Vehicle Overview
The big players in the half-ton pickup truck segment like Ford, Ram and General Motors have recently brought out significant changes to their half-tons in the form of powertrains, suspensions and specialty option packages. Toyota has decided to take a more conservative approach, giving the 2014 Tundra a freshened exterior look along with a redesigned interior. What’s New for 2014
The 2014 Tundra will offer five distinct trim levels, each with a separate interior and exterior look.
The new trim levels will be paired with five different grille designs.
The 2014 Toyota half-ton will also include some new safety and connectivity technology in the form of standard Entune on the two new premium packages, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning detection. Exterior
The all-new front design of the 2014 Tundra includes many changes. Designers made the hood taller and the grille wider, punctuating each of the different front grilles with a more chiseled and more modern look.
The lower bumper design is now made of three distinct pieces to help with repair costs, but also will give the Tundra “face” a more muscular foundation to sit on. In addition, the fenders and wheel openings have a more squared-off look and character lines have been carved into the body.
At the rear of the full-size pickup, Tundra designers have incorporated a more stylized tailgate that includes an integrated spoiler to help improve fuel economy. Other design changes in the rear include a newly placed and much-larger-than-before Tundra logo on the tailgate that looks as if it was formed into the steel rather than stamped.
The new Tundra will offer five new trim packages with unique wheel choices as well. The SR and SR5 grades will ride on 18-inch steel wheels, while the Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition will include all-new 20-inch alloy wheels specific to each grade.Interior
The new trim packages for 2014 Tundra will start with the base “work duty” trim called the SR Package; the next level up is the SR5, which will be called the “professional gear” package, offering chrome accents and contrasting fabrics.
The Limited will be Toyota’s “active premium” trim with leather, soft-touch materials and wood trim. Limited grade also adds an eight-way power driver seat, standard chrome door handles and outer mirrors, 20-inch alloy wheels and a deck rail system.
The first of the premium packages, called Platinum, will have perforated black leather seats, more stylized chrome accents, and upscale door and instrument panel inserts.
The 1794 Edition will have many of the same quality details as the Platinum but will use saddle brown leather and ultra-suede accents to give it a more western-themed appearance and feel. The Platinum and 1794 Edition come standard with an eight-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 and the Entune connectivity system.Under the Hood
Although engine and transmission options have not changed for the 2014 models, meaning select Tundras will still offer a choice between the 4.0-liter V-6, 4.6-liter V-8 and 5.7-liter V-8 engines, there have been some shock-valving changes to improve overall ride quality and handling.
Likewise, the steering system has been improved to allow for better control with road variations and imperfections that can move the truck off course slightly. The results are reported to be better straight-line control and less driver fatigue.Safety
The 2014 Tundras will offer several new safety features including a standard backup camera and Bluetooth on all models, blind spot monitoring and a cross-traffic alert system (the last two will only be offered on Platinum and 1794 Edition models).
All Tundra models will also feature Smart Stop brake override technology.
Smart Stop is designed to automatically reduce engine power when both brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at the same time under certain conditions.
Tundra will be equipped with eight standard airbags, including front-seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear roll-sensing side curtain airbags in all models, driver and front outboard passenger airbags with an Advanced Airbag System, and driver and front outboard passenger knee airbags.
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