Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram own the majority of the pie in the full-size pickup market, but that hasn't stopped Toyota from trying to be a major player in the scene. The 2019 Toyota Tundra has the same heavy-duty recipe as the others – muscular V8 engines, lengthy bed configurations, and a maximum of 10,200 pounds of towing capacity – but lags behind competitors because of its age. Despite having a name that's over 18 years old, the Tundra is only in its second generation and the pickup hasn't changed much since 2014. It may be old, but the Tundra still makes a strong case for going against the grain with its affordable pricing.
CarsDirect Pricing Insider
What you must know before buying the Toyota Tundra- 2019 Tundra is here
- Lease: From $329/month for 36 months (2018)
- Rebate: $3,000 factory cash back (2018)
- Finance: From 0% APR for 60 months (2018)
2019 Tundra is rolling in now:
The 2018 Tundra, which includes a new TRD Sport, is still available.
The 2019 Toyota Tundra is in showrooms now and has a few changes. The most significant update is the new SX Package, which adds exclusive wheels and tires, power front seats, fog lights, an illuminated-entry system, bucket front seats, and a rear bench. Toyota also nixed the Inferno exterior color and the standard moonroof on the 1794 and Platinum trims.
In terms of availability, TRD Pro versions are rare and see little dealer discounting. Crew Max models, however, are the best stocked and are easiest to find.
Toyota may release some Black Friday deals on select models. It's unlikely the Tundra would be included in this, but you may want to check back just to be safe.
Toyota's offers are regional and expire December 3, 2018. All deals mentioned here assume a Southern California location.
Lease from $329/month:
The 2018 Tundra's 36-month deal runs $329 per month with $1,999 due at signing on the V8 Double Cab model.
For those who need the V8 CrewMax, its 36-month lease offer runs $379 per month with the same $1,999 due at signing.
With effective monthly costs of $385 and $435, respectively, these are good values that finally rival offers from Ford and GMC.
Cash rebate:
The 2018 Tundra's cash rebate remains at $3,000, and the 2019 Tundra gets its first-ever cash rebate worth up to $1,500.
Buyers cannot combine these rebates with the low APR offers below, nor or they available with the TRD Pro models.
Finance for free:
All 2018 Tundras, except the TRD Pro model, are available with 0 percent APR for up to 60 months or 0.9 percent for up to 72 months.
The 2019 Toyota Tundra gets its first APR deal this month as buyers can finance from 1.9 percent for up to 72 months. Like the 2018 Tundra, the TRD Pro trim is not eligible for this
Buyers who opt for one of these low APR deals cannot also get the cash rebate.
2019 Tundra is rolling in now:
The 2018 Tundra, which includes a new TRD Sport, is still available.
The 2019 Toyota Tundra is in showrooms now and has a few changes. The most significant update is the new SX Package, which adds exclusive wheels and tires, power front seats, fog lights, an illuminated-entry system, bucket front seats, and a rear bench. Toyota also nixed the Inferno exterior color and the standard moonroof on the 1794 and Platinum trims.
In terms of availability, TRD Pro versions are rare and see little dealer discounting. Crew Max models, however, are the best stocked and are easiest to find.
Toyota may release some Black Friday deals on select models. It's unlikely the Tundra would be included in this, but you may want to check back just to be safe.
Toyota's offers are regional and expire December 3, 2018. All deals mentioned here assume a Southern California location.
Lease from $329/month:
The 2018 Tundra's 36-month deal runs $329 per month with $1,999 due at signing on the V8 Double Cab model.
For those who need the V8 CrewMax, its 36-month lease offer runs $379 per month with the same $1,999 due at signing.
With effective monthly costs of $385 and $435, respectively, these are good values that finally rival offers from Ford and GMC.
Cash rebate:
The 2018 Tundra's cash rebate remains at $3,000, and the 2019 Tundra gets its first-ever cash rebate worth up to $1,500.
Buyers cannot combine these rebates with the low APR offers below, nor or they available with the TRD Pro models.
Finance for free:
All 2018 Tundras, except the TRD Pro model, are available with 0 percent APR for up to 60 months or 0.9 percent for up to 72 months.
The 2019 Toyota Tundra gets its first APR deal this month as buyers can finance from 1.9 percent for up to 72 months. Like the 2018 Tundra, the TRD Pro trim is not eligible for this
Buyers who opt for one of these low APR deals cannot also get the cash rebate.
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2019 Toyota Tundra Overview
Joel Patel, Automotive EditorWhat's New for 2019
Major news for the 2019 model year is the return of the TRD Pro trim. The trim, which disappeared for 2018, features new shocks, updated springs, and new wheels. Black exterior trim pieces are also standard for the new trim. All of these changes help the Tundra be a more capable off-roader.
Choosing Your Toyota Tundra
Toyota simplified the Tundra lineup after discontinuing the two-door Regular Cab body style last year, leaving only the Double Cab and CrewMax to choose from. The Double Cab has two full doors in the front and two three-quarter doors in the back. That configuration is available with a 6.5-foot standard bed or an 8.1-foot bed. The CrewMax body style can only be fitted with the 5.5-foot short bed.
While Toyota lists three possible engines for the Tundra, there are really only two options to choose from. The base motor is a 4.6-liter V8 that produces 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque. The next step up is a 5.7-liter V8 that generates 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. Both V8s are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and can send power down to the rear wheels or all four. Towing capacity for the Tundra ranges from 6,400 pounds to 10,200 pounds. When properly equipped, the Tundra can hold anywhere from 1,490 pounds to 1,730 pounds of cargo in its bed.
Fuel economy isn't one of the Tundra's strong suits, as the pickup is rated by the EPA to get up to 15 miles per gallon city, 19 mpg highway, and 16 combined with the 4.6-liter engine. The larger and more powerful 5.7-liter motor gets 13/18/15 mpg (city/highway/combined).
The Tundra is available in six trims:
SR
Available only in the Double Cab body style, pricing for the SR starts at $32,815 (all prices include the $1,395 destination fee). Standard exterior features for the pickup include LED daytime running lights, an easy lower and lift tailgate, front and rear mudguards, and 18-inch steel wheels. Standard interior features include air conditioning, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, an auxiliary port, a USB outlet, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, fabric upholstery, four-way adjustable front seats, a 4.2-inch TFT multi-information display, power windows, and two 12-volt power outlets. Last year, Toyota added its Safety Sense P suite of safety features as standard, which comes with forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams.
The only available package for the base SR trim is the SR Work Truck Package that brings white paint, vinyl seats, and vinyl floors and removes the wireless door lock feature. This package takes $275 off the cost of the truck.
SR5
The Tundra SR5 carries a starting price tag of $36,915, and it's also available with the CrewMax body style. Standard features over the base SR trim include halogen fog lights, chrome Tundra badges, a seven-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and a sliding horizontal rear window.
Available packages include the SR5 Upgrade Package that adds a larger fuel tank (for models with the 5.7-liter V8), front bucket seats, a power driver's seat with power lumbar support, a front center console, a floor-mounted urethane shift lever and knob, a tilt-and-telescopic urethane steering wheel, three front cup holders, and an anti-theft system. The Convenience Package brings 18-inch wheels, an Entune premium audio system with navigation, and all of the features from the SR5 Upgrade Package.
Limited
The Limited trim is the first in the Tundra lineup to come with the 5.7-liter V8 engine and four-wheel drive as standard and is available in both the Double Cab and CrewMax body styles. Prices start at $45,200 with the Double Cab and 6.5-foot bed.
Standard equipment over lower trims include LED headlights, a silver grille, a deck rail system, chrome heated exterior mirrors, a 38-gallon fuel tank, dual-zone automatic climate control, an Entune premium audio system, navigation, leather-trimmed seats, heated front bucket seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a power sliding rear window, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a HomeLink universal garage door opener, an integrated trailer brake controller, and 20-inch wheels.
CrewMax and Double Cab body styles have different available packages. Optional packages for the CrewMax body styles include a TRD Off-Road Package ($70, unique wheels, trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, badged floor mats and decals, an engine and tank skip plate, and front tow hooks), power tilt/slide moonroof ($850) or a power tilt/slide moonroof with options package ($960) that adds a moonroof, 18-inch wheels, Bilstein shock absorbers, skid plates, front tow hooks, and TRD off-road floor mats. The Limited Premium Package ($1,920), which is also available on Double Cab models, adds front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, power windows with front auto up/down functionality, an illuminated entry system, and an Entune premium JBL audio system. A pricier Limited Premium Package ($2,700) includes a moonroof to the aforementioned features, while an even pricier one ($2,770) includes the contents of the TRB Off-Road Package.
For Double Cab body styles, available packages include the TRD Off-Road Package ($70), the basic Limited Premium Package ($1,065), and an upgraded Limited Premium Package ($1,135) that includes the TRD Off-Road bundle.
Platinum
The Platinum trim is priced at $51,825 and is only available with the 5.7-liter engine, four-wheel drive, the 5.5-foot bed, and the CrewMax body style. A black grille, a color-keyed rear bumper, auto-dimming exterior mirrors with puddle lights, leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front bucket seats, a power vertical sliding rear window with defogger and privacy glass, and 20-inch wheels as standard over lower trims. The only option packages are the moonroof ($850), or an upgraded moonroof package ($1,195) that also includes running boards.
1794 Edition
Building off of the Platinum, the Tundra 1794 Edition brings unique touches and has a starting price of $51,825. Standard equipment includes a chrome grille with chrome endcaps and Chrome “1794 Edition” badges.
There are five available packages: the TRD Off-Road Package for no cost, and four that each start off by adding a power moonroof. The cheapest two cost $850, one with just the moonroof and the other with the moonroof and TRD Off-Road Package bundled. If you want 20-inch chrome-clad wheels with your moonroof, that costs $960. Finally, the $1,195 moonroof package includes running boards.
TRD Pro
Also only available with the CrewMax body, 5.5-foot bed, 5.7-liter motor, and 4WD, the returning TRD Pro trim costs $51,040 and comes with bespoke touches over lower trims. Standard features include black exterior trim, body-color heated exterior mirrors, a power moonroof, front tow hooks, a TRD front skid plate, TRD Pro front and rear Fox shocks, black TRD Pro leather-trimmed seats with red contrast stitching, TRD Pro floor mats, and a TRD shift knob. There are no available packages for the TRD Pro trim.
CarsDirect Tip
Unless you're looking for a heavy-duty work truck, the Limited trim is the best option in the 2019 Toyota Tundra lineup, as it comes with the 5.7-liter V8 as standard and a decent amount of features, too. The way Toyota names and offers optional packages is infuriating to comb through, but going with one of the Limited Premium Packages that has the TRD Pro Off-Road Package is a must for those that enjoy traveling on the occasional dirt path.
Our Take: 2019 Toyota Tundra
Willis Kuelthau, Automotive Editor
The 2019 Toyota Tundra feels just like old times, which is probably because it hasn’t seen a full redesign since 2007. It comes with typical Toyota robustness and welcome new safety technologies, but, for the most part, it still seems stuck in the past. The Tundra will have its fans, but modern rivals offer a more complete package.
Best Value
Toyota offers no fewer than six individual trim levels for the Tundra, but they get pricey in a hurry. Value seekers are best off in a Toyota SR5, which allows selection of the crew cab while getting the best bang for buck.
The base engine, a 4.6-liter V8, will be enough for many, but the upgraded 5.7-liter V8 offers a much better towing capacity. Toyota offers a host of packages, including everything from off-road upgrades to fancy rims, but none come cheap. Thankfully, the most important active safety tech (like lane departure alert, automatic high beams, pedestrian detection, steering assist, and adaptive cruise control) is standard.
- Model: 2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab with 6.5-foot Standard Bed
- Engine: 5.7-liter V8
- Output: 381 hp / 401 lb-ft
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: Four-wheel drive
- MPG: 13 City / 17 Hwy
- Options: None
- Base Price: $37,135 (including a $1,395 destination charge)
- Best Value Price:$37,135
Performance
Both engines provide sufficient power with an exciting soundtrack, and the larger V8 is capable of towing up to 10,200 pounds. The six-speed automatic transmission is predictable and easy to live with. The ride is surprisingly composed, especially on the highway. The tail jumps around without a load, but that tends to happen with most full-size pickups. The Tundra is a bit wide for smaller trails, but otherwise it’s a strong boulder-crawler, with the TRD Pro catering to dirt-bound enthusiasts.
But the powertrain has some major flaws. First is the four-wheel drive system, which isn’t suitable for pavement. In this age, almost all trucks have an option for full-time all-wheel drive. Even more archaic is the Tundra’s fuel efficiency, which ranges from dismal to appalling. The 4.6-liter engine manages just 16 miles per gallon combined, and the more common 5.7-liter is even worse. The Tundra’s girth makes it an unwieldy drive in parking lots and tight spaces.
Style
The Tundra follows the lead of the established pickups in the styling department, with an oversized grille and boxy proportions. It’s a pleasing look, although it’s marred by a fake air vent and non-functional hood scoops on some trims. Room inside is plentiful, especially with the crew cab, and the seats are supportive. Upper trims can be decked out in leather and wood, but they cost a pretty penny.
In any trim, the interior of the Tundra is a letdown. Cheap plastics cover too many surfaces, and the design and finish are uninspired. No Tundra is compatible with either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which is a glaring omission in 2018. Even the bed is old-fashioned: no easy-lift tailgates or nifty storage here, just a place to put cargo and a door to hold it there.
The Best and Worst Things
We hope active safety gear like the Tundra’s becomes standard on every pickup, but we also hope that no pickup has an interior like this again.
Right For? Wrong For?
The Tundra will work for Toyota devotees who like the power and value (and don’t mind the prodigious thirst). The Tundra will get the job done as a workhorse, and the spacious interior means that utility is still strong. The comfortable ride doesn’t hurt, either.
Buyers who prefer modernity should look elsewhere. Whether it’s in efficiency, technology, or trim, the Tundra lags the competition. Many full-size trucks offer practicality while maintaining respectable efficiency and a comfortable cabin, and the Tundra can’t keep up.
The Bottom Line
While we applaud Toyota for carrying over the technology from more mainstream offerings, we humbly submit that the 2019 Toyota Tundra is due for an upgrade. It still offers old-school truck virtues like power and a smooth ride, but it also comes with old-school drawbacks like abysmal fuel economy and an interior from 2009. Nowadays, we demand better.
