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All You Need to Know About the New 2018 Toyota Tundra

By Jon Derrickson on March 1, 2018

In recent times, if you were searching the market for a full-size pickup, you probably would avoid the Toyota Tundra. Why? Because since it’s inception in 2007, the Tundra platform has been rather stagnant and has since very limited evolution. Yes, Toyota spiced up the exterior back in 2014, and have made minor changes each year, but competitors have been redeveloping their engines, enhancing their materials and instilling latest technologies.

In fear of becoming irrelevant in the full-size pickup niche, Toyota have decided to manufacture a brand-new Tundra model for 2019, rather than continuing their inadequate updates. But, until that arrives, let’s discuss what consumers can expect from the 2018 version of the modest pickup.

There’s really no point talking about the design in-depth, because people have been accustomed to the same Tundra appearance for the past 4 years. In fact, the exterior is not very popular at all, as the abundance of chrome throughout the car, such as the grille, door handles and mirrors can be quite overwhelming. Although, if you’re seeking a basic pickup that does what it says on the tin, you can’t really go wrong.

A great aspect about this model is the fact that the cabin is extremely spacious and not too many vehicles can trump its measurements. You see, with 62.6 inches of hip room in the front and 42.3 inches of leg room in the back, there’ll be no questioning the level of comfort on offer. Another element which contributes to the overall driving experience is the low level of noise, other than the lovely sound of the grumbling V8 engine.

Talking of engine, there’s a mean, bulky, powerful 5.7-liter V8 sitting beneath the hood, which works effortlessly to push out 381-BHP and 401-pound-feet or torque. Although, due to the lack of engine redevelopment and it now being over 10-years-old, the Tundra engine is lacking in efficiency with just a mere 17-MPG on the highway, 13-MPG in the city and 14-MPG on average.

New features that were immersed into the 2018 model were mainly safety orientated, and they were huge selling points for the Tundra. Within the Toyota Safety Sense suite, you’ll be gifted with things such as lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control and trailer sway warning. Additional options which can increase safety further include parking assists, rear cross traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.

Moreover, the infotainment system inside the cabin isn’t something that should be raved about. That’s because it’s still very updated, and the 2018 model still doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Instead, there’s just Bluetooth connectivity and USB capability as standard. If you want navigation as well, you should expect to pay extra, and that isn’t cheap if you take into account the base price of $31,200 before any extras.

Ultimately, the 2019 model can’t come quickly enough, and in order for Toyota to stay in touch with their competitors, they’ve got to create something which is miles ahead of where they’re currently at.

Tags: Toyota TundraToyotaToyota Tundra 4WDToyota Tundra 2WDNew ModelReviews