2000 Toyota Tundra: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

This Indiana-built Toyota is the first import-brand challenger to American full-size pickup trucks. Basically, Tundra is about 10 inches shorter in wheelbase and in overall length than a comparable Ford F-150. Regular-cab Tundras have an 8-foot cargo bed. The extended-cab Access Cab comes with two rear-hinged back doors and a 6.5-foot bed. Rivals offer several wheelbases, but Tundra has just one.
Bucket or bench front seats are available, and the Access Cab has a 3-passenger rear bench. As with extended-cab rivals, Access Cab's rear doors don't open or close independently of the front doors, though Ford's new F-150 SuperCrew has four regular side doors.
Base and SR5 Tundras use the 190-horsepower twincam V6 available in Toyota's compact Tacoma pickup. SR5 V8 and Limited Tundras use the twincam V8 from Toyota's Land Cruiser, here with 245 hp, 15 more than in the Land Cruiser. The V6 comes with manual or automatic transmission; the V8 with automatic only. Tundra's 4-wheel-drive transfer case is shifted with dashboard buttons on V8s, a floor lever on V6s. It's for slippery surfaces only; among full-size pickups, only the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra have 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement. Tundra's maximum payload and towing ratings are competitive with those of domestic rivals, at 2000 and 7500 pounds, respectively.
On full-size domestic pickups, rear antilock brakes are standard and 4-wheel ABS is optional. Ford and GM trucks with 4-wheel ABS also get 4-wheel disc brakes. Tundra does not have rear ABS, and its optional 4-wheel ABS retains the standard front discs/rear drums. At midyear, Toyota dropped the 4WD SR5 V6 regular-cab models, so all V6 regular-cab Tundras now come only with 2WD.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles the segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.
The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility.