2012 Toyota Tundra Review
Popular Tundra Reviews
From Edmunds.com:
The 2012 Toyota Tundra combines strong powertrain choices and a selection of spacious cabs to deliver a real workhorse of a pickup.
Pros: Strong V8 powertrains; capable six-speed automatic; large Double Cab with traditional rear doors; colossal CrewMax cab; one axle ratio fits all.
Cons: Interior design missteps; lively ride; feels more cumbersome to drive than competitors.
From Cars.com:
What We Like: 4.6-liter V-8 with broad, flat peak torque curve; 5.7-liter V-8 among best half-ton-pickup engines; 10,400-pound maximum trailering rating; Massive front brakes with excellent stopping power.
What We Don't: Dark, sterile interior materials; Unloaded ride quality is harsh; Huge CrewMax has no rear captain's chairs in luxury model; No integrated trailer brake controller option
Tundra Comparisons
- 09' Tundra vs. F150
- 08' Tundra vs. 09' Ram
- 08' Tundra vs. Sierra-Silverado
- PickupTrucks.com 2008 Half-Ton Shoot Out
- PickupTrucks.com 2011 $30,000 Half-ton Shoot Out
2012 Tundra Overview
No major changes were made to the 2012 Toyota Tundra when compared to the 2011 model, but that doesn't mean that the truck doesn't offer a few improvements that help to keep Toyota's full-size pickup flagship competitive. For the most part, Toyota has elected to focus on making it simpler to order the Tundra (from an options and features perspective), and also added some new available equipment to the mix.
2011 saw the introduction of a revised 4.0-liter V6 motor to the Tundra family and the 2012 Toyota Tundra maintains this unit as its entry-level power plant. The 270 horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 also generates 278 lb-ft of torque and delivers fuel economy of 16 miles per gallon in city driving and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. A five-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties for this engine.
Moving up to the Tundra's 4.6-liter V8 introduces 310 horses and 327 lb-ft of twist to the equation, while maintaining extremely competitive fuel mileage that is only one mile per gallon lower than the V-6 around town and identical to the smaller engine on the highway. Part of this impressive efficiency can be linked to the six-speed automatic transmission that comes standard with the eight-cylinder engine. A more robust 5.7-liter V8 remains available with the 2012 Toyota Tundra, and it continues to produce 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque while delivering 14 miles per gallon in stop and go driving and 18 miles per gallon on the highway. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission offered with this motor.
In terms of towing, the V6 Tundra provides 4,900 lbs of capacity while the 4.6-liter motor boosts that to 8,600 lbs. The 5.7-liter Tundra is able to haul an impressive 10,400 lbs, making it the engine of choice for anyone who needs their pickup to regularly earn its keep lugging a heavy load. Four-wheel drive can be ordered with both V8 engines, but the V6 is rear-wheel drive only.
NOTE: It doesn't get much press, but the fact that the Tundra is the only truck to adhere to SAE tow rating standards is critically important. Ratings from Ford, GM, and Ram do not strictly header to the same SAE J2807 standard, so they must be treated with some degree of skepticism.
Trim Levels
The 2012 Toyota Tundra comes in a trio body styles - Regular, Double Cab and CrewMax - with the latter two providing extra rear doors for easier access to the extended passenger compartment. Three different bed lengths can also be had with the Tundra ranging from six-feet, six-inches all the way up to eight-feet for Regular and Double Cab models. The CrewMax features a shorter five-foot, six-inch box.
The level of equipment included with the Tundra trim varies depending on the body style that it is matched with. Base Regular cab Tundra's offer items such as power windows and door locks, a cloth bench seat, a CD player, 18-inch steel wheels, a CD player and chrome bumpers free of charge, while opting for the entry-level Double Cab installs keyless entry, cruise control, a better stereo system and intermittent wipers. CrewMax Tundra grade trucks gain a fold-flat rear seat and a power rear window.
Toyota changed how the Tundra's options packages are organized for 2012, and buyers can select from four primary feature groups for Double Cab and CrewMax trucks and four for Regular Cab trucks. The latter can be ordered with the SR5 and SR5 Upgrade packages, which install a raft of power accessories, intermittent wipers and a center console, as well as the TRD Off-Road package which brings with its knobby 18-inch all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, a stiffer suspension system as well as most of the SR5's equipment list. The Sport Appearance package adds front and rear color-keyed bumpers, adjustable seats, power windows, door locks and mirrors in addition to cruise control and a console shifter.
Double Cab and CrewMax buyers also benefit from the availability of the Sport Appearance package (as well as a Chrome package) and the TRD Off-Road package. Piling on is the TRD Rock Warrior package, which features an even more aggressive 17-inch tire and wheel combo as well as a new standard backup camera, different graphics, special paint and upgraded interior trim, and the Convenience package which adds fog lamps, under-seat storage and tinted windows. The Convenience package can be ordered with bucket seats up front, a feature that is also available with the Upgrade package that includes a backup camera and a sliding rear window but which is largely similar to the Convenience group of items.
2011's Work Truck package remains an option with Regular and Double Cab Tundras, stripping down most of the vehicle's features in order to provide a basic, task-focused version of the pickup. CrewMax shoppers will be happy to know that they can still go whole-hog with the Platinum package, which adds heated and cooled leather seats, a moon roof and wood trim.
The Limited trim can be had with either Double Cab or CrewMax trucks, and it improves the Tundra's interior thanks to the inclusion of dual automatic climate control, heated leather seats, a backup camera, a trip computer, snazzier gauges, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Limited trim also offers a JBL stereo system with Bluetooth connectivity. On the outside, the Tundra Limited is recognizable through its 18-inch alloy wheels, a front bumper that matches the color of the truck's paint, and fog lamps.
Finally, the Platinum edition Tundra is an upgrade on the Limited, with even more features and luxury accessories. 20" wheels, a sunroof, standard navigation, perforated leather seating surfaces, etc.
Powertrain Options
Just like 2011, the 2012 Tundra is offered with either
- A 4.6-liter V8 rated 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 15mpg city / 19 mpg hwy.
- The 5.7-liter V8 still rates as one of the most powerful engines in the segment, with 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy ratings of 14mpg city / 18 mpg highway are the cost of all this power, however.
- A 4.0L V6 producing 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque, that's rated 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway, or 18mpg overall. Considering the low cost of this engine and it's relatively similar power output to the 4.6L, it's a great value.