Toyota Australia prices Tundra full size pick-up

TOYOTA has pitched its new Tundra Limited “full size” pick-up at $155,990 excluding on-road costs making the Big T’s big truck the priciest in its segment.

Though notionally outgunned by a couple of V8 competitors, the petrol/electric V6 hybrid Tundra’s combined parallel hybrid powertrain churns out a segment leading 326kW/790Nm, a high benchmark indeed, going some way towards assuaging the premium price tag.

GM’s Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 6.2-litre V8 is from $130,500 +ORC, Ram’s 1500 Big Horn 5.7-litre V8 is from $119,950 +ORC (while stocks last), and Ford’s F150 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 XLT short wheelbase entry model is from $106,950 +ORC with the LWB option adding $1000.

The imposing Tundra arrives in dealerships now after a comprehensive evaluation program involving a large group of Tundra “babysitters” who worked, played and lived with the vehicle providing feedback a year out from it becoming available in ‘Aussiefied’ form.

Converting the vehicle from left-hand drive to right-hand drive is a first for Toyota Australia which partnered with the Melbourne-based Walkinshaw Automotive Group for local re-engineering and development of the US-sourced vehicle across a six-year program.

Toyota says the new Tundra offers “outstanding performance, comfort and a big, bold on-road presence, all built to Toyota’s quality, durability and reliability standards”.

Toyota Australia’s vice president sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said the extensive development work, plus the ongoing 12-month Tundra Insider customer evaluation program, ensured the Tundra more than met the demands of Australian customers and our unique conditions.

“Toyota has never before worked with a third party to re-engineer a vehicle for right-hand drive so we needed to ensure that it met our high-quality standards, and the result is something that all parties can be proud of,” he said.

“Its bold stylish design, the high level of performance from its twin-turbo V6 i-Force Max powertrain, and spacious comfortable interior will appeal to a variety of customers, whether as a work vehicle for carrying tools and workers around town, or getting out onto the open road and touring the country with a caravan or boat in tow.”

Dimensionally, the new Tundra measures 5955mm long, 2040mm wide and 1985mm tall sitting on a 3700mm wheelbase, bestowing it with an imposing presence on the road heightened by its truck-like front and blocky profile which was crafted at Toyota North America’s Calty Design Research studios in California and Michigan.

The attention-grabbing front is dominated by an expansive grille framed of course by a chrome octagonal bezel, and flanked by bold T-shaped LED headlight clusters featuring automatic high beam technology.

There’s even an active front spoiler below the grille that automatically deploys and retracts for ground clearance and aerodynamic gains based on driving conditions.

The obligatory flared wheel arches house suitable black and chrome 20-inch alloy wheels while the standard crushed tube side steps help enable easy access to the wide opening front and rear doors.

A look at the back reveals a continuation of the chunky, purposeful style exhibited on the rest of the Tundra’s exterior highlighted by a broad tailgate and big vertical rear LED light clusters and a rear bumper with an integrated step providing easy access to the large rear cargo tub that offers a maximum payload of 758kg.

The Tundra is available in nine exterior colours consisting of Glacier White, Frosted White, Graphite, Silver Storm, Eclipse Black, Feverish Red, Vintage Brown Pearl, Jungle Khaki and Saturn Blue.

Power comes from 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 i-Force Max powertrain that delivers the most power and torque ever offered by a Toyota vehicle in its Australian line-up, providing a high level of performance and “abundant pulling power”.

Collectively, the parallel hybrid powertrain generates 326kW and 790Nm emanating from the 290kW/649Nm twin-turbo petrol V6 and a 36kW/250Nm motor generator.

Drive is sent to the wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with power apportioned via a part-time selectable four-wheel drive system (2WD and 4WD) with a dual-range transfer case.

If 2WD is selected, (2H), drive torque is delivered to the rear wheels, with high range 4WD (4H) available via a sliding switch on the centre console, that engages the front wheels by locking the automatic disconnecting differential to provide extra traction in slippery conditions.

For more challenging conditions the Tundra’s low-range 4WD (4L), provides maximum torque and improved traction.

The big ute sits on Toyota’s ubiquitous TNGA-F ladder-frame platform that also underpins LandCruiser 300 Series and new generation LandCruiser Prado.

Comparatively speaking, the Tundra’s wheelbase has been lengthened by 850mm compared to the LandCruiser 300 Series while the front and rear track of 1737mm is up to 70mm wider each designed to provide a strong stable platform that helps contribute to the Tundra’s maximum braked towing capacity of 4500kg.

The Tundra suspension is designed and tuned to provide a balance between ride comfort and dynamic handling – on- and off road.

The front features a double wishbone system with the rear suspension comprising a four-link rigid axle configuration with dual-rate coil springs.

In Tundra’s Aussie re-engineering program, Toyota was able to use many original components from the LandCruiser 300 Series including the electric power steering system.

Stopping is by 354mm ventilated discs with four-piston callipers up front 335mm ventilated discs with single-piston callipers at the rear.

The model is equipped with a full complement of safety technologies including ABS, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist and trailer sway control.

Three drive modes are available – Eco, Normal and Sport that alter settings for the transmission, throttle, steering and air conditioning parameters to suit the selected mode.

Tundra has an integrated tow hitch, wiring harness, 3500kg rated tow ball and tongue as standard but also incorporates several features to enable customers to make the most of its 4500kg braked towing capacity via an optional 4500kg towing kit.

The kit includes a trailer brake controller, two tow modes for varying loads and a trailer reversing guide that can autonomously control steering to assist when reversing.

A comprehensive suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety features ensures maximum possible safety for occupants, along with eight SRS airbags.

These include an autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety system that can detect pedestrians and oncoming vehicles day and night and cyclists during the day, emergency steering assist, active cruise control, lane trace assist and lane departure alert, and automatic high beam.

Other ADAS features in Tundra include blind-spot monitor with cross traffic alert, parking support brake and front and rear parking sensors.

A panoramic view monitor and rear-view camera with guidelines that are displayed on the 14.0-inch touch screen, and a digital rear view mirror provide a comprehensive view of the vehicle surroundings.

Inside the spacious Tundra are seats for five with “the right-hand-drive conversion process providing seamless fit and finish, along with high levels of technology and comfort features,” says Toyota.

The driver looks at a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that provides a broad range of customisable layouts that can include vehicle, audio, navigation and phone information, surrounding a central analogue-style tachometer and digital speedometer.

Other ergonomic features include a rake and reach multi-function steering wheel to easily access a range of controls.

Tundra’s 14.0-inch touchscreen is the largest on any Toyota vehicle and provides access to the latest generation multimedia system with Bluetooth compatibility, AM/FM radio, voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto functionality.

Audio is by a 12-speaker JBL premium system while a wireless smartphone charger is added for convenience inside what Toyota describes as a “tech-rich cabin” with multiple charging ports using USB-C outlets.

Cooling the capacious interior is a dual-zone climate control system with rear vents, the big ute also featuring a sliding rear glass panel.

Upholstery is a synthetic leather with a geometric perforation pattern the front occupants able to enjoy eight-way electric adjustment with three-stage heating and ventilation, and power lumbar support.

Rear passengers don’t miss out with generous leg and headroom with convenience enhanced by a split 60:40 forward fold rear seat function that also allows the based to be flipped for a flexible internal cargo area.

Storage options comprise a large glove box, centre console storage trays, big front and rear door bins with bottle holders and two front and two rear cup holders in the centre console.

Aussie spec’ Tundra was validated under Toyota’s strict quality standards, commensurate with the model being fully covered by the Toyota Warranty Advantage, a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, and five years of capped price servicing at $450 per service over intervals of six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

2024 Toyota Tundra pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.