2015 Toyota Tundra: Real World Review

What is it? 2015 Toyota Tundra — two- or four-wheel-drive, full-size pickup truck

Price as tested: $50,250, for a Tundra 4x4 Platinum CrewMax with the 5.7-liter V-8

Competitors: Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra

Alternatives: Ford F-250, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Ram 2500

Pros: Looks tough; feels tough

Cons: Positively massive from behind the wheel; jittery with an empty bed; Platinum model lacks the “luxury” one would expect from a $50,000 truck

Would I Buy It With My Own Money? It took me a while to warm up to the truck, but by the end of the week, I’d grown to love its ruggedness and imposing nature. However, it feels far more intimidating in parking lots and in crowded places than its competition, and given I’d personally need more than just its hauling capability, that could be an issue.

Despite receiving a few sizable tweaks over the years, the 2015 Tundra is largely the same as the one that debuted back in 2007. What’s most impressive, then, is that the Tundra today looks as fresh and as imposing as any truck on the market — and yet from behind the wheel, it doesn’t feel the same at all.

In fact, it feels more old school than the competition. The F-150 has gone aluminum and is touting its lightweight and fuel efficiency, while the Silverado, and to some degree the Ram 1500, create the elusion that you’re driving a car as opposed to a full-size pickup.

Having just spent a week with the Silverado, this was quite an adjustment. Simple tasks like parking outside the grocery store were far more intimidating in the Tundra, but then there is something to be said for that traditional trucking sensation; it feels tougher than its competition, even if it isn’t. It feels more purposeful and menacing. It drives more like a “truck” — which depending on your viewpoint could either be a plus or a negative.

One thing you do notice, though, is that with an empty bed, the Tundra’s ride is quite harsh and jittery — especially compared to the Silverado. When that bed has some weight in it, however, it does smooth out some; if you opt for the Tow Package, you’ll receive rear suspension that levels itself under full load, while still maintaining maximum suspension travel.

That package, too, will allow 10,500 lb. towing capacity (4x2 Regular cab), and grants you engine and transmission oil coolers and a heavy-duty battery and alternator to help handle the rigors of heavy work. Additionally a Tow/Haul mode adjusts throttle sensitivity and gear selection, and Trailer Sway Control will counteract forces to ensure your load stays inline, where it belongs.

The interior of the Tundra could be described as simple and functional. In the lower trims, this is precisely what you need, but in the Limited model I tested — which fetched over $50,000 — I did feel shortchanged. The stitching on the leather seats is exquisite and Bentley-like quilted leather lines parts of the doors and dash. But beyond that you get lots of hard plastics, and switchgear that appears as if it was plucked from an old Hilux.

Things get better in the engine department, although we do wish there was a diesel option: The base V-6 is no more, leaving just two motors to choose from — a 4.6-liter V-8 with 310 horsepower and 327 lb.-ft. of torque and a 5.7-liter V-8 with 381 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. Fuel economy is 15 mpg city/20 hwy with the 4.6-liter and 14 mpg city/18 hwy with the 5.7-liter.

I drove the 5.7-liter and didn’t want for power, although it’s acceleration doesn’t feel as spritely as, say, the Silverado. The CrewCab I tested boasted more rear legroom than a family of NBA players could need, but the 66.7-inch bed was small, and there is no option to select the 78.7-inch bed or the 97.6-inch bed when in CrewCab trim. Moral of this story? Don’t mate with basket ballers if you haul a ton of stuff.

In general, I like a truck that feels rugged and well built. The Tundra is that truck, and it performs as well as anything else on the market. However in today’s day and age, where a truck must manage multiple tasks like dropping the kids off at school, nipping to the grocery store, towing a boat and then pulling a tractor across a dirt road, I preferred the Silverado’s big-car feel to that of the monstrous Toyota. It was more usable — specifically when dummying as a family car. But then again, if your purpose for buying a truck is to feel like you bought a big-ass “truck,” then the Tundra might be the one for you.