The second-generation Toyota Tundra->ke485 was unveiled back in 2007, but the first major update has just been unveiled at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. You shouldn't expect any big changes though, because all the updates were limited just to the exterior and the interior. For the 2014 model year, Toyota->ke88 is also adding a new "1794 Edition" - a tribute to the ranch, founded in the year 1794, on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio.

The most obvious choices include the addition of a new, taller squared-off grille, a revised front bumper design, squarer fenders and wheel wells, and an all-new bed design. It gets new sheet metal on the sides, a revised tailgate and an integrated spoiler in the deck. On the interior, updates are limited to new seats and a new-look instrument panel.

Everything else remains pretty much unchanged, meaning customers will still have to choose between three different engines.

What we would have really like would have seen are some improvements in the towing department, but maybe it will work on that later on.

Update 8/9/2013: Toyota has announced the full pricing details of the 2014 Tundra and it starts at $25,920. Plus it revealed more details on the standard features and towing capacity.

Hit the jump to read more about the Toyota Tundra.

2014 Toyota Tundra

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Toyota Tundra
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 270
  • Torque: 278
  • Transmission: 5-Speed Auto
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

When it comes to appearance, Toyota Tundra was already one of our favorite pickups on the market and the new updates put it right back on the top.

Toyota installed a new hood and new chrome grille, and connected the upper intake to the lower bumper. In order to help its clients, Toyota decided to install front and rear lower bumpers in a three-piece design - makes it easier to replace. The 2014 Tundra also received a wider stance, thanks to the addition of new, squared-off fenders and wheel wells.

Our favorite exterior update the "all-new" bed design, featuring new sheet metal on the sides, a revised tailgate and an integrated spoiler in the deck that helps with fuel efficiency.

Overall length

228.7 (Std Bed)

Overall width

79.9

Overall height

76.2

Wheelbase

145.7 (Long Bed)

Bed length

78.7 (Std Bed)

Bed width (between wheel wells)

50.0

Bed width (wall-to-wall)

65.0

Bed depth

22.2


Interior

The interior of the 2014 Tundra has been designed in such a way that customers can easily distinguish it based on the trim level. The front and rear seats have been improved and the rear ones can be folded for additional cargo carrying capability.

Toyota also installed a new instrument panel with 3-D metallic rings and individual gauges grouped in a clear, easy-to-see design. There are multiple storage areas placed in the console, and, depending on the trim level, you can get metallic accents and bold contrasting fabric.

Interior Specifications

Cab Setup

Regular Cab

Double Cab

CrewMax

Seating Capacity

3

5 (6 W/ Bench)

5 (6 W/ Bench)

Headroom (Front/Rear)

39.7

39.7/38.7

39.7/38.9

Legroom (Front/Rear)

42.5

42.5/34.7

42.5/42.3

Shoulder Room (Front/Rear)

66.7

65.7/65.6

65.7/65.5

Hip Room (Front/Rear)

62.0

62.6/61.6

62.6/60.4


Standard Interior Features

Toyota Tundra SR

-Air conditioning

-Entune Audio Multimedia Bundle, w/ 6.1-inch touchscreen display; AM/FM CD Player with MP3/WMA playback capability; aux jack; USB 2.0 port with increased charging capability and iPod connectivity and control; hands-free phone capability; phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology; and advanced voice recognition

-Back-up camera

Toyota Tundra SR5

-All SR features, plus:

-Entune Audio Plus

-Entune Multimedia Bundle with Hi-Res 7.0-inch touch-screen display; HD Radio with iTunes tagging and HD Traffic and Weather (metro areas only); and SiriusXM satellite radio (90-day trial)

-Metallic accents

-Bold contrasting fabric

-Premium surface treatments

-Unique seat stitching

Toyota Tundra Limited

-All SR5 features, plus:

-Entune Premium Audio with navigation

-Entune App Suite w/ Bing, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, Open Table, Pandora, Yelp and Facebook Places; real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports, and stocks

-10-way power driver seats and four-way power passenger seat

-Leather seating surfaces

-Soft-touch stitched door and console surfaces

-Wood-style interior trims

-Black, Sand Beige and Graphite leather-trimmed interiors

-Auto HVAC controls

Toyota Tundra Platinum

-All Limited features, plus:

-Perforated black leather-trimmed seats

-Double-stitched diamond plate leather, door and instrument panel inserts

-Chrome seat

-Console accent badging

-Premium leather

-12-speaker JBL audio system with Entune

-Heated and ventilated front seats

-Navigation

-Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Toyota Tundra Edition 1794

-All Platinum features, plus:

-Exclusive premium saddle brown leather seating with embossed leather and ultra-suede accents

-Matching soft-touch materials for the shift console, the front and rear door trim, and the instrument panel

Drivetrain

For the 2014 model year, customer can still choose between three different engines: a V-6 and two V-8s. Base models will be offered with a 4.0-liter V-6 with an output of 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission with uphill/downhill shift logic. This combination nets the Tundra 16 mpg city, 20 mph highway and 17 mpg combined with two-wheel drive.

For the top versions, there is a choice of two V-8 engines: a 4.6-liter V-8 with an output of 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V-8 with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Both are paired with a standard with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

All three engines will be offered with an aluminum cylinder block and DOHC heads, plus Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) for improved fuel economy. The 4.6-liter is rated at 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined on two-wheel-drive models, and 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined when equipped on a four-wheel-drive system. The 5.7-liter engine drops to 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined with two wheel drive, and 13/17/15 mpg with four-wheel drive.

The Tundra has an optional Towing Package available that includes a one-piece towing receiver integrated into the frame, heavy-duty rear springs, engine and transmission oil coolers, a heavy-duty battery and alternator, and seven-and four-pin trailer wiring harnesses. On models with a six-speed transmission, the Towing Package also adds in a "TOW/HAUL" mode to modify shifting points and throttle response. With the To vwing Package installed, the Tundra maxes out at a 10,400-pound towing capacity on two-wheel-drive, regular-cab models.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine

4.0L V-6

4.6L V-8

5.7L V-8

Type, Materials

4.0-liter DOHC EFI V6, aluminum block with 24-valve aluminum alloy head with VVT-i

4.6-liter DOHC EFI V8, aluminum block with 32-valve aluminum alloy head with VVT-i

5.7-liter DOHC EFI V8, aluminum block with 32-valve aluminum alloy head with Dual VVT-i

Displacement

3,956 cc

4,608 cc

5,663 cc

Bore x Stroke

3.70 x 3.74 in.

3.70 x 3.30 in.

3.70 x 4.02 in.

Horsepower

270 @ 5,600 RPM

310 @ 5,600 RPM

381 @ 5,600 RPM

Torque

278 LB-FT @ 4,400 RPM

327 LB-FT @ 3,400 RPM

401 LB-FT @ 3,600 RPM

Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG)

4x2: 16/20/17

4x2: 15/19/16, 4x4: 14/18/16

4x2: 13/18/15, 4x4: 13/17/15


Suspension and Brakes

For the 2014 model year, Toyota installed re-tuned shock-absorber valving that helps improve the Tundra’s ride quality over harsh surfaces. The steering system also received some improvements that ensure improved straight-line stability and less driver fatigue.

Depending on the grade level, customers can choose between various wheels. The SR and SR5 grades will be offered with 18-inch styled steel wheels, while the Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition will ride on all-new 20-inch alloy wheels.

Prices

Surprisingly, Toyota has lowered prices across the board on all 2014 Tundras. The average price cut, relative to the 2013 model year, is 0.7 percent.

Trim Level

Cab

Engine

Drive

2014 MSRP

SR

Regular

4.0L V6

4x2

$25,920

SR

Regular

5.7L V8

4x2

$28,465

SR

Regular

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$31,515

SR

Regular

5.7L V8

4x4

$31,515

SR

Double

4.0L V6

4x2

$26,810

SR

Double

4.6L V8

4x2

$27,855

SR

Double

4.6L V8

4x4

$30,905

SR

Double

5.7L V8

4x2

$29,355

SR

Double

5.7L V8

4x2

$29,685

SR

Double

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$32,405

SR

Double

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$32,735

SR

Double

5.7L V8

4x4

$32,405

SR

Double

5.7L V8

4x4

$32,735

SR5

Double

4.6L V8

4x2

$29,465

SR5

Double

4.6L V8

4x4

$32,515

SR5

Double

5.7L V8

4x2

$30,965

SR5

Double

5.7L V8

4x2

$31,295

SR5

Double

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$34,015

SR5

Double

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$34,345

SR5

Double

5.7L V8

4x4

$34,015

SR5

Double

5.7L V8

4x4

$34,345

SR5

CrewMax

4.6L V8

4x2

$31,825

SR5

CrewMax

4.6L V8

4x4

$34,875

SR5

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x2

$33,325

SR5

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x4

$36,375

SR5

CrewMax

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$36,375

Limited

Double

5.7L V8

4x2

$36,940

Limited

Double

5.7L V8

4x4

$39,990

Limited

Double

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$39,990

Limited

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x2

$38,845

Limited

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x4

$41,895

Limited

CrewMax

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$41,895

Platinum

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x2

$44,270

Platinum

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x4

$47,320

Platinum

CrewMax

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$47,320

1794 Edition

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x2

$44,270

1794 Edition

CrewMax

5.7L V8

4x4

$47,320

1794 Edition

CrewMax

5.7L V8 FFV

4x4

$47,320


*Prices do not include delivery and dealer fees

Competition

Finding a competitor for the new Tundra is not very difficult, but it is slightly limited.

Ford F-150

When it comes to pickups, the Ford F-150 is definitely our favorite model. First, it offers a choice of four powerful engines, ranging from a standard 302-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 up to a very powerful a 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V-8. Second, there is the look that far more impressive than the Tundra.

But the most impressive thing is the F-150's towing capacity: up to 11,300 lbs. The Tundra you need to install the tow package to obtain a modest 10,400 pounds (4x2 Regular Cab).

Ram 1500

Another impressive pickup is the Ram 1500. It offers a choice of two engines: a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with 305 horsepower and a HEMI 5.7-liter V-8 with 395 horsepower.

When it comes to towing capacity, the Ram is not as impressive as the F-150, but it still can deliver a max towing of 10,450 lbs.

Conclusion

The 2014 Toyota Tundra received some pretty nice exterior and interior updates, but we would have liked to see an improvement in towing capacity – sorry to beat a dead horse. We wonder if those exterior and interior upgrades will help improve its sales.