The upcoming 2014 calendar and model year should turn out very well for light duty, half-ton pick-up truck buyers and the automakers who manufacturer them.
With economic indicators pointing up thanks to a welcome rebound in the chaotic-of-late housing market, homesteads are getting built and/or upgraded. When housing starts move forward, so do sales of full-size, work horse pickup trucks needed to construct the build.
While Ford's light-duty F-150 pickup continues as the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., competitors in this critical segment (with sizeable built-in profit margins) are not 'waiting until next year' (a phrase indefinitely reserved for die-hard Chicago Cub fans).
General Motors debuts next-generation redesigns of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra in the 2014 model year while the newly-minted Ram truck division of Chrysler LLC revamps its namesake full-size Ram.
Never one to be overshadowed, Toyota's full-size Tundra undergoes a 2014 mid-cycle refresh that began arriving to dealers at the end of August 2013. Tundra was launched as an all-new offering in 1999 as a 2000 model year product displacing the Japan-built T100 full size pickup which lasted one generation (1993-1998), but lacked a sorely missed V-8 option. Tundra experienced a complete second-generation redo in 2007.
Toyota first showcased the 2014 Tundra to media members and the public at large during the 2013 Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place this past February. "No full-size truck has more North American parts content than Tundra," Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager Bill Fay commented at an early morning media preview press conference. "We've also seen more segment switching as people move from SUVs and cars to the unique capabilities and increasing comfort of full-size pickups."
The 2014 Tundra was designed in California, engineered in Michigan and contains 75 percent North American content while assembled deep in the heart of Texas. The V-6 and V-8 engines call Huntsville, Alabama their production home.
While updates abound inside and out, most notable is Tundra's bigger and bolder trapezoidal front grille (with each of the five grades flashing its own unique fashion statement) flanked by thinner headlight housing and a hood line raised 1.6 inches contributing to a bolder appearance. Measuring at 79.9 inches, it's one of the widest half-ton pickups available. Newly designed three-piece front and rear bumpers make replacement easier (and less costly) if and when the need arises. "Tundra" is now embossed into the sheet metal of the tailgate.
Inside, feedback from current Tundra customers lead to improved front-seat ventilation. Ergonomically speaking, extra bold climate and audio controls are now two inches closer to front seat riders. The dash and soft-touch materials help Tundra make a noticeable quality leap forward to a comfortable and spacious interior.
During a short-lead launch, a pre-production model sporting retuned shock absorber valving absorbs pot holes and road imperfections incredibly nicely. Steering system updates results in improved straight-line stability.
Tundra qualifies as a light duty, half-ton pickup. Terms including half-ton, three-quarter-ton and one-ton have been utilized for decades, loosely defining 'payload capacity.' Mathematically speaking, a 'ton' represents 2,000 pounds; thus sound logic dictates a half ton would manage in the neighborhood of 1,000 pounds. However, most of today's half-ton pickups handle well above 1,000 pounds of 'payload capacity' (cargo together with passenger weight). While Tundra quietly yet boastfully quantifies itself as a 'heavy' half-ton- option, the best way to determine a vehicle's payload limit is by carefully review of individual specs for each grade.
Toyota builds both its compact Tacoma and full-size Tundra pickups at a sprawling (2,000 acres) facility in San Antonio, Texas; it's the only U.S. assembly plant building two different-sized pickups side by side with an annual capacity of 200,000 units while employing more than 2,800 workers. Plant groundbreaking for Toyota Motor Manufacturing, San Antonio was back in 2003.
Three naturally-aspirated engine selections (one V-6, two V-8s) return virtually unchanged from 2013 sporting truck-friendly dual variable valve timing. Grade levels undergo revamping with three available cab configurations. Regular two-door cabs and four-door (front hinged) double cabs (with standard-sized rear doors) come with a choice of standard cargo bed lengths (78.7 inches) or extended bed (97.6 inches). The expansive CrewMax with four extra wide side doors, offers one bed length (66.7 inches). Double cabs and CrewMax are available with front bench seating or dual buckets.
Currently, the light-duty (1500) Tundra offers no turbo or diesel variants, although Toyota is not closing the door completely concerning these options in the future. Larger-capacity three-quarter ton (2500) and one ton (3500) Tundra versions may someday become reality, but that point is also quite a ways down the road.
The 4.0-liter V-6 generates 270 horsepower mated to a five-speed automatic. A mid-range 4.6-liter V-8 cranks out 310 horses with the top-line 5.7-liter V-8 generates 381 horses. Both V-8s team with a six-speed automatic. Knee air bags come standard in all grades, the only half-ton in the segment to make this claim. Maximum towing with the large 5.7-liter V-8 engine is 10,400 pounds.
Toyota tweaks the 2014 lineup with not just one but two premium grades (a returning Platinum and all-new 1794 Editions) joining three lower-tier selections. The workhorse SR opens the gates starts at $25,920 with a standard three-passenger cab sporting cloth or vinyl bench seating and includes a back-up camera display as do all grades. The next-level SR5 ($29,465) adds fog lights, Satellite radio and bumper end caps. Limited ($36,940) adds leather seats, heated power front buckets and power-sliding rear window.
Platinum ($44,270) adds power moon roof, front-rear parking assist and black-and-silver, urban-themed interior. The new western-themed 1794 Edition (also $44,270) boasts most Platinum amenities while paying tribute to the Texas ranch (founded in the year 1794) on which the Tundra/Tacoma assembly plant now resides. The key distinction between Platinum and 1794 Edition is the wood-style, saddle-leather interior theme of the new 2014 grade.
At a Glance
2014 Toyota Tundra
Starting Price: $25,920
Base engine: 4.0-liter V-6
Horsepower: 270
Overall Width: 79.9 inches
Overall Height: 76.2 inches
Powertrain Warranty: Five years/60,000 miles
Fuel economy (V-6, 4 x 2): 16 mpg city/20 mpg. highway
Assembly: San Antonio, Texas
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