About this Vehicle
Trim: 2011 Toyota Tundra Grade
| MSRP: $23,935 Engine: 4L V6, 4.6L V8, 5.7L V8 Transmission: Automatic | Drivetrain: 4X2, 4X4 Fuel Type: Gas, Flex Fuel Curb Weight: 4,580 lbs. |
Review
The full-size Toyota Tundra pickup truck roared onto the automotive scene for the 2000 model year, and immediately carved out a niche in a segment perennially dominated by American automakers. The launch earned them a nomination for Motor Trend magazine’s Truck of the Year, a distinction they would earn again for the 2008 edition, a year after Toyota introduced the Tundra’s second generation.Specs
When most people think of pickup trucks, Toyota doesn’t generally spring to mind. However, the automaker has been producing the Tundra for a full decade now and it’s safe to say that the 2011 Toyota Tundra can more than hold its own with other cars in its class. With a starting MSRP of around $24,000, this light-duty pickup truck is relatively affordable. Powerful engines, including one V6 and two exceptionally impressive V8’s, give this truck pep and allow it to achieve remarkable towing capacities. While two-wheel drive comes standard, four-wheel drive is available on the bigger engines. All told, drivers get a lot of oomph without spending exorbitant sums of cash.For the 2011 Toyota Tundra, MSRP for the stripped-down work truck is approximately $22,500, and it ranges as high as $42,500 for a deluxe 4-door model, but you might pay as much as much as 50 grand for a fully tricked-out CrewMax. The averaged paid numbers for last year’s model are 1-2K below those marks, so there’s certainly some room to haggle. The Tundra again comes in a choice of three engines, 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive, 5-speed or 6-speed automatic transmission, and it comes in regular cab, Double Cab (5.5 ft bed), or CrewMax (6.5 or 8 ft bed). Toyota does not sell manual transmissions on the Tundra, so it is not even available as an option.
On the Road
Even when equipped with the standard 18-inch wheels, the 2011 Toyota Tundra offers up a surprisingly smooth ride; the available 20-inch wheels create an even more graceful experience. The latest incarnation of the Tundra boasts standard trailer-sway control programming that automatically detects unintentional side-to-side motion, creating a safer ride. When equipped with the most powerful engine - the 5.7-liter V8 - the Tundra has a towing capacity of 10,800 pounds. For the vast majority of drivers, the 2011 Tundra brings a more than enjoyable driving experience to the table.Since the 2007 model, the Tundra has had a reputation for being one of the quickest full-size pickups on the market. The 2011 model is back with the 5.7-liter V8 and the 6-speed transmission. If a full-size performance pickup is what you seek, you’ll find it here. Automotive reviewers are also giving it high marks for prompt, smooth gear shifting, impressive on-road and off-road rides, and properly equipped Tundra’s perform exceptionally well in towing scenarios.
Under the Hood
Power is where the 2011 Toyota Tundra truly shines. The base V6 engine gets 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. However, upgrading to one of the two available V8 engines is more than worth it. The 4.6-liter V8 produces 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque; the 5.7-liter V8 gets 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. Two-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic are the only available configurations for the V6 engine, while a six-speed automatic transmission is paired with the two V8’s. Four-wheel drive is also available for the larger engines.The standard Tundra engine for 2011 is a 4.0-liter V6 that delivers 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel performance estimates are 15/19/16 city/highway/combined. The mid-tier engine option is the new-for-2010 4.6-liter V8, which delivers 310 hp and 327 lb-ft. The top option is the wildly popular 5.7-liter V8 paired to the 6-speed, which hammers out 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. On a properly equipped Tundra, the 5.7 can tow up to 10,800 pounds.
Interior Features
The 2011 Toyota Tundra manages to offer exceptional power and rugged capabilities with a surprisingly refined cabin. Sumptuous available upgrades include leather upholstery, a backup camera and a navigation system up the ante in this class. As with previous models, cubbies and pockets abound in the 2011 Tundra. There are several notable changes, too; Toyota has done away with the ashtray that always came standard on this model and it’s replaced the cigarette lighter with a 12-volt outlet. The headrests have also been redesigned, offering a more aesthetically pleasing look to the interior of this vehicle.The 2011 Tundra comes to us with an interior that is essentially unchanged from the one designed for the 2007 second-gen launch. It is highly functional and moderately attractive, but four years later, it’s beginning to lose its appeal. The interior is the aspect where the Tundra has always lagged behind its North American competitors, and with the 2011, that gap appears as if it will widen further.
Safety Features
Standard safety features on the 2011 Toyota Tundra are front-seat side and knee airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, and traction control. Crash testing of the new Tundra had not taken place at the time of this writing, but historically, the second-generation Tundra has performed exceptionally well in government safety testing.Exterior
The big changes for 2011 are a revamped grille and taillights. Outside of some minor visual cue changes, everything else is the same. However, the change to the grille and taillights is enough to give the Tundra a new, fresh look while staying true to the overall Tundra look that has become so popular.Perhaps one of the Tundra’s greatest features is its reliability. The Tundra includes a basic 36-month/36,000-mile warranty and a 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, but owners aren’t likely to have to make much use of it. The 2010 Tundra earned a 10/10 score in J.D. Power and Associates Predicted Reliability study.
Pros
Without question, the exceptional power that the 2011 Toyota Tundra brings to the table - especially with its two first-rate V8 engines - is one of its biggest perks. Exceptional safety features and an affordable starting price tag are also sure to reel in plenty of drivers. In terms of riding comfort and convenience, the Tundra also shines; the abundance of pockets, cubbies and other storage spaces makes it a snap to stay organized when driving around in this truck. The center console is also wonderfully roomy, allowing drivers to keep plenty of essential items safely - and discreetly - tucked away.Cons
While the base models of the 2011 Toyota Tundra have remarkably low starting MSRPs, those who’d like to take advantage of the many available upgrades - most notably, the navigation system and leather upholstery - are going to have to pay for it. Pricing escalates quickly for the Tundra; the topnotch Platinum package, which includes all of the bells and whistles, is priced right around $47K. Mediocre fuel economy is sure to be considered another drawback for many drivers, and the Tundra’s steering capabilities leaves something to be desired. All told, however, this truck is sure to give similar vehicles in its class a run for their money.Comparables
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: This is the class of the segment along with the F-150. Similar performance, better pricing, and its interior make it great competition for the Tundra.
- Ford F-150: If the Silverado 1500 is 1A, then the F-150 is 1B, or it’s vice versa. Tundra is making great strides, but the American automakers still dominate the full-size truck segment.
- Dodge Ram 1500: The Ram 1500 has lagged behind Chevrolet and Ford’s offerings of late. The new-for-2009 1500 was supposed to fix that. It came close, and the added refinement of 2011 makes it worth a look.