2018 Toyota Tundra Expert Review
Reviewed by Stefan Ogbac
The refreshed 2018 Toyota Tundra receives a slightly revised front fascia with a new grille and a new TRD Sport trim that comes with a hood scoop, 20-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, a TRD shift knob, TRD Sport floor mats, Bilstein shocks, and TRD front and rear anti-roll bars. Toyota's Safety Sense-P suite of active safety features now comes standard on all 2018 Tundra models.
Vehicle Summary
The 2018 Toyota Tundra is a full-size truck that slots above the midsize Tacoma and is available in three cab styles, two bed lengths, and in either rear- or four-wheel-drive configurations.
Overview
Two engines are available in the 2018 Tundra including a 4.6-liter V-8 rated at 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.7-liter V-8 with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission is the only gearbox available. The EPA hasn't released fuel economy ratings for the 2018 Tundra, but the 2017 model was rated at 15/19 mpg city/highway for rear-drive trucks with the base 4.6-liter V-8 or 14/18 mpg with four-wheel drive. The more powerful 5.7-liter unit was rated at 13/18 mpg for rear-drive models and 13/17 mpg with four-wheel drive equipped.
Depending on the cab style, bed length, engine and drivetrain, the 2018 Tundra can haul between 1,440 to 2,080 pounds of payload. When properly equipped, the truck has a towing capacity of 6,400 to 10,500 pounds depending on body style, drivetrain, engine and bed length.
Standard and available features include LED taillights, Bluetooth connectivity, Toyota's Entune infotainment system, leather upholstery, alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter, a rearview camera, and a multi-information display in between the gauges.
Safety
The NHTSA and IIHS haven't crash tested the 2018 Toyota Tundra. The outgoing 2017 Tundra received a four-star overall safety score from the NHTSA (out of a possible five stars). In IIHS evaluations, the extended cab variant received a Good score on all crash tests except the front small overlap test where in received a Marginal rating (Good is the highest possible score).
Standard on all models is the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of active safety features, which includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.
What We Think
In a 2015 comparison test against the Ram 1500 Rebel, the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro won because it offered a comfortable ride and superior off-road capability all in one package. However, in a 2014 First Test, we noted that the Tundra's interior lacks insulation with plenty of exterior noise entering the cabin. Front seat comfort is also lacking as the seats are hard, flat, and lacking lateral support. Rear seat accommodations, on the other hand, proved generous and the available 5.7-liter V-8 has plenty of power on tap.
Cool Fact
The base 4.6-liter V-8 in the 2018 Tundra is also used in the Lexus GX 460.
