What is Toyota Tundra?
Tundra is popular in North America
In the North American truck market, the home of pickup trucks, the American brands, known as the Big 3, occupied a high share of sales. The Toyota Tundra has broken through the Big 3 grip and is popular among truck buyers in the United States.
Toyota named this truck after Tundra of the Artic climate to emphasize its commitment to performance even in a harsh natural environment.
Tundra is a full-size pickup truck with a total length of over 196-inches and is used as the base for the NASCAR truck racing series in the United States.
Toyota sold about 110,000 Tundras in 2020 from Toyota North America alone, and its popularity is evident because it is the sixth best-selling Toyota. By the way, Tacoma’s sales volume and ranking in the same year was about 240,000 units, which put Tundra in the third positon.
The big body size is a Tundra’s greatest asset
Built in North America, Tundra is a perfect fit for the wide, straight roads of the United States. The overwhelming body size of 233-inches in length, 79.92-inches in width, and 75.98-inches in height (in the case of the 2021 Limited) makes it extremely popular.
Tundra comes in 3 body types
There are three types of Tundra bodies. In addition to the Regular Cab, which has no rear seats and can accommodate 3 people on the first row bench seat, there is also the Double Cab and CrewMax, which can accommodate 5 or 6 people. The regular cab has the largest load capacity, and the CrewMax has the widest room. Currently, the regular cab has been discontinued, and only two types, the double cab, and Crew Max are available.
Tundra model history
2007 to 2013: Second generation
Let’s take a look at the specs of the Toyota Tundra. The 2007-2013 second-generation model comes in three lengths: 210-inches, 229-inches, and 247-inches depending on the combination of cabin space and cargo bed. The overall width is 79.92-inches the overall height is 75.98-inches on 2WD vehicles and 76.38-inches on 4WD vehicles. The CrewMax model is 78.74-inches on the standard model with 2-inch larger tires, and about 79.92-inches on the model with 35 tires. From the time of its debut until 2009, the engine installed was either a 4LV6, 4.7LV8, or a 5.7LV8, but from 2010 it was changed to a 4.6LV8 instead of a 4.7LV8 engine. The transmission is combined with a 6-speed AT. 2WD and 4WD drive systems are available.
2014: 3rd generation
The 3rd generation was only given a minor change over the 2nd generation, but the regular cab + standard bed models are discontinued, and the total length is 229-inches and 248-inches. The total height is 79.92-inches; the total height is 75.98-inches for the 2WD vehicles, and 76.38-inches for the 4WD vehicles, which are the same heights as the second generation model.
There were two types of engines installed, a 4.6LV8 engine that produces a maximum output of 305HP and a 5.7L V8 engine that produces a maximum output of 375HP, but the 4.6LV8 was discontinued in 2020 and is now unified into a 5.7L V8. The combined transmission is a 6-speed AT, equipped with a sequential shift mode and shift logic that validates its power on uphill and downhill. There are two types of drive systems: rear-wheel drive and 4WD. The 4WD system is a part-time 4WD that uses electronically controlled active rotation control (A-TRAC). Both rear-wheel drive 2WD and 4WD use an automatic LSD.
The front suspension is a double wishbone type with coil springs and shock absorbers. The rear is a live axle that uses a large diameter multi-leaf with shock absorbers.
A reliable Tundra bed carries anything you wish
Since Tundra is a pickup truck, it has a large cargo area in the back. There are two types: a standard bed, and a long bed, and the width of the bed is 66.37-inches for both, the length is 78.27-inches for the standard bed and 97.60-inches for the long bed, so you can carry plenty of cargo. Many people load motorcycles and jet skis in this huge bed, which makes it a great truck for adventures at the ocean or in the mountains.
Tundra’s Wide Range of Customizations
Customizable to look rugged or sporty
Users who choose the Toyota Tundra are those who enjoy the outdoor life, and it is the top model in the pickup truck segment for those who like adventures such as camping and fishing. Of course, not only is it suitable for outdoor use but you can add appearance packages that will make it stand out on a crowded city street.
The standard model Tundra is also popular, but the most popular models are wearing a TRD badge. For full-size pickup truck racing, there is a TRD Pro model for extreme sports that require the highest performance on rough roads. The large-capacity Bilstein shock absorbers with a larger stroke than the standard model are just some of the TRD upgrades.
Similar to the GR-SPORT of the new Land Cruiser that went on sale the other day, there is also a sport model with aesthetic touches like the TOYOTA logo on the front grille is the same color as the body. Pickup trucks are not just for work anymore; there are dedicated truck owners who enjoy sport customizations.
Fuel consumption is the compensation for its large body
Tundra gets 32.6 MPG in the city and 27.67 MPG on the highway. Because of the body size and the large displacement, these numbers reflect the attitude toward fuel consumption in the United States.
What to take into account when choosing a Tundra?
The higher the new car price, the narrower the body variations
Newer cars tend to be more expensive. Tundra includes the following models: 1794 Edition, Platinum, Limited, and SR5 in descending order of price. Depending on the model, Tundra has a regular cab, a double cab, and a CrewMax cabin, and three types of cargo beds are available: standard, short, and long. Most models have rear-wheel drive 2WD and 4WD drive systems, and the SR5, which has a lot of options, is available in the most body styles.
Customize your Tundra
Tundra has a wide range of customization available for it. The most common customization is a lift kit, which raises the minimum ground clearance by suspension and replaces the standard wheels with large aluminum wheels such as 20-inch wheels. A hard tonneau cover is also a popular customization. If you attach a hard tonneau cover to a pickup truck, it looks like an SUV rather than a truck. In addition, there are a lot of options to meet the driver’s needs like a side step for getting in and out, an over fender that delivers more style to the body, and leather seats.
Driver support system is standard equipment since the 2015 models
Starting with the 2015 model, the third-generation Toyota Tundra has a sports-grade TRD Pro that emphasizes its ability to take on tough terrain. In addition, to improve convenience and safety, the driver assistance system “Toyota Safety Sense P” is standard equipment. The 2019 model engine remains the same, a 4.6L or a 5.7LV8, in the SR model. The SR5, which is popular in Japan, and the Limited Edition have leather seats as standard equipment. The Platinum model is equipped with luxuries like a sunroof. The 1794 Edition comes standard with an off-road package. There are six types of TRD Pro options starting with the 2018 model.
And in the 2020 model, the 4.6LV8 engine was discontinued, and all models are equipped with a 5.7L V8 engine that generates a maximum output of 375HP. The 2021 model stays the same, but it has a large capacity fuel tank and an improved interior, as well as new colors on the TRD Pro packages and an upgrade for the SR5.
If you want towing ability in addition to high driving performance, 4WD is recommended
The second and third-generation Toyota Tundra is available in rear-wheel drive 2WD and part-time 4WD. The SR, SR5, Limited, and Platinum grades are available in 2WD and 4WD, while the SR5 and Limited grades offer two body styles: double cab and CrewMax.
The point is whether to choose a rear-wheel drive 2WD or 4WD, but for those who like to get out and explore the back roads, then a 4WD will take you further. It is a must for anyone looking to tow. Most Tundras re-imported to the Japanese market are 4WD. Tundras are popular with anyone looking for a full-size pickup with 4WD because they offer a great driving experience.
