Powerful Concept to Reach the Car Market? 2010 Toyota Tundra

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Summary

Production of the Tundra and the Toyota Sequoia SUV that shares its mechanical underpinnings has been consolidated from the Japanese company's assembly plants in Indiana and Texas to just the one in Texas. The 2010 Toyota Tundra will likely be in showrooms by fall of 2009. The 2010 Tundra's new engine will give a fresh source of power with improvements such as fuel economy.  For those looking for a truck for commercial purposes the new Tundra Work Truck Package is sure to please.  Prices for the 2010 Toyota Tundra have not been released but there should be modest increases over 2009 levels, which ranged from around $23,000-$43,000.

Full Preview 2010

The 2010 Toyota Tundra's biggest news is its new engine, a 4.6-liter V-8.  The Tundra's front end has been mildly reworked. It gets a new two-bar mesh-style black plastic grille and surround set over a revised front bumper. The rear of the truck sports new plastic taillight covers. The back lamps continue to use incandescent bulbs instead of LEDs.  Other than that it is very similar to previous models.  The Tundra got a total redesign for 2007 as the first import-brand pickup with the size, power, and body configurations to compete directly with the domestics.   The Tundra has always been more at home among the leisure class and hasn't had a deep commercial-buyer base.  To counter this Toyota will release a special Work Truck Package.

Tundra Work Truck Package

Aimed at commercial truck buyers, the Work Truck Package is strictly no-frills.  Tundra models equipped with the Work Truck Package are expected to carry a discount that will make them from $550 to $655 less than the Tundra's  suggested retail price, depending on the model. Vinyl and rubber are the materials of choice inside the truck. The rubber floor features a unique embossed pattern that plays off Toyota's truck division logo and off-road tire tread. The transmission hump running through the cabin floor is covered in a rubber sheet. Replacing cloth, the vinyl seats are surprisingly comfortable and have a durable feel. The ignition key ring and glove box lighting are deleted, along with map and door courtesy lamps. Also removed are cruise control and remote keyless entry as standard features, although separate Work Truck packages will be offered with these features.  The Tundra Work Truck Package will be available on two- and four-wheel-drive regular and Access Cab models, in standard and long-bed configurations with a choice of six-cylinder or eight-cylinder engines. The show truck has the 5.7-liter V-8 under its hood.

2010 Tundra Power

New for the 2010 Toyota Tundra is a 4.6-liter V-8 with some 300 horsepower. It replaces a 271-horsepower 4.7-liter V-8 and is likely to be more fuel-efficient. The 4.7 has 313 pounds-feet of torque and is rated to tow more than 10,000 pounds.  Toyota has backtracked on plans to offer Tundra with a diesel engine that would have kept it in step with diesel versions of its competitors such as the 2010 Ford F-150 and the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500. Toyota has also put plans on hold for a gas-electric hybrid Tundra.  The 2010 Toyota Tundra will also include the entry-level 4.0-liter V-6 and the 5.7-liter V-8.  Tundra engines have double overhead camshafts and variable valve timing. The V-6 links to a five-speed automatic transmission, the 5.7 V-8 to a six-speed automatic with a tow/haul mode.

Handling

The Tundra two-wheel-drive V-6 does fairly well in fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city/19 highway. The more popular V-8, however, are only average for fuel economy, Tundras with the 5.7 V-8 are rated at 14/18 with two-wheel drive, 13/17 with four-wheel drive. The new for 2010 4.6 V-8 planned will have an improved mileage compared to the outgoing 4.7. All engines use regular-octane gas.  V-8 engines include low-range gearing for off-roading, but do not compete with the competition, which offer more-versatile systems that can be left engaged on dry pavement.

Tundra's Cabin Features

The 2010 Toyota Tundra cabin will not have any new breakthrough features, just some minor adjustments. Distributed among Tundra's base, SR5, TRD, and Limited trim levels are such features as Bluetooth® cell phone compatibility, a navigation system with integrated wide-screen rear backup camera, and power operation for the standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel. All models come with an audio input jack, but USB iPod connectivity would be another nice addition for 2010. CrewMax models offer an optional rear seat DVD system with a nine-inch wide-screen LCD monitor. The rear backup camera automatically projects an image onto the navigation system's LCD screen when reverse gear is engaged. CrewMax models offer an optional power tilt/sliding power moonroof. Distinguishing Limited grade models are chrome, power-retractable, heated auto-dimming side-view mirrors; leather-trimmed, heated power-adjustable front bucket seats (10-way for driver, 4-way for passenger); and rear door privacy glass. Limited-trim Double Cab and Crew Max models also come with front and rear parking sonar.

Style and Design

The 2010 Toyota Tundra will have a very similar exterior design as the 2009 model.  Rather than focusing on a new look for its trucks, Toyota's focus has shifted to more fuel-efficient crossover SUVs, such as the Highlander and the new Venza.  Meanwhile, the intentionally tough-looking 2010 Toyota Tundra returns as a regular-cab and as the extended Double Cab both with long and short cargo beds, and as the crew cab short-bed CrewMax.

Conclusions

The 2010 Tundra's new engine will give a fresh source of power with improvements such as fuel economy.  For those looking for a truck for commercial purposes the new Tundra Work Truck Package is sure to please.  Prices for the 2010 Toyota Tundra have not been released but there should be modest increases over 2009 levels, which ranged from around $23,000-$43,000.  Production of the Tundra and the Toyota Sequoia SUV that shares its mechanical underpinnings has been consolidated from the Japanese company's assembly plants in Indiana and Texas to just the one in Texas. The 2010 Toyota Tundra will likely be in showrooms by fall of 2009.