The new Tundra is entering its second year on the market. When Toyota launched their redesigned full-size truck last year, they sure wrecked the party at Detroit's Big Three. While their first foray into this lucrative market segment had led to disappointing results, the Japanese manufacturer learned valuable lessons and spent countless hours on the drawing board. The resulting second-generation Tundra is all about correcting past mistakes, particularly with regard to the lack of versatility and the small size compared to Ford, Dodge, Chevy and GMC rivals.
Now that the new Tundra has gone a full year on the market, Toyota executives can find out if they have achieved their goals or not. As far as I'm concerned, the answer is yes. Sales forecasts for the new full-size pickup truck were set at 200,000 units and, as it turned out, about 193,000 were sold despite the fierce competition and the well-known loyalty of truck owners toward their brand. That's quite a feat, especially when you consider that another vehicle looking to make a stronger presence in North America, the Nissan Titan, sold less than 60,000 units over the same period.
Rugged looks
At first glance, the thing that struck me the most about the Tundra 2.0 is definitely its massive size. I was impressed by the raised hood and the oversized front grille with chrome surround. The rugged look is quite intimidating: this truck means business. Yet, the lines are sleek and flowing, unlike the stiff, boxy-looking shape of most competitors. One thing's for sure: with such a distinctive appearance, no one can mistake the Tundra for any other truck in its class.
Inside, the Tundra also stands out from the competition with an overall design that's more car-like than truck-like. The size of the vehicle obviously benefits passenger room, but the cabin is very well laid out and nicely appointed. Much like the grille, the instrument panel is finished with a light grey trim that stretches all the way to the gear selector and creates a beautiful contrast with the otherwise black dashboard. Of course, because it's a Toyota, build quality is top-notch, both inside and out.
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| About 193,000 were sold despite the fierce competition. |
Now that the new Tundra has gone a full year on the market, Toyota executives can find out if they have achieved their goals or not. As far as I'm concerned, the answer is yes. Sales forecasts for the new full-size pickup truck were set at 200,000 units and, as it turned out, about 193,000 were sold despite the fierce competition and the well-known loyalty of truck owners toward their brand. That's quite a feat, especially when you consider that another vehicle looking to make a stronger presence in North America, the Nissan Titan, sold less than 60,000 units over the same period.
Rugged looks
At first glance, the thing that struck me the most about the Tundra 2.0 is definitely its massive size. I was impressed by the raised hood and the oversized front grille with chrome surround. The rugged look is quite intimidating: this truck means business. Yet, the lines are sleek and flowing, unlike the stiff, boxy-looking shape of most competitors. One thing's for sure: with such a distinctive appearance, no one can mistake the Tundra for any other truck in its class.
Inside, the Tundra also stands out from the competition with an overall design that's more car-like than truck-like. The size of the vehicle obviously benefits passenger room, but the cabin is very well laid out and nicely appointed. Much like the grille, the instrument panel is finished with a light grey trim that stretches all the way to the gear selector and creates a beautiful contrast with the otherwise black dashboard. Of course, because it's a Toyota, build quality is top-notch, both inside and out.
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| The light grey trim that stretches all the way to the gear selector creates a beautiful contrast. |