Top Gear Builds an Eye-Catching ER-EV
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Toyota Tundra Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

The experts at TheCarConnection.com consulted with a wide range of sources to produce this definitive review of the 2008 Toyota Tundra. In order to make it as useful as possible, TheCarConnection.com's editors include in this review their firsthand impressions from driving the 2008 Toyota Tundra.

Likes:

  • iForce and six-speed automatic are excellent combo
  • Plenty of storage spaces inside--including huge center console
  • More standard safety features than other pickups
  • CrewMax is unmatched for backseat roominess

Dislikes:

  • Instrument-panel design is unduly complicated
  • Fuel economy is unimpressive
  • High ride height obscures visibility
  • Formerly more sensibly sized, it's now another monstrosity

Buying Tips:


If you miss the size of the Tundra or its predecessor, the T100, you might want to look at the smaller Tacoma. The sticker price isn't that much lower for a Tacoma V-6, but the more efficient choice will save you a lot of gas money in the long haul.

After being completely redesigned for the 2007 model year, the Toyota Tundra returns for 2008 with only a few minor changes. While the previous Tundra had been slightly smaller than full-size best-sellers such as the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the new Tundra grew significantly and gained more assertive styling, including the very prominent upright grille, more detailed headlamps, and flared wheel wells. And going along with the new, bigger packaging, it's now made in Texas.

Engines range from a 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 up to a new 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter iForce V-8. In the middle, there's a 4.7-liter V-8 making 271 horsepower. The iForce comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, but other engines get a five-speed auto. When properly equipped, the Tundra can tow up to 10,800 pounds.

Just like its Detroit competitors, the Tundra now comes in a wide range of body configurations, with Regular, Double Cab, and CrewMax cabs and three different bed lengths. The Double Cab has small rear doors and enough seating space for children, with a folding seat bottom when it's not in use, but the CrewMax has full-size back doors and enough space in the backseat to compare with the second row of full-size SUVs.

Inside, the cabin has big, supportive seats, controls designed to be used with gloves, and a huge center console that can hold a laptop. All models have a tilt/telescope steering wheel.

Ride quality varies greatly on pickups depending on towing- and payload-related options, but in general, the Tundra handles surprisingly well for such a long, heavy, and cumbersome vehicle. The Tundra has a special rear suspension design that can keep the ride height, whether with a full load or unladen.

The top-of-the-range Limited includes quite a few standard features that could be referring to a luxury SUV, such as a powerful JBL sound system, dual-zone climate control, and heated power front seats. All models have a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Major options include a screen-based navigation system with rearview camera and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. A TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Off-Road Package is also offered.

The Tundra was given four stars in federal government frontal and side-impact crash tests, but it earned the top Good rating in all of the insurance industry tests; it was named a 2008 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2008 Toyota Tundra certainly has more standard safety features than most of its competitors. Front-seat side airbags and roll-sensing side-curtain airbags are standard across the line, along with anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and electronic stability control.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Toyota Tundra, also consider:

Reason Why:

The Ford F-150 is the longtime best-seller among full-size pickups, but it's inferior to the Tundra in performance; its interior is not as refined either, though a revised version of the F-150 is on the way for 2009. The new Silverado and its nearly identical sibling, the GMC Sierra, have made waves for their very attractive, functional interiors and new standards of ride and handling, and they have an especially efficient line of V-8 engines. The Dodge Ram feels outdated and unrefined next to the Tundra, and its interior in particular is trimmed in subpar materials. But a completely redesigned version of the Ram is due for 2009. While these manufacturers all take aim at companies and fleets in part, the Titan soldiers on as a truck aimed at personal use, with some still-innovative cargo solutions and good performance.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Tundra takes on the Big Three, matches them in capability, and beats them in safety.

The experts at TheCarConnection.com consulted with a wide range of sources to produce this definitive review of the 2008 Toyota Tundra. In order to make it as useful as possible, TheCarConnection.com's editors include in this review their firsthand impressions from driving the 2008 Toyota Tundra. Likes:iForce and six-speed automatic are excellent comboPlenty of storage spaces inside--including huge center consoleMore standard safety features than other pickupsCrewMax is unmatched for backseat roominessDislikes:Instrument-panel design is unduly complicatedFuel economy is unimpressiveHigh ride height obscures visibilityFormerly more sensibly sized, it's now another monstrosityBuying Tips: If you miss the size of the Tundra or its predecessor, the T100, you might want to look at the smaller Tacoma. The sticker price isn't that much lower for a Tacoma V-6, but the more efficient choice will save you a lot of gas money in the long haul. After being completely redesigned for the 2007 model year, the Toyota Tundra returns for 2008 with only a few minor changes. While the previous Tundra had been slightly smaller than full-size best-sellers such as the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the new Tundra grew significantly and gained more assertive styling, including the very prominent upright grille, more detailed headlamps, and flared wheel wells. And going along with the new, bigger packaging, it's now made in Texas. Engines range from a 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 up to a new 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter iForce V-8. In the middle, there's a 4.7-liter V-8 making 271 horsepower. The iForce comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, but other engines get a five-speed auto. When properly equipped, the Tundra can tow up to 10,800 pounds. Just like its Detroit competitors, the Tundra now comes in a wide range of body configurations, with Regular, Double Cab, and CrewMax cabs and three different bed lengths. The Double Cab has small rear doors and enough seating space for children, with a folding seat bottom when it's not in use, but the CrewMax has full-size back doors and enough space in the backseat to compare with the second row of full-size SUVs. Inside, the cabin has big, supportive seats, controls designed to be used with gloves, and a huge center console that can hold a laptop. All models have a tilt/telescope steering wheel. Ride quality varies greatly on pickups depending on towing- and payload-related options, but in general, the Tundra handles surprisingly well for such a long, heavy, and cumbersome vehicle. The Tundra has a special rear suspension design that can keep the ride height, whether with a full load or unladen. The top-of-the-range Limited includes quite a few standard features that could be referring to a luxury SUV, such as a powerful JBL sound system, dual-zone climate control, and heated power front seats. All models have a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Major options include a screen-based navigation system with rearview camera and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. A TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Off-Road Package is also offered. The Tundra was given four stars in federal government frontal and side-impact crash tests, but it earned the top Good rating in all of the insurance industry tests; it was named a 2008 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2008 Toyota Tundra certainly has more standard safety features than most of its competitors. Front-seat side airbags and roll-sensing side-curtain airbags are standard across the line, along with anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and electronic stability control. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Toyota Tundra, also consider:Ford F-150Chevrolet SilveradoDodge RamNissan TitanReason Why:The Ford F-150 is the longtime best-seller among full-size pickups, but it's inferior to the Tundra in performance; its interior is not as refined either, though a revised version of the F-150 is on the way for 2009. The new Silverado and its nearly identical sibling, the GMC Sierra, have made waves for their very attractive, functional interiors and new standards of ride and handling, and they have an especially efficient line of V-8 engines. The Dodge Ram feels outdated and unrefined next to the Tundra, and its interior in particular is trimmed in subpar materials. But a completely redesigned version of the Ram is due for 2009. While these manufacturers all take aim at companies and fleets in part, the Titan soldiers on as a truck aimed at personal use, with some still-innovative cargo solutions and good performance. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Tundra takes on the Big Three, matches them in capability, and beats them in safety. The experts at TheCarConnection.com consulted with a wide range of sources to produce this definitive review of the 2008 Toyota Tundra. In order to make it as useful as possible, TheCarConnection.com's editors include in this review their firsthand impressions from driving the 2008 Toyota ...

Other Choices:

The Ford F-150 is the longtime best-seller among full-size pickups, but it's inferior to the Tundra in performance; its interior is not as refined either, though a revised version of the F-150 is on the way for 2009. The new Silverado and its nearly identical sibling, the GMC Sierra, have made waves for their very attractive, functional interiors and new standards of ride and handling, and they have an especially efficient line of V-8 engines. The Dodge Ram feels outdated and unrefined next to the Tundra, and its interior in particular is trimmed in subpar materials. But a completely redesigned version of the Ram is due for 2009. While these manufacturers all take aim at companies and fleets in part, the Titan soldiers on as a truck aimed at personal use, with some still-innovative cargo solutions and good performance.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Toyota Tundra

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Toyota Tundra

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Toyota Tundra near you

See the Toyota Tundra in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  Tundra Headquarters #1, Posted: 7/2/2008

    Good review

    Nice review. I disagree with a couple of your assertions. First, I think the F150's interior is quite nice, however it does depend on the version you see. The Lariat and King Ranch interiors are awesome. The second item is your statement that the Tundra's fuel economy isn't that impressive. Considering just how powerful the 5.7 is, it's pretty amazing that it matches the fuel economy of smaller less powerful motors from Ford, Dodge, and Nissan. Still, all in all a very fair and balanced review. Good work.

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy