Sean MacDonald, Philadelphia, PA — For 2014, Toyota has comprehensively refreshed its full-size Tundra pickup, improving the suspension and upping its tow rating. Enough to keep it competitive?
DriveApart Overview
The 2014 Toyota Tundra has been redesigned, both inside and out, in the first major update since this 2nd generation model was launched in 2007. The exterior has been re-styled, with each trim receiving its own distinct look that goes beyond just the badging, as well as a new, easy to lower and lift, tailgate. The interiors have also been updated and, while also keeping with the theme of each specific trim level, have all been upgraded to be on par with the quality of the rest of the truck. Performance wise, several suspension enhancements have been made to improve both the handling and ride quality. To top it all off, they have included many of the convenience features formerly found in the higher trims into the entire range.
What We Like
Attention to detail. Throughout each section of the overview of the truck, we were told about feedback the nice people at Toyota had received, and then how they worked to improve upon what they had heard. How they fixed or improved things they didn’t have to in order to make your life better as the owner. Things like how the tow package, when fitted, also brings upgrades to the cooling and electrical systems as well as a heavy duty battery and alternator, so that the truck is not only capable of pulling the weight, but capable of pulling that weight for the life of the truck and accommodating all of the stresses that adds. Things like how they moved the electrical connector for the tow hitch up next to the license plate so that the light from the license plate shines on it and makes it easier to operate in the dark. Toyota has a wonderfully proven package with the Tundra, especially with the engine and powertrain, so I was quite happy to learn that they were not resting on their accolades or awards, but were listening to the people who used their products every single day to make them better.
What’s Not To Like
There really isn’t a ton not to like about this truck. I heard a lot of complaints at the launch about it not having the same cyclinder de-activation as some of the competition or not having a diesel option, but they have some of the best MPG numbers when compared to other trucks their size and that engine is just so incredibly capable that I understand why they don’t really feel the need to mess with it. The only thing I wasn’t in love with was some of the styling, particularly in the higher trim levels. They just seemed a tad over-styled and I would have liked to see them continue to upgrade the interior materials over trying to make them more stylish. That said, everyone will have different opinions on the aesthetics and I just suggest you go see them for yourself.
Tow and Haul
When equipped with the Tow Package, the Tundra has a maximum towing capacity of 10,400 pounds. The tow package includes a one-piece towing receiver that is installed into the frame before the bed installation, tow package rear springs, upgraded cooling and electrical systems, and a heavy duty battery and alternator. The seven and four pin towing hitch connectors sit above the hitch to help avoid any damage from high departure angle driving.
That’s right up there with the best-in-class Ram 1500′s 10,450lbs tow capacity.
The tow package also brings a TOW/HAUL shift mode to adjust the throttle sensitivity and transmission shift control while favoring lower gears when accelerating or decelerating, as well as Trailer Sway Control to help counteract the handling forces applied to the truck by the trailer.
The Tundra is the only full size truck to adopt and become compliant with the SAE J2807 towing standard.
The Drive
As with all 2007+ Tundras, this new model excels once you’re behind the wheel. They set up multiple areas for us to test out the various models, from towing to off-road to routes around the Pennsylvania countryside. If you plan on towing a lot, I definitely recommend the 5.7-liter model because you could really feel that extra power during the 8,500 pound towing exercises we did. Around town, I actually preferred the 4.6 liter engine as it felt a little more responsive to minute inputs to the gas peddle, yet still had plenty of power to load the truck bed down every day and take to work. It just felt a little smoother to me as I had a little difficult time creating a completely smooth ride in the 5.7 liter around the hilly and windy roads of the street sections.
The four-wheel disc brakes are absolutely fantastic on all models, which I tested with a pretty enthusiastic brake check while towing the largest option they had for us at the tow course. The brakes are made up by two 13.9 inches by 1.26 inches thick ventilated rotors with four piston calipers in front and 13.6 inches by 0.71 inch thick two piston calipers in the rear and come with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, and Brake Assist across all Tundra models. They brought the Crew Cab 5.7 liter Tundra towing an 8,500 pound load to a much more sudden hault than I expected, with absolutely no drama. I glanced over at the PR guy watching to see if I had maybe gone overboard only to receive a look like I’d have to try a lot harder to find a fault with their towing abilities.
Engine and Drivetrain
The 2014 Toyota Tundra is available in three different engine configurations. The first is a 4.0 liter Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) V6 and is offered in the Regular and Double Cab models. It produces 270 horsepower at 5,600rpm and 278lb-ft of torque at 4,400rpm. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission featuring uphill/downhill shift logic. It has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 16mpg city, 20mpg highway, and 17mpg combined.
The second option is a 4.6 liter DOHC i-Force V8, producing 310 horsepower at 5,600rpm and 327lb-ft of torque at 3,400rpm. It is paired with a 6-speed, electronically controlled, automatic transmission. It has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 15mpg city, 19mpg highway, and 16mpg combined for the 4×2 models and an estimated 14mpg city, 18mpg highway, 16mpg combined for the 4×4 models.
The final option is the 5.7 liter, DOHC i-Force V8 engine. It produces 381 horsepower at 5,600rpm and 401lb-ft of torque at 3,600rpm. It is offered in both gasoline and “flex-fuel” variants and is paired with the same 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission as the other V8. It receives an EPA estimated fuel economy of 13mpg city, 18mpg highway, and 16mpg combined for the 4×2 and 13mpg city, 17mpg highway, 15mpg combined fuel economy for the 4×4.
All Tundra engines feature an aluminum cylinder block and DOHC heads along wih Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence for a broad torque curve and optimized efficiency.
Interesting Vehicle Features
The first thing I found really interesting was that the Tundra is very much an American truck and it actually has more American/Canadian made parts than any other full size truck on the market (Source: NHTSA via American Automobile Labeling Act – AALA). From its design in Newport Beach, California, to the engines which are built in Alabama, to the transmissions which are built in North Carolina, and finally to the assembly plant in San Antonio, Texas; the Tundra is basically as American it can be (minus carrying a Japanese name).
The next think I found interesting were the different trim levels. One thing that really drives me nuts is when a company releases a new automobile and they kit out the expensive versions, but then like to remind you when you went for the lower model by choosing to exclude thing like power windows or an air conditioner or auxiliary audio input or something. It’s a full size, fairly expensive truck and they realize that even the base model should feel like that when you get in it, so while the base models may not include Navigation, they do offer a nice touch screen and include things like Bluetooth connectivity and a backup camera.
They’ve included a neat little system so you can open the tailgate and let it drop and the gate will not slam down, but rather lower gently to the bottom position. They’ve also made the rear bumper out of three pieces so, should you or your 16 year old child back the truck into something, it is easier and cheaper to replace.
The 2014 Toyota Tundra is the first truck to offer backup camera across all trims, and is the only full size truck with available Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Interior and Exterior
The SR5 is the entry level truck, which they call “professional” themed. It comes standard with daytime running lights, fog lights, 18” alloy wheels, single zone air conditioning, granulated paint on the center cluster and unique seat stitching on the 40/20/40 split fold down front bench seat, and power windows. Every Tundra comes with all of their safety features, with the SR5 only losing the parking assist sonar. The SR5 has a matte black lower front bumper with chrome end caps and a matte black grille.
The “Limited” Tundra adds the deck rail system with tie down cleats, 20” alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, Navigation, Leather trimmed and heated front seats, a leather tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and auto dimming rearview mirror. The limited comes with all of the safety features as the Premium grades, but the parking assist sonar is an optional addition. The limited has a matte black lower front bumper with chrome end caps and a silver billet grille.
The Platinum and 1794 edition Tundras are presented as comparable models with different styling. They both come with all of the options as the other models, while also including or upgrading to a power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade, perforated and leather trimmed, heated and ventilated seats, front and rear parking assist sonar, and upgraded interior materials as well as the Entune Premium System with JBL audio. The Platinum Tundra has a color coordinated front bumper and silver billet grille with color keyed grille surround and the 1794 has a silver lower front bumper with chrome end caps and a silver grille with chrome grille surround.
Pricing
Toyota doesn’t have pricing yet, but did emphasize that it would be competitive and that they were going to try and minimize the pricing gaps between the various trim levels.
Verdict
Without knowing the final pricing, it is hard to give a verdict for this truck and to know whether I can recommend buying this versus any of its competitors. What I can tell you is that it is a beautiful truck loaded with tons of features, and is capable of tackling pretty much any job. They have really done a nice job bringing up the quality of the interiors which was my only real complaint before, and have improved upon a performance package that was already at the top of its class.
DriveApart Review: 2014 Toyota Tundra