The 2020 Toyota Tundra
Overview

The 2020 Toyota Tundra is the oldest pickup truck in its class, but it has the most
standard safety technology and solid off-road credentials. Despite its dated
design and powertrain, the Tundra offers a powerful and proven V-8 engine and a
stylized TRD Pro model. The latter enhances the 2020 Tundra’s ruggedness with a
raised suspension and other special trail-ready equipment. There are also low
TRD models built to take the road less traveled, which is where the Tundra
works best. Otherwise, its poor fuel economy and imprecise road manners make it
our least favorite full-size truck to drive on a daily basis.

 Still, the 2020 Toyota Tundra available crew cab has a rear seat and useful storage space. While
it’s not one of the best new pickup trucks, the 2020 Tundra will satisfy
outdoorsmen and those who appreciate the Toyota badge.

 

What is new in the
2020 Toyota Tundra?

The big news is that the 2020 Tundra lineup no longer includes the
previously standard 4.6-liter V-8. Instead, every model is now equipped with a
5.7-liter V-8 — the flex-fuel version has also been dropped. New options have
been added to the Tundra SR5. Leather surfaces with passive entry such as
push-button start. Front bucket seats with power driver’s seat. Toyota finally
makes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability available on most models.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Trim Level	Price
SR	$35,170
SR5	$36,840
SR	$38,220
SR5	$39,890
Limited	$43,865
Limited	$46,915
TRD Pro	$50,250
Platinum	$50,370
1794 Edition	$50,370
Platinum	$53,420
1794 Edition	$53,420

The base price of
the 2020 Toyota Tundra makes it one of the cheapest full-size trucks you can buy
with an extended cab and a V-8 engine. We think the SR5 model is the best
value. The Crew Cab option adds $1695 but is only available with a 5.5-foot
bed. We’ll stick with the standard 6.5-foot bed and add a four-wheel drive for a
good mix of utility and capability. The TRD Off-Road Package brings several
surface and mechanical upgrades. Highlights include a large touchscreen with
navigation, mobile hotspot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. It
also features a larger fuel tank for extended driving range, skid plates to
protect the underbody, off-road shock absorbers, and 18-inch wheels with
chunkier tires.

 

Engine,
transmission, and performance

Compared to newer
and more advanced powertrains, the 2020 Toyota Tundra engine and transmission are
prehistoric. The standard 5.7-liter V-8 is good for 381 horsepower and 401
lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard. Four-wheel drive is optional on
both setups. Not for all Cab and bed configurations. The Tundra’s engine is
reasonably quick but emits an unsatisfyingly weak exhaust note, and its six-speed
automatic shifts rather slowly. While it’s not terrible to drive, the last
Tundra we tested felt primitive and light and a little off the pace compared to
more powerful rivals. Because of the Tundra’s firmer suspension, every bump is
transmitted into the cabin, leading to a lumpy ride when driving over rough
surfaces. Upgraded shocks on models with the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road packages
help marginally improve ride quality as well as better manage body motions in
corners. The Tundra’s light, numb steering disconnects the driver from the road
and requires constant correction at highway speeds. The Tundra’s brakes are
adequate and can bring the truck down from 70 mph to 190 feet, but the brake
pedal offers little feedback and its travel is inconsistent.

Towing
and Payload Capacity

The Tundra’s maximum
tow rating of 10,200 pounds will be more than most people need, and even its
lowest-towing configuration can tow at least 8,800 pounds.

 

Fuel
Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2020 Toyota Tundra has some
of the worst fuel economy in its class. While its competitors don’t exactly sip
on fuel, the EPA rates the V-8 with four-wheel drive at 13 mpg city and 17 mpg
highway. The last test we tested matched the highway rating on our 200-mile
fuel economy test, but that number is still below all other pickups we’ve
tested.

 

Interiors,
Comfort, and Equipment

The 2020 Toyota Tundra interior is roomy and features a generous size, but it’s an older offering and
materials in most models feel cheap and rubbery. While its back-seat legroom is
excellent for a crew cab, the Tundra’s cabin quality and layout are
unimpressive and lack the amenities found in the latest competition. The only
salvation is the 1794 edition, which has beautiful saddle brown leather-trimmed
seats and ultra-suede accents. The Tundra’s front roof pillars are wide at the
base and create a large blind spot, but the crew cab’s large rear windows offer
ample visibility.

 Plenty of cargo and storage space is expected with the
pickup. While the Toyota is merely adequate in most areas, our testing revealed
that the Caverns Crew Cab is capable of holding 21 carry-on suitcases with the
rear seats folded down, two more than any other pickup. Deep but narrow
door pockets prevent the storage of large items, but the extended cab – called a
double cab – has a storage bin under the rear seat that is not available in
other cabs. The Tundra has a cargo bed length of three. The smallest is 5.5
feet and is only available with the Crew Cab. The extended cab can be combined
with either a 6.5- or 8.1-foot bed.

Infotainment
& Connectivity

The 2020 Toyota Tundra infotainment system is passable and works adequately and responsively but is never
intuitive. Fancier trim levels have an Advanced package that adds more speakers
to the audio system as well as integrated navigation. The Entune system won’t
delight users with its tiny on-screen buttons, but our testing shows that its
response times are faster than those of popular smartphones. Thankfully, the
newly available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have made the system more intuitive
and advanced.