2021 Toyota Tundra *1794 Edition* (COMFORT KING) – Visual Review + POV Test Drive

Описание: Overview for 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Toyota Tundra is the oldest truck in its class, but it's still a dutiful hauler and plenty capable when taken off the beaten path. Every model is powered by a 381-hp V-8 that can tow up to 10,200 pounds. However, its powertrain suffers from a lazy transmission and poor fuel-economy ratings. The Toyota pickup feels clumsy at highway speeds and its ride quality is choppy, but its off-road-ready options—including the lifted TRD Pro model—are bright spots that fulfill their mission. Inside, the Tundra suffers from outdated styling and mediocre materials, but the crew cab offers apartment-like room. Although the 2021 Tundra looks and feels obsolete, it does come standard with a suite of driver assists that help offset its aging design.

Chapters:
00:00 Exterior
02:32 Interior (Rear)
03:28 Interior (Front)
04:21 Interior Features (Front)
08:31 POV Test Drive (Car Sound)

What's New for 2021?
For 2021, Toyota supplies the Tundra lineup with a new appearance package called Nightshade. It's only available on the Limited, and it includes black 20-inch rims, black exterior accents, and black leather upholstery. The new Trail Special Edition, of which only 5000 will be made, is based on the SR5 crew cab (called CrewMax) and comes with all-weather floor mats, black exterior badging, and black upholstery with tan contrast stitching. The Trail Special Edition also features the same body-color grille as the top-tier Tundra 1794 Edition, a lockable storage unit in the cargo bed, and unique 18-inch wheels fitted with all-terrain tires.

Even the fanciest Tundra can't match the luxury of mid-level Ram 1500 models. However, the Toyota's greatest virtue is its off-roading abilities, which are fully realized on the TRD Pro variant. While that model has the most capable suspension and a more distinct appearance, those aren't quite enough to warrant an investment over a Ford F-150 Raptor. Instead, we'd choose the Tundra SR5 with the optional four-wheel-drive system. Since the crew-cab body style only pairs with the shortest 5.5-foot cargo bed, we'd stick with the extended cab and the standard 6.1-foot box. Our example would also be equipped with the base TRD Off-Road package to improve the truck's ability to play in the dirt, mud, or sand. The improved off-road chops come courtesy of trail-tuned dampers, increased underbody protection, front tow hooks, and 18-inch wheels. In addition to those mechanical enhancements, the kit adds a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen. It also brings a larger fuel tank for a longer driving range and replaces the standard front bench seat with a pair of buckets and a center console.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Compared with newer and more advanced powertrains, the Tundra's engine and transmission are prehistoric. The standard 5.7-liter V-8 is good for 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is optional for both setups, but not for all cab-and-bed configurations. The Tundra's engine is reasonably peppy but emits an unsatisfyingly weak exhaust note, and its six-speed automatic shifts rather slowly. While it isn't terrible to drive, the last Tundra we tested felt archaic and a bit off the pace compared with lighter and more powerful competitors. Due to the Tundra's firm suspension, every bump is transmitted into the cabin, which makes for a lumpy ride when driving over rough surfaces. The upgraded shocks on the TRD Pro and models with the TRD Off-Road package marginally improve the ride quality, as well as help to better manage body motions in corners. The Tundra's light, numb steering isolates the driver from the road and requires constant corrections at highway speeds.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The Tundra's maximum tow rating of 10,200 pounds will be more than most people need, and even its least capable configuration can tug at least 8800 pounds.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Tundra's interior is spacious and dotted with oversized features, but it's an outdated presentation and the materials in most models feel cheap and rubbery. Although its rear-seat legroom is among the best for crew cabs, the quality and layout of the Tundra's cabin are unimpressive, as well as short on amenities found in the fresher competition. The only salvation is the 1794 Edition, which has luscious saddle-brown leather-trimmed seating and ultrasuede accents.

Infotainment and Connectivity
The Tundra's infotainment system is tolerable, functioning adequately and responsively but never intuitively. Fancier trim levels have an advanced package that adds more speakers for the audio system as well as integrated navigation. The Entune system will not delight users with its tiny onscreen buttons, but our testing showed that its response time is faster than popular smartphones. Thankfully, the newly available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make the system more intuitive and modern.

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