Japanese-brand cars have gone from a non-presence (before the '70s) to a small presence (in the '70s) to a major presence (by the '80s). They now sell more cars than GM and Ford — which only sell a small handful of specialty (and luxury) cars.
But when it comes to trucks, it's still 1970 for the Big Three.
There are only two half-ton trucks that aren't made by one of the three — and one of those (the Nissan Titan) may not be made for very much longer, if rumors about its cancellation are accurate.
If they are, it would leave the Toyota Tundra as the only half-ton truck on the market not made by one of the Big Three.
What It Is
The Tundra is Toyota's half-ton (1500 series) truck, similar in general layout to others in the class such as the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500.
Prices start at $35,950 for the base SR trim in double cab (two full-size front, two smaller-size rear doors) with two-wheel drive and a 6.5-foot bed. With the optional 8.1-foot bed, the price goes up to $36,280. Adding four-wheel drive increases that to $38,950 (with the 6.5-foot bed) and $39,280 with the 8.1-foot bed.
The DoubleCab Tundra is also available in SR5 and Limited trims, with the same two bed options for the SR5 (Limited trims come only with the 6.5-foot bed) and either 2WD or (optionally) 4WD.
CrewMax (crew cab) Tundras have four full-size doors and are available in Platinum, 1794, Toyota Racing Development and Capstone trims. The TRD and Capstone trims get the upgraded version of the already potent (and standard) twin-turbo V6. It's paired with a mild-hybrid set up to produce 437 horsepower and 583 foot-pounds of torque.
These trims are not available with the 8.1-foot bed, due to the length of the cab. They are also available with a shorter (5.5-foot) bed, in addition to the 6.5-foot bed.
A top-of-the-line Capstone with the upgraded V6, 4WD, 22-inch wheels and power-deploying running boards stickers for $74,230.
What's New
The Tundra gets its first (and most radical, ever) makeover since 2007. In addition to the new engine, there is also a new all-independent (coil spring rear rather than leaf spring) suspension, which allows for individual wheel articulation and a smoother ride on uneven surfaces.
What's Good
Standard V6 makes V8 power — and it's standard.
Available hybrid version of the V6 makes more-than-V8 power.
Immense towing capacity (up to 12,000 pounds).
What's Not So Good
Fewer cab/bed configurations offered than Big Three offer.
Strongest version of the V6 restricted to most expensive trims and CrewMax configuration.
Will the twin-turbo V6 be as durable in the long haul as the V8 proved itself to be?
Under The Hood
Unlike all but one of the other trucks in this class — that one being Nissan's Titan — the Tundra comes with just one engine, a twin-turbocharged version of Toyota's 3.5-liter V6. It comes in two versions — just the V6, making 389 horsepower and 479 foot-pounds of torque, or the V6, enhanced by a mild-hybrid system that bumps that up to 437 horsepower and 583 foot-pounds of torque.
This engine replaces the previously standard 5.7-liter V8 that made 381 horsepower and 401 foot-pounds of torque and which also used one gallon of gas to propel the previous Tundra 13 miles in the city and 17 on the highway.
The new V6 — which is stronger than the old V8 — carries an EPA rating of 18 city, 24 highway.
A significant uptick made even more significant given the uptick in power.
On The Road
It sounds like it has a V8 — at least it does if you drive a Tundra equipped with the sound of a V8.
Lterally.
Higher trims — Limited and up — come with sound augmentation technology that pipes the sound of last year's V8 through the JBL sound system of this year's Tundra. It also feels like a V8.
The V6-powered Tundra is quicker than the previous V8 Tundra, doing the 0-60 run in about 6.4 seconds versus 6.7 previously.
At The Curb
The shortest version of the Tundra — DoubleCab with the 6.5-foot bed — is 233.6 inches long, bumper to bumper. The longest version — Double Cab with the 8.1-foot bed — is 252.5 inches long. That's about 2 feet longer than one of the longest American cars ever made — the Buick Electra 225 of the '70s.
But it's the width of this thing — of all these things — that is more defining.
Because wide is good — insofar as room. There is so much of it you may feel you're not making enough use of it, like the extra 1,500 square feet in a huge house you almost never use. But if you need the room, it's nice to have it. The CrewMax has enough room to seat four in a row even if there are only seatbelts for three. There is actually more legroom in the back (41.6 inches) than there is up front (41.2 inches).
The Rest
The Tundra's doors still have keyed locks in addition to keyless entry, meaning you can use a physical key to unlock your Tundra if you lose your fob (or get it wet and it no longer works). You can also lower the tailgate using your remote key fob.
The truck's main detraction — if it is one — is that you cannot get a regular cab and you cannot get the 8.1-foot-long bed with the CrewMax cab. The Big Three trucks are more configurable.
The Bottom Line
The absence of a V8 is what may keep the Tundra in this game.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
View Comments