For folks looking for a tough and dependable vehicle the 2014 Toyota Tundra is a full-size truck that packs just the right punch. New for this year, the exterior and interior on the 2014 Tundra has been updated and retuned with more technology and a new trim level too, the cool 1794 Edition.
Competition for the 2014 Toyota Tundra includes a serious lineup of options including the Ram 1500 or the Chevrolet Silverado. As well, the Ford F-150 offers an option of choosing an EcoBoost V6 engine in this full-size alternative.
For body styles, the 2014 has three to choose from -- the two-door regular cab, an extended four-door double cab or crew cab with the moniker "CrewMax," the latter two choices seat up to six depending on the equipment and option choices.
Once you choose the body style you then choose a wheelbase -- either the 5.5-foot short bed, 6.5-foot standard bed or the 8.1-foot long bed and from there you can choose from up to five trim levels.
There is the base Tundra SR, the SR5, the Limited, a Platinum trim and finally, the new 1794 Edition. One thing to keep in mind is that when choosing the body style, wheelbase and trim each might not come in all the variations. As well, different parts of the country will also offer different choices too.
On the base Tundra you can expect the SR to come in a regular cab size with 18-inch steel wheels, a black lower front bumper, tow hooks, keyless entry, heated mirrors, full power accessories, a windshield wiper de-icer, cruise control, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery and a 40/20/40-split bench seat with adjustments for the driver and passenger. There is also plenty of techno additions like connectivity for Bluetooth, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, rearview camera and all the necessary USB/auxiliary audio inputs.
The options on this trim include a bed rail system and there is the more basic Work Truck package that comes with vinyl seats and flooring.
On the SR there is the double cab body with the addition of a front and rear map light and also eight-way adjustable driver seat with the passenger seat offering a choice of four adjusts. ON this trim too are the 60/40-split fold-up rear seats too.
For the SR5 you can opt for either a double cab or CrewMax body style and the equipment that comes on this trim includes fog lights, chrome grille surround and rear bumper, intermittent wipers, a center-console shifter and upgraded features likes an upgraded instrument panel, sliding rear window and a larger touchscreen display.
You can also opt for an upgrade package with bucket seats, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a console in the front and in the back, an under-seat storage tray.
There is also a TRD Off-Road package that has 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, off-road-tuned suspension and on the two-wheel drive model you get tow hooks.
On the Limited trim the wheels go up to 20 inches and this trim also gives you heated side mirrors, a bed-rail system, dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and upholstery as well as power bucket seats in the front seat as well as heated front seats, power-operated sliding rear window, auto-dimming rearview mirror and all the technology features like the Entune smartphone app suite and, on the Limited Premium option add-on package, you also get front and rear parking sensors, one-touch power windows and illuminated entry lighting.
For the top-of-the-line Platinum trim in the CrewMax cab its special 20-inch wheels, power-folding heated outside mirrors, sunroof, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats and a sound system that comes with 12 JBL speakers.
Finally if you want the biggest and best Tundra, the 1794 Edition is where it's at for 2014. The 1794 name comes from the ranch in Texas where the assembly plant that assembles Tundra now resides. You can only get the 1794 in the CrewMax and decked out like only a good "Texas style" truck could be and there is an attractive silver exterior detailing along with leather upholstery reminiscent of a saddle and soft touch materials and trims too.
Under the hood on the 2014 Toyota Tundra you have choices and there is a choice of either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive options and, with each engine option, there is also the single rear axle ratio.
On the rear-wheel-drive for the base model Tundra the engine is a 4.0-liter V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. You get that in a five-speed automatic transmission and it only comes standard.
The Tundra also has the 4.6-liter V8 with 310 horsepower and 327 pound feet of torque and with that you can opt for a 2WD or 4WD SR double cab. The six-speed automatic transmission is standard on this one.
The stronger 5.7-liter engine is the V8 and that one comes on not only the 1794 trim, but also the Limited or Platinum and can be had as an option on various other models as well. Count on 381 horsepower and 401 pound feet of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission.
With an eye toward safety, the 2014 Toyota Tundra has a list of safety features including antilock brakes, stability and traction control, a trailer sway control feature, front side-impact, side curtain and front knee airbags. The rearview camera comes on all the trims, but for an even safer upgrade there is also parking sensors on the Limited. Standard on one of the trim packages offered as well as the Platinum and 1794 Edition there is a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alerts too.
Changed and revamped, inside the Tundra this year you get a larger set of dials and knobs that are closer to the driver for easier use. If that's not enough, check out the easier to read instruments denoting speed limit and RPMs complete with higher-end leather as applicable and in 2014 there is also a touchscreen display on all trims.
The front seat is a comfortable ride, and even better the backseat touts plenty of leg and head room for the passengers, or if the rear seats are lowered, there is an impressive amount of storage too.
Behind the wheel, there are the three engines, but each one easily rises to challenge presented for the driver. Keep in mind the Tundra also has an impressive towing capacity too and on the lesser of the engine horsepower choices you also get excellent fuel economy.
Should You Need to Know: The 2014 Toyota Tundra comes with a tow package on all vehicles equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 and you can expect a tow of up to 10,400 pounds. Take note too of the large double cab with traditional rear doors, easy in and out.
Miles Per Gallon: The 2014 Toyota Tundra 4 X 4 I drove had 13 miles to the gallon in the city and 17 on the highway.
Cost: The cost of the 4 X 4 Toyota Tundra 1794 Crewmax I drove came in with a price tag of $49,715.