As far as trucks go, the Toyota Tundra is one of the most recognizable names on the market. With plenty of power and versatility, the Tundra is a vehicle that can get any driver to where they need to go with few issues.

However, the Tundra comes with many different customization and warranty options that can make settling on your perfect new or used truck difficult. Learn everything you need to know about the Toyota Tundra before you buy.

Performance and Powertrain Options

Firstly, when choosing the right version of the Toyota Tundra for your driving needs, you need to evaluate the different performance and powertrain options. After all, if you simply plan to drive your Tundra around town and use the back for groceries, you don’t need as much power as someone who may be taking it off-roading every week.

Engine Options and Power Output

In the latest Toyota Tundra, there are three main engine options to choose from, all of which are based upon a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V-6 engine. The first option is the base model, which provides 348 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, meaning the average driver would have plenty of power to work with.

Those seeking something a little stronger may be interested in the next option, which is an upgrade to 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, offering strong performance for a pickup truck. Finally, for those doing serious off-roading or in need of more power, there is a hybrid 473 horsepower upgrade of the Tundra available, which allows you to hit this power at 60 miles per hour.

Towing and Hauling Capabilities

For those concerned about the Toyota Tundra’s ability to tow or haul things, rest assured. The Tundra has a towing capacity of 12,000 pounds. Considering larger cars top out at around 6,000 pounds, the Tundra is capable of towing other vehicles and more.

However, it’s worth noting that this 12,000-pound maximum towing capacity is on the lower end, with competitor vehicles such as the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 capable of towing 14,000 pounds and 12,750 pounds, respectively. On top of this, the Toyota Tundra has a payload capacity of 1,940 pounds, which is far below industry averages, yet it is still strong enough for the needs of the average driver.

Fuel Efficiency Considerations

Finally, fuel efficiency may be another consideration to take into account when looking at different Toyota Tundras. In its non-hybrid form, the two-wheel drive Tundra is EPA-rated for up to 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. For the four-wheel drive version of the vehicle, it is 19 mpg and 23 mpg, respectively. As far as automatic transmission trucks go, this is a relatively comparable fuel efficiency to other trucks; however, it is lower than other classes of vehicles, which may influence your decision.

Trim Levels and Features

With the basic power, towing capacity, and fuel efficiency considerations taken care of, your next stage of education on the Toyota Tundra should center around the different trim levels and features offered. This is where the customization of the Toyota Tundra can really take off, so be sure to design a vehicle that suits your needs.

Overview of Toyota Tundra Trim Levels

When it comes to the different trim levels for the Toyota Tundra, there are a variety of options to choose from depending on how many features you want your new Toyota to have. As outlined by Toyota themselves, the following are the trim options offered for the latest Toyota Tundra:

Tundra SR

• Smart key system with push button start
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible
• 18-in. styled-steel wheels
• Aluminum-reinforced composite bed construction

Tundra SR5

• Power horizontal or vertical rear window
• Available TRD Off-Road and TRD Sport packages
• 18-inch silver alloy wheels
• Class-IV towing hitch receiver and wiring harness with 7-pin/4-pin connector
• TOW/HAUL and TOW+ driving modes

Tundra Limited

• SofTex®-trimmed seats, 8-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats with 2-way power-adjustable lumbar support
• 14-inch touchscreen audio multimedia
• Available TRD Off-Road Package
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Trailer Merge Warning

Tundra Platinum

• Power tilt/slide panoramic roof with power sunshade
• 12.3-inch digital meter with selectable gauge display screens and fuel economy, Driver Assist, vehicle/trip information, and warning messages
• Leather-trimmed 10-way power-adjustable front seats
• 20-inch dark-painted alloy wheels
• Available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Load-leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension

Tundra 1794 Edition

• Rich Cream or Saddle Brown interior with American Walnut wood-grain trim
• 20-inch machined-finish alloy wheels
• Chrome grille and exterior accents

Tundra TRD Pro

• Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) with Crawl Control (CRAWL)
• TRD Pro off-road suspension with FOX® shocks and 1.1-inch front lift
• Electronically controlled locking rear differential
• Heritage-inspired “TOYOTA” grille with LED light bar and marker lights
• 18-inch TRD Pro matte-black forged-aluminum BBS® wheels
• 12-speaker Premium JBL® Audio

Tundra Capstone

• 22-inch chrome- and machined-finish alloy wheels
• Semi-aniline leather-trimmed 10-way power-adjustable front seats
• Two-tone white-and-black interior with dark American walnut wood-grain trim
• 10-inch color Head-Up Display (HUD)
• Power running boards and BedStep®
• Available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
• Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 (TSS 2.5)

Standard and Optional Features

Digging a little further into both the standard and optional features to consider on the Toyota Tundra, it’s worth noting that the SR and SR5 Tundras get the 8-inch screen but that you have the option to upgrade to the 14-inch screen on the SR5. On all models above the SR5, the 14-inch screen is standard. A base six or nine-speaker cab is also included on different Tundra models, as well as a 12-speaker JBL premium option that is only standard starting at the Tundra Limited model and above.

Rest assured, though, that regardless of the trim you have, you will be safe on the road. Tundras come with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of driver-assistance technology, which includes helpful features such as automatic high beams, lane-departure warnings, steering assist, and much more.

Reliability and Common Issues

While all of the aforementioned features may make the Toyota Tundra sound like an excellent car to purchase next, you should always dive into the reliability ratings and reported issues for any vehicle you’re considering.

Toyota’s Reputation for Reliability

Per RepairPal’s internal rating system, the Toyota Tundra receives a 3.5/5.0 rating for its reliability, placing it as 6th out of 17 for full-size trucks evaluated. This rating means the reliability of the Toyota Tundra would be considered perfectly average. The vehicle is estimated to have an average annual repair cost of $606, with the issues reported being more severe in nature but less in frequency.

Common Issues with the Toyota Tundra

Building off of the prior point, below are a few common issues seen with the Toyota Tundra that are worth keeping an eye out for:

• Recall for a lower ball joint issue
• Loud vacuum cleaner noise on a cold start
• Pink coolant in the reservoir and the transmission slipping
• Rear frame cross-member corrosion
• Vibration from the driveshaft and clunking between gears
• Rough idle and loss of power resulting in the check engine light turning on

What to Look for in a Used Toyota Tundra

While purchasing a new Toyota Tundra will often result in fewer issues popping up, there are many benefits to purchasing used. However, purchasing a used vehicle should always warrant a little more upfront diligence.

Inspecting the Vehicle’s History and Condition

When purchasing a used Toyota Tundra, you should do a deep dive into the vehicle’s history and condition to ensure there aren’t lingering issues you will be inheriting. To inspect the condition, do a walk-around of the vehicle and ask to take the vehicle on a test drive with the current owner so that you can see it is handled properly. Additionally, request the vehicle history report, which will contain evidence of service records, repairs, and much more.

Verifying Mileage and Service Records

Building on the prior point, verify the mileage with the vehicle history report and look into the service records to see what was fixed on the Tundra. If there was a history of major issues, perhaps finding a different Tundra may be the best option to consider.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Buying Used

There are a few common issues people always seem to overlook when buying a used vehicle that you should be sure not to fall into as well. The most notable of these include:

• Failing to take a test drive with the vehicle
• Failing to have the car checked by a mechanic
• Purchasing the vehicle based on looks alone
• Not obtaining a vehicle history report
• Failing to do research ahead of time for negotiation purposes

Securing the Best Warranty Coverage for Your Toyota Tundra

No matter how reliable the Toyota Tundra may be, all vehicles will have issues at some point in time which is why adding on a warranty can be such a smart choice. A warranty offers financial protection in the event parts fail under the hood of your car.

Manufacturer’s Warranty for New Tundra Models

The manufacturer warranty offered on new Toyota Tundra models comes in two forms: limited warranty and powertrain warranty. The limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, whereas the powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles.

Toyota also offers two years of complimentary maintenance service or up to 25,000 miles. Toyota’s basic coverage covers all parts other than normal wear and tear items, and the powertrain warranty covers the engine, transmission, and front and rear wheel drive systems.

Extended Warranty Options for Additional Protection

Frequently, new vehicle owners purchase the dealership warranty offered and call it a day, but this is truly limiting protection. By adding on an extended warranty from a third party, also known as a vehicle service contract or auto protection plan, you can fill in the coverage gaps left by the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure your vehicle is truly protected in the long term. Third-party extended warranties work the same way as manufacturer warranties except for the fact that they are not issued by the manufacturer of the vehicle themselves.

Endurance Auto Protection Plans for Tundra Owners

At Endurance Warranty, we have a myriad of auto protection plans that can provide all the aforementioned protective benefits to your Tundra. Three of our most popular plans are the Secure Plus, Superior, and Supreme Plans. The Secure Plus plan is the catch-all plan targeted towards older vehicles, which protects only the most vital components under the hood, making it an excellent option if the Tundra you are looking at purchasing has more than a few years in its history.

The Superior plan takes things a step further from the Secure Plus by offering coverage for the parts that most commonly break down over time. This makes it an excellent middle-ground option for affordability if your vehicle is slightly used but not yet high-risk. Finally, the Supreme plan is the option to choose when you are seeking the maximum protection available for your Tundra. Covering everything from the engine to small gaskets and hoses, Endurance’s Supreme plan is the closest to a bumper-to-bumper warranty offered by the manufacturers themselves.

Picking an extended warranty should be all about balancing needs with cost, which is why looking at the age, driving habits, and needs for protection on your Tundra matters. In addition to the above protection plans, Endurance also offers Elite Benefits with every auto protection plan. These benefits include perks such as reimbursements for up to four tires per year due to road hazards, up to $1,000 in total loss protection, up to $500 in collision coverage, and much more. Additionally, Endurance’s partnership with RepairPal means you can gain access to over 3,500 certified auto repair shops and dealerships nationwide.

Keep Your Tundra on the Road With Endurance

The Toyota Tundra is clearly a versatile vehicle with a lot to offer any driver on the road who is seeking a powerful truck. Whether you plan to take it off-roading or simply use it to carry materials around town, ensuring your Toyota Tundra is in working condition should always be a top priority. And Endurance can help.

To find an auto protection plan that’s right for you, call an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 or request a FREE quote online. You can also shop our eStore to see your plan recommendations and pricing now.