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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So yes, I bought an outdated truck, and am prepared to take a little flack for it, but I just love it and expect that this truck will serve us well for years to come.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!
Late here... but congrats! I haven't seen that interior color/trim combo here in Canada and it looks great!
No complaints so far with the 5.7. The acceleration isn't back breaking, but it's always strong and there when you need it. I do like that. And as we've said before, the sound is intoxicating, at any speed.
It is definitely a gas guzzler, but I knew that going in. It's worth it.
No complaints so far with the 5.7. The acceleration isn't back breaking, but it's always strong and there when you need it. I do like that. And as we've said before, the sound is intoxicating, at any speed.
It is definitely a gas guzzler, but I knew that going in. It's worth it.
Right it's no Ferrari or anything, but plenty powerful. I had to make a move on the interstate the other day and was sort of shocked how fast I got up past 100. I'm just glad I have the 6 speed auto and not the 8. I'm pretty sure the Tundra always kept the 6 speed auto too. And yeah I can barely crack 11mpg around town, lol. I just live so close to everything, it's all short city trips and the mpg suffers even worse. But I don't care.
Right it's no Ferrari or anything, but plenty powerful. I had to make a move on the interstate the other day and was sort of shocked how fast I got up past 100. I'm just glad I have the 6 speed auto and not the 8. I'm pretty sure the Tundra always kept the 6 speed auto too. And yeah I can barely crack 11mpg around town, lol. I just live so close to everything, it's all short city trips and the mpg suffers even worse. But I don't care.
Glad you like your truck.
Thanks. We'll be taking it on its first long road trip this weekend and I am really looking forward to it. I'll be towing the trailer, so mpg will stink, but at least we'll be comfortable with plenty of room.
First road trip complete! Hauled the trailer up to Deception Pass for a week of camping with the family and it was amazing!
The truck handled it all beautifully, keeping temperatures in check (it was 106 degrees at my house when we left), comfort high, and the torque just kept coming. It was a very relaxed vehicle on the highway, and we all had plenty of room, even with our 80lb labradoodle on board with us. I can't say enough good things about what it was like to take a trip in this truck!
A couple of pictures:
Congrats on the truck! Looks like you guys had so much fun!!
Thank you! We love camping and I'm trying very hard to make sure my kids have good memories of this family time when they are older.
Clearly you're a very wise man - I wish I had done more of this kind of stuff with my boys when they were younger as opposed to taking the lazy route - letting them play on electronic devices lol.
Clearly you're a very wise man - I wish I had done more of this kind of stuff with my boys when they were younger as opposed to taking the lazy route - letting them play on electronic devices lol.
Thank you! I have tons of great memories of camping from when I was a kid and just wanted to make sure my kids had the same. When we are home, they are always asking to watch a show or whatnot, but when we are camping, they are out exploring, putting miles and miles on their bikes, playing, etc. It's just the best!
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
you might love watching Ewan MacGregor's "long way round/down/up" series... some amazing camping and traveling adventures.
