Full-size pickup trucks generate big business for the automotive sector. Through November, full-size, light duty pick-ups remained atop the best-seller list of vehicles sold in the U.S. In order are: Ford's F150 (695,143), the Chevrolet Silverado (537,552) and the Ram full-size light duty (407,981). All three finished 2014 in the same top-three order. All indicators point to an identical finish in 2015.
Toyota's worthy full-size entry, the Tundra, premiered in 1999 as a 2000 model year product. Tundra replaced the Japan-built T100 (1993-1998), lacking V-8 power; relying instead on a workman-like, but under staffed V-6. Tundra underwent a complete second-generation redo in 2007 and mid-cycle 2014 tweaking.
Tundra looks to build upon the success of its smaller sibling, the mid-size Tacoma pickup. Both are assembled in San Antonio, Texas at a sprawling facility which began operation late in 2006, just in time for second-generation Tundra production. Production capacity at the San Antonio plant remains at 200,000 units annually. Toyota is also in the process of moving its U.S. corporate headquarters from southern California to the Lone Star state, specifically Plano Texas, a Dallas suburb.
Tacoma receives a next-generation make over in 2016. No mid-size pickup reaches Tacoma's take levels. With 2014 U.S. sales of 155,041, Tacoma nearly doubled its nearest mid-sized competitor here in the states. Tacoma's success bodes well for Tundra. Pickup truck buyers remain a brand-loyal bunch; many satisfied Tacoma owners closely ponder Tundra when upsizing.
Tundra's also contending with Nissan's re-engineered 2016 full-size Titan pickup. Underwhelming U.S. sales propelled Nissan to differentiate its all-new Titan from its nearest Asian rival. The second-generation, Mississippi-built Titan offers a 5.0-liter, Cummings V-8-powered diesel engine. Diesel technology is an opportunity Tundra has yet to explore.
Tundra offers 50 different mix and match opportunities with three cab sizes: two-door regular, four-door double cab, four-door CrewMax; two bed lengths: standard bed (6.5 feet) or long bed (8.1 feet); two V-8 engines: 4 x 2 rear drive or 4 x 4 all-wheel drive and five trims. All beds measure 22.2 inches deep.
Trim levels include base SR, volume-leading SR5, Limited, and two premium grades: Platinum and the 1794 Edition. A sixth trim, the off-road intended Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Pro, debuted in 2015. In addition to the TRD Pro off-road trim, a 'TRD off-road option package' is offered in SR5, Limited and 1794 trims. Single-row, three-passenger regular cabs come solely in the entry SR trim.
While changes for 2016 remain minimal, the four highest trims boost a larger fuel tank, now holding 38 gallons compared to 26.4 gallons. Tundra dropped a V-6 powertrain in 2015. The mid-size Tacoma is Toyota's pick to click for V-6 opportunities. Full-size domestic rivals continue offering V-6 opportunities.
Tundra's two potent, naturally aspirated (non turbo) V-8 powertrains include a 4.6-liter, 32-valve double overhead cam delivering 310 horses and a 5.7-liter 32-valve DOHC swaggering 381 horses. Both digest 87-octane regular fuel while the larger 5.7-liter is also E-85 ethanol capable. Both mate to a very smooth-sifting six-speed, electronically-controlled automatic transmission. With the standard towing package, Tundra's 5.7-liter V-8 is SAE certified to tow a healthy 10,500 pounds.
Our tester, a well-decked-out supersized CrewMax TRD Pro with standard short bed and specialized heavy-duty suspension checked in at $45,060. With no available factory options, the bottom line ended at $46,255 after $1,195 delivery fee. The lowest-priced offering, a SR 4 x 2 regular cab long bed starts at $29,950.
Setting Tundra's TRD Pro off-road apart visually are large, 18-inch paint-it-black alloy wheels teaming with Michelin off-road tires and dual exhausts emitting a throaty growl. The front trapezoidal grille also gets blacked out with "Toyota" etched across the center rather than the circular Toyota logo. Black headlight bezels flank the grille.
Beneath the skin, larger diameter, high-performance shocks ease bumpy terrain while TRD suspension raises the vehicle's front two-inches higher, visually noticeable between squared wheel wells and tires. TRD Pro color choices include White, Magnetic Gray and new-for-2016 Quicksand. Embossed on each side of the outer bed; TRD Pro. The 5.7-liter V-8 is standard in the TRD off road.
Tundra's chiseled exterior rocks an old-school mast radio antenna protruding up from the passenger's side front fender. The back hatch lowers with the pace of a falling feather, rather than a racing 'thud' thanks to dampening-type hinges. Side running boards are optional in trims outside the off-road intended TRD Pros and regular cab SRs. Sans the side step, it's a big first step and hop up into the cabin.
The modern, intuitive and attractive interior features three extra-large twist dials to monitor fan speed, direction and temperature; all easily operable if donning thick work gloves. Above, a seven-inch multi-function touch screen includes a standard-in-all-trims backup camera feed when traveling in reverse. Also welcome are two large audio twist knobs quickly adjusting volume or station selection, interacting nicely with one-click touch screen commands.
Both inside and outside door handles remain thick and brawny, tailor made for work gloves. Four circular, adjustable air vents dot the width of the soft-touch dashboard accented with brushed-aluminum décor. Our TRD Pro off-road includes new black leather seating surfaces piped with red stitching. Four-wheel models include a dash-located (right of the ventilation controls) electronically controlled transfer case dial to summon 4WD high and low.
The workman-like instrument panel includes two large analog dials (left-side tachometer, right-side speedometer) each connecting with two smaller circular satellites (including a right-side fuel indicator abutting the speedometer). Directly in the center is a digital 3.5-inch information screen with multiple window choices, scrollable via a right-side steering wheel button.
The healthy-portioned CrewMax cab provides more head and leg room than many car/truck/limousines on the road; up to 42.3-inches of rear leg room. If three riders are not occupying the spacious back digs, 60/40 split cushions fold upward, cushion-to-backrest, providing a huge, protected, indoor arena for transporting goods.
TRD Pro's automatic transmission shifter resides left of three inline cup holders and a super-sized storage bin, hinged at the back, capable of stowing a small domestic pet. The four-spoke manually-adjustable tilt-and-telescope steering wheel includes a small protruding appendix at 5 o'clock operating cruise control functions (standard in all trims); a design common to most Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
Both large side-view mirrors could benefit from inexpensive, low-tech blind-spot enhancements. Many General Motors redesigned pickups sport small beveled circular mirror inserts zeroing in on hidden areas. A recently tested Acura TLX includes mirrors with concaved vertical slices donning outer edges, highlighting easily hidden regions.
Tundra offers blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic audio pings standard on Platinum and 1794 editions while optional in most other trims. Other higher-tech opportunities worth exploring include something resembling Honda's 'Lane Watch,' featuring teeny-tiny cameras mounted inside the mirror housing with real-time color feeds through the in-dash multi-function screen when activating the turn signal.
At a Glance
2016 Toyota TundraPrice as tested: $46,255.
Engine: 5.7-liter V-8
Horsepower: 381
Torque: 401 lbs.-ft.
Overall width: 79.9 inches
Overall height: 76.2 inches
Curb weight: 5,645 pounds
Powertrain warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Fuel economy: 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway
Assembly: San Antonio, Texas