So his 2 gripes are the EPA fuel economy and the interior. The recent test against the Ram Rebel showed the Toyota only a little thirsty on the highway than the Ram, and having the same fuel consumption during the remainder of the test.
The interior may not be the benchmark for the industry, but I challenge that Mr Bragman hasn't even seen a base model interior of any truck- they don't have those in press fleets.

Best dam truck out there.

Just briefly reading the article, the author loses all credibility in this quote, "Two engines are available for the Tundra: a 310-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 or a 385-hp, 5.7-liter V-8" the 5.7 has 381 HP and Toyota does not up the HP on the TRD Pro models for the TRD exhaust.

The interior isn't that bad, you get a 6" standard touch screen (7" on higher trims) with every model, even in WT trim (not on the 3" looking screen that the XL F-150 gets). Sure the plastic is hard, but I have yet to find a truck that didn't have hard plastics. The XLT F-150, GM mid-grade trucks (LT and SLE) and the Ram (SLT) don’t have nice interiors either. The top trim level trucks are the ones that have the nice interior. And I will agree that the top Tundra trims are not as nice as the Big 3 top trims, but the Tundra has a ~$10,000 lower MSRP than the big 3 top trim trucks.

On paper the truck looks like it’s lagging behind, but in real world tests it seems not that far behind for a 9 year old design (2007-2016). Once it gets the 8 speed (3.31 gears is what the LC got I think) passed down from the Land Cruiser that should push it back up in the acceleration department. The Tundra is arguably the best current truck production platform for off-roading, as shown in the comparison reviews.

MrKnowitall,
The interior and FE are playing a larger role in the acceptance of a pickup. Look at the Colorado/Canyon, they are a leap forward in refinement.

As more and more are using a pickup as an alternative car/SUV people will look at ease and comfort of a vehicle.

Another easy marketing point is creating the "wow" factor into a vehicle. With a name like TRD people will believe the vehicle to be better. This is the easiest way to value add from a manufacturers perspective.

The actual off road enhancement is of less value that the ideea of owning a TRD vehicle, as like a Raptor most will be driven to the mall and used to impress your neighbours.

A young guy at work (early 20s) and a Ford man just bought a Wildtrak Ranger, a previous model for more than he could of bought a new generation BT50. The new gen BT50 is essentially a Ranger. I asked him why he bought the Wildtrak and he responded "its the coolest 4x4 ute around".

I pointed out that even a basic BT50 4x4 has much better off road capabilities to him and he responded it's a Mazda.

These packages are more for appearance for the wanna be's and less about using the off road enhancements.

Again, if you want to off road, then buy a basic vehicle and modify it yourself, it will be cheaper and you will probably end up with a vehicle you want, without the brand name "stickers" bragging what you have.

Looks better than a Chebby

I know what TRD looks like. Phew.

What you have here is a car guy reviewing a truck. He probably drives a Fiat 500 in his daily life.

Ummmm BARFo - get someone to proofread your tripe.

You say:
"The new gen BT50 is essentially a Ranger."

Then you go on to say:
" I pointed out that even a basic BT50 4x4 has much better off road capabilities to him"

If the BT50 is basically a Ford then how can a BT50 have better off-road capabilities than itself?

You are just piling up the unanswered questions.

I should post a BARFo's greatest hits compilation.

I' still waiting on a response to what he thinks is a better HIGH SPEED off-roader than the Raptor.

Renegade was a hilarious answer.

BARFO, ahahahahah his name is Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalph!!!!

@ Lou_BC, I quit reading BAFO's blather months ago--I can tell by scanning which lame posts are his. Any post that is ridiculously verbose = BAFO.

Anyhow, don't you know Lou--anything that HE thinks or HE owns is OBVIOUSLY superior or the "right answer."

I am baffled why the hell he even comes on here (a site almost EXCLUSIVELY focused on NA pickups)--other than to be antagonistic.

Stands tall- like a 4x4 should.

Loo'est,
Better go back and read the comment.

A young guy at work (early 20s) and a Ford man just bought a Wildtrak Ranger, a previous model for more than he could of bought a new generation BT50. The new gen BT50 is essentially a Ranger. I asked him why he bought the Wildtrak and he responded "its the coolest 4x4 ute around".

I pointed out that even a basic BT50 4x4 has much better off road capabilities to him and he responded it's a Mazda.
Posted by: Big Al from Oz | Nov 19, 2015 1:08:21 PM

This statement further shows my theory that Ole Fat Albert has very little friends because of his demeanor. Someone buys a truck that he oviously liked very much and Albert has to point out how stupid he was because he didn't buy the same mini truck he owns. Pretty sad. I'm sure if that guy actually valued your opinion Albert he would have asked what you drive.

A young guy at work (early 20s) and a Ford man just bought a Wildtrak Ranger, a previous model for more than he could of bought a new generation BT50. The new gen BT50 is essentially a Ranger. I asked him why he bought the Wildtrak and he responded "its the coolest 4x4 ute around".

I pointed out that even a basic BT50 4x4 has much better off road capabilities to him and he responded it's a Mazda.
Posted by: Big Al from Oz | Nov 19, 2015 1:08:21 PM

This statement further shows my theory that Ole Fat Albert has very little friends because of his demeanor. Someone buys a truck that he oviously liked very much and Albert has to point out how stupid he was because he didn't buy the same mini truck he owns. Pretty sad. I'm sure if that guy actually valued your opinion Albert he would have asked what you drive.

Tundra isn't that bad for a Oriental truck, the Titan is hideous, but oddly it may look better than the Tundra lol, tough call !

I just wanted to add, the so-called light weight Aluminum ecoboost (lol) V-6 yes a lame sounding V-6 !!! Ford F-150 sucks as much fuel as a heavier 6.2 V-8 from GM and the heavier 5.7 HEMI V-8 from RAM....So, why did Ford go to a V-6 as its proven time and time again a V-8 gets better gas mileage than a 6 banger.....

Oh, the 2009 crisis , Obama said to Ford we will give you a loan and free money, they gave them hundreds of millions of dollars to get its European cars to sell in America and they did, cars, vans are European .. and trucks must have a V-6 !!

As anti car lefties think smaller engines are better on gas...

F-150 800 lbs lighter than a GM/RAM sucks the same amount of fuel as a heavier steel ,V8 truck.....Ford Fail..So,I give credit for Toyota as well they have a V-8 !!!! Good job Toyota I like you !!!

To the uneducated,
In the global market, the last generation of BT50s and Rangers were based on the Mazda platform. This was a legacy of when Ford actually owned a significant portion of Mazda. Ford now own 3%.

The current BT50/Ranger is based on the Ford platform. Two completely different pickups.

So, a previous generation Wildtrak is actually a Mazda and not a Ford. This kid didn't realise that the current BT50 is more Ford than the Wildtrak he bought. He only looks at badging, which is sad. It shows he did little research into what he bought. By "kid" the guy is in his twenties.

The NA market and some Sth American markets had the US Ranger based Mazda pickups. These are completely different again to what was available to us on the globabl market. The US Ranger would of been dropped out of our market prior to 2000 due to its antiquity.

^ To the stupid^^^^^ As you stated yourself the kid bought it because he liked the truck. Your words are " the coolest ute around". He liked the truck and bought it. It really is none of your business unless he ask your opinion or are buying the truck for him. A BT50 could be so great and s*ck you off while driving but if he didn't like it, why should he. He liked the other truck and bought it. It was worth it to him.

@BARFo - you didn't specify age. Oh a Wildtrak is made in 2015/16.

Intersting spin. Regardless of whether it is based on a Mazda platform with Ford badging or a Ford with Mazda badging my comment still stands.

One cannot be worse than the other considering similar options/specs.

Dude you make all of this just way too easy.

I'm curious how the softer riding trd pro could be an uncomfortable ride.

@Big Al,

Tundra? This article is about the TRD Pro.
A Toyota. Not Ford.

You addressed a comment to the "uneducated." Your lousy spelling and grammar, not to mention your deeply annoying personality, makes the notion of you (of all people) feeling superior to anyone on this site pathological.

Seriously, get help. Don't stop taking the medicine you're on without medical advice and supervision--it can be dangerous to you and others.

.