2013 Toyota Tundra review

Pickups used to be measured purely on capabilities, and when this generation of Tundra was introduced in 2007, it scored well against its rivals from Ford, GM, and Ram. Times have changed, though, and expectations have too, with buyers demanding more than just outright hauling ability, toughness, and flatbed utility. Increasingly they want things like a nice ride quality, a high-quality interior, and upscale equipment in their half-ton pickup. These rising expectations are the 2013 Toyota Tundra's biggest enemy because fundamentally it remains a sound pickup. It offers an ample choice of bed lengths and cab types, as well as three trim levels and loads of options to tailor your Tundra to your exact needs, from pure utility (everyday work, towing, or off-roading) to luxury with the new-for-2013 top-end Platinum trim in four-door CrewMax form.

Three engine choices are offered. The base 4.0-liter V6 with 270 hp feels a bit overwhelmed, the 4.6-liter V8 with 310 hp is better, and the 5.7-liter V8 with 381 hp is better still, particularly if you're towing. The range-topping V8 paired with the towing package can haul as much as 10,400 pounds. The 2013 Tundra lacks the sophistication in ride quality, interior equipment, and refinement of rivals such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500, but it gets a redesign for the 2014 model year.