2012 Toyota TundraIt's been almost 20 years since Toyota entered the full-size truck market with the introduction of the Toyota T100 pickup truck. Unlike the overall car and other light-duty automotive market, true success in numbers was not realized until the 2008 unleash of the second-generation Toyota Tundra.
While it is nowhere near the success of the full-size domestic pickups from Ford (F-150 & F-250) and GM (Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra), however with North American sales hovering around 100,000 per year, the Tundra is currently a solid selection for buyers looking for the right mixture of Toyota reliability and full-size truck versatility.
Customers have their selection between 2 V-8 engines that offer 310 and 381 hp yet united V-6 engine rated at 270 hp. A five-speed automatic transmission is employed for the V-6, whereas all V-8 engines are mated to a six-speed; rear-wheel or four-wheel drive is accessible. The Tundra is accessible in Double Cab or CrewMax configurations and a long-bed is optional on the Double Cab model powered by the five.7-liter V-8 engine.
Models Offered
Body style: Pickup Truck
Engines: 4.0L V-6, 4.6L V-8, 5.7L V-8
Transmissions: 5-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic
Models: Double Cab, CrewMax
Trim Levels: All trim levels come with a chrome bumper, dual-zone climate management and cruise control management. The range-topping restricted model adds exclusive 18-inch wheels, a silver billet-style front grille, leather seats, a rear back-up camera and parking sensors.
2012 Tundra Ride and Drive
Standard equipment is a 4.0-liter 270-hp V-6-engine, but if that isn't enough, Toyota offers two powerful V-8 engines as an option. First up is the 4.6-liter V-8 that is rated 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque. The second option is a 5.7-liter V-8, which is rated at 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. The V-6 is mated to a five-speed auto, while both V-8s get a six-speed gearbox. Rear and four-wheel drive configurations are available, though the V-6 engine can only be had in the two-wheel-drive Double Cab trim. The front independent and rear-live axle suspension setup could provide a choppy ride at times, but it should perform well while hauling or towing heavy loads.
What's New for 2012?
The Toyota Tundra received minor changes for the 2012 model year including changes to options packages and small design updates and enhancements. The upper part of the instrument panel and all carpeting is now black, regardless of the trim level of the color of the interior. The Towing package no longer is part of any other package and actually must be ordered separately. The manual airbag on/off switch has been eliminated on certain models, while the back-up camera has now been included in the Rock Warrior package. A new Chrome Package is available and includes chrome exhaust and door handles. Other packages get minor tweaks: Cold Area Package is now standard on all models, the SR5 package is now called the Power Upgrade package, Limited models now get a standard back-up camera, and the TRD Off-Road package is now a standalone option.
2012 Tundra Exterior
The Tundra is the largest truck Toyota has ever offered. Its maximum length spans 246.7 inches in Double Cab Long Bed form, with an overall width of 79.9 inches for all trim models. Its size is emphasized by large Toyota and Tundra badges. The front fascia features and oversized, color-matched grille (chrome for Limited models), while the back features a standard tailgate and chrome bumpers. The Tundra is fitted with 18-inch wheels, while models equipped with the 5.7-liter V-8-engine are available with a larger 20-inch set.
2012 Tundra Interior
The Tundra can seat as many as six passengers, though the CrewMax - which has full-sized rear doors - will give rear passengers easier access to the back. The Crew Max also provides more rear leg room with 44.5 inches compared to 34.7 inches in the smaller Double Cab. Front leg room is the same for both models at 42.5 inches. The Tundra's dashboard features a two-tone theme, with a metallic-like trim on the driver's side and black finish for the passenger side. Fabric seats are standard as is dual-climate control. The top-of-the-line Limited model features leather seats with a long list of optional items including navigation and wood-like trim.
2012 Tundra Safety
The Tundra features a trailer-sway control system, tire-pressure monitoring system, and eight standard airbags, which include knee protection for both front passengers. Also standard is the Toyota Star Safe System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and Smart Stop Technology, which cuts off engine power if both the gas and brake pedal are pushed simultaneously.
EPA Fuel Economy
Tundra 4.0L V-6 (RWD) 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway
Tundra 4.6L V-8 (RWD) 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway
Tundra 5.7L V-8 (RWD) 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway
Tundra 4.6L V-8 (4WD) 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway
Tundra 5.7L V-8 (4WD) 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway