2018 Toyota Tundra
Prepare to move mountains
Overview
Toyota’s tagline is “Let’s Go Places,” and with the 2018 Tundra, going places means going anywhere, even the top of the world. Powerful engine options and incredible body strength obliterate limitations, and remarkable style and comfort features round out the total package. The 2018 Toyota Tundra reigns supreme on and off the road.
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The Perfect Ride for…
With five increasingly impressive trim levels, the 2018 Tundra has something for everyone. Do you need a heavyweight that can handle hefty hauling? The Tundra is for you. Do you need a cab that can carry the whole crew? The Tundra is for you. Do you need a truck that can truly traverse all terrain? The Tundra can do it all
Heavy-Hitting Hardware
Engineered in Michigan, styled in California, and built in Texas, the Toyota Tundra is truly American-made. Every step of the way, the Toyota team brought together the toughest parts with the finest engineering to craft the promise of toughness. In fact, 90% of all Toyota Tundras sold over the last ten years are still on the road today. This is made possible by thoughtful manufacturing that puts strength and dependability in every inch of the Tundra’s long-lasting frame.
The long list of performance features tells an epic story. The 2018 Tundra has the largest front brakes in its class and boasts 4-piston brake calipers, which adds up to more control when towing or traversing tough terrain. A massive rear-differential ring gear means more of the Tundra’s torque gets transferred through the rear axle and to the ground. The standard Automatic Limited-Slip Differential applies braking power to individual wheels with no traction, which doesn’t cut engine power like other vehicles that use only Traction Control.
What’s driving all of that precision engineering? The 2018 Tundra comes with your choice of two capable i-FORCE V8 powertrains. The revolutionary Toyota i-FORCE engine uses Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) for optimal fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance. Toyota developed the VVT-i feature to overlap the time between when the exhaust valve closes and when the intake valve opens, which greatly improves fuel economy for large V8 engines.
The 4.6-liter i-FORCE V8 comes standard with both the SR and SR5 trim levels, in either the RWD or 4WD, double cab or CrewMax, and short bed or long bed versions. This engine can produce up to 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque. The larger 5.7-liter i-FORCE V8 is available as an upgrade with any of the SR or SR5 variants mentioned above, and it’s standard in the premium Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition trim levels. The 5.7-liter produces an impressive 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque at nearly the same output levels as the 4.6-liter engine. The 5.7-liter is also available with Flex Fuel Vehicle capability, designed to run on gasoline or gasoline-ethanol blends of up to 85% ethanol (E85).
Key Features
Toyota Safety Sense™
Keeping you and your passengers safe is a top priority for Toyota, which is why Safety Sense comes as standard equipment on the 2018 Tundra. The updated safety package will add new technologies and capabilities that enhance protection for drivers, passengers, and others who share the road while helping to provide peace of mind in even more driving situations.
Lane Departure Alert, for example, tells you when you when you’re beginning to move into another lane. This has been enhanced with "road edge detection" to increase the vehicle's ability to help you stay safely in your lane. Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control works like a regular cruise control by allowing you to set the speed you want your Tundra to maintain as well as the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. If the vehicle ahead begins to slow below your set speed, your Tundra will also slow down to maintain your specified distance, and then the system speeds you up again when the slower vehicle is out of the way.
1794 Edition Interior
In the year 1794, a ranch was founded in the great state of Texas, and now, that location is the home of the Toyota assembly plant where the 2018 Tundra is built. To honor that piece of American history and heritage, Toyota offers the 1794 Edition CrewMax trim level in this year’s Tundra. The interior (pictured) represents a leap forward in full-size truck luxury. The Tundra’s sweeping instrument panel and center console are surrounded by premium stitched leather and wood grain panels.
21st-Century Towing
Towing ability was a central focus in the design of the Tundra. The truck’s frame is built around the need to haul the heaviest of payloads with features like staggered, outboard-mounted shocks, a heavy-duty TripleTech™ frame with integrated towing hitch receiver, and a trailer hitch that utilizes 12 high-strength bolts integrated into the frame itself. When properly equipped, the 2018 Tundra can tow over 10,000 lbs. Plus, a 4-/7-pin connector integrated into the rear bumper makes it easy to plug-in heavier trailers with their own brakes and use the available Integrated Trailer Brake Controller and standard Trailer-Sway Control.
Alternative Options
The world’s best truck may be overkill for your needs. If so, there are plenty of other options in the Toyota lineup. If you want a truck of compact stature while still getting impressive capability, the 2018 Toyota Tacoma comes through with an available 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with VVT-iW exhaust, producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque and capable of towing up to 6400 lbs. If you're hauling people, the 2018 Toyota Sienna can fit everyone comfortably. Three rows of seating allow up to eight passengers to sit comfortably, each with over 40 inches of legroom. Each row will also enjoy separate automatic climate control, USB ports, individual sunshades, cup holders, and individual overhead lighting.
Image Credit: Toyota