The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck built in America—in San Antonio, actually—and designed to compete with the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F150. Believe it or not, it has been in continuous production since 1999, and it continues to compete head-to-head with the, “big boys.”
It should be noted that, while the Tundra does indeed compete with Ford and Chevy, it has a way to go before it’s, “there.” Here’s what I mean: in 2023 Toyota moved just 125,185 Tundra pickups, while Ford sold over 700,000 F-series trucks and Chevy found buyers for more than 400,000 Silverados, so Toyota has a ways to go before they’re fully competitive with their U.S. competitors. I think that’s because full-size pickup truck buyers are more brand loyal than sedan, SUV, or crossover customers, and I’d add that Ford and Chevrolet along with their dealers have figured out how to consistently give their pickup buyers what they want.
Interestingly, before Toyota named their large pickup truck the Tundra, it was the T100. Back in the late 1990s they actually planned to name its successor the T150, but Ford objected strenuously, and Toyota switched the name to the Tundra.
Since breaking into the full-size pickup market has historically been difficult for foreign brands—Nissan just discontinued their large Titan after 20 years!—Toyota has been smart and patient.
For starters, they decided to build the Tundra in the United States rather than Japan. And not just the U.S., but Texas. Texas loves full-size pickup trucks, so manufacturing Tundras there was a smart move because many plumbers, home builders, contractors, drywallers, ranchers, farmers, electricians, etc. etc. etc. want to buy a pickup truck that’s built by dudes like them.
I’m going to assume that all readers understand that the Tundra is roughly the same size as the aforementioned F150 and Silverado and has a similar engine and transmission.
The thing about full-size pickups, which is different from most other vehicles, is that they go from similar foundations to almost anything you might want. In other words, once you choose a truck and its powerplant, each brand will allow you, nee encourage you, to choose among many different options and configurations until you find the truck that’s just right for you. Whether you need something to haul your junk to the dump, or a truck that can carry four dudes, lawn mowers, rakes, and weed eaters around, or you’re a city slicker who wants a Lexus in the shape of a pickup, Ford, Chevy, Ram, and Toyota will sell you that, and it’s probably already on the dealer’s lot.
For the record, the Tundra offers three powertrain options, all of which are based on a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine. In the base SR model, the engine puts out 348HP, higher trim Tundras produce 389HP, and the third option is a 473HP hybrid. All use a nice 10-speed automatic transmission. Tundras equipped with four-wheel drive come with a part-time setup, but there's no full-time AWD system like those offered in rival trucks.
Driving the Tundra is a pleasant experience because Toyota, like its competitors, focuses on driving comfort, and the long wheelbase and soft-sprung suspension combine to make the Tundra really good on the interstate. So good, in fact, that despite driving for two hours on the highway through a torrential thunderstorm I felt completely comfortable and safe.
I always think the same thing when I drive a full-size pickup: highway driving is great, toodling around in town is fine, and parking sucks.
The Tundra’s interior is nice, and my top-of-the-line press car’s Capstone version featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, walnut interior trim, acoustically laminated side windows, and a head-up display. Analog gauges and a small driver-information screen are standard, but higher trim levels like the one I drove include a larger (and better) 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Double Cab Tundras are available with either a 6.5- or 8.1-ft bed while the longer crew cab (CrewMax) can only be had with 5.5- or 6.5-ft beds. Opting for the shorter cab won’t affect front-row comfort but reduces rear-seat legroom from 41.6 inches in the CrewMax to just 33.3 in the Double Cab.
The 2024 Toyota Tundra is a really good pickup that, in my opinion, should sell about the same number as Ford and Chevy do. It’s at least as good and adds excellent Toyota quality and resale value to the mix.
Plus, it’s made right here in America, which is cool.
Stephen Schutz has covered the automotive world for more than 30 years as a syndicated writer and podcast host. Read his column monthly in The Cricket.
