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 Lexus of trucks - 2003 Toyota Tundra
By Vic Gar - October 31 - 10:00 amWish Lexus made trucks that only cost 28K? Here you go...
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solid truck - 2003 Toyota Tundra
By Beckett - October 31 - 10:00 amunfortunately looks like Darth VAder, but a very good truck..not as ungainly as the Chev or GMC, more friendly to driver than the Ford...fairly good size compromise...runs great...Ill keep it maybe next yrs will look better and the door arrangement will be better
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Love the durability - 2010 Toyota Tundra
By kevin - October 29 - 10:00 amI have read all the reviews and see where everybody seems to be averaging 15+ MPG on their 5.7. I would love to know what they are doing because my display has topped out at a whopping 13.5 MPG. Is there a secret? I plan on purchasing a cat-back exhaust and air filter system in the future to up my performance and mileage. No regret. Seats family of 5 very comfortably. Got a good deal and hopefully will see this truck through to the end.
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Best pickup Ive ever owned. - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By mufasa26 - October 27 - 3:16 pmI absolutely love this pickup. I had just purchased an 07 chevrolet silverado about 4 months ago, just got this, and am now wondering why I ever bought the Chevy. It has much better acceleration, more stylish, more towing, more payload, and overall better build quality also. I never much cared for the Tundras til this year, when they gave it a face lift. Its now bigger and beefier than ever. Im a big guy, 64" 265 lbs, and I fit in it a whole lot better than I did the Chevy. It has a lot more interior space, and I love the floor shifter.
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Glad we waited for 2007 - 2007 Toyota Tundra
By Flashy - October 23 - 11:56 pmOur original plan was to get the 2006 because we liked the body size of that Tundra. The reason we decided on the 2007 was the 5.7L engine. We have a 20 foot cabin cruiser and liked the towing capacity of the bigger engine and the fuel economy over the 4.7L. Now that we have had the truck a little while we are getting used to how really big it is! Our dog, who doesnt like traveling at all likes the floor of the back seat with the seats up. We just got a tri-fold bed cover so storing our luggage there will be great. We love the navigation and back-up camera and ability to have bluetooth and MP2 plug. Overall, we love it. Great power and smooth transmission and drives like a car.
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Great Truck - 2006 Toyota Tundra
By Phillip Bardin - October 23 - 4:30 amI love this truck. Very comfortable to drive. Stable in curves if not pushed real hard (not a sports car). Decent gas mileage I get 18 all around and 20+ on trips. Ride height gives great vision of road. I bought the 2006 because I liked the smaller truck better than the larger 2008.
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I like it - 2004 Toyota Tundra
By Eyem - October 19 - 2:00 amI am a tall man. I found that in the passenger side in the front seat there is an obstruction where my left foot would usually set. I usually drive so no real biggie. Very good aceleration all be it the foot feed is a little quick.(owned a ford)
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Way Overrated - 2008 Toyota Tundra
By David - October 17 - 7:26 pmThis is my first and last Toyota truck. GMC has forgotten more about trucks than Toyota knows.
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Smooth Ride - 2006 Toyota Tundra
By Pop - October 17 - 5:30 amDurable and reliable, this truck rides like a nice sedan. Radio remote on steering wheel changes am, fm, cd, volume, stations. Nice large console. Lockable bed. Large size takes getting used to if you havent been driving a large truck. Mileage is not good but is typical of a large pickup.
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Toyota Tundra - 2001 Toyota Tundra
By Greg Jensen - October 14 - 9:20 pmI have 55000 miles on my Tundra and have never had to bring it in for repairs. Not even a recall! This truck has plenty of power and feels solid as a rock! No rattles or viabrations. Excellent mileage when not towing. Average around 17 MPG.
