There's just no doubt that the Tundra is one good truck. We've driven a number of them over the years and we've always been more than impressed.
We find they offer a lot more refinement than many domestic counterparts. Ride comfort and ease of driving is really a plus with them. They're extremely smooth and responsive ... you just don't feel like you're driving a truck when you're behind the wheel. Interior space is also at a premium.
In fact, if there was a rap on the Tundra, it was that it was TOO smooth and comfortable, and not up to the "heavy lifting" and hard day-to-day work ethic of the American mainstays such as the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram.
Well, all that changed beginning with the 2006 Tundra. The second-generation Tundra now features a fully boxed frame, three different cab sizes and bed lengths, and your pick of three engines. Across the board, the Toyota Tundra now stands on equal or higher ground than competing half-ton pickups. Actually, in terms of power, it became second only to the 403 horsepower V8 in the Cadillac Escalade EXT as compared to the Tundra's available 381 horsepower V8.
"Three" seems to be the magic number when choosing a used Tundra. There's also three wheelbases and three trim levels. Three-passenger two door regular cabs come as either the basic DX model or more uplevel SR5 trim. Both the Double Cab and longer CrewMax crew cab seat six, have four doors, and can be found in SR5 and top-of-the-line Limited models.
The other engines were retained from pre-2006 Tundra models and include a 236 horsepower V6 (standard in regular and Double cabs) and a 271 horsepower 4.7-liter V8 (standard in CrewMax trucks and optional in regular and Double cabs).
Safety features for all of the newer generation Tundras include antilock all-disc brakes, traction control, antiskid control, front side airbags and curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows and include rollover deployment.
The popular Limited models have leather upholstery and some can be found with the optional 20 inch wheels, as opposed to the standard 18s. CrewMax models have a power rear-cab window and some can be found with the optional DVD entertainment system.
Some used Tundras can also be found from time to time with the off-road package and a navigation system with a rearview camera that shows the trailer hitch.
And then there's the usually solid Toyota reputation for quality and reliability. Throw in traditionally strong resale values (brings down the overall true cost over the longer term), particularly for the double cabs, and we think the Tundra is a solid choice as a used truck purchase.
How To Buy A Used Toyota Tundra
At The Best Price:
