The Tundra is one of those can’t explain it trucks. Meaning – I can’t really explain why I like this particular truck so much, or why I got so attached to it. I think a lot of Tundra owners can probably relate. It’s like a dog that just follows you home & becomes your best pal. Maybe it’s a lifestyle thing, and the Tundra just ‘fits it’. I’ve driven more expensive trucks with more bells & whistles. And I’ve driven them recently. But if one full size truck were being gifted to me in 2018… I wouldn’t necessarily just jump-out at the more decorated models over this TRD 4×4 Toyota. And I guess that’s because, somewhere in all my automotive experience, I know that what Toyota does with trucks, they do very well. So they don’t need to razzle-dazzle me with gimmicks & garnishes, or overly inflated rebates & refreshed designs every 2 years. And even though part of me wants those things… Toyota sort of gets a pass, because the other half of me is content & grounded with just simplicity, durability, and a cool shade of paint. (For what it’s worth, my wife actually preferred this truck over the decked out Silverado High Country.)
This current Tundra generation is getting a little seasoned. It seemingly has to be due for a redesign soon. So my gut would tell me to try & hold out, or go to one of the other manufacturers with a more newly redesigned chassis. But on the other hand, if you buy a new Tundra in 2018, you know exactly what you’re getting. There ain’t nothin’ wrong with tried & true. Toyota got this truck right, and there’s already been enough time under its belt to prove that. Plus – stepping back, I really can’t imagine this current generation of Tundra becoming any less desirable or appealing as the years tick off, or as a new model replaces it. It’s a good-guy truck. And it’s just a solid design, that will age gracefully for years/decades… and become another one of those cult-classic Toyota trucks.
The 5.7 V8 punches hard when you need it to… but rides mellow when you don’t. We averaged an acceptable 16MPGs to the beach & back. This is knit-picky, but it seems like there could be just a little more interior lighting… particularly around the USB/power outlets, as you have to fumble around at night to plug up your phone charger. But – in the bigger picture of lighting, Toyota’s finally putting an LED headlight & fog option in the Tundra, and they’re such a huge improvement over previous years.
Upon this press truck’s arrival, I was initially disappointed that it wasn’t the ultra-spacious 4-door CrewMax… and I do really enjoy how Toyota enables the entire rear window to roll all the way down on the Crew. But to my humble surprise, after 10 days of living with the Double Cab, in a wide range of varying situations (loaded, unloaded, 5 people, child seat, beach gear, sand, etc), no one in my party had any complaints for space. Nor did anyone really ‘wish we woulda’ had more cab room. And the tradeoff – is that you have the 6.5ft bed. That larger bed + a $20 cargo net from Home Depot… was the real MVP with loads of sandy/wet beach gear. The point is: If I were shopping for a Tundra before this trip, I would’ve auto-eliminated anything but the CrewMax from the search list. But after living with the Double Cab… I could definitely rock it.
Over the years, I’ve realized something about myself. When one of these press vehicles really stands out… it has me online at night, searching out models for sale in my area, checking out real-world selling prices, etc.
This Tundra had me online at night.
