2018 Toyota Tundra Review

This American built, Japanese pickup truck has had its fair share of challenges starting out in life. First criticized for being too small to compete with other American contenders, followed by a lawsuit from Ford to drop the T150 name, the Tundra was finally born. Eighteen years later, the Tundra stands testament to its ability to persevere and overcome, spanning two and a half generations and several special editions. Unlike its Ford F-150 and Nissan Titan competitors, 2018 marks 11 years since its last major overhaul, leaving it somewhat lacking in both technological and mechanical advancements - much to the delight of Tundra owners who praise it for its simplicity and bulletproof reliability. Two healthy V8's power the full-size half-tonner pickup, with its smaller 4.6-liter producing 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque, and it's more hearty 5.7-liter capable of 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque.

What's the Price of the 2018 Toyota Tundra?

The 2018 Toyota Tundra range spans five models and many configurations, with pricing varying with the choice of bed length. In its base trim, the entry-level SR carries an MSRP of $31,320 excluding tax, licensing, registration, and $1,490 in destination charges. The SR5 costs a little more at $33,030, while the $40,585 Limited and $47,280 1794 Edition both see significant jumps in price. The fully loaded Platinum trim tops the list, sharing its price with the 1794 Edition.

Handling and Driving Impressions

The 2018 Toyota Tundra is by all accounts an easy drive, whether it be to new full-size pickup truck drivers or the more seasoned veterans. For those new to a vehicle of this size, it's a lot more forgiving than its pronounced exterior might suggest. The steering is surprisingly light and fairly accurate, too, with keener responses than many trucks and SUVs of its ilk. Toyota has done a lot to get the steering dialed in as best as possible, but with the steering wheel dead center, it does come across as a little vague and there's still a lot of real estate from lock to lock.

With its body-on-frame construction, imperfections on asphalt and gravel are somewhat apparent, with the suspension working overtime to try to provide a balance between comfort and control, while the body shuffles around in opposition. The ride quality isn't unbearable or even uncomfortable, but the more cushioned seats and modern suspension of its Titan and F-150 rivals show up the shortcomings in the Tundra's aging bones. The Tundra does well to maintain its composure despite the road surface (or lack thereof) and delivers a consistently good driving experience especially for a vehicle of its size. It might take a while for new owners to find their comfort zone in urban environments where its size pits it against the now seemingly narrow world, but it certainly isn't without its rewards.

Where the Tundra manages to reclaim some credit against more accomplished on-road rivals is where the asphalt ends. The high ground clearance and low-range transfer case, combined with a pair of burly V8s, gives the Tundra impressive off-road presence. It's not as capable as an F-150 Raptor but under traditional off-roading circumstances, the Tundra proves to be pretty robust.

Verdict: Is the 2018 Toyota Tundra A Good truck?

The 2018 Toyota Tundra may not have the latest and greatest in terms of design, features, or technology, but what it has, lasts. Reliability and longevity in the Tundra are strong points that in our opinion, go some way in compensating for the lack of modern features. But reliability and robust V8s can only get you so far, and the fact remains that the Tundra has been left behind the times. It might drive acceptably, manage off-road trails with aplomb, and seat up to six in a spacious if dated cabin, but rivals just do everything with more refinement, more ease, and a greater sense of quality. The Tundra doesn't boast the best off-road abilities, nor can it tow the most, and there are certainly more refined options on the road that are more frugal, too. There's got to be a redesign in the pipeline, and as far as we're concerned it needs to happen soon.

What Toyota Tundra Model Should I Buy?

If a full-size pickup truck is what you need with workhorse capabilities, the SR is the perfect fit; doing away with all the additional extras, this trim retains everything that is necessary for day to day hauling. In its 4.6-liter V8 configuration, a towing hitch receiver comes standard, and a 40/20/40 split fold-down front bench can seat a third passenger comfortably. At $31,320, it also doesn't break the bank. The Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition trims are extensively packed with features from front to rear, whereas the SR5 offers the most in terms of customization without losing its rugged capabilities. The SR5 will set you back $33,030. Add the TRD Sport or TRD Off-Road Package, and this fully capable Tundra will take you even further while maintaining its value-for-money appeal.

2018 Toyota Tundra Comparisons

2018 Toyota Tundra vs Nissan Titan

These Japanese rivals both bring strong competitors to the segment. The Titan offers a better ride quality, superior payload and towing capacities, and a more refined interior. By contrast, the Tundra has better safety ratings, besting the Titan with automatic emergency braking and a forward-collision warning system which the Titan doesn't offer at all. Both trucks sport V8 motors, with the Tundra bringing two options to the table. The engines are neck-in-neck in terms of power output with 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque for the Toyota, while the Titan's 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque compare favorably. The Nissan offers a much more comprehensive full warranty (five-years/100,000 miles compared to the three-year/36,000 miles on the Tundra), as well as a better powertrain warranty; however, the Tundra's excellent reliability rating alone makes it a leading contender.

2018 Toyota Tundra vs Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is the number one selling truck in America, primarily due to its highly customizable nature and breadth of ability. It's a technological powerhouse amongst other pickup trucks in the segment, with modern styling and mechanical wizardry at play. The Tundra falls behind in almost all areas except reliability. At the higher end of the range, the F-150 puts all the sought-after tech into more expensive packages, quickly leading to a rather pricey Ford, whereas at an entry level the Tundra is the pricier option. The F-150 rides better across the range though, is more frugal, and at the upper end of the spectrum provides potent performance from turbocharged V6 engines that make the Tundra feel last century rather than last decade. Unless robust reliability tops your list of needs in a truck, the F-150 is comprehensively better in every metric.