Toyota has endured sorted success with its full-size pickups. The T100 was nice, but underwhelming. Same was true of the first-generation, not-quite-butch-enough Tundra. By gen-3, Toyota had constructed a new plant in Princeton, IN to assemble its full-girth full-size truck. It later moved to a gleaming new plant in San Antonio, TX, where the 2014 fourth-generation pickup, the first major update since 2007, is exclusively built. With this kind of truck, it would be a good idea to understand the legal implications of unsecure load accidents and how they could affect other people around you if you intend to use this for work that is. Check out https://www.gruber-law.com/truck-accident-lawyer/unsecured-load/ for insight on the issue. But I digress.
Not as dramatically-styled as the FT-1 supercar, Tundra’s new duds are nonetheless dramatic. It’s big, and designed to look bigger. The updated design features an updated hood and grille that’s bolder and more industrial. Fenders and wheel wells were squared for a sturdy appearance. You can buy a two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab, or super-sized four-door CrewMax like our Limited test truck that flaunts limo-length rear doors. Limited’s ruggedly-handsome appearance includes a minimum of chrome.
You could ride from The Tundra to The Wynn in the truck’s high-roller interior. Gone is the last-generation Tundra’s zoned high-plastic interior theme, replaced with an upscale Lexus look that includes metalgrain on the center stack, stitched coverings, and wood-style dash planks. Heated leather seats enhance comfort. Passengers in an Audi A8 have no more rear seat space.
Toyota’s Entune infotainment system includes a 7” touchscreen to control navigation, satellite radio, Pandora internet radio, Bluetooth calling/streaming audio, and USB inputs. Entune can also call up local restaurants, find the lowest gas prices, and port this barge in a hotel. Dual zone automatic climate control, power sliding rear window, and rear backup camera bring it home.
Getting there is invigorating. The Limited’s 5.7-liter V8 dishes out 381 horsepower – plenty to haul almost anything you imagine or to quickly move five peeps and their stuff. A six-speed automatic transmission and part-time AWD system, put power to pavement. Step lightly and you’ll see a less-than-frugal 13/17-MPG city/hwy. Step not so lightly and you’ll pray for an oil well.
Kicking pavement, Tundra feels more nimble than its dimensions indicate. Steering is light, brakes mighty, and the chassis does a good job of soaking up potholes without shimmy. It’s still a big full-size pickup, so don’t expect miracles, but it is clearly well-sorted. Our truck’s TRD package backs up bedside logos with 18” alloys, off-road tires, Bilstein shocks, tow hooks, engine skid plate, and fuel tank skid plate.
Tundra’s problem is not that it’s a bad truck, or that it messes with Texas, but that owners of the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500, and Ford F-150 are inextricably loyal (Toyota also provides no heavy duty Tundra). There is no tougher market to break into, but that is not a reflection on Tundra’s substantial package.
Should any of those buyers choose to defect, they’ll find a quality truck that was engineered in Ann Arbor, MI; designed in Newport Beach, CA; powered by engines assembled in Huntsville, AL; transmissions from North Carolina; and assembled in San Antonio, TX. Despite the Japanese nameplate, it is born and bred right here in Uncle Sam’s great expanse of America. Prices start at $26,200, but our well-equipped Tundra Limited came to $44,459.
Storm Forward!
2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax Five-passenger, 4×4 Pickup Powertrain: 381hp 5.7-liter V8, 6-spd. auto transmission Suspension f/r: Ind/Solid axle Wheels: 18”/18” alloy f/r Brakes: disc/disc fr/rr with ABS Must-have features: Style/Interior Fuel economy: 13/17 mpg city/hwy Assembly: San Antonio, TX Base/as-tested price: $26,200/44,459