The Tundra SR5, Toyota's workhorse pickup truck, takes driving big cargo to a new level.
Whether in the city or on a work site, the 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter iForce V8 engine commands the road — it is the "Big Dog." Pulling into traffic and passing on the highway can be done with authority and with power to spare.
The Tundra's steering wheel-mounted shifter makes downshifting a breeze, taking some stress off the brakes and giving you more control in turns. Its big 8-foot, 1-inch-long bed is perfect for cargo, easily fitting sheetrock, plywood, mulch or anything else you're hauling. The Tundra is right at home in the lumber yard, in the backyard or the garden center.
With the test vehicle's Radiant Red paint showing significant wear after 9,000 miles, the need for a bed liner seems obvious unless you wear your scratches like a badge of honor.
Spartan, but well thought out, the Tundra's interior has some decent optional features such as a built-in 7-inch high definition touchscreen Entune GPS and Bluetooth, but lacks heated seats, lumbar support, and interior storage. A middle seat folds down next to the driver, but lacks decent storage for a cellphone and a 12-volt charging receptacle.
You may need a step ladder to climb into this vehicle, especially if some of your precious cargo includes kids who take it as a challenge to climb Mount Tundra. Even the driver may need some assistance as there is no handle and no step to help you in.
Getting used to this behemoth takes a while and squeezing into those tight parking spots in parking garages will take some practice. And with the double cab and long bed extending this truck to almost 20 feet 8 inches, you can pretty much forget about parallel parking this beast. The width and the extra row of seating makes this a very roomy vehicle.
The good news is with all of the extra cargo space you can carry plenty of extra gasoline — and you may need it as it burns 13 miles per gallon in the city, 17 on the highway.
The Tundra, with a suggested retail price of $37,101 as tested, comes standard with a 2-inch receiver hitch. Both 7-pin and 4-pin trailer wiring hook-ups sit side by side on the rear bumper with weather protective housings.
Switching to four-wheel-drive was simple — especially compared to the recently reviewed 4Runner — as was getting into tow mode. Side view mirrors set further away from the vehicle make sense after you figure out how to set them up and help you to see what you are towing.
The bottom line: this Tundra is a tough truck that likes to take on tasks.
2014 Tundra SR5
- MSRP: $34,345
- As Tested: $37,101
- MPG: 13 city, 17 highway