Toyota · 1999–present

Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra (Japanese: トヨタ・タンドラ, Hepburn: Toyota Tandora) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured in the United States by the Japanese manufacturer Toyota since May 1999. The Tundra was the second full-size pickup to be built by a Japanese manufacturer (the first was the Toyota T100), but the Tundra was the first full-size pickup from a Japanese manufacturer to be built in North America. The Tundra was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year in 2000 and 2008. Initially built in a new Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana, production was consolidated in 2008 to Toyota's San Antonio, Texas, factory.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Toyota T100

All Toyota Tundra data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (XK30/XK40; 1999)

The first generation Tundra had many similarities with the older Toyota T100 and the compact Toyota Tacoma. These included the shared use of a 3.4L V6 engine which was the top-of-the-line engine in both the Tacoma and T100. The V6 engine would serve as the base engine for the Tundra, while a second engine was added, a 4.7L V8, the first V8 for a Toyota pickup. Model code XK30 denotes rear-wheel drive models, while XK40 is for four-wheel drives. Publicly introduced in May 1999 as a 2000 model, the Tundra prototypes and "show trucks" were initially known as the T150. However, Ford and automotive journalists criticized the name as being too similar to the market-leader Ford F-150, and following a lawsuit by Ford, the production truck was renamed the Tundra. The Tundra was slightly larger than the T100. With a production capacity of 120,000, sales were double the rate of the T100. At its introduction, the Tundra had the highest initial vehicle sales for Toyota in its history. It was selected as Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award for 2000 and Best Full-Size Truck from Consumer Reports. It was assembled in a new Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana. Engine choices available in the Tundra were a 24-valve 3.4L V6 engine 5VZ-FE that produced 190 hp (142 kW) and 220 lb⋅ft (300 N⋅m) of torque and an LEV certified 32-valve 4.7L "i-Force" V8 engine 2UZ-FE that produced 245 hp (183 kW) and 315 lb⋅ft (427 N⋅m) of torque. The 3.4L V6 was only available until 2004 and the V8 was upgraded for the 2005–2006 model years alongside a new V6 shared with the Toyota FJ Cruiser. A Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger was already available for the 3.4L V6 (2000–2003 models) that bumped power to the 260 hp (194 kW) range and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) of torque. TRD introduced a second superch

Second generation (XK50; 2006)

=== 2007–2013 === A larger Tundra was introduced at the February 2006 Chicago Auto Show. It used styling cues from the Toyota Tacoma along with some cues from the Toyota FTX concept truck (also designed by Craig Kember in 2003). The truck featured towing capacity of over 10,000 lb (4,500 kg), and a payload capacity of over 2,000 lb (910 kg), a new 5.7L 3UR-FE V8 engine mated to a new 6-speed automatic transmission. The second generation Tundra had three engine options. The new 5.7L V8 that produces 381 hp (284 kW; 386 PS) and 401 lb⋅ft (544 N⋅m) of torque, and the carry over 4.7L 2UZ-FE V8 rated at 276 hp (206 kW; 280 PS) and 313 lb⋅ft (424 N⋅m) of torque, as well as the previous 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 rated at 236 hp (176 kW; 239 PS) and 266 lb⋅ft (361 N⋅m) of torque. When the new Tundra was first launched in January 2007, it was available in 31 configurations, which consisted of three bed lengths, three cab configurations, three wheelbases, and two transmissions. The new extended cab now had conventional rear doors instead of the previous generation's rear-hinged doors; it also took the name "Double Cab," which was applied to the first-generation crew cab. The second-generation crew cab was renamed as "CrewMax." The Double Cab and Regular Cab were available with a 6.5-foot (2.0 m) regular bed or an 8-foot (2.4 m) long bed, while the CrewMax was only available with a 5.5-foot (1.7 m) short bed. The Tundra also featured a new 6-speed automatic transmission which could lock the torque converter in fifth and sixth gears with a manual shift mode (which was standard with the 5.7L), giving it a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time of 6.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.7 seconds. Toyota designed the new Tundra with construction workers in mind by including extra large door handles, deck

Third generation (XK70; 2021)

The first official photo of the third-generation Tundra was revealed on June 18, 2021. The pickup truck was officially unveiled during Motor Bella on September 21, 2021. It is built on the body-on-frame GA-F platform. On December 3, 2021, production of the vehicle began in San Antonio, Texas. The third-generation Tundra is offered with two powertrain options: a 3.4-liter V35A-FTS twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 348–389 hp (260–290 kW) and 405–479 lb⋅ft (549–650 N⋅m) of torque, or a hybridized version of the V35A-FTS unit with an electric motor housed within the transmission (marketed as "i-Force Max"), producing a total of 437 hp (326 kW) and 583 lb⋅ft (790 N⋅m) of torque. Both powertrain options are mated with a Aisin-sourced 10-speed automatic transmission. For the first time, no V8 engine option was offered. It also had an updated fully-boxed frame and rear coil or air spring suspension. The maximum towing capacity and the maximum payload are increased to 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg) and 1,940 pounds (880 kg) respectively. The third-generation Tundra is available in seven trim levels, six of which are carried over from the previous generation: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, and TRD Pro, as well as a newly-added luxury-oriented Capstone trim. SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition trims are powered by the regular V35A-FTS engine, while the hybridized unit is available on the Limited and higher trims, and standard on TRD Pro and Capstone trims. Four-wheel drive system is also standard on TRD Pro and Capstone trims. The Tundra is available in two cab styles, both offering four front-hinged doors: Double Cab (SR, SR5, and Limited only) with either a 6.5-or-8-foot (2.0 or 2.4 m) pickup box, and CrewMax (all trims) with either a 5.5-or-6.5-foot (1.7 or 2.0 m

Recalls and reliability

During late 2009, Toyota issued a recall on 2000-2003 model year Tundras regarding rust problems of a rear crossmember. This recall involved 110,000 vehicles and followed a similar action for the Sequoia and Tacoma. Tundra owners began complaining of rust issues. In some cases, trucks were inspected by dealers and found to be unsafe to drive. The dealers refused to let the owners take their vehicles without signing an affidavit that they had been informed that Toyota had declared their vehicles unsafe to drive. Complaints were subsequently brought to WCVB-TV Channel 5 investigative reporter Susan Wornick and the story ran repeatedly in spring and fall 2009 prompting the NHTSA to begin an investigation. NHTSA was particularly concerned that owners reported the potential for the spare tire to drop from the vehicle without warning due to corrosion and they opened an investigation on October 6, 2009. Toyota recalled 2000-2001 Tundras, soon expanding it through 2003. If no rust is detected an anti-corrosion compound will be applied, if rust is detected the crossmember will be replaced. While Toyota originally limited the recall to 20 cold-weather states, problems were already evident elsewhere. In March 2010, the recall was expanded throughout the country. Toyota has been replacing frames on affected vehicles rather than paying the 1.5 times Kelley Blue Book value they offered Tacoma owners in a similar campaign for frame rust in Tacomas. Toyota began replacing frames later in the Tacoma campaign. As of January 2012, Toyota Motor recalled 533,000 trucks and SUVs because of possible steering and suspension problems caused by faulty ball joints. The recall marked a sudden shift in policy for the Japanese automaker after repeatedly denying consumer complaints about ball joint p

Sales

After being on the market for more than a decade, the Tundra had about 17% of the full-size half-ton market. In 2000, Toyota sold 107,798 Tundras, compared to the Toyota T100 pickup that sold roughly around 50,000 units. By 2005, Toyota managed to sell 126,529 units. With the added capacity of the San Antonio plant, Toyota planned to sell around 200,000 Tundras for 2007. Toyota missed its sales target for 2007, selling just under 200,000 vehicles. In comparison, for 2007, GMC Sierra sales were over 12,000 more than Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado was more than 422,000 over Tundra, and the Ford F-150 was once again the sales leader with 756,980 units that same year. Around 70–80% of the Tundra sales were the 5.7 L versions, and 46% were the CrewMax. The standard cab versions were selling at a slower rate than expected. International markets. As of 2015, the Tundra was sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Honduras, Bolivia, Chile, and the French territory of New Caledonia in left-hand drive (LHD) configuration only. The Tundra also has a grey import presence in several countries that include Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Switzerland, the Middle East, and Sweden. Three hundred Tundra trucks are being leased in Australia, starting in November 2023, as part of Toyota Australia's testing program whereby feedback is sought from the lessees. These trucks are assembled in the U.S. and remanufactured to RHD by the Walkinshaw Group. Toyota Australia and Toyota Motor Company eventually announced in November 2024 to sell the Tundra in the Australian market starting from Q2 2025. The Tundra, imported from the United States, is scheduled to be officially introduced in Japan during 2026.

Hallmarks

=== NASCAR === In 2004, the Tundra joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and got its first win at Michigan International Speedway on July 31 that year. In 2006, the Tundra got Toyota's first manufacturer championship winning 12 of the 25 races. The model also got the driver and owner championship with Todd Bodine and Germain Racing. The truck won every year from 2006 to 2018. Pulling the Space Shuttle Endeavour. On Friday, October 12, 2012, an unmodified, Toyota Tundra Crew Max pulled the Space Shuttle Endeavour, on top of a special lightweight dolly, across the Manchester Boulevard bridge over Interstate 405. The shuttle's 12-mile (19 km) journey to the California Science Center was primarily performed by four self-propelled robotic transporters. However, due to weight restrictions on the bridge, the shuttle was moved to a lighter non-powered dolly and towed the short distance by the Tundra. Once it had completely crossed the bridge, the shuttle was returned to the robotic transporters to continue its course. Toyota also used this opportunity to film a commercial that aired during the 2013 Super Bowl. Million-mile Tundra. In 2016, Victor Sheppard of Houma, Louisiana, clocked in over 1,000,000 miles (1,600,000 km) on his 2007 Tundra. In the eight years of owning the truck, he logged in an average of 125,000 miles (200,000 km) a year and had it serviced at his local dealership a total of 117 times. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. gave Sheppard a 2016 model year Tundra in exchange for his old truck; the company disassembled the old truck to study its durability and reliability. Nearly every component of the truck was still fully functioning, and only the bed was showing signs of stress and use because it had been used to transport heavy equipment. This truck and every

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Toyota Tundra

Manufacturer

Toyota

Production

May 1999 – present

Model years

2000–present

Assembly

United States: Princeton, Indiana (TMMI, until 2009); San Antonio, Texas (TMMTX)

Class

Full-size pickup truck

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Related

Toyota Sequoia

Predecessor

Toyota T100

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1353337CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_TundraCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371175940 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2022_Toyota_Tundra_CrewMax_Limited,_front_6.30.22.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Kevauto · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.toyota.com/tundra/Link only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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