2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax

The new 2018 Toyota Tundra is not exactly new. Under the skin, this Toyota truck is same as the one that was launched by Toyota in 2007. Yes, very outdated. Available at a base price of $31,120, the 2018 Toyota Tundra Crewmax comes with a powerful 5.7-Liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. This engine provides the Tundra with 381 horsepower and an acceleration of 0 to 60mph in about 6.4 sec.

The Toyota Tundra 2018 starts at $31,120 for the base SR 4×2 double cab – that’s similar to Ford F150 and Nissan Titan. However, similarly equipped Silverado 1500 or the Ram 1500 are several thousand dollars more expensive. Even better, Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) bundled with segment-exclusive active safety features is standard across the entire lineup. Thumbs up!

Trims	SR	SR5	Limited	Platinum	1794 Edition
MSRP	$31,120	$32,830	$40,385	$47,080	$47,080
Features	Toyota Safety Sense Easy lower and lift tailgate Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Entune Audio with 6.1-in. touch-screen with Bluetooth 29 Integrated backup camera 25 Integrated Trailer Brake Controller 18(5.7L V8 Models only)	Toyota Safety Sense Gray honeycomb-style grille Fog lights Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation App 24 with 7-in. touch-screen HD Radio 19 Technology and SiriusXM Satellite Radio 17 Available 18-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels and 38-gallon fuel tank (5.7L V8 models only)	Toyota Safety Sense Dual-zone automatic climate control 20-in. Limited grade split 5-spoke wheels Leather-trimmed and heated front bucket seats with power driver’s and front passenger seat Available Entune Premium JBLAudio with Integrated Navigationand App Suite LED headlights and fog lights 38-gallon fuel tank	Toyota Safety Sense Brushed-metal-style trim 20-in. split 6-spoke alloy wheels Available power tilt/slide moonroof Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) Black premium perforated leather-trimmed seating Heated and ventilated front seats EntunePremium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation 20 and App Suite	Toyota Safety Sense Chrome billet-style grille and gunmetal gray lower front bumper with chrome endcaps Western-themed interior/perforated Brown premium leather-trimmed seating Available power tilt/slide moonroof Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) Available 20-in. chrome-clad alloy wheels

Too many to choose from? We help you find the best trim

Out of all, SR5 and the Limited gives the best bang for the buck if you want to get yourself a Tundra. Because, with significant cost saving, Limited offers several of the most advanced features available in higher trims. The SR5 still offers great features and has lots of options as it’s the only one to offer every cab and bed size.

“Driving the Tundra is like listening to CDs—it’s tolerable, but it still feels like a blast from the past. While it isn’t terrible to drive, it does feel archaic compared with the competition.” – Car and Driver

Engines and Transmission

A 5.7 L naturally aspirated V8 (that debuted in 2007) is optional in SR and SR5. This engine is standard on all higher trims. The old workhorse develops 381 bhp @ 5600 rpm and 401 pounds-feet @ 3600 rpm. A smaller 4.6 L V8 is available in SR and SR5 trim. This engine develops 310 bhp @ 5600 rpm and 327 pounds-feet @ 3400 rpm.

Both engines are mated to a 6 speed automatic. While the engine performs adequately, it’s the old 6-speed automatic that really gives away the age of the powertrain. The shifts, although smooth, are slow and makes the Tundra feel a bit lethargic compared to the competition.

“With its strong V8, the Tundra offers legitimate performance. It’s quick, and it feels capable of hauling itself through any scenario a real truck user might encounter.” – Edmunds

Trims	Toyota Tundra	Ford F150	Chevrolet Silverado	Ram 1500
Engine	5.7 L Naturally Aspirated V8	3.5 L Twin Turbo V6	6.2 L Naturally Aspirated V8	5.7 L Naturally Aspirated V8
Torque	401 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm	470 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm	460 lb-ft @ 1850 rpm	410 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Power	381 bhp @ 5600 rpm	375 bhp @ 6500 rpm	420 bhp @ 4900 rpm	395 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Transmission	6 Speed Automatic	10 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic
Drivetrain	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive

The Tundra with 5.7 L V8 can do the 0 to 60 mph run in 6.4 seconds. That’s slower than both the F150 and the Silverado but 0.6 of a second faster than the Ram 1500. This can be attributed to the ponderous weight of the Ram 1500.

Acceleration

The Tundra with 5.7 L V8 can do the 0 to 60 mph run in 6.4 seconds. That’s slower than both the F150 and the Silverado but 0.6 of a second faster than the Ram 1500. This can be attributed to the ponderous weight of the Ram 1500.

Vehicle	Quarter Mile	0-60 mph
Toyota Tundra 5.7 L V8	15.1 Seconds	6.4 Seconds
Ford F150 3.5 L V6	14.4 Seconds	5.7 Seconds
Chevrolet Silverado 6.2 L V8	14.3 Seconds	5.7 Seconds
Ram 1500 5.7 L V8	15.5 Seconds	7.0 Seconds

Ride and Handling

The suspension and steering are also as old as the rest of the vehicle and it really shows. You feel what kind of surface you are driving on as the suspension transmits most of the undulations to the cabin. The situation stays the same, whether at highway speeds or puttering about in the town (or ranch).

The TRD pro trim comes equipped with upgraded suspension and that smoothens things a bit. The handling is equally unimpressive as the Tundra requires you to be active to keep the truck centered on the lane out on the highway. The leviathan rolls into corners liberally and you have to think before carrying speeds into the corners.

“As truck handling goes, the Tundra isn’t bad, but it is big, which can make it uncomfortable on small roads. It will manage, but you’ll need to take your time, place it carefully and pay attention to lane discipline.” – Edmunds

Braking

The brakes pedal feel in the 2018 Toyota Tundra is not linear. However, in terms of numbers, the Tundra is well ahead of the Ram 1500 and moderately short of the F150 and the Silverado. The prime reason for the dismal performance of the Ram 1500 is its ponderous curb weight. Among F150 and Silverado 1500, the Tundra’s brakes are outclassed.

Car	70 mph to 0
Toyota Tundra	190 feet
Ford F150	175 feet
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	186 feet
Ram 1500	213 feet

Hauling and towing capacity

The Tundra has a maximum tow rating of 10,500 pounds and even in the least capable form, Tundra can tow 6800 pounds. That’s more than most of us need. However, if you genuinely need a serious towing capability (or you just want some bragging rights), the Ford F150 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at 11,800 pounds are the ones to go for.

Truck	Towing Capacity
Toyota Tundra 5.7 L V8	10,500 Lbs
Ford F150 XL EcoBoost 3.5 V6	11,800 Lbs
Ram 1500 tradesman 5.7 L V8 Hemi	10,620 Lbs
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Work Truck 6.2 L Ecotech V8	11,800 Lbs

Is it familiar with the rough roads?

Yes, very familiar. In fact, the bushes are the Tundra’s natural habitat. Even better, Toyota trucks are known worldwide to be tough and unbreakable. A good thing to know when you are thousands of miles away from civilization and your survival depends on your truck.

For those who need a lot more flash when going off the beaten path can take a look at the 2018 Tundra TRD Sport. This machine gets a heavy duty off-road Bilstein shocks and TRD wheels. In the interiors, you get signature TRD black leather seats with contrasting red stitching that reminds you of the capability.

“Off-road, the TRD Sport 4X4 showed it has what it takes to tackle rugged terrain, steep hills and fast-moving creeks, despite the absence of a proper locking rear differential.” – Kelley Blue Book

“The Tundra has the worst fuel economy in its class. While it’s not single-digit bad and its competitors don’t exactly sip fuel either, even the most efficient Tundra can’t get an EPA rating higher than 19 mpg.” – Car and Driver

This is the single most important area where the 2018 Toyota Tundra really show its age. No doubt, competitors are not going to be a darling of eco-mentalists but the Tundra is even thirstier. At 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 15 mpg, the 5.7 V8`s fuel economy figures are scary in the present age of hybrids and electrics.

The smaller 4.6 L V8 is a bit more efficient at 15 mpg in city and 19 mpg on the highway for a combined EPA rating of 16 mpg. However, it’s nowhere near the competition when pitted against smaller engines of the competition.

Car	MPG (City/Hwy/Combined)
Toyota Tundra 5.7 L V8	13/17/15
Ford F150 3.5 L V6	17/23/20
Chevrolet Silverado 6.2 L V8	14/20/17
Ram 1500 5.7 L V8	15/22/19

“The interior of the Tundra’s 1794 model is covered in perforated, stitched leather. These are among the nicest materials we’ve seen in a full-size truck.” – Edmunds

The old and outdated theme continues to the 2018 Toyota Tundra interior as hard plastics and cheap and rubbery materials are used liberally. However, there are many thoughtful details such as large knobs that are usable when wearing gloves – like when scaling Mount Everest. This is indeed one serious off-roader.

The blind spots are larger than the competition in the Toyota Tundra, thanks to beefier A-pillar and the driver is perched at a height that’s comparable to the competitors. A thing to note is that the SR and SR5 trims only get manually adjustable single zone climate control. For more modern HVAC, you have to at least get the limited trim.

Seating and Comfort

The seats and interior amenities will satisfy you no doubt. However, modern trucks have moved well beyond the needs and luxuries like massaging seats, heated steering wheels etc. are becoming commonplace. The Toyota offers none of these in 2018 Tundra. However, cooled and heated seats are on offer.

Those in need of great interior appointments and ultimate in ride comfort in their full size pick up should get a Ram 1500 and option it with air suspension. However, if you are also a die-hard Tundra fan, get the Toyota Tundra 1794 edition and enjoy the thick brown leather in the seats. Do keep in mind that the 1794 edition retails at $47,080.

Space matters, especially on the inside!

This is where the Toyota Tundra holds well and even performs better against the more modern competitors. The rear seat of the Crewmax Toyota Tundra has among the best in class legroom. The front seat legroom is equally impressive and the headroom is comparable to the competitors.

Car	Front Seat Passenger Space (Headroom/Legroom)	Rear Seat Passenger Space (Headroom/Legroom)
Toyota Tundra	39.7/42.5	38.9/42.3
Ford F150	40.8/43.9	40.4/43.6
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	42.4/45.3	40.5/40.9
Ram 1500	39.9/41.0	39.9/40.3

There are plenty of cubby holes for the occupants to stow away small items in this Toyota truck. Although other cubby holes are quite small, the center console box is huge. Plus, the seat squab of the rear seats in the Tundra folds upwards making room for loading tall bags – very clever.

The Tundra is available in three-bed lengths depending on the cab style – 5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, and 8.1 feet. The 5.5 feet bed is available only in Crewmax while the 8.1 feet bed is only available in the Doublecab. The cargo volume of smallest and largest available bed length in Tundra is considerably larger than the cargo volume of smallest and largest available beds in the competitors.

Car	Bed Volume (Cubic Feet) – Smallest Available	Bed Volume (Cubic Feet) – Largest Available
Toyota Tundra	55	81
Ford F150	53	77
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	53	76
Ram 1500	50	75

Infotainment System

In the Tundra, you get Toyota’s Entune system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen (6.1-inch touchscreen in base SR trim). Although the infotainment system is not exactly modern, the touchscreen is crisp and intuitive. The TRD pro and limited trim get upgraded audio system and integrated navigation system. More sad (but expected considering the age of the truck) is the fact that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is not on offer. If in car concert is your thing, a 12 speaker JBL audio system is standard in platinum and 1794 trim but optional in limited trim.

“A mild styling update outside keeps the 2018 Toyota Tundra fresh, although it’s not as stylish as some competitors” – Carconnection

The Tundra is a full-size truck and looks like one. The Huge front engine compartment, giant grille, huge rear view mirror, and bedroom size beds are all there.

Style and Exterior Features

The exterior of the Toyota Tundra is a departure from the more modern trend of crisp, flat lines and surfaces in trucks – a giveaway of its age. The front grille looks hugely imposing – good if you want to intimidate the drivers in front.

However, it’s the Tundra TRD pro that looks properly post-apocalyptic with dark menacing wheels and grills. Those all-terrain tires will rip away the flesh of any zombie that bothers you. Okay, back to real life – Power exterior mirrors come standard while the power sunroof is reserved for the Tundra Limited, Tundra Platinum and Tundra 1794 edition.

“As with other full-size trucks, the Toyota’s grille appears to just get bigger and bigger. At the other end, the lockable tailgate automatically lowers slowly to prevent the dreaded tailgate slam.” – Kelley Blue Book

Dimension

The Toyota Tundra is considerably shorter in overall length compared to the competition in similar body configuration. However, the Tundra is one of the widest truck and its ground clearance is particularly large – a boon when going off-road. The Tundra is also one of the taller pickups.

Vehicle	Length	Width	Height	Ground Clearance
Toyota Tundra CrewMax, AWD, Standard Box	228.9	79.9	76.2	10.6
Ram 1500 Crew Cab, AWD, Standard Box	237.9	79.4	77.4	8.6
Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab, AWD, Standard Box	239.5	80.0	74.0	8.6
Ford F150 Crew Cab, AWD, Standard Box	243.7	79.9	77.3	9.4

“In IIHS evaluations, the extended cab variant received a Good score on all crash tests except the front small overlap test wherein received a Marginal rating (Good is the highest possible score).” – Motortrend

This is the area where the 2018 Tundra really shines above the rest of the pickups. For 2018 Tundra, Toyota offers Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) bundled with following active safety features:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)
• Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Sway Warning System (SWS)
• Automatic High Beams (AHB)
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)

Some of these features are not available in competitors even in higher trims but the Toyota offers these as standard – even in base trim! Also, with an impressive complement of active safety features, the Tundra gets a host of passive safety features like a full array of airbags child seats. The Tundra also gets 4 star NHTSA rating.

“Pickup trucks may be the least pampered vehicles on the road, which is why it’s nice that Toyota offers a 3-piece bumper design making it easy to replace a panel should it get scraped, dented or worse.” – Kelley Blue Book

2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax vs Ford F150

The F150 is the most popular pick and with good reasons. It’s thoroughly modern with more fuel efficient and powerful engines. The F150 trumps the Tundra in pretty much every area. However, Tundra promises to be a more competent off-roader with higher ground clearance. It also comes with the reliability, trust and resale value associated with the Toyota brand.

2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax vs Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Silverado 1500 has better materials in interior trim and it has excellent in cabin noise insulation. The Silverado looks menacing with high headlights but that’s about it. The Tundra, however, trumps the Silverado in resale value and off-road capability.

2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax vs Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 is more modern, more powerful and more has a turbo diesel on offer – not to mention its unrivaled ride comfort. However, Tundra scores when the road ends and has the trust of the Toyota brand. All in all, Ram 1500 proves to be a better pick if cabin comfort is your top priority.

The Tundra is one of the most rugged, reliable and off-road capable truck on the market. It’s in the market for over a decade, so spare parts availability will never be an issue. However, the Tundra is now getting old and is in urgent need of an overhaul. The engines do not hold well among the competition and driving dynamics is crude compared to rivals. The interior does not impress either.

The competitors offer far more modern and well-rounded package – the F150 does everything brilliantly while the Ram 1500 has the comfort of a luxury saloon. The Tundra is underwhelming in comparison and there is very little going for it.

The availability of active safety features as standard across all trims has surely brightened things. The Toyota is also unrivaled when the road ends along with unbreakable reputation. Get this if you genuinely want to go far away from the civilization. Within civilization though, there are far better options.