Now in its third generation, the San Antonio, Texas-built Toyota Tundra offers capability that all fleets need in their work truck.
Recently, MWS had the opportunity to drive the 2024 version of the Toyota Tundra in Limited trim. We drove the gas-powered only version (non-hybrid), and for most work truck fleets it is more than enough, in terms of power, payload, towing and a comfortable ride.
One thing that you notice when you get into a Tundra is that it is a truck —meaning it looks rugged inside and out. While other trucks on the market look like luxury vehicles on the inside, the Tundra takes a different approach, and it works great for those who want a work truck, and not an SUV with a bed.
POWERTRAIN OPTIONS
The Tundra is available with two powertrain options, both mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike many of its competitors, Toyota dropped the V-8 option and instead uses an i-Force 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. The regular engine offers 389 horsepower (348 hp on SR models) and 479 pound/feet of torque (405 lb/ft on SR), and a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg in 4×2 mode and 19 mpg in 4×4 mode.
The more powerful option is the i-Force Max, which is the hybrid version of the powertrain. It offers 437 hp and 583 lb/ft of torque, with a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg in 4×2, and 20 mpg in 4×4. The electric motor is a permanent magnet synchronous motor mated to a parallel hybrid system that has 48 hp (36 kW) and 184 lb/ft of torque. The hybrid battery pack is a sealed Ni-MH battery with a 1.87 kWh capacity and 650 volts max system voltage.
Fuel capacity is either a 22.5-gallon tank (SR and SR5) or a 32.2-gallon tank (not available on SR, optional on SR5, standard on all other trims).
CONFIGURATIONS
Tundra comes in two body styles, a double cab or a crew cab (CrewMax in Toyota speak). It also comes with three bed lengths, 5.5 ft short bed (only available on CrewMax models), an 8.1 ft long bed (only available on double cab models), and a 6.5 ft standard bed, which is available on both cab sizes. It also comes in SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition and Capstone trims.
TOWING AND CAPABILITY
Two things are of utmost importance for a work truck, towing capacity and payload. While many pickups on the road are used as family haulers, those used as work trucks, are almost never driven without payload or something being pulled. Depending on the combination of powertrain, cab size, bed size, and trim, the max towing capacity varies.
Towing capacities for Tundra start at 8,300 lbs at the low end (on several configurations) and go all the way to 12,000 lbs (on the 3.5L V6 4×2 double cab with a standard bed). With capacities anywhere in between those two extremes depending on how you configure the truck. Most capacities are in the 11,000 to 11,500 sweet spot.
Looking at the payload capacities, the lowest max payload being 1,485 lbs (for an i-Force Max 4×4 CrewMax in Capstone trim), and the highest being 1,940 lbs (for an i-Force 4×2 double cab in either SR or SR5 trim), with capacities everywhere in between depending on the way you configure the vehicle.
SAFETY
Tundra was named a 2023 IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus, which helps to put fleet managers and drivers minds at ease in the unfortunate event of an accident.
All Tundra models come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which includes pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping technology with lane departure alert and steering assist and lane tracing assist with sway warning system, and automatic high beams.
For those who want to add more safety features to their truck, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert comes standard on some trims. Also available is parking support brake, and standard rear seat reminder.
OFF-ROAD OPTIONS
For those that take their work trucks off the beaten path, Toyota offers its TRD off-road package on SR5, Limited, Platinum and 1794 models. The package includes 18-inch TRD wheels (on SR5) and 20-inch wheels (on Limited, Platinum, and 1794), a TRD grille, a TRD off-road suspension, skid plates, mud guards and a TRD leather-wrapped shift knob. The 4×4 models include electronic rear differential lock, multi-terrain select and crawl control.
A simplified TRD sport package offers 20-inch TRD wheels, TRD grille, TRD lowered sport suspension and a TRD leather-wrapped shift knob. It is available on SR5 models.
MORE CHOICE
What else does the Tundra offer. Part-time 4WD is available via the 4WDemand system, which has a toggle in the centre console, allowing for easily moving between 2WD, 4WD high, and 4WD low. Two screen sizes are available with an eight-inch screen standard, and a 14-inch screen available on higher trims.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mario Cywinski is the editor of Modern WorkTruck Solutions and has worked in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years, both as an automotive journalist and working for a local dealership. He is a member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada and has been a judge for the Canadian Truck King Challenge. He can be reached at mario@mwsmag.com.
