Toyota Tundra 2024 review: Preview test 

Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?

An arbitrary pricing score here, I'm afraid. Toyota is yet to reveal the pricing for its Tundra, but you can bet it won't be cheap. I suspect we're talking six-figures and up.

The full spec list (or what we know so far, at least) for the single trim Tundra Limited is a 3.4-litre turbocharged V6 engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, a dual-range 4WD system with limited-slip differential, front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension as well as ventilated (354mm) front and (335mm) rear disc brakes, plus a 122-litre fuel tank.

There's also electric power steering, auto LED lights (including daytime running lights), 20-inch sports alloy wheels (with 265/60R20 tyres), heated, power folding exterior mirrors (with reverse tilt-down), an active front spoiler, a tub management system with side and back rails and moveable tie-down points, a towbar, towball and tongue, as well as a 12-pin trailer wiring harness, a trailer brake controller and trailer reversing guide.

There are nine colour options with solid, crystal pearl, and metallic paint finishes, black synthetic leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats with eight-way power adjustment, a leather-accented steering wheel with controls for multimedia and driver assist systems, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 60/40-split rear seat back, front and rear carpet floor mats, two rear ISOFIX points and dual-zone climate control (with rear vents).

Then there's keyless entry and start, a 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 12-speaker JBL audio system.

Design – Is there anything interesting about its design?

It looks like a big, American truck, doesn’t it? With a huge bed, powerful front end and big 20-inch alloys.

The electric rear windscreen is a cool touch, and I love the big bold nose and the 'i-Force' badging, referencing a very cool engine. But more on that shortly.

The big changes are inside, of course, which begins with the driver sitting on the right-hand side of the Tundra. Which is not an easy task.

The entire dash, save the switch gear is all new, but the materials were sourced from Toyota’s suppliers before being moulded and fitted by Walkinshaw.

The accelerator is from the Tundra, but the brake pedal, and the pedal box positioning is from the 300 Series. The steering rack is from the LX, and there’s plenty more of that Frankenstein stuff going on.

But critically, it doesn’t feel like it has been converted. Everything feels natural, normal and unsurprising, from the position of the pedals to the steering feel when you're on the road.

Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside?

It doesn't get much better than this in Toyota's towing world. In fact, scratch that. It doesn't get better, period.

Toyota has taken to referring to the Tundra as its ultimate towing vehicle, and it's hard to argue, what with the big truck's massive 4.5-tonne braked towing capacity (less than it gets in the USA, but able to be driven in Australia without the need for a special licence), complete with a trailer brake controller next to the steering wheel, and a reversing guide.

Elsewhere, the Tundra measures a sizeable 5955mm in length, 1985mm in height and 2040mm in width, and rides on a 3700mm wheelbase, making it very much a full-size truck, and one that dwarfs even the biggest examples of the HiLux.

And that means space, and lots of it, in the back seat. Honestly, we had three less-than-small motoring journalists riding in the back, and we agreed a long-distance road trip would be a breeze.

For connectivity and power there are five USB ports, a single 12V accessory socket and a wireless phone charger. Not to mention wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.

Add to that ample storage, including door pockets with bottle holders), a huge bed with adjustable tie-down points and practicality is one box the Tundra definitely ticks.

Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission?

The Tundra marks the Aussie debut of Toyota’s i-Force Max engine, which pairs a 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 with an electric motor and a 6.5Ah nickel metal hydride battery to produce a total of 326kW and 790Nm.

That power is fed through a 10-speed automatic transmission (with 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' modes) and sent to the rear or all four tyres thanks to the Tundra’s part-time 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case and automatic limited slip differential.

Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range?

Toyota is yet to confirm fuel use for Australia, but the same powertrain in the USA claims around 11.8L/100km on the combined cycle.

But, and this is a big but, tow heavy loads or get too adventurous with the accelerator and the number will be much higher than that.

We saw, wait for it, 25L/100km, pop up on our admittedly fairly vigorous test.

Using the official fuel efficiency number, a 122-litre tank translates to a theoretical range of more than 1000km.

Driving – What's it like to drive?

There's no denying the Tundra is a big beast, but it doesn't feel unmanageable. I don't want to say it shrinks around you, because it doesn't, but it doesn't feel intimidating when you first climb in. It all becomes natural, pretty quickly.

There is plenty of weight on board, and it does make itself known on tighter corners, especially going downhill, where you can feel the vehicle start to run to the side a little bit.

It still feels manageable, though, and you find yourself naturally washing off speed as you approach that kind of corner.

The other big-ticket item is towing. It's a big number, and it's not just an on-paper spec. We towed 4.5 tonnes (a new PB for me), and the Tundra did it without breaking any kind of sweat.

And that, I think, is the magic of the Tundra formula. Toyota doesn't want it to go after the LandCruiser's off-road title. Instead, it wants it to be an easy, breezy towing vehicle. And I'm no master-tower, but I found the process natural-feeling and easy.

The other really cool thing on offer here is the i-Force Max engine, which does sound a little bit like a gang of crime-fighting superheroes. But it also delivers a huge amount of power, and delivers it such a way that there are no torque holes to fill.

It's just smooth, linear acceleration from the moment you plant your foot. It will also accelerate to around 30km/h on electric power alone.

Downsides? It's big and heavy, and so, unsurprisingly, thirsty.

I know we've just covered fuel use above, but some of the numbers we saw flash up on the screen would strike fear into even the fattest of wallets.

Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating?

There's a comprehensive safety package here, which starts with 'Toyota Safety Sense', an active-safety offering that includes AEB with day and night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, active cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane trace assist, automatic high beams, a blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and a panoramic view monitor.

There are also four front and four rear parking sensors, a trailer brake controller, trailer reversing guides, and eight airbags.

Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs?

For now, the only way you can get behind the wheel of a Tundra is to win Toyota's lottery, with 280 customers joining the Tundra Insider Program, who essentially get the vehicle for 12 months, and are asked to report back regularly on how their truck is performing.

It's the final approval stage for the Tundra, with that feedback then rolled into the final offering when the truck goes on sale next year.

At a glance, it seems a solid deal for those customers, all of whom will sign a “subsidised lease” (in that Toyota shares the costs), and will then likely be given the option to purchase the vehicle at the end of the term.

The Tundra is being offered in a single Limited trim, and customers are charged $2500 per month, covering all scheduled servicing and maintenance, mechanical repairs, replacement tyres, roadside assist and comprehensive insurance.

Verdict