2019 Toyota Tundra Test Drive Review: Brawny Luxury

When Toyota dropped off a 2019 Tundra for our review, we had just one question - what the heck is a 1794 Edition? We know the Tundra has been on the market for a long time but 1794 seems a bit extreme. The name actually refers to the year Spanish colonist Juan Ignacio de Casanova established the oldest cattle ranch in Texas. So what does this have to do with Toyota? Well, the Japanese automaker purchased the land in Texas and currently builds the Tundra there.

Is the name a bit of a stretch? Yes. But people in Texas love special edition trucks and the 1794 Edition should be no exception. We think a name like 'Cattle Ranch Edition' or 'Casanova Edition' might have a nicer ring to them but knowing the history makes the name a bit more understandable. The 1794 Edition sits near the top of the trim lineup (parallel to the Platinum and below the TRD Pro) but with the current Tundra platform dating back to 2007 and a new model seemingly on the horizon, can it still be competitive against the newer American luxury trucks in the segment?

What's the Price of the 2019 Toyota Tundra?

With six trims, two body styles, two engines, two drivetrains, and three bed lengths, there are 27 available configurations, each at its own price point catering to a variety of needs. The cheapest way of getting behind the wheel of the Tundra is the SR model, which carries a base MSRP of $31,670 in extended cab 4x2 guise with the standard bed. The SR5 takes a leap to $33,470, while the Limited carries a sticker price of $40,935 in base form. Things get expensive from there, with the Platinum and 1794 Edition both priced at $47,630, while the range-topping TRD Pro has a base MSRP of $49,895 excluding tax, license, registration, and a $1,595 destination charge. Upgrading any trim from two- to four-wheel-drive adds an extra $3,050 to the asking price while upgrading lesser trims with the 5.7-liter V8 carries a premium of $1,270.

2019 Tundra Exterior

Dimensions

2019 Tundra Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

Very little, if anything, has changed in terms of how the Tundra drives since we last tested one in 2017. The last example we tested was a Platinum, which is virtually identical to the 1794 Edition aside from leather color and some unique badges and wheels. On the road, for better or worse, the Tundra feels massive. Those looking for a more car-like ride may complain about this, while those who like to lord over other drivers may enjoy the Tundra's imposing size. Steering is light yet vague, as most trucks used to be, and the suspension is remarkably comfortable.

We enjoyed the Tundra's V8 grunt, though accessing usually requires an inelegant down shift from the old-school six-speed transmission. Once the Tundra does find the right gear, a glorious V8 bellow is accompanied by modest acceleration. For the next-generation Tundra, we'd like to see Toyota make major improvements to the safety features like lane-keep assist that can actually steer the vehicle and adaptive cruise control capable of coming to a stop in traffic. Other than these glaring weaknesses, the Tundra is a perfectly acceptable daily driver.

2019 Tundra Interior

2019 Tundra Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Verdict: Is the 2019 Toyota Tundra A Good truck?

After all these years, the Toyota Tundra is still a fine truck. Toyota fans will go to the grave telling you they'd buy a Tundra over any of its competitors due to its impeccable reliability and it's tough to argue against durability as a major selling point. But sadly, buying a Tundra in 2019 feels a bit like buying a DVD player. Yes, the technology still works to watch movies but with all of the available streaming services and digital formats, there are more advanced options out there.

Look for the 2020 Tundra to add important updates like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and push-button start - three features that will greatly improve the Tundra's modernity. The Tundra is no longer the game-changer it was over a decade ago but if reliability is your number one concern, it is still worth a look. An all-new Tundra with a powerful hybrid drivetrain is also rumored to be in the works, which could render the current model obsolete in a hurry.

What Toyota Tundra Model Should I Buy?

We enjoyed the unique styling of the 1794 Edition as well as the trim-specific brown leather interior, though it is not the Tundra we'd recommend. Of all the Tundra trims, the TRD Pro is the one we suggest. It offers the closest competition to the Ford F-150 Raptor with aggressive looks, extreme off-road capability, and incredible resale value, with some dealerships even charging over sticker price for it. Go for a crazy color like Voodoo Blue and the TRD Pro quickly becomes one of the coolest trucks on the market without missing out on too many tech features compared to the Platinum and 1794 Edition trims.

2019 Toyota Tundra Comparisons

2019 Toyota Tundra vs Ford F-150

If you're willing to cast aside brand preference in the full-size pickup segment, the Ford F-150 should be high on your list of trucks to check out. Although the F-150 starts off at $4,000 cheaper than the Tundra, when comparatively specced, both are similarly priced, although a fully-specced F-150 is more than $10,000 dearer than the Tundra. The Toyota is tried and tested, and that means exceptional reliability, but the Ford isn't bad and there's enough support to ensure trouble-free ownership. But that's where similarities end, as the Ford cuts itself above the rest in almost all other aspects. It boasts more cargo space - not just in the cargo bed but inside the cabin with more versatility. This doesn't come at the expense of ergonomics and comfort either, where the Ford is streets ahead of the Tundra. The Ford ha a higher-quality interior and more features, as well as full smartphone integration on the SYNC infotainment system. The final nails in the coffin come from the F-150's performance. With turbocharged V6 engines giving it more power, greater towing capacity, and better gas mileage estimates, it's a triple-threat effort that seals the Tundra's fate. You could buy a Tundra, but you'd be doing yourself a big disservice.

2019 Toyota Tundra vs Toyota Tacoma

Smaller, weaker, and cheaper, The Toyota Tacoma is inferior in every workman's metric to its big brother, the Tundra - which is why it occupies the midsize pickup segment instead of the full-size one. But you might not need all the heavy-hitting ability of a full-size. The Tacoma can still tow 6,800 lbs, while the Tundra's towing ability ranges anywhere from 6,400-10,200 lbs, so if you can do without the extra 4,000 lbs, the Tacoma might be alright. It's substantially more economical than the Tundra, though, and being smaller, it's easier to use on a daily basis. But it is less spacious, although in crew-cab guise it'll still seat five with ease. It's also more refined inside, and on some trims, more capable off-road because of its nimbler dimensions. Ultimately, it comes down to needs, and if you don't need to tow 10,000 lbs or make use of bigger cargo-bed configurations, the Tacoma is a more usable, yet still practical, daily truck, and it'll save you more than $6,000 on base price alone.