The redesigned 2014 Toyota Tundra half-ton full-size pickup truck adds dramatically bold elements of design, refinement, quality and craftsmanship, while building upon Tundra’s well-known reputation for reliability, efficiency and function, making it the most stylish, value-driven and capable Tundra yet.
“The 2014 Toyota Tundra is not only designed, engineered and manufactured in North America; it’s a direct result of Toyota listening to its customers,” said Larry Hutchinson, Vice President, Toyota Canada. “And customers are getting just what they asked for: Tundra’s new chiseled exterior design and new refined interior, improved driver ergonomics, and intuitive technology.”
Tundra has been a quality leader with Toyota’s DNA of Quality, Dependability and Reliability. The industry has recognized Tundra with a myriad of awards over the last 12 years. Not resting on its laurels, the 2014 Tundra is redesigned, inside and out, representing the first major change since the 2007 model year.
The redesigned Tundra continues to be a truck with true American roots that was once again engineered by Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and its new look created by Calty Design Research centers in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor. Tundra’s V8 engines are built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Inc. in Huntsville, Ala., and transmissions are built at a production facility in North Carolina. Finally, Tundra continues to be assembled exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, in San Antonio, Texas (TMMTX).
“With the redesigned 2014 Tundra, Toyota is committed to providing customers what they want for the long haul: a striking, proven, quality-driven, value-focused North American pickup in the full-size segment,” said Hutchinson.
The 2014 Tundra has a grade strategy consisting of the hard-working SR, volume-leading SR5, the well-appointed Limited, and two premium grades: “Platinum” and the all-new “1794 Edition.” The new 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch, founded in 1794, on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio. Tundra is offered in three cab styles, two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax, all available in 4×2 and 4×4.
Chiseled New, Unique Exterior Designs; Distinct Look for Each Grade
Inside and out, each Tundra grade embodies a specific theme through distinct designs that go beyond just badging.
The Calty design team set out to create a bold and powerful exterior to embody Tundra’s performance capabilities. The all-new front design integrates the hood and grille for a chiseled and modern industrial image. Designers increased the size of the front fascia and tightened up the surfaces and character lines to visually punctuate Tundra’s pulling power and wide stance. The grille has a taller, bolder look, visually connecting the upper intake to the lower bumper. The front lower bumpers are now a three-piece design, allowing for lower replacement costs. In addition, the fenders and wheel wells have been squared-off for a wide and sturdy stance.
A new bed design helps carry the chiseled character lines all the way down the profile, leading to a rugged new bed and tail gate, with an integrated spoiler and “TUNDRA” stamped into the sheet metal, creating a one-piece forged look. The integrated spoiler in the deck helps with fuel efficiency, while the tail lamps express a tool-like quality to match the appearance of the body. Like the front bumper, the rear bumper changes from one piece to three, for lower replacement costs.
Tundra offers three cab styles: two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab, and the super-sized four-door CrewMax. Tundra Regular Cab is offered in Long Bed 2,480mm (97.6-inch), and Double Cab models is offered in standard bed 2,000 mm (78.7-inch) or long bed 2,480 mm (97.6-inch) configurations, while the CrewMax comes with a 1,695mm (66.7-inch) bed. All beds are 564 mm (22.2-inch) deep.
The Tundra’s lockable easy-lower-and-lift tailgate lowers slowly with no slam and can easily be removed. Limited Double Cab models come standard with a power sliding rear window. A power vertical sliding rear window is standard on all CrewMax models.
Tundra offers a palette of eight exterior colours including three new colours: Attitude Black Metallic; Sunset Bronze Mica; and Blue Ribbon Metallic. Popular carryover colours include Radiant Red, Alpine White, Silver Sky Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, and Black.
A New Premium, Spacious Interior; Each Grade With a Unique Identity
Calty’s design team worked closely with the Product Planners and Tundra engineers to develop a bold new interior focusing on styling differentiation between grades and improving the availability of features most important to truck buyers. The new interior variations are thematic and cater to a specific customer with a specific budget. Ergonomic improvements include easier driver access to controls as the reach to the audio and HVAC controls was reduced by 2.6 inches. Large knobs have been retained so they can be operated with or without work gloves. Overall passenger comfort was improved with a new front and rear (CrewMax) seat design and improved front seat ventilation. In addition, front seats have additional travel, and CrewMax rear seats can now be folded up for additional cargo carrying capability while maintaining a comfortable seating back angle and lowering load the height by more than 279.4 mm (11 inches).
The interior has a rugged, interlocked construction with new instrument panel. The meters feature 3-D metallic rings and individual gauges grouped in a clear, easy-to-see design with a centre-mounted multi-information (LCD) display screen. The console design holds multiple storage areas for personal items and electronics plus additional padded surfaces and accent stitching in premium grades. Both Double Cab and CrewMax are available with a bench or bucket seats for the front row.
The interior of the SR5 features a “professional gear” theme, with unique driver and passenger zones, metallic accents and bold contrasting fabric. Most importantly, the new design uses premium surface treatments such as high granulated paint on the center cluster and unique seat stitching to enhance interior quality and durability.
The Limited grade has an “active premium” image with leather seating surfaces matching soft-touch door and console surfaces, and wood-style interior trims. The Limited will be available with Black and Graphite leather-trimmed interiors and will have standard dual zone auto HVAC controls.
The Platinum grade has been redesigned for the next generation of personal use truckers. It features perforated, diamond pleated premium leather seats, door and instrument panel inserts, and chrome seat and console accent badging for an upscale, yet urban feel. In addition, Platinum uses premium leather never before used on a Toyota truck and comes with many standard amenities, including a 12-speaker touch-screen multimedia Premium JBL Audio system with navigation, and heated and ventilated front seats.
The 1794 Edition reflects a western lifestyle theme and includes exclusive saddle brown premium leather-trimmed seating with embossed leather and ultra-suede accents. Matching soft-touch materials also accent the shift console, the front and rear door trim, and the instrument panel. Like the Platinum, the 1794 Edition includes an array of standard features that includes heated and ventilated front seats, and multimedia Premium JBL Audio with navigation.
Two Engine Options Remain Among Segment’s Most Capable
Tundra continues to offer two proven powertrains that are among the best in its segment. A standard 4.6-litre, DOHC i-Force V8 offers 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 327 foot-pounds of peak torque at 3,400rpm. EPA-estimated mpg fuel economy is 14.2/10.5/12.5 L/100km (city/hwy/combined) on 4×2 models and 15.2/10.9/13.3 L/100km (city/hwy/combined) on 4×4 models.