Toyota Tundra is go (finally)

You might have missed the recent launch of the Toyota Tundra. Unfortunately, we were overseas. The "full-size" ute or pick-up has joined the burgeoning ranks of monster trucks appearing on our roads, with only a three-figure price tag to deter buyers -- $155,990 plus on-roads. Even at this lofty price premium paint is extra -- $675 to be exact. Toyota's largest ute, the left-hand drive Tundra has been manufactured and sold in the United States for more than 20 years. Our Tundra, the fourth generation of its kind, was released in 2021, and is being converted from left- to right-hand drive by Walkinshaw Automotive in Clayton South, Victoria. Prior to launch 300 re-manufactured, right-hand drive examples of the vehicle were leased to customers for test and evaluation over a 12-month period. Tundra will compete against the likes of the Ram 1500 ($119,950), Ford F-150 $106,950) and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ($130,500). Toyota's Sean Hanley said the extensive development work, plus the ongoing 12-month Tundra Insider customer evaluation program, ensured the Tundra more than met the demands of Australian customers and our unique conditions. “Toyota has never before worked with a third party to re-engineer a vehicle for right-hand drive so we needed to ensure that it met our high quality standards, and the result is something that all parties can be proud of,” Mr Hanley said. “Its bold stylish design, the high level of performance from its twin-turbo V6 i-FORCE MAX powertrain, and spacious comfortable interior will appeal to a variety of customers, whether as a work vehicle for carrying tools and workers around town, or getting out onto the open road and touring the country with a caravan or boat in tow." Tundra will be available in just the one fully equipped grade, Tundra Limited. At 5955mm long, 2040mm wide and 1985mm tall, with a 3700mm wheelbase, Tundra cuts an imposing figure on the road, with a unique exterior design which was crafted at Toyota North America’s Calty Design Research studios in California and Michigan. At the front, its expansive grille is framed by a chrome octagonal bezel, and flanked by bold T-shaped LED headlight clusters featuring automatic high beam technology. Below the front grille is an active front spoiler that automatically deploys and retracts based on driving conditions, to improve aerodynamics, and increase ground clearance in off-road terrain. In side profile, flared wheel arches house stylish black and chrome 20-inch alloy wheels while the standard crushed tube side steps help enable easy access to the wide opening front and rear doors. The rear styling is as bold as the front with the broad tailgate flanked by big vertical rear LED light clusters and a rear bumper with an integrated step providing easy access to the large rear cargo tub that offers a maximum payload of 758kg. A total of nine exterior colours are offered across the range: Glacier White, Frosted White, Graphite, Silver Storm, Eclipse Black, Feverish Red, Vintage Brown Pearl, Jungle Khaki and Saturn Blue. Under the bonnet, is a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 i-Force Max powertrain that delivers the more power and torque than any other vehicle in Toyota's Australian lineup, providing a high level of performance and abundant pulling power. The parallel hybrid powertrain teams the 290kW/649Nm twin-turbo V6 with a 36kW/250Nm motor generator, delivering a prodigious combined output of 326kW and 790Nm. With a 122-litre fuel tank, Tundra requires 95 premium unleaded. Not surprisingly, however, fuel consumption figures are not available, certainly not from Toyota. The powertrain drives through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with power available to all four wheels via a part-time selectable four-wheel drive system with a dual-range transfer case. In two-wheel drive mode (2H), drive torque is delivered to the rear wheels, while switching to high range 4WD (4H) via the sliding switch on the centre console, engages the front wheels by locking the automatic disconnecting differential (ADD) to provide extra traction in slippery conditions. For challenging conditions or situations where you need extra traction to get out of trouble, the Tundra is equipped with low-range 4WD (4L), providing maximum torque and improved traction to tackle tough terrain. At the same time ground clearance is a conservative 216mm. Tundra sits on the TNGA-F ladder-frame platform that is shared with the LandCruiser 300 Series and all-new LandCruiser Prado. The frame’s wheelbase has been lengthened by 850mm compared to the Land Cruiser 300 Series while the front and rear track of 1737mm is up to 70mm wider, to provide a strong stable platform that helps contribute to the Tundra’s maximum braked towing capacity of 4500kg. The suspension has been designed and tuned to provide the optimum balance of ride, comfort and dynamic handling – both on and off road. At the front is a double wishbone arrangement with the rear suspension comprising a four-link rigid axle configuration with dual-rate coil springs providing excellent ride comfort under a variety of load conditions. In re-engineering the Tundra for right-hand drive, Toyota was able to use many original components from the Land Cruiser 300 Series including the electric power steering system that offers superb control and steering feel at all speeds. Stopping power comes courtesy of large, 354mm ventilated discs with 4-piston calipers on the front and 335mm ventilated discs with single-piston calipers on the rear, and a full complement of safety technologies including ABS, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist and trailer sway control. Drivers are offered three modes through the drive mode select system – Eco, Normal and Sport – that automatically adjusts transmission, throttle, steering and air conditioning parameters, depending on driver preferences and road conditions. With its standard integrated tow hitch, wiring harness, 3500kg rated tow ball and tongue, the Tundra also incorporates several features to enable customers to make the most of its 4500kg braked towing capacity. A 4500kg towing kit is available. These include a trailer brake controller, two tow modes for varying loads and a trailer back up guide that can autonomously control steering to assist when reversing. A comprehensive suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety features ensures maximum possible safety for occupants, along with eight SRS airbags. Toyota Safety Sense features include the autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety system that can detect pedestrians and oncoming vehicles day and night and cyclists during the day, emergency steering assist, active cruise control, lane trace assist and lane departure alert, and automatic high beam. In addition to these features, the Tundra also incorporates blind-spot monitor with cross traffic alert, parking support brake and front and rear parking sensors. To provide a comprehensive view of the vehicle surroundings, it also features a panoramic view monitor and rear-view camera with guide lines that are displayed on the large 14-inch touchscreen, and a digital rear view mirror. Inside, the Tundra provides a spacious yet cosseting environment for up to five occupants, with the right-hand-drive conversion process providing seamless fit and finish, along with high levels of technology and comfort features. For the driver, a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides easy-to-read essential information in a broad range of customisable layouts that can include vehicle, audio, navigation and phone information, surrounding a central analogue-style tachometer and digital speedometer. The steering wheel is adjustable for both rake and reach to enable the optimum position for a range of driver sizes, and offers steering wheel controls for audio, phone, multimedia and vehicle settings and driver assistance technologies. A 14.0-inch touchscreen display – the largest on any Toyota vehicle – provides access to the latest generation multimedia system that offers Bluetooth compatibility, AM/FM radio, voice recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlayand wired Android Autofunctionality. A 12-speaker JBL premium audio system and wireless smartphone charger further enhance the tech-rich cabin of the Tundra while there are plenty of charging ports for personal devices with three front and two rear USB-C outlets. Large, comfy synthetic leather seats with a stylish geometric perforation pattern offer front occupants eight-way electric adjustment with three-stage heating and ventilation, and power lumbar support. Rear passengers benefit from expansive legroom and headroom, with the rear seats split 60:40 and able to be folded forward, or the seat bases upwards, to provide a flexible internal cargo area. Further storage options throughout the cabin include a large glove box, centre console storage trays, big front and rear door bins with bottle holders and two front and two rear cupholders in the centre console. With the extensive development and re-engineering process having been validated under Toyota’s strict quality standards, the Tundra is fully covered by the Toyota Warranty Advantage. This includes a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty period, along with five years of capped price servicing at $450 per service over intervals of six months or 10,000km.