2020 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition Reviewed – Aging with Dignity
Toyota’s long-running Tundra lags behind competitors in certain areas. Fortunately, it’s definitely still worth buying in 2020.
Toyota last redesigned the Tundra for the 2007 model year. Back then, Barack Obama was still a senator from Illinois and Twitter had yet to morph into the social media behemoth it is today. Similarly, shoppers gravitated toward decently equipped trucks that weren’t really considered legitimate luxury vehicles. But all things must pass. Times have changed. American trucks received several redesigns while Toyota opted for steady updates. Has progress left it behind?
The answer to that question is a resounding “no.” Despite its age, and perhaps because of it, the Tundra still runs with the best of the bunch. However, the veteran full-sizer lags behind its rivals in a few key areas. Overall, it’s still competitive and absolutely worth checking out if you’re in the market for one.
Tundra in Voodoo Blue
While the Tundra isn’t as polished as some of its competitors, Toyota outfitted it with one standout color: Voodoo Blue. As a no-cost option on the 1794 Edition, it’s totally worth considering. Mainly because no one else makes a blue quite like it. Ford has Velocity Blue for their F-150 and Ram allows buyers to opt for Patriot Blue on the 1500, but neither are as vibrant as what Toyota slapped onto this truck. It’s just one of many things Toyota has done to keep the Tundra relevant in 2020.
My particular Tundra also arrived bundled with the TRD Off-Road Package. Optional on the 1794 Edition but costing only $155, it adds unique 18″ alloy wheels, Bilstein shocks, LED headlights and fog lights, plus skids plates for the fuel tank and engine. The entire look meshes well with the Tundra’s exterior and the Voodoo Blue paint.
Lexus Tier Luxury
Additionally, the 1794 Edition – which was introduced several years ago – really nails the luxury truck aesthetic. There’s a saddle brown leather that’s unique to the trim level. Plus, the polished wood accents on the steering wheel and the dash are very high quality. Actually, nearly everything regularly touched feels substantial. The center stack controls, gear shifter, center console, door inserts, and other interior items have Lexus-like precision. And the leather is clearly the real deal too, as I was greeted by an intoxicating scent of cowhide as soon as I opened the door of the Tundra for the first time.
Refined Mannerisms
The Tundra’s youthful yet posh appearance inside and out coincides with solid driving dynamics. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 5.7 liter V8 shifted smoothly through the gears and was barely noticeable at idle. Acceleration from the 381 horsepower V8 left me feeling satisfied and the exhaust note is perfectly suited for such a brawny engine. However, at 70 mph, you can still hear the powerplant working to keep the truck moving forward, despite resting at around 1200 rpm. It got a bit old after a little while.
By contrast, the steering constantly impressed. Turning the Tundra required little effort and offered predictable inputs. Braking similarly proved itself. Basically, if a Corolla or Camry driver suddenly had to acquire a Tundra for work or personal use, they could easily adapt to truck life in as little as a half-hour. As a compact car owner, I found adapting to the truck was painless. One important caveat to that statement is that I live in the suburbs, where there exists abundant space for such a large truck. But the Tundra’s front and rear sensors, combined with the rearview camera, should make truck ownership relatively easy in tight parking spaces or urban environments.
Tundra Problem Areas
Toyota has routinely updated the Tundra to be as technologically sophisticated as possible. Unfortunately, a series of ergonomic decisions, combined with the simple fact that this truck is getting up there in age, means it contains some notable flaws. As a 5′ 6″ tall human being, I needed to adjust the driver’s seat in an accommodating manner. That involved pushing the seat as forward as possible. Additionally, I adjusted the seat to its tallest setting. Why am I mentioning my seat adjustment? Because it resulted in my knee repeatedly pushing the button for the power rear window. The first time it happened I only noticed a lowered rear window after getting out of the truck. I could have easily missed such an important detail, which would have left the Tundra’s excellent interior exposed to the elements for an entire night. Toyota should probably consider moving the button elsewhere.
The Tundra’s center stack controls also feature some unfortunate design decisions. Key climate and audio controls are completely flat against the panel. That makes them a bit harder to see, especially because the silver back-panel does not make the white symbols stand out. By contrast, look at how easier it is to see the white text on the black buttons and dials.
The Tundra’s ventilated seats also underwhelmed. Even after spending considerable time in the truck on an 85-degree day, they didn’t seem to adequately serve as butt or back coolers. My passenger and I confirmed the seats themselves functioned, as we could feel ventilation on our hands when we put our palms to the seat cushion. But neither of us felt any type of cooling through our clothing.
Technological Limitations
Toyota’s infotainment system also exhibited some issues in the Tundra. For starters, it does not respond to inputs as quickly as one expects from a modern vehicle. The navigation responded slowly to directional changes when browsing map locations. Turning the tuning knob quickly also resulted in the system playing catch up when adjusting to the proper SiriusXM channel.
There are also some odd user interface decisions built into the Tundra’s infotainment as well. After pairing a phone to the Toyota, the home screen features a section devoted to four quick dial contacts. It’s a bit unsightly and largely unnecessary, as the voice controls enabled me to call whoever I wanted without touching the screen. Perhaps something else could work in that valuable real estate. Which is possible because the Tundra allows you to customize the home screen with other widgets. But owners who want a dedicated phone section might be disappointed by what the truck includes in that space.
Upsides
Despite everything previously mentioned, the Tundra delivers in a few key areas. The 12 speaker JBL sound system performed well and delivered solid bass and clear sound even at higher volumes. My Samsung Galaxy S20+ worked flawlessly over Bluetooth and when using Android Auto. I also had no trouble using voice commands for phone calls or for selecting songs on my iPod. This was partly due to Toyota’s extremely helpful digital assistant that chimes in after pressing the voice button on the steering wheel.
Conclusion
The 2020 Tundra lacks bleeding-edge features and amenities found in rival trucks. It may also prove frustrating for short people trying to access the rear of the bed or for those of us who find their knees close to certain buttons in the cabin. Gas mileage lags behind the competition too. Plus, other trucks offer more configurations and higher horsepower engines.
Despite its flaws, the Tundra boasts a refined powertrain, effortless steering, powerful brakes, and a well-appointed interior worthy of a Lexus branded vehicle. Depreciation is among the lowest in the industry, a feat made possible by the Tundra’s extremely favorable reliability ratings. Overall, it’s a truck that is still worth considering, provided you have the space to accommodate it.
Photos for YotaTech by Edward Snitkoff