In contrast to the big 3, this half-ton doesn't have the bottom line of the entire company depending on it. Is it my first or even second choice in the segment? Nope. Any of the domestics are better equiped and more appealing.

Toyota sells so many cars and corssovers that they just need to be almost-competitive to make a profit on the Tundra. This makes a lot of sense. For it to appeal to me: 8spd transmissions, DFI, better suspension.

Nice work Toyota

I tried watching the Tundra video but some moron but a Chrysler ad there instead.

Interesting to me is the fact that these were tested in Pennsylvania, where I have it on good authority (meaning someone really close with the overall farming community) that the Tundra is becoming a very popular truck in that region. He says that he sees more new Tundra trucks than almost any other brand.

He says he's driven the new Ford (a brand he normally drives) and didn't like it; along with RAM and Chevy trucks which he gave more of an 'eh' opinion. At the time, he hadn't driven a Tundra yet.

I tried watching the Tundra video but some moron put a Chrysler ad there instead.

WHere is the trailer brake controller?? cmon toyota

@Mark Williams: Thanks for first drive article. It was good to know why the funds for development of the 2014 Tundra were less than usual.

@cmon: I recall from the Chicago Auto Show Toyota stated there would be a trailer brake controller for the 2014 Tundra. Perhaps the reason is this is a pre-release Tundra.

I'm holding out for the new Titan, I think it will outsell this new Tundra from what I've seen especially if it comes with a Baby Cummins motor and new efficiencies in their gas engines.

Wait a minute am I missing something my 2010 5.7L Tundra 4x2 is rated at 14/18 http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/26458.shtml and now the new 2014 5.7L Tundra 4x2 is 13/18?

I guess it is not a huge difference but isn't this going the wrong way.

@Mark Williams

They supposedly retuned the exhaust yet I have not heard anybody talk about the new sound is it a different tone or just louder?

I like that they cleaned up the ride, moved the center stack closer and added the in dash LCD Information screen but it is still not enough for me to switch.

I wish they could mount the radio antenna straight. I hate how its leaned back like its bent. Why do pickup trucks still have these anyway? seems all the cars and SUV's have gone to the little plastic stub on the ruff.

With kids, camping gear, trailer, and all the fixin's, I wish the 6.5' bed was available with the crewmax plus another 500lbs of payload. In due time....maybe.

Just a quick comment: it was disappointing that the vehicles we had for this media event did not have the trailer brake controller. We were told they were finishing up some details with the towing package so that optional equipment was not included on this early batch of pre-production trucks we had for the first drive. The location of the controller will be similar to Ford's with the adjustments tabs to right of the steering wheel, lower in the console.

Mark,

What are your thoughts on the recent statements of Mike Sweers, chief engineer for the Tundra, on moving some 2014 Taco/and/or Tundra production back to Mexico...

This is a hot topic and would make an interesting post.

They made a ugly truck even worse. The front end is even worse then the bass faced edition.The tail lights look like a gm model and the interior is straight out of the 150.The motor is a good peace just thirsty.That the only thing about this truck that is appealing.

How long before they start dealing with the fuel economy, braking and fading performance?

would love to see someone run all the new trucks on the opposed bumps like they did a couple of yrs ago, and see how the new trucks do, I got a big laugh out of how the Tundra bounced and bounded? over that area of the test track.

@ joe

what fuel economy issue? they get better than whats on the window instead of never reaching whats on the window! would you rather be mislead and never achieve what you expected OR would you rather buy it expecting 17 and then actually get 20 on the highway?

Its funny you mention brakes, as the tundra's brakes are the biggest and in every non biased 3rd party test they do better and are MUCH thicker so they DONT FADE! so remind me again what you think they should change?

@vulpine

Im a PA guy and no more or no less Tundra's than what they started with - Big 3 by a wide margin

First, what's on their sticker isn't very good. Base V6 is worse than compeitor's V8's. On the 5.7 AutoWorld just got 13 mpg in their test of the 2014's.

In the Light Duty Challenge PUTC got 23.1 in the Sierra and 22.3 in the F150. The Tundra was 18 mpg. If Toyo is happy with the oldest and worst mpg in the segment then that is not good news.

Tundra also came in last in braking and took 15 to 18' longer stop. Tundra fans may be happy with the Tundra and Tacoma being rangered, but don't expect to convert your Bowtie and Blue Oval friends.

According to fuelly.com (obviously not scientific, but a reasonable gauge of real world MPG), owners of Tundra V6s are getting mid-to-high teens, while owners of V8s are getting basically 15 MPG. This is right in line with EPA estimates, and not materially different from what most people are reporting for comparable F-150s, Silverados, and Rams.

@Hemi lol, my bro-in-law says he gets 16 mpg with his Tundra 5.7, not 20. I believe him because he just tells me how it is, with no invested interest in the brand.

Where's the bloody diesel? I really hope Ford does a diesel F150, or better still diesel-hydraulic hybrid F150 and Super Duty.

Even the big lump 6.2L F-150 gets 1 mpg better on the hwy than the 5.7 V8.

You get 13/17 mpg for a 4x4 5.7-liter Toyota. By comparison, a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 V8 4x4 nets 15/21 mpg and the F-150 4x4 EB nets 15/21.

The 5.7-liter V8 peak horsepower comes at 5600 rpm, and only puts out max torque at 3600 rpm and above. That's an issue for towing.

Sporting the same engines and transmissions that have served it since its entry into the true full-size pickup market in 2006 means Toyota is content with the status quo.

Is there any reason to buy the Tundra? A cheaper knockoff of a competitor's interior? A special tire?

Unfortunately, the Ram , Chevrolet Silverado, and even the old Ford F-150 all offer excellent cabins, big towing ability, and solid fuel economy at a comparable price.

You all realize that the OEM determines their MPG numbers, right?

Read a collection of tests from different sources and you will see that the Tundra is competitive from a real world MPG perspective.

Why buy a Tundra? RELIABILITY.

I am far from a fanboy--this is the first Toyota I have ever owned, but I am definately impressed.

The blog over on Fortune/CNN says Toyota considered improving fuel economy, but decided against it due to cost.

This is part of the fiasco Mark Williams was talking about. Toyota does not sell enough Tundras to match or beat the compeitors trucks and improve it the way they should, so they surrender instea of going out swinging.

Read 3 first drive reviews of the 2014 Tundra, and they all came in at 13 - 14 mpg.

I regularly get 26 MPG Highway and 19 city with my 2011 5.7 Tundra. Seems some get better then others

@vulpine I am in the northern end of Allegheny National Forest, and if I am lucky I have only every seen 15 tundra's since 2007 other then a lot of left overs that no one buys from the dealer.

I have not lied about the Tundra and I have said the FE is a problem when others say it isn't. I also believe their is room for them to improve performance as well.

Now with that said I will say 401lb ft max torque @ 3600 rpm is great for a NA V8 and by far is not a problem. Also 90% of the torque is available at @2200 rpm so if you know another 1/2 ton NA V8 with 400lb ft or more with peak torque below 3600 and 90% available from 2200 rpm please correct me. My truck is proof that 550lb ft is optional under warranty if you want it. Also peak horsepower @ 5600 is about where it would be on any other 1/2 ton that can rev that high its gas powertrain not diesel.

Too many salesmen here, we need more objectivity. Stop drinking the Kool-Aid. It's another gas V8. Yawn!

A short while ago people questioned why we should wait for the new 2014 Tundra FOR THE 2013 SHOOTOUT.

Why wait? Lol! I said: Why NOT wait? It would be nice if some of you people here took your own brainwashed bias and left it home and we dealt with the cold hard facts here.

The biases against the Tundra have been confirmed on tundraheadquarters.com

After posting the PUTC review of the new 2014 Tundra, Tim Esterdahl, editor of tundraheadquarters, posed an important question. Tim asked, "Does anybody else get the impression that some of these reviews are from journalists who either dislike the Tundra beforehand or that they don’t get why people buy them?"

I want answers and the truth!

I said before the shootout that the Tundra is will get points taken off again for the performance and the subjective when this stuff is on the 2014!

Tundra will got points taken off for not having a better interior, any SUSPENSION improvements, tech upgrades, and not having an ITBC!

The ALL NEW 2014 Tundra has a new interior, suspension and itbc. All new Tundras have a backup camera standard. Blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert on the options list. Just a reskin my a$$.

The fix is in! NO 2014 Tundra but we get 2014 GM and Chevy. How is that not biased? The site should have waited for the all new Tundra.

The Tundra would have won last time if they had a ITBC and new suspension. That is why you wait! Tundra fans are sick and tired of the bias and bogus scoring around here!

There is nothing wrong with waiting for:

2014 Tundra

Reworked inside and out

A force to be reckoned with: Tundra's 5.7L V8 hauls more than 2,000 lbs.7 and tows over 10,000 lbs.,8 and with the roomy CrewMax, you'll leave no one behind. A new exterior commands respect, and its interior sets a high standard for full-size pickups. Bluetooth® 9 and backup camera10 are now standard on all grades, and the sleek Platinum CrewMax and ranch-themed 1794 Edition CrewMax offer a new level of luxury. Add available tech like a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)11 and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and you've got a truck that works hard and plays harder.

I don't mean to toot my own horn, but TOOT TOOT!

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2013/07/30/early-2014-toyota-tundra-reviews/

@GMZE1: What part of PA? I'm looking just east of State College.

I don't like all that chrome up front but the rest at least looks like something a man would want to drive now. I do wish they would offer a lower axle ratio for those who want better MPG instead of tow/haul. It will be my next truck because I will never give my money to political terrorist UAW monkeys.

hey alex.

your "bro-in-law" gets 16 as an AVERAGE. if he drove it on the highway for a prolonged period of time he would get 20 provided he wasnt doin 85mph. THIS IS A FACT, not me makin stuff up. I have TONS of feedback of customers getting WELL OVER 20 but i dont need to post that up because not everyone will get that, they WILL however achieve 20.

IF I HEAR SOMEONE TALK ABOUT BRAKING TESTS ONE MORE TIME THAT THE TUNDRA TAKES LONGER TO STOP I'M GONNA LOSE MY MIND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOLKS ITS SIMPLE! The Tundra's brakes are LARGER than everyone elses, its the ONLY truck with a 4 piston caliper up front that cost 4 TIMES what everyone elses does. it is TIRES ONLY that made the difference. ITS THE SAME REASON THE TRUCK DOESNT WIN THE ACCELERATION TESTS AS WELL! The tires choice on the test truck are GARBAGE for those tests. its the same fix as always this site CONSTANTLY figures out a way to downplay the truck because its simply better, PERIOD. The engineering in the Tundra is FAR better and the quaility of parts used are in a different hemisphere than the garbarge bolted on the other trucks Reliability over 5 years showes the tundra SMOKES everyone. problems per 100 on a tundra at 10 YEARS matches the ford at 5 years!!!

You all are calling for the kool-aid to stop being passed around well them stop drinking it and actually GO put your fav truck next to the COMPARABLE tundra and look at how they are built objectively. IF your not blind or stupid or have some predisposed bias it will be OBVIOUS the Tundra is built better.

For those who still think Toyoda (original family name of Toyota) as a US company - make an appointment with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to hear otherwise.

Atleast the Chinese know Toyota and Japan are their enemy - except a dunce Taco owner - it is great NYT had the gumption and backbone to call Toyota as Japanese Automaker (can you dig it - to those who love sushi and saki - we prefer burger and moonshine).

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/03/business/global/toyota-quarterly-profit-nearly-doubles.html?_r=0&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1375444836-qKjTjg7kWDul3pWj/GKf3Q

@ Brian C

If you like it buy one. There's no conspiracy. Stop with the drama. There's enough mind numbing blabbing on here without "conspiracy guy" weighing in on it.

There's plenty of 2014 Tundra road tests online. Google is your friend.

Google