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2018 Toyota Tundra review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

Toyota Tundra highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Both V8 engine choices are powerful
  • More standard driver aids for 2018

Cons

  • A bit large and cumbersome to drive
  • Ride quality and EPA estimates lag top rivals

Mileage (EPA estimate)

13 city, 17 highway, 14 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
Year

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2018 Toyota Tundra brings more standard driver aids on board

The Tundra is very much a pickup truck that will appeal to a traditional buyer because this Toyota offering has remained largely unchanged, technically at least, from the model introduced in 2007. A new look in 2014 gave it more curb appeal and an updated interior, but underneath, the 2018 Tundra is the same old truck it's been for a long time, and that's problematic. Compared with its newer rivals, it struggles to make a strong case for itself, particularly if you want your truck to do more than just work. The suspension is firm and the ride stiff on less-than-perfect roads. And though some might applaud the V8-only choices under the hood, neither is able to match the EPA-estimated fuel economy of the Tundra's domestic competition.

There are highlights in the range, though. The V8 engines are powerful, the 4.6-liter with 310 hp and the 5.7-liter with 381 hp, and they make light work of towing, particularly with the right towing packages added. If you need lots of passenger space, the double cab and especially the crew cab (CrewMax) are vast inside. All Tundras use an automatic, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive an option. Trim levels start with the base SR work truck. The next step up, the SR5, is decently equipped and a good value, and the Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition trims up the luxury and equipment significantly. A new TRD Sport package offered on the SR5 trim adds 20-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension, but for more off-road capability, you'll want to seek out the TRD Off-Road package on the SR5, Limited, or 1794 Edition trim. Also for 2018, all come standard with the Toyota Safety Sense™ suite of driver aids, bringing the Tundra up-to-date on that front. But the Tundra still trails rivals in too many other areas to fully recommend it for all but a handful of specific applications, notably towing or off-road performance.

All Toyota Tundra years

What is new for the 2018 Toyota Tundra?

  • The TRD Pro trim has been discontinued for 2018.
  • Tundra trims have been upgraded with Automated Cruise Control and Lane Departure Warning as standard equipment this year.

2018 Toyota Tundra trims

Curious how Toyota Tundra trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

SR

  • Includes 18-inch styled steel wheels, 40/20/40 split fold-down front bench seat, Entune Audio with 6.1-inch touchscreen display, integrated backup camera, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and more.

  • View all Toyota Tundra SRs in stock

SR5

  • Adds halogen fog lights, gray honeycomb-style grille with chrome surround, chrome front and rear bumper end caps, Entune Audio Plus with connected navigation app, seven-inch high-resolution touchscreen, and more.

  • View all Toyota Tundra SR5s in stock

Limited

  • Adds LED headlights, 20-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats with power driver and passenger seating, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more.

  • View all Toyota Tundra Limiteds in stock

Platinum

  • Adds 20-inch alloy wheels, black honeycomb-style grille with color-keyed grille surround, black premium perforated leather-trimmed seats, heated and ventilated front seats, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and more.

  • View all Toyota Tundra Platinums in stock

1794 Edition

  • Adds chrome billet-style grille, chrome front bumper end caps, 1794 Edition badging, Western-themed interior, brown premium perforated leather-trimmed seats with Ultrasuede® inserts, and more.

  • View all Toyota Tundra 1794s in stock

Toyota Tundra photos

5 reasons to buy the 2018 Toyota Tundra

1. Standard V8 power

2018 Toyota Tundra: Reviews, Photos, and More: Reasons to Buy #1 | CarMax

The 2018 Toyota Tundra offers two powerful engine options to suit a range of jobs. The base engine is a 310-hp 4.6L V8 (standard on SR and SR5 trims), or you can shop for a model with a 381-hp 5.7L V8 (standard on Limited and higher trims; optional on all other models). The 5.7L V8 is especially useful for big jobs, with an estimated towing capacity of 10,200 lbs when properly equipped.

If you do less towing and spend more time driving, consider the 4.6L V8. This powerplant gets an EPA-estimated 16 mpg combined with 2WD or 4WD and has an estimated towing capacity of 6,800 lbs, when properly equipped.

2. Numerous configurations

2018 Toyota Tundra: Reviews, Photos, and More: Reasons to Buy #2 | CarMax

Whether you need a spacious cab for your crew or a long bed to haul heavy loads, the 2018 Toyota Tundra has a configuration that works as hard as you do. This model is available in Double Cab and CrewMax body styles with three bed lengths, including a 5.5-foot short bed (CrewMax models), a 6.5-foot standard bed (Double Cab models), and an 8.1-foot long bed (Double Cab models). SR and SR5 Double Cab and CrewMax models feature six-passenger seating, while 2018 Toyota Tundra Limited and higher trims with the Double Cab and CrewMax seat five passengers. Double Cab models also provide 34.7 inches of rear-seat legroom, while the 2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax impresses with 42.3 inches of rear legroom for taller passengers.

3. TRD sport package

2018 Toyota Tundra: Reviews, Photos, and More: Reasons to Buy #3 | CarMax

The TRD Sport Package, which is available on 2018 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab and CrewMax models, adds racing appeal and extra performance to this truck. Exterior features like a hood scoop, black-accented 20-inch wheels, and LED fog lights bring out the Tundra's bold attitude. An upgraded suspension system is also included with this package and features TRD front and rear sway bars and Bilstein® dampers to deliver athletic handling. Inside the cabin, a sleek leather-wrapped TRD sport shifter with silver-accented trim and TRD logo makes a statement.

4. TRD off-road package

2018 Toyota Tundra: Reviews, Photos, and More: Reasons to Buy #4 | CarMax

If you like off-roading on your days off, the 2018 Toyota Tundra offers an available TRD Off-Road Package on the 1794 Edition, Limited, and SR5 trims. With this upgrade, the Tundra receives 18-inch five-spoke TRD Off-Road alloy wheels with black accents and trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers for ride comfort. Engine and fuel tank skid plates are included for extra protection, along with rugged front tow hooks. 4WD Tundras also gain an A-TRAC system, which simultaneously optimizes traction across all axles for more grip on low-traction surfaces. An automatic limited-slip differential is included in the package and increases resistance when wheel slip is detected.

5. Driver aids

2018 Toyota Tundra: Reviews, Photos, and More: Reasons to Buy #5 | CarMax

The Toyota Tundra includes several standard active driver aids to help you feel in command. All 2018 models include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, which offers audio and visual alerts of obstacles in your path. Lane departure alert with sway warning is also included on all trims to ensure that the truck and your load remain on course. Automatic high beams enhance visibility in low-light conditions, and dynamic radar cruise control comes standard as well. This system adds a vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode that adjusts the Tundra's speed to maintain a preset distance to vehicles up ahead.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2018 Toyota Tundra, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado is a half-ton full-size pickup truck. The 2014-2018 Silverado 1500 has V6 and V8 engine options and can tow an estimated 12,000 lbs. when properly equipped.

The Silverado offers the option of three cab sizes, three bed sizes, and eight trims, giving you plenty of opportunities to find a truck that works for you. The Silverado 1500 was redesigned in 2019, introducing a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while maintaining V6 and V8 options.

Here's what you'll find on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in model years 2017 and later:

  • Standard teen driver setting, which limits speed and volume

  • Estimated towing capacity of 12,500 lbs. when properly equipped (all trims and engines)

  • Available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity



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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

3
1
2
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Toyota Tundra an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Toyota Tundra 6th out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra features and specs

SR5 2WD 4D Crew Cab

Standard Features

  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • CD Audio
  • Cloth Seats
  • Entune
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Tow Hitch
  • Traction Control
  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • Alloy Wheels
  • Bed Cover
  • Bed Liner
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Navigation System
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Running Boards

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

4.6L

Horsepower

310

Torque (ft-lbs)

327

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

26.4

Wheelbase

145.7"

Overall length

228.9"

Width

79.9"

Height

75.8"

Leg room

F 42.5"/R 42.3"

Head room

F 39.7"/R 38.9"

Front tires

P255/70TR18

Rear tires

P255/70TR18

Seating capacity

6

Max towing capacity

670/6700 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2018 Toyota Tundra FAQ

More about the 2018 Toyota Tundra

2018 Toyota Tundra: Reviews, Photos, and More: Color Options | CarMax

Exterior:

  • Barcelona Red Metallic

  • Blazing Blue Pearl

  • Cavalry Blue

  • Cement

  • Inferno

  • Magnetic Gray Metallic

  • Midnight Black Metallic

  • Quicksand

  • Silver Sky Metallic Super White

  • Smoked Mesquite

  • Super White

Interior:

  • Black

  • Brown

  • Graphite

  • Sand Beige

Interior details

2018 Toyota Tundra SR and SR5 Double Cab and CrewMax models provide seating for six passengers, while Limited and higher trims with the Double Cab and CrewMax seat five passengers. Cloth upholstery comes standard on SR and SR5 Double Cab and CrewMax models, and the Limited trim features heated front seats with leather upholstery. Platinum and 1794 Edition trims include perforated leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, as well as a leather-trimmed power tilt/telescopic four-spoke steering wheel. The 1794 Edition also has wood-grain-style accents throughout the cabin, including on the steering wheel and shift knob.

Child seat details

The 2018 Toyota Tundra can fit up to three car seats in the rear row. This includes LATCH car seats, infant car seats, rear-facing convertible car seats, forward-facing convertible car seats, and booster car seats. Rear-facing convertible and infant seats fit well in the 2018 Toyota Tundra CrewMax without moving the front seat forward.

Year comparisons

2007-2021 Toyota Tundra (Second Generation)

The second-generation Toyota Tundra was unveiled for the 2007 model year with a choice of a 4L V6 engine, a 4.7L V8 engine, or an all-new 5.7L V8 engine, with automatic transmissions across the board. In 2010, the 4.7L V8 was replaced with a 4.6L V8, and the 4L V6 received more horsepower and torque the following year. A four-door CrewMax body style was also introduced for the second generation, along with a Platinum trim in 2013. In 2014, the Tundra received a significant refresh to its front end and interior. All engine options remained the same, but the Western-themed 1794 Edition trim was added in 2014. A year later, the 4L V6 was discontinued from the lineup and the 4.6L V8 followed in 2020, leaving the 5.7L V8 as the only engine option.

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