speed auto the Tundra will not have anything to brag about. It is a good truck but I would prefer a F-150 or a Silverado anyday.
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Dependability! - 2005 Toyota Tundra
By Bill - April 25 - 8:20 pmThis is a classic Toyota. Very reliable vehicle with decent features that make it practical and economical. Cant say enough good things about the truck.
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No Other Truck Compares - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By Bill Hinman - April 25 - 3:16 pmBought 2007 Tundra new for significantly less than I could have bought a comparable Hemi Double Cab. I currently have 181,000 miles on it and the only fix was the water pump which Toyota covered on warrantee at 96K miles. I have towed an 8K camper from VT to SC twice and although the mileage was terrible (8MPH) no issues to date. I have replaced the brake pads twice and rotors once. All other people I know that own ford, chevy or dodge have replaced wheel bearings, tierod ends, and brakes every 25k miles. This truck is the real deal no matter what anyone says.
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Performance and reliability - 2005 Toyota Tundra
By hank from georgia - April 24 - 3:16 pmThis has truly been a wonderful driving experience. I change the oil (Mobil One) every five thousand miles, and keep an eye on the other fluids, and I think this thing would run for a long, long time. The only trouble I had, was when the tire pressure indicator indicated that one of my tires was low on air pressure. I checked all four, and that is when I found out that the spare was also hooked up to a monitor. When I purchase another truck it will be a Tundra. (When you gonna put out a diesel?)
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Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By Tim - April 16 - 1:26 amIm 41 years old and have owned trucks from Dodge, Chevy, GMC, Ford, and now Toyota (I have no brand loyalty). Without a doubt, this is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned!! Ive had so many problems, Im not sure where to begin. I have owned the truck for 5 months, and it has 9100 miles. That may seem like a lot, but I usually drive about 35k miles a year (so it should have about 17k miles, not 9). Why the low miles? Because, it spends all its time in the shop. Engine, brakes, paint (2 complete paint jobs on a brand new truck...downright criminal), transmission (on its third), ECM, constant engine codes, dash rattle, rusting bumpers, ignition stuck, bad drive shaft.
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2008 Toyota Tundra SR5 - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By The Needle - April 15 - 6:06 pmMy experience so far is that this is an OK truck. All windows are very small and obstruct views, especially the rear windows. Rear seating on my Extended cab is VERY uncomfortable on long trips. Gas mileage is miserable: around 14mpg with half city and hwy. Nice feature on the tundra is the rear video cam, but thats cause youll need it. Also the interior is cheap.
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Great truck so far - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By great truck - April 15 - 7:13 amThe Tundras interior materials arent as nice as the Tacomas, but it is still as good as any other domestic. Could have used better interior materials but in a truck meant for work it is a very nice interior. This truck is a beast. Limo sized back seat, quiet beast under the hood, a mile away between driver and passenger, and very comfortable. Awesome truck. I also test drove a Ford and a Silverado.
