2019 Toyota Tundra – Not the Change We Are Craving for

2019 Toyota Tundra – Full-size pickup trucks are American territory more than anything. Few outsiders have dared to enter, and for some, all that was left is to sit in the corner licking their wounds. That is probably what Nissan’s Titan was doing pretty much during recent years, while Tundra somehow managed to punch “much” deeper whole in sales charts. (Let’s say five times deeper than Nissan). Don’t get confused as its figures are silly compared to sales titans F150 and Silverado, but above 100k annually is half way to GMC’s Sierra, which does play on home turf.

Still, Toyota’s big rig is ancient product craving for a new generation to arrive for quite a time now. It debuted all the way in 2006 and for some reason replacement is not destined to arrive before 2024 model year, keeping us wondering does it have any sense paying attention to it in the meantime. Maybe it does, because refresh in form of 2019 Toyota Tundra might be on the way. And yet, maybe it doesn’t. Let’s see…

Spy Shot’s Suggestions

Eleven years on the market is too much even for a large truck, while refresh from 2013 seems as distant memory today. Spy shots featuring masked Tundra on public roads appeared at the beginning of this year creating confusion that it was all about the facelift. Time soon proved that it was rather about TRD Sport package debuted later at Chicago Auto Show, but don’t lose all hope as new shots emerged after carrying new story underneath.

They show truck masked only at the front, suggesting that changes are obviously not substantial ones. The whole rear end, along with front bumper remains the same, but vertically slatted grille and perhaps hood are destined for some changes. Also, headlights received LED interior layout which might inhale some freshness into the heavily dated truck, but the story about possible novelties pretty much ends there.

Good Stuff Coming, but Not Yet

Many interesting rumors circle around new 2019 Toyota Tundra, but they are rather attached to the new generation than to simple nip and tuck, here in question. One is about the hybrid powertrain, other is about 10-speed automatic, finding its way here from LC and LS. The former one is definitely not destined to happen now, while later could if Japanese decide so. And they should, as current 6-speed one is sluggish and unwilling to change gears in all directions, while American offer comes with two speeds more or even four in the case of Ford.

Sadly, we wouldn’t hope for any change regarding current 4.6-liter V8 rated at 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque; and 5.7-liter V8 delivering 381-hp and 401 lb-ft. Both naturally aspirated off course. While stronger V8 might prove decent with straight line acceleration, taking 6.4 seconds to 60 mph, both V8s are appalling at the pump with worst mpg figures in the class. (15 and 16 mpg combined.) And which could be partially remedied by the new “multi-gear” slushbox.

Dragging Behind

The current interior might appear fine more than a decade ago when it appeared, but rivals have evolved in the meantime. Materials seem to be on the spartan side, and lot’s of luxury amenities found in rivals are missing; including common ones as automatic climate control in lower trims or heated steering wheel in any trim. Connectivity is not a strong suit as Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are not present; though that’s the case with whole brand’s lineup, and build quality doesn’t impress either along with driving comfort.

And yes, did we mention that maximum tow rating trails GM’s and Ford’s offer by around 2,000 pounds and the similar story goes for maximum payload. It would be foolish to expect from upcoming refresh to address all this; so keep that in mind if you are wagging is it worth of waiting for, since that task is more dedicated to the new generation.

2019 Toyota Tundra Price and Release Date

Refreshed 2019 Toyota Tundra might break the cover close to the end of this year or possibly at the beginning of next one. Expected mostly cosmetic changes shouldn’t affect price tag much; so the starting point is probably going to stick around $31.5k and then stretching itself to $51.5k.