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Toyota Tundra - What the Auto Press Says

The Tundra's massive size, impressive interior space and optional 5.7-liter V8 engine secure its spot near the top of our full size pickup truck rankings. But Toyota must improve its cabin materials and offer a more inspiring exterior design to outpace its top competitors.

Completely redesigned in 2007, the Tundra is both larger and more powerful than the previous generation, and its powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine helps raise it to the top tier of the full size pickup class. Some say the Tundra's biggest flaw is that it's as good as, but not better than its competition. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says though the truck "cannot be described as revolutionary, the Tundra has a number of features to distinguish itself from the competition." The Fort Worth Star-Telegram adds that the Tundra, "should be able to hold its own among the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra, Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram."

Ample passenger space is another plus with the 2008 Tundra, which comes with a choice of three cabs - the Regular Cab, the Double Cab, and the CrewMax cab. The New York Times says the CrewMax is "just short of having enough rear-seat room for Yao Ming and the rest of the Houston Rockets." The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that passengers can be carted around safely -- the Tundra is a 2008 Top Safety Pick, with recognition for good performance in front, side, rear and stability control testing. This marks the first time a pickup truck has been chosen as one of the institute's safety picks.

If you're shopping for a full size pickup but not convinced of the Tundra's qualifications, consider the class leaders, the Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra.  Both have better fuel economy than the Tundra.

• "Finally, a Toyota truck with no excuses. And it sure won't need any." -- Car and Driver
• "It's big, it's powerful, and it promises more potency than a Viagra commercial." -- Detroit News
• "It's not that Tundra is any better or even much different from the domestic trucks. Size, power, accommodations, drivability, pretty much a wash. But what could draw new customers is Toyota's towering reputation for quality and reliability." -- Arizona Republic
• "It's exactly what I thought it would be: a half-earnest, half-mocking tribute to the American pickup truck, bigger and saccharine-sweeter than its competitors, with major-league engineering…and focus-group features galore, including half a dozen of the biggest cup holders this side of the NFL." -- Los Angeles Times
• "The Tundra is a more serious threat than Nissan's Titan, but it won't swing 200,000 votes overnight. The new GM trucks are vastly improved, the Dodge Ram is deeply discounted, and the Ford F-150 is due for fresh makeup." -- Automobile Magazine

Tundra Performance - 8.2 (Very Good)

According to reviews, the 2008 Tundra has one of the most powerful V8 engines in the class. Automobile Magazine says, "The big V-8 purrs silently in cruise mode. When tasked to move a hefty load, the samurai warrior buried in its soul lets out a fierce yowl." The Sacramento Bee says the Tundra "accelerates like a scalded cat and brakes like a Nike-shod panther." Read More

Tundra Exterior - 7.0 (Good)

Compared to other full size pickups, the imposing Toyota Tundra just isn't imposing enough. The New York Times says, "We don't think any of the three Tundra models is particularly attractive on the outside -- their chrome grilles are Dodge Ram wannabes," but later notes, "the rest of the package looks like a winner." Read More

Tundra Interior - 7.7 (Good)

Although the Tundra gets attention for a spacious cabin, its sub par quality leaves it near the bottom of the full size pickup interior rankings. According to the Arizona Republic, "The materials are dull-looking, with too much hard plastic everywhere you touch." Motor Trend says, "The interior falls short -- perhaps the last thing over which you'd expect Toyota to stumble." Read More

Tundra Safety - NA

The Tundra does well in government crash tests and is recognized as one of the Insurance Institute's "Top Safety Picks" for 2008. Read More

Tundra Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)

The 2008 Toyota Tundra reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2008 Toyota Tundra is covered by a 36-month/36,000-mile basic warranty. Read More