Brawny pickup a satisfying drive, but it still needs a lift
ROAD TEST: 2017 TOYOTA TUNDRA TRD PRO
Dear Mike Sweers, I know you’ve got a busy schedule as chief engineer for the Toyota Tundra, but I hope you find this letter constructive. I’m writing you because I’ve been thinking about buying a new Tundra. But, like a lot of truck buyers, I’m having a problem with the Tundra, so I thought I would explain. As you and I share the belief that there is no such thing as problems — only solutions — I figured you would appreciate some genuine insight from someone who likes your trucks, especially the 2017 TRD Pro I just spent a week with.
Firstly, why hasn’t the Tundra been updated since 2006? You do know that was 11 years ago, a time span in which other truck-makers have updated their trucks twice? Obviously, you’re aware Ford, General Motors, Ram and Nissan have all made huge improvements to their trucks in that time, making them lighter, quieter, more fuel efficient, more user friendly, and simply more usable in so many ways. But other than the styling refresh in 2014 and the just announced 2018 TRD Sport model that gets new safety equipment and some LED lighting, the Tundra is still the same old truck; it’s still riding on the same chassis, using the same sixspeed transmission and same old engines, neither of which are particularly efficient.
Don’t you care about fuel economy or the environment or the cost of ownership? Sorry if that sounds blunt, but the TRD Pro Tundra I just drove couldn’t register any better than 15L/100 kilometres on the highway, and in the city it consumed gas at 21 L/ 100 kilometres. That’s about 11 miles per gallon from your 5.7-L V8, or about the same as my 1971 Ford Camper Special. Good thing the Tundra had a 144-L tank, allowing travel of 700 km between fill ups. Do you know how much I hate pumping gas, especially in winter?
So why haven’t you addressed this with something other than variable valve timing? What about aerodynamics, direct and port injection or a turbo? Or a hybrid, or some kind of combination of the these? A diesel would be incredible. You know, Ford has a diesel coming in the F-150, and even a hybrid by 2020. I’m sure your Prius or Lexus colleagues would happily share parts and technology to make for a really cool powerhouse of a hybrid V8.
I will say, though, driving the Tundra TRD Pro is totally satisfying. The brakes are great, the decade- old hydraulic steering is nicely weighted and the 5.7-L V8 is as smooth as it ever was. The power is OK, not stellar; your 401 pound- feet of torque is now far less than the 470 in Ford’s V6 (albeit with a turbo, but also two fewer cylinders).
The cabin could be quieter, but it wasn’t terribly noisy, even with the louder TRD exhaust, just not as hushed as GM or Ford trucks. The ride is excellent, though. You did a great job making it not too stiff with the Bilstein shocks at all four corners and TRD coil- overs up front. I wish there were a full- time 4WD option, though.
My biggest problem isn’t so much with the drivetrain, which I could probably live with, it’s more to do with the truck’s architecture. There’s no bed lamps, no standard LED headlamps or taillamps (both of which are safer), no unique cargo stowing under the rear seat or in the box, not even enough nooks and cubbies up front to store all my stuff.
The heated seat controls in the TRD Pro couldn’t even be seen from the driver’s seat, and when activated, couldn’t be felt. The leather seats were a tad hard. The steering wheel is plastic — plastic, really? — and there’s no option for a heated steering wheel. Nor is there automatic climate control on a truck that costs $ 60,025 before fees. I might be better off with a similarly equipped SR5 at just over $ 50,000 and forgo the skid plates and unique suspension and beautiful “Cement” colour. And why not offer a 6.5- foot bed length with the CrewMax?
The blind- spot monitor was appreciated. Thank you. But why doesn’t the turn signal allow for three- flashes with a single tap? Oh, right, 2006 tech again. But why is the information in the tiny instrument cluster so limited, with hardly any options for vehicle settings? No instant fuel consumption reading ( other than a bar that’s hard to read), no digital display for speed, no way to tell how much pressure was in the tires or how much heat in the transmission. The thing that bugged me most, though, was the infotainment screen that wouldn’t adjust automatically to night and day with the headlamps on. Such a basic thing that could be fixed with a little more attention to this truck. The stereo could use some more punch, too.
I apologize if this sounds l i ke complaining, Mike. We’ve discussed before how much I like Toyota trucks, especially their reliability and resale value, which remain the best. I wanted to love the Tundra TRD Pro, and thought maybe it was going to be my next truck. But I’m not sure I can live with its shortcomings. It’s a strong and durable truck for sure, and it looks decent too, but it’s time it got your attention and ideas.
Sincerely, Derek.