Vehicle Tested
| 2014 Toyota Tundra 1794 CrewMax
Base Price: $47,320
At-Tested Price: $49,715
Built in San Antonio, Texas.
Options
Blind-Spot Monitor with Cross-Traffic Alert
Running Boards
20-Inch Chrome Wheels
Bedliner
Engine: 5.7-liter V8, 381 horsepower
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Drive Wheels: Four-Wheel Drive
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Toyota took the wraps off an all-new Tundra this past February at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. The '14 model marked the second-generation for the Tundra nameplate and Toyota's fourth attempt to crack the full-size pickup market.
Though the 2014 Tundra shares much with the previous model including general dimensions and engines, it sports all-new styling and features. Five models are offered: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum and new 1794 - named for the founding date of the Texas ranch on which Toyota's Tundra plant was build.
Three cab and bed configurations are offered. SR is only available with the regular cab. SR5 and Limited come with DoubleCab or CrewMax. Platinum and 1794 are CrewMax only. Bed lengths are 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet and 8.1 feet.
Three engines are offered as well. Standard is a 4.0-liter V6, with 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Next up is a 4.6-liter V8, with 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque. Topping the lineup is a 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter engine that has 401 lb-ft of torque.
The V6 comes with a five-speed automatic and the V8s get a six-speed unit. Rear-wheel drive is standard. Four-wheel drive with low-range transfer case is also available. Towing capacity exceeds 10,000 pounds on models with the V8 engines.
Prices range from $26,915 on the SR to $47,320 for the 1794. Features include sunroof, backup camera, blind-spot alert, Entune audio system with 7-inch touch screen and navigation system and HD Radio. All Tundras are built San Antonio, Texas, and have a destination charge of $995.
Get Up and Go Tundra's 5.7-liter I-Force V8 provides ample grunt for around town commuting and plenty of passing punch. The engine is a bit loud at startup and under hard acceleration, but quiets down nicely when cruising. For a truck engine, it's quite smooth and willing to rev for maximum performance.
The six-speed automatic transmission shifts unobtrusively in most situations. The one-two shift slurs a bit on cold mornings and that's a bit frustrating when pulling out into traffic. Under load, the transmission performance is better and shifts are less perceptible.
EPA numbers of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway tell a story of fuel economy that is far from optimal. Those ratings lag a bit behind the class leading Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150. Real-world driving proves the EPA ratings to be quite accurate. Light-duty urban commuting and gentile highway cruising will net about 15 mpg overall. Stick strictly on city streets and you are likely to see that number drop into the low teens.
On the Road Hoping to give Tundra a smooth on-road ride and truck-tough suspension, Toyota engineers worked overtime on the pickup's underpinnings. For the most part, they succeeded. On road, with a light load, Tundra rides with quiet composure, the suspension doing an admirable job of soaking up road imperfections. Of course, hitting a big bump or expansion joint will send a jolt through the passenger compartment, but secondary motions are nicely quelled. Putting a few hundred pounds in the bed only soothes the ride further, as it added weight takes out some of the rear leaf-spring jitter.
Dynamically, Tundra is a big and heavy truck with a very long wheelbase. That's the recipe for dismal driving dynamics. Thankfully, that's not the case with Tundra. Sure the vehicle is quite large and cumbersome in tight quarters, but the turning radius is quite good and the steering accurate and responsive if not a bit overboosted. Body lean is less noticeable than you would expect and the brakes have ample stopping power and an easy-to-modulate pedal.
Tundra is one of the quietest trucks on the market. About the only complaint is engine noise in hard acceleration. Wind, road and exhaust noise are kept nicely in check and the cabin is quite quiet at highway speeds.
Behind the Wheel As is the case with most full-size trucks, the interior materials and finish varies with price. Work level trucks feature a lot of hard plastic surfaces and luxury models have top-notch leathers and soft-touch materials. Thankfully, the Tundra has great "bones," meaning the controls, gauges and general layout are very functional and aesthetically pleasing. So regardless of model, you'll find that operating a Tundra is a snap. About the only gripe are accessory power plugs that are placed awkwardly low in the center stack.
As with any new vehicle, Tundra is available with a suite of connectivity features. The available Entune audio system is quite impressive and pairs with most smart phones to expand its capabilities. Some phone apps can be added to the entertainment system to provide additional music streaming options or locational information.
Front seats are chair-like and comfortable with lots of bolstering and forgiving cushions. Head and leg room are generous, regardless of cab choice. Visibility is excellent. Getting in and out is a chore on 4WD models, thanks to the additional ride height.
Crewmax models have a cavernous rear seating area that can easily accommodate three adults. The seats provide good comfort and have a pleasant backrest angle that makes for relaxed long-distance cruising. Similar ingress and egress challenges exist on 4WD models. One very nice touch is an available power rear window with defroster. It provides an added level of cabin cooling choices and clears quickly of fog and ice on cold mornings.
Tundra's cargo areas lack the tricks and gimmicks offered by some other large pickups. Still, the bed is deep and provides good space. The tailgate isn't too heavy and folds quickly. Two nice features are an extra-bright pickup bed light and rear seats that fold up quickly on Crewmax models.
Bottom Line Toyota has made it clear that it's in the full-size pickup game for the long haul. Tundra is a solid entry and checks off most of the expected boxes. Many pickup buyers are loyalists that won't even consider another brand, but they'd be doing themselves a disservice if they didn't at least take Tundra for a test drive.
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