Toyota Tundra Review

2008 Toyota Tundra Regular Cab

When it originally debuted near the start of the new millennium, the Toyota Tundra was considered by many people to be the first import-brand full-size pickup truck to truly go head-to-head against the Big Three's pickups. It had a lot of things in its favor, including a refined V8 engine and the backing of Toyota's reputation for reliability and durability.

However, the first-generation Toyota Tundra ultimately found more of an audience with recreational pickup buyers than with hard-core users. Not quite full-size in dimensions or work capacity, the Tundra appealed to those seeking an easy-to-drive commuter or utility vehicle capable of handling weekend trips to the local home improvement center. Independent contractors, or those with heavy trailers or boats to pull, were put off by the original Tundra's limited body configurations, smaller size and lower tow ratings.

A redesigned Tundra pickup has arrived, however, and with it Toyota hopes this truck will finally attract serious pickup truck buyers. An American-built half-ton truck with true full-size proportions, the second-generation Tundra features three cab sizes, three bed lengths and a choice of three engines. In every measure, the Toyota Tundra now stands on equal or higher ground than competing half-ton pickups.

Current Toyota Tundra

The full-size, half-ton Toyota Tundra comes in regular cab, Double Cab and CrewMax body styles. The Double Cab is essentially a large extended cab with four forward-hinged doors, while the Tundra CrewMax is an extra-large crew cab.

For the regular cab, Toyota offers just a basic Grade trim level only. The Double Cab and CrewMax are available in more upscale SR5 and Limited trim levels. Available bed lengths for the regular cab and Tundra Double Cabs include both a 6.5-foot and an 8-foot bed, while the CrewMax comes with only a 5.5-foot bed.

With a wider variety of possible configurations, it's now much easier to equip a Tundra for use as both a work vehicle and family hauler. The medium-size Double Cab -- which is now the extended-cab version of the Tundra -- is as large as many competitors' crew cabs, while the massive Tundra CrewMax has the roomiest four-door cab in the full-size segment.

Three engines are available, allowing the second-gen Toyota Tundra to suit almost any need. Standard on the Regular Cab and shorter-bed Double Cab is a 4.0-liter V6 rated at 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque; optional on these models and standard on all other Tundras is a 4.7-liter V8 putting out 271 horses and 313 lb-ft of torque. Optional for all Tundras is a 5.7-liter V8 cranking out 381 extremely eager hp and 401 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque.

The V6 and smaller V8 come paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, while the larger V8 is hooked to a six-speed automatic. All versions are offered with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

We find the reworked Toyota Tundra to be a remarkable truck, now excelling in all the areas in which its predecessor fell short. For full-size truck buyers with serious towing and hauling requirements, it's a must-drive, as the new big V8 and six-speed automatic combo give it a decided advantage when there's a trailer hitched up.

The Tundra also boasts generous interior room, lots of useful features and very good road manners. Its only real downsides are slightly hard-to-reach dashboard controls, ho-hum interior plastics and pricing that's potentially a little more than the competition's. Still, this is one impressive half-ton truck, and overall we think it's worth strong consideration for nearly all full-size shoppers.

Past Toyota Tundras

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 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.

SELECT A SPECIFIC TOYOTA TUNDRA MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.