Test Review

Bloodied but Unbowed

Whatever the stats, Toyota seems to be taking them in stride, having utilized a conservative approach with the Tundra’s mild makeover for 2014. The exterior received a larger grille, reworked lighting, and bolder bodywork. There’s also now a prominent “TUNDRA” wordmark embossed into the tailgate. The powertrains, however, remain basically unchanged, with none of the engines yet offering direct injection. Buyers can select from three carry-over engines: the base 270-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 (available only on 2WD regular and Double Cab models); the 310-hp, 4.6-liter V-8; and the 381-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 found under the hood of our Tundra Limited CrewMax 4x4.

Both of the V-8s still pair with a six-speed automatic, while the V-6 continues to make do with five-speed auto. Unlike the smorgasbord of options available in the domestic trucks, the Tundra’s order sheet keeps the list of available engine and axle-ratio combinations short: The V-6 and the 4.6-liter V-8 get a 3.91 axle, and the 5.7-liter V-8 receives a 4.10 (or a 4.30 when equipped with the tow package, as was our truck).

CrewMax is Toyota’s tag for its true four-door pickup, and our 2014 Tundra’s doors swung wide for easy ingress for passengers and any attendant paraphernalia. Front or back, we found it easy for a family of four to get comfortable, even with laundry, computer bags, or groceries at passengers’ feet. The gauge cluster has been reworked into a slightly more traditional arrangement that features a large speedo and tach, with a 3.5-inch color information display placed between them. A quartet of slightly smaller analog gauges provide for fuel, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and volt information.