However, the Tundra never felt bulky or oversized. Sure it was a beast to park, but then I'm under the impression that parking line painters get a laugh out of making spots deliberately smaller than any pickup truck could ever fit in so they all have to park like douche bags. Steering felt relatively “connected” for a pickup (not floaty and dead), and the mirrors offered fab visibility, as did the large windows and driver-seat position. I could have driven the Tundra downtown every day and would have been relatively happy doing so.
I was even impressed with the Tundra's gas mileage at the end of the week. After 7 days of both highway and city driving (complete with spirited driving to hear that V8 roar), I saw a fuel consumption average of 14.2 L/100 km. Now, Toyota claims the Tundra can go as low as 12.2 L/100 km, and after my week behind the wheel, I don't doubt it.
Now had I needed to haul more than a running stroller and lawn mower (it is an exciting life I lead on the weekends), I would have been able to bring home up to 1,885 lbs of cargo, or tow up to 10,400 lbs. Both decent numbers for an affordable pickup that's sure to fit into many a pickup-buyer's budget.
Inside the Tundra, the general appeal continues. Pickups are meant to work. They need to be a bit rugged, a bit rough and tough, and the Tundra is, with a touch of prissy thrown in for good measure. Again, there's something a bit “delicate” about the Tundra (and I'm sure I'm offending some Tundra owners out there), that I just don't see in other pickups on the market. Despite being a bit more refined, the Tundra is still built to take a beating. Tough surfaces, strong seats and knobs and buttons that are fully tactile, even with work gloves on; this Toyota is ready to take on any job.
Room in the front and back is more than adequate; and the Double Cab tester I had meant 4 doors for even easier access to the rear seats.
That, of course, means a smaller bed in the back which could be discouraging to some. A 6.5-ft bed might seem a bit pointless for serious contractors and even a few farmers. And I'd tell them they might want to spring for the SR5 5.7L Long Bed trim level, which ups the bed to 8.1 feet—plenty of room to haul around your goods.
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| I would have been able to bring home up to 1,885 lbs of cargo, or tow up to 10,400 lbs. (Photo: Miranda Lightsone/Auto123.com) |
I was even impressed with the Tundra's gas mileage at the end of the week. After 7 days of both highway and city driving (complete with spirited driving to hear that V8 roar), I saw a fuel consumption average of 14.2 L/100 km. Now, Toyota claims the Tundra can go as low as 12.2 L/100 km, and after my week behind the wheel, I don't doubt it.
Now had I needed to haul more than a running stroller and lawn mower (it is an exciting life I lead on the weekends), I would have been able to bring home up to 1,885 lbs of cargo, or tow up to 10,400 lbs. Both decent numbers for an affordable pickup that's sure to fit into many a pickup-buyer's budget.
Inside the Tundra, the general appeal continues. Pickups are meant to work. They need to be a bit rugged, a bit rough and tough, and the Tundra is, with a touch of prissy thrown in for good measure. Again, there's something a bit “delicate” about the Tundra (and I'm sure I'm offending some Tundra owners out there), that I just don't see in other pickups on the market. Despite being a bit more refined, the Tundra is still built to take a beating. Tough surfaces, strong seats and knobs and buttons that are fully tactile, even with work gloves on; this Toyota is ready to take on any job.
Room in the front and back is more than adequate; and the Double Cab tester I had meant 4 doors for even easier access to the rear seats.
That, of course, means a smaller bed in the back which could be discouraging to some. A 6.5-ft bed might seem a bit pointless for serious contractors and even a few farmers. And I'd tell them they might want to spring for the SR5 5.7L Long Bed trim level, which ups the bed to 8.1 feet—plenty of room to haul around your goods.
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| Room in the front and back is more than adequate. (Photo: Toyota) |