2014 Toyota Tundra Revealed

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Toyota unveiled the new 2014 Toyota Tundra on Feb. 7 at the Chicago Auto Show and we were there to see it. Here are our pictures and Toyota’s complete press release.

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Tundra has been a quality leader with Toyota’s DNA of quality, dependability and reliability. The industry has recognized Tundra with a myriad of awards over the last 12 years, including winning the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study for seven years running in the Full-Size Pick Up segment. Not resting on its laurels, the 2014 Tundra will be redesigned, inside and out, representing the first major change since the launch of the current generation for the 2007 model year.

The redesigned Tundra continues to be a truck with true American roots that was once again engineered by Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich., and its new look designed by Calty Design Research centers in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor. Finally, Tundra continues to be assembled exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Toyota prides itself on listening to its customers and the development of the 2014 American-born Tundra is a perfect example,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. “Tundra’s new exterior design and all-new interior were inspired by customer feedback requesting a more chiseled exterior and refined interior with improved driver ergonomics, and easy-to-use technology, giving customers more of what they want instead, in addition to what they need.”

The 2014 Tundra will have a grade strategy consisting of the hard-working SR, volume-leading SR5, the well-appointed Limited, and two premium grades: “Platinum” and the all-new “1794 Edition.” The new 1794 Edition is a tribute to the ranch, founded in the year 1794, on which the Tundra plant is located in San Antonio. Tundra is offered in three cab styles, two-door Regular Cab, four-door Double Cab and four-door CrewMax, all available in 4×2 and 4×4.

Significantly New, Unique Exterior Designs; Distinct Look for Each Grade

Inside and out, each grade embodies a specific theme through distinct designs that go beyond just badging.

The Calty design team set out to create a bold and powerful exterior to embody Tundra’s performance capability. The all-new front design integrates the hood and grille for a chiseled and modern industrial image. Designers increased the size of the front fascia and tightened up the surfaces and character lines to punctuate Tundra’s pulling power and wide stance. The chrome grille has a taller, bolder look visually connecting the upper intake to the lower bumper. The front lower bumpers are now a three-piece design, allowing for grade differentiation and less expensive replacement parts. In addition, the fenders and wheel wells have been squared-off for a wide and sturdy stance.

An all-new bed design helps carry the chiseled character lines all the way down the profile, leading to a rugged new bed and tail gate, with an integrated spoiler and “TUNDRA” stamped into the sheet metal, creating a one-piece forged look. The integrated spoiler in the deck helps with fuel efficiency, while the tail lamps express a tool-like quality to match the appearance of the body. Like the front bumper, the rear bumper changes from one piece to three, for lower replacement costs.

An All-new Spacious Interior; Each Grade With a Unique Identity

Calty’s design team worked closely with the product planners and Tundra engineers to develop an all-new bold interior focusing on styling differentiation between grades and improving the availability of features most important to truck buyers. The all-new interior variations are thematic and cater to a specific customer with a specific budget. Ergonomic improvements include easier driver access to controls as the reach to the audio and HVAC controls was reduced by 2.6 inches. Large knobs have been retained so they can be operated with or without work gloves. Overall passenger comfort was improved with an all-new front and rear (CrewMax) seat design and improved front seat ventilation. In addition, front seats have additional travel, and CrewMax rear seats can now be folded up for additional cargo carrying capability while maintaining a comfortable seating back angle.

The interior has a rugged, interlocked construction with an all-new instrument panel. The meters feature 3-D metallic rings and individual gauges grouped in a clear, easy-to-see design with a center-mounted multi-information display screen. The console design holds multiple storage areas for personal items and electronics plus additional padded surfaces and accent stitching in premium grades. Both Double Cab and CrewMax will be available with a bench or bucket seats for the front row.

The interior of the SR5 features a “professional gear” theme, with unique driver and passenger zones, metallic accents and bold contrasting fabric. Most importantly, the all-new design uses premium surface treatments to enhance interior quality and durability.

The Limited grade has an “active premium” image with leather seating surfaces matching soft-touch stitched door and console surfaces, and wood-style interior trims. The Limited will be available with Black, Sand Beige and Graphite leather-trimmed interiors and will have standard auto HVAC controls.

The Platinum grade has been completely redesigned for the next generation of personal use truckers. It features perforated black leather-trimmed seats with double-stitched diamond plate leather, door and instrument panel inserts, and chrome seat and console accent badging for an upscale yet urban feel. In addition, Platinum uses premium leather never before used on a Toyota truck and comes with many standard amenities, including a 12-speaker JBL audio system with Entune™, heated and ventilated front seats, navigation and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The 1794 Edition reflects a western lifestyle theme and includes exclusive premium saddle brown leather seating with embossed leather and ultra-suede accents. Matching soft-touch materials also accents the shift console, the front and rear door trim, and the instrument panel. Like the Platinum, the 1794 Edition includes an array of standard features that includes heated and ventilated front seats, JBL audio and Entune, navigation and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Three Engine Options Remain Among Segment’s Most Capable

Several enhancements have been implemented on the 2014 Tundra to improve performance. Shock-absorber valving has been re-tuned to improve Tundra ride quality over harsh surfaces.

Steering feel and straight line stability has been improved due to steering system improvements. These improvements reduce the inputs from road variations and imperfections, resulting in improved straight line stability and less driver fatigue.

Patented aerodynamic stabilizer fins are added to the outside surface of the rear tail lamp lens, and the outside mirror bases. These patented “Aero-Fins” reduce the air turbulence along the sides of the vehicle resulting in improved straight-line stability during normal driving conditions and while towing.

Interior cabin noise is reduced from an improved design of engine compartment NVH treatments and innovative engineering to reduce sound transmission from the engine compartment to the vehicle cabin.

Tundra continues to offer three proven powertrains. A 4.0-liter Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) V6 is standard on Tundra Regular and Double Cab models and produces 270 horsepower and 278 lb.-ft. peak torque. It is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with uphill/downhill shift logic.

The available 4.6-liter DOHC i-Force V8 offers 310 horsepower and 327 lb.-ft. of peak torque, and the 5.7-liter DOHC i-Force V8 produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of peak torque, in both gasoline and “Flex Fuel” variants. Both V8’s come standard with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. All Tundra engines feature an aluminum cylinder block and DOHC heads, along with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) for a broad torque curve and optimized efficiency.

The SR and SR5 grades will ride on 18-inch styled steel wheels, while the Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition will ride on all-new 20-inch alloy wheels specific to each grade.

Tundra remains the only full-size pickup in the segment to adhere to the SAE J2807 towing standard. When equipped with a tow package, Tundra has a maximum tow capacity of 10,400 pounds (4×2 Regular Cab).

All 2014 Tundras Feature a Number of Segment Firsts

Tundras will feature a number of segment firsts, including a new Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a standard back-up camera (viewed from the audio display screen), and standard Bluetooth. Additional standard features include a 3.5-inch multi-information display in the gauge cluster.

The Limited grade adds eight-way power driver seat, standard chrome door handles and outer mirrors, 20-inch alloy wheels and a deck rail system.

The Platinum and 1794 Edition come standard with a 10-way power driver’s seat with memory and a four-way power passenger’s seat, both with heat and ventilation, power moonroof (CrewMax only), parking sonar, and Display Audio with Navigation, Entune and JBL.

Toyota’s STAR Safety; Segment First Blind Spot Monitor with Cross Traffic Alert

The 2014 Tundra will be the first in its segment to be equipped with a standard backup camera on all grades, and the first truck in its segment to offer a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (Platinum and 1794 Edition).

All Tundra models will also feature the standard Toyota Star Safety System™ that includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop (SST) brake override technology.

Smart Stop Technology is designed to automatically reduce engine power when both brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at the same time under certain conditions, helping the driver bring the vehicle to a stop.

Tundra will be equipped with eight standard airbags including front seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear Roll-sensing Side Curtain Airbags (RSCA) in all models, driver and front outboard passenger airbags with an Advanced Airbag System, and the segments only driver and front outboard passenger knee airbags.

Additional safety features include manual headlamp leveling and standard LED Daytime Running Lights (Platinum and 1794 Edition).

The redesigned 2014 Tundra will reach Toyota dealers in September.

Alright, what’s your verdict?

Filed Under: Tundra News

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  1. meep says:

    Not bad! The rear end reminds me of a Hilux.

    Not entirely sold on the front end, but i’m sure it’ll dawn on me eventually.

    The interior is heaps better now too, i love it.

  2. KMS says:

    The interior alone for me is the most impressive part of the revamp.

    Good job Toyota.

  3. Ian says:

    I don’t know boys…… I love the interior…. light years above the current design but the front end has aspects that remind me of a Honda Ridgeline, and the rear seems too Ram/Silverado like….. Much like Meep, I’m sure it will grow on me eventually but for now I’m sticking with my 2011 Crewmax!!! TUNDRA POWER!!!!!!!!

    • kreiten says:

      well said, now everytime I look at the front end I just see a largie size honda ridgeline… I too will be keeping my 2011 Tundra

  4. […] love to see those things close." and heres a link to the write up on tundra headquarters: 2014 Toyota Tundra Pictures | Tundra Headquarters Blog not liking some the changes i read in there,you guys will see what i'm talking about.needless to […]

  5. mk says:

    sucks nothing special if you ask me. Same engines and no increase in mpg, no 6.6″ bed in a crewmax, and I surely hate the touch screens over knobs for the radio system yet another thing to distract the driver. Toyota surely did NOT listen to it’s customer base. The curved top of tailgate is interesting but nothing special. Front end and sides are copied from the big 3 as well, how original – NOT!

    Looks inside and out are fine, but just cosmetic is nothing when the big 3 have more drastic improvements for sure. Also, how come no double cab pics?

    • MK,

      See other comment about MPG and touch screens.

      With regards to exterior styling, copying is the wrong word – “trend” is better. The truth is that aerodynamics is changing the looks of all trucks, not manufactures. The styling on all trucks will get closer and closer alike due to aerodynamics. Also, customer feedback was that the truck was “too round and not big enough looking.” (watch the panel discussion on Pickuptrucks.com). That was part of the change.

      -Tim

    • Brian J says:

      Agree! No 6.6′ bed in the C-max is a big let down. Ford got that idea down several years ago, and Chevy is on board now. Toyota missed the mark.

  6. Joe says:

    I am very disappointed that there is no 3/4 ton model for 2014, as I need a 3/4 ton model for a truck camper after retirement. I remember many years ago Toyota has a one ton model for their compact truck (before the Tacoma) and they also built compact truck chassis for mini motor homes. Does anyone know why Toyota, who want to challenge the Big Three in the truck market, retreat from the heavy duty arena?

    • Joe,

      I talked with Toyota about that. They said it is simply a capacity issue. The truck plant in San Antonio is at full capacity and they can’t add any more new truck manufacturing. From a business standpoint, if they decided to build a new plant they would consider a larger truck that is just a lot of money and a small increase in market share.

      -Tim

    • Joe – As Tim points out, there’s a capacity issue to deal with, but that’s not the only reason Toyota didn’t attack the HD truck market. The main reasons are:

      1. Tremendous investment. They’d need to spend at least a billion to configure a 3/4 ton truck off the existing platform, bring in the diesel from Australia and get it emissions certified, etc. The expected ROI on that $1-$1.5 billion dollar investment isn’t too good because…

      2. Toyota can’t steal sales from Ford. When you’re the newest entrant to the market, the company you need to take sales from is the segment leader. Ford thought they were going to do that with the 2007 Tundra, but that simply didn’t happen. Toyota has probably come to the conclusion that they just can’t convert a Ford buyer to a Toyota buyer, so they’re not even going to try in the HD segment.

      3. Capacity can easily be added to the existing plant, but it takes another billion or so of investment. No chance Toyota spends that money on the hope that they’ll build a popular HD model.

      In other words, the HD Tundra is dead-dead-dead. It’s been dead for years, in fact.

      • Joe says:

        Thanks for the info. Why is that Ford 150 has a heavy duty payload package which increase the payload to around 3,000 lbs and the Tundra does not offer that? Does a heavy duty payload package also require tremendous investment by Toyota? What is involved in a heavy duty payload package like the Ford F-150?

  7. Mickey says:

    Looks pretty good to me. Still using C-H guages. The rest looks good to me. Their packages are a little different. With my limited I got heated seats and memory 8 position seating. Now the limits don’t come with heated seats. Theroputic when using heated seats for a sore back. Still will try to see if I can get one at a reasonable price. That would be a platinum series. My only issue would be no Nautical Blue. I have to see the other colors first. Who knows maybe a Limited Nautical Blue wired for heated seats.

  8. mk says:

    Yes, keep us posted on what the new pricing will be in terms of new options and price increases. If they did that customer survey on our current tundras being too rounded and not looking big enough, I wasn’t involved. I like the rounded look makes it look even bigger and tougher in my opinion. I still think they copied Ford mostly with hints of GM and Dodge. Not saying it is terrible looking inside and out, just not one thing they did impressed me at all. Will wait and see the new Chevy and new Toyota pickups when they both come out in late spring and decide which way to go then but certainly now leaning towards the silverado offering a 6 1/2′ in a crewmax I so desire, roomy enough inside and outside to do what I want a truck to do. Quality may be an issue though since got burned a few times buying silverado’s but not saying the current tundra doesn’t have a few ongoing issues they never addressed since 2007 keep coming back year after year with the same problems not being fixed.

  9. Mickey says:

    Tim noticed no tranny temp guage?

  10. GoI3ig says:

    I like it. I can’t wait to see the double cab version.

  11. stan says:

    Ford f150 interior replica! Buy ford! Ecoboost is Great!

  12. Rob Man says:

    I’ve owned a Toyota for years, and was one of the first buyers for the `07 Tundra when it came out. I loved the `07. Actually, it was the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. I bought one of these `14 Tundras and hate everything about it. They missed the mark with this redesign. I’m not sure which customers they were listening to, but it was not someone who drives and uses their truck as a truck. The list of things that suck are too long to put here. Very disappointed!

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