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I have owned two Tacomas and they have easily been among the favorite vehicles that I have owned. They were both very satisfying for me. I've owned one full size truck, a 2000 Silverado, which I HATED and didn't think I would go back to a full size, but full size trucks are so much different than they were in 2000. I can already tell it would be hard to go back to a Tacoma, even though I still love them and was sad to see mine go. This truck won't be so easy for around town jaunts, but the Tacoma, being a 4 door extended cab and the long bed, wasn't truly that easy either. It wasn't that wide, but was very long and not that easy to park.
The family has talked about driving the trailer from Seattle to Yellowstone then on to see family in Wisconsin and Minnesota next summer. I had previously said no because I knew that would be an awful ride in the Tacoma. Just in my short drive towing the trailer in the Tundra yesterday, I would totally be on board.
The interior is an interesting one. My wife thinks it looks like an "old man" truck interior. My Tacoma, Highlander, and GS all have black leather interiors, so I am glad that this one is different, but at times it seems a bit loud. Probably just because I'm so used to black interiors.
And yes, it smells wonderful, and yes, I'll take a close up picture of the steering wheel for you and post it.
Old man interior is a good thing! It's classic luxury
Plus the brown will likely show less dirt compared to an all black interior
Nice looking truck. I wish they made those full-size.
The Tundra IS a full-size truck....even by American standards. That has been the case for the last 15 years or so, since the 2006 redesign. Before that, yes, it was a 3/4-size truck somewhat falsely-marketed as a full-sizer.
.........
The front seats are incredibly comfortable, and includes a thigh extender on the driver's seat. The rear seats are comfortable and HUGE. I have long legs (a 36" inseam), and sitting behind where I have the driver's seat, I can stretch way out or cross my legs..
Thank you all for taking the time to read my thread! Cheers!
I thought that was a new truck behind the GS! Congrats! Looks great. I've seen that color interior in person and it's definitely not as orange as in the photos. I'm not one for that color interior usually personally but I think it's pretty nice. I didn't realize the only difference really between the 1794 and the Platinum was the additional Chrome and Wood. Over the earlier large Toyota pick-ups I think Toyota nailed it from a design stand point.
With the back seats how is the tilt of the seat back? So many trucks with a back seat, even with good leg room seem to have a very upright seat back that makes it a little uncomfortable.
Last edited by LexusGSboy; Jun 23, 2021 at 11:21 AM.
I test drove a 2021 model this weekend and fell in love with it. My Tacoma was wonderful and I really loved it, but just had to work too hard pulling our travel trailer, and wasn't roomy enough for the four of us plus our dog.
I spent the past few weeks researching the RAM 1500 and F-150 (was not interested in the Silverado) and decided to go with the Tundra. As with all new cars, Tundra inventory is extremely limited, so when I found out that my dealer had one coming in, I secured it with a deposit, and it arrived at the dealership on Thursday. I test drove it on Saturday morning and came home with it that day. I was happy to see some lesser known updates had been made over the years, such as LED headlights, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Toyota Safety Sense, etc. It is roomy, comfortable, capable, and unapologetically truckish.
I've been watching the reveal of the new Tundra. The appearance in the limited photos I have seen is growing on me, and I'm sure it'll be a good truck, but I really wanted at least one more V8 before going electric or turbo. My 2019 Highlander is the last year of that gen, my 2020 GS350 is the last year of the GS, so might as well pick up a truck that's also in its last year!
The dealership would not negotiate the price - it was straight up MSRP, but they did give me more for my Tacoma than I paid for it just over a year ago, making it super easy to get out of the lease early.
So, the truck...it is a 2021 Tundra 1794 Edition TRD Off Road. I probably would have preferred the Platinum, but no local dealership could get me one. The Platinum is the exact same price as the 1794, with the same features, but a more toned down (no chrome) grille and it doesn't have the (somewhat silly) 1794 wood trim. In pictures, the interior looks a bit orange, but much less so in person. Lexus faithful will recognize the saddle color.
The front seats are incredibly comfortable, and includes a thigh extender on the driver's seat. The rear seats are comfortable and HUGE. I have long legs (a 36" inseam), and sitting behind where I have the driver's seat, I can stretch way out or cross my legs.
I took it out with the trailer yesterday to test it out and it pulled beautifully. While the Tacoma had to work overtime to pull it, I could barely feel it in the Tundra. That 5.7 liter engine is so smooth and has excellent torque, even down low. It never felt strained.
So yes, I bought an outdated truck, and am prepared to take a little flack for it, but I just love it and expect that this truck will serve us well for years to come.
Here are some pictures. The first is at the dealership, and you can see my Cement Tacoma next to it.
My dog approves.
Hooked it up to the trailer for a trial run and was super impressed.
Thank you all for taking the time to read my thread! Cheers!
Thats a nice looking truck! Congrats! I bought an outdated GX460 and I haven’t regretted it for one minute. Safe driving!
Nice! What a beauty. The truck, not the dog...just kidding! Congrats
Thanks!
Originally Posted by formykid
Always good to go with a known quantity. Reliability you can trust.
Reliability is a huge thing for me and played heavily into this decision, for sure. I read forums for each truck I considered and was scared away from some models. I don't subscribe to the "they're great as long as you have warranty" line of thought.
Originally Posted by timmy0tool
congrats, and beautiful truck. that interior is gorgeous!
Thank you! It's definitely growing on me.
Originally Posted by mogi68
Old man interior is a good thing! It's classic luxury
Plus the brown will likely show less dirt compared to an all black interior
It just means I won't have to switch to an "old man truck" when I am indeed an old man!
Originally Posted by perfctreig
Nice looking truck. I wish they made those full-size.
Thank you. By "full-size" do you mean in a 3/4 ton or 1 ton HD, or perhaps a long bed with the crew cab? I do wish the bed were just a bit longer (it's shorter than the bed in my Tacoma) but it's noticeably wider and deeper so I am hoping that will make up for it.
Originally Posted by mmarshall
The Tundra IS a full-size truck....even by American standards. That has been the case for the last 15 years or so, since the 2006 redesign. Before that, yes, it was a 3/4-size truck somewhat falsely-marketed as a full-sizer.
This one is definitely a lot bigger than the original Tundra, for sure!
Originally Posted by LexusGSboy
I thought that was a new truck behind the GS! Congrats! Looks great. I've seen that color interior in person and it's definitely not as orange as in the photos. I'm not one for that color interior usually personally but I think it's pretty nice. I didn't realize the only difference really between the 1794 and the Platinum was the additional Chrome and Wood. Over the earlier large Toyota pick-ups I think Toyota nailed it from a design stand point.
With the back seats how is the tilt of the seat back? So many trucks with a back seat, even with good leg room seem to have a very upright seat back that makes it a little uncomfortable.
Thanks my Oregon friend! The back seat is hugely comfortable. You can't adjust the recline, unfortunately, but it's not upright at all. It's pretty comfortable right where it is. It will be such a great road tripper for the family. The kids and dog have tons of room back there. And the driver's seat is one of the most comfortable I've ever been in.
Always loved the premium, near Lexus-grade, leather used on the 1794's!
Can't remember if you shared before. how much does your travel trailer weigh?
At least you don't have to be subject to the horrible chrome clad wheels that used to be on many of the 1794s
One benefit with a truck is you can get by without leather.
I hate the leather on my LS460. Very rare to see one that looks great after 10 years. Cloth or imitation with look great twice as long.
The Tundra IS a full-size truck....even by American standards. That has been the case for the last 15 years or so, since the 2006 redesign. Before that, yes, it was a 3/4-size truck somewhat falsely-marketed as a full-sizer.
It may look full size, but certainly isn't in the inside. My son (6'2") and I were looking at one to replace his dearly departed LS430. He had driven my Avalanche without a problem. Getting into the Tundra, we each felt cramped. In fact, my son had to bend his neck ever so slightly to avoid hitting the headliner. The place where we were looking had a 2005 and 2006, so I wonder if they made it bigger after. He had no problem fitting into my Avalanche.
Oddly, he's fine driving my hybrid Malibu, as it has a high ceiling for a small car.
It may look full size, but certainly isn't in the inside. My son (6'2") and I were looking at one to replace his dearly departed LS430. He had driven my Avalanche without a problem. Getting into the Tundra, we each felt cramped. In fact, my son had to bend his neck ever so slightly to avoid hitting the headliner. The place where we were looking had a 2005 and 2006, so I wonder if they made it bigger after. He had no problem fitting into my Avalanche.
Oddly, he's fine driving my hybrid Malibu, as it has a high ceiling for a small car.
The current ones are WAY bigger than the 2005 and 2006 models.
What is it with the idea that an experience with a model 15 years old is comparable to an experience with a current model?!
Personally I love the interior color of your truck.
Congrats! Looks great. I've seen that color interior in person and it's definitely not as orange as in the photos. I'm not one for that color interior usually personally but I think it's pretty nice. I didn't realize the only difference really between the 1794 and the Platinum was the additional Chrome and Wood. Over the earlier large Toyota pick-ups I think Toyota nailed it from a design stand point.
