2017 Toyota Tundra Review: Dated Disrupter
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Although all the other major players have been redesigned in the past few years, the Tundra is a decade-old design—making it the least refined and most dated in the segment. Still, it has an enviable reliability record that the other pickups can’t beat.
Shortcomings abound. Though the TRD package makes the Tundra an off-road champ, the on-road ride is stiff and jittery. The newer competitors are quieter, handle more responsively, and are easier to drive. Wet and dry braking distances are among the longest.
Various engines are available, but the best choice is the 381-hp, 5.7-liter V8. It delivers very strong performance and is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. Our truck averaged 15 mpg overall.
Why Buy One
Excellent 5.7-liter powertrain
High tow ratings
Most reliable full-sized truck
Why Not Buy One
Limited array of build configurations
Feels bulky to drive, even for a pickup truck
Long braking distances
Oldest truck in the segment, and it feels every bit of it
Best Version to Get
Go for the Limited with the Limited Premium Package, which gives you the 5.7-liter V8 and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings without forcing you into a TRD off-road suspension package. It costs more than a similarly equipped SR5, but the ride quality is worth it.
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