Shoppers looking for a versatile full-size truck should check out the Toyota Tundra. Powered by a V8 engine, the Tundra has a max towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and can carry up to 1,730 pounds in its bed. Six available trim levels allow consumers to select the right Tundra for them, whether their priority is work, road trips, off-roading, or luxury. Some rivals offer more refinement, but few can match the Tundra’s reputation for reliability.
PROS: Tough enough for a range of work environments; Smooth V8 has a reputation for reliability; Impressive towing and hauling capacities; Spacious and comfortable interior
CONS: A hybrid engine could improve fuel economy; Some rivals have more luxurious interiors
What’s New:New Tundra Trail, Nightshade special editions; Trail adds lockable bed storage, unique styling; Upscale Nightshade has black seats, exterior trim; Lunar Rock is a new color for the TRD Pro
The Tundra is available in six trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and the 1794 Edition. Two body styles are available — extended cab and crew cab. One of the things that set the Tundra apart from many rivals is its standard driver safety technology. Every new Tundra comes with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian detection.
The entry-level SR starts around $34,000. It’s a well-equipped choice as a work truck, with exterior features including automatic headlights, heated side mirrors, 18-inch steel wheels, and a full-size spare tire. Interior features include air conditioning, cloth upholstery, a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, a trip computer, power windows, and remote keyless entry. Tech highlights are a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, a CD player, and a USB port. The SR5 builds on that feature set with popular amenities.
For about $35,500, it gets details like fog lights, a sliding rear window, an HD seven-inch screen, satellite radio, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. For about $42,500, shoppers can opt for the luxurious Limited trim level. It enhances the driving experience with LED headlights, a power-sliding rear window, heated side mirrors. Cabin occupants will find themselves pampered by soft leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, power heated front seats, a leather steering wheel, a premium audio system, navigation, and an integrated trailer brake controller.
The Platinum is the fanciest Tundra. Its approximately $49,000 MSRP includes a unique grille, body-color bumpers, and power-folding side mirrors with memory settings. The cabin has heated and ventilated front seats with embroidered headrests, premium floor mats, automatic power front windows, a power vertical-style rear window with defogger, an upgraded overhead console, and a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. The Platinum also comes with front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, a glass breakage sensor, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
The similarly-priced 1794 Edition has the same luxury features as the Platinum, but its styling is less swanky and instead opts for a western theme. The interior features exclusive brown leather and wood trim.
If shoppers instead want their $49,000 to go towards an off-road pickup, the TRD Pro should fit the bill. The TRD Pro comes with black headlight trim, 18-inch forged alloy wheels, heavy-duty LED fog lights, all-terrain tires, a power moonroof, front tow hooks, an underbody skid plate to protect the vehicle from scrapes, and off-road shock absorbers. The interior also gets a rugged redo, with exclusive black leather seating, red contrast stitching, TRD floor mats, and a TRD shift knob.
