Used 2015 Toyota Tundra Double Cab

As Toyota’s full-size truck, the 2015 Tundra aims for attention in a segment rife with entrenched players and brand loyalists. Capturing the limelight – and buyers’ allegiance – is no easy task, and not just because the segment has long been dominated by GM, Ram and America’s best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-150. Where power used to be a pickup’s calling card, the Tundra’s rivals are now in a race to be the most sophisticated and efficient. Toyota’s flagship truck addressed aspects of the former with last year’s revamp, but has yet to update its aging powertrains. The Tundra’s V8 engine choices are powerful, but neither cracks 20 mpg. What the Tundra does have on its side is strong resale value and a history of reliability.

On road and off, Toyota’s full-size truck is still formidable. Its standard 310-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 is more than acceptable for lighter duties, while the 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 is up for almost any task (yes, it famously pulled the Space Shuttle over a bridge). On the open road, the Tundra’s cabin is surprisingly quiet. Toyota’s half-ton truck isn’t exactly nimble, but it drives smaller than its dimensions suggest. The Tundra’s 6-speed automatic transmission is smooth, though not as buttery as the Ram’s 8-speed. The Tundra does not offer a locking rear differential, but the big truck had no problems when we drove a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) TRD edition up muddy embankments, crawled down steep hills and waded through water. With TRD Pro Off-Road models you can tackle even more, including small jumps without fear of bottoming out. As a bonus, the Tundra TRD Pro’s long suspension travel creates a more comfortable on-road ride.

As with most full-size pickups, the Tundra’s interior spans from that of a basic truck with a 3-passenger fabric bench seat to a luxurious family hauler with brown leather interior and wood trim. Double-cab and CrewMax cab variants seat up to six when you opt for a bench in front, or five with the more comfortable bucket seats. Even base SR trims have a 6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system in the dash, a far cry from the dial radio in your dad’s pickup. Knobs and controls are easier to reach than in past Tundras, and sturdy enough to be used with gloves on.

The 2015 Tundra half-ton pickup is available in three cab configurations and three bed lengths. Regular-cab and double-cab models can be had with a standard bed (78.7 inches) or long bed (97.6 inches). The CrewMax has the biggest cab of the bunch and is only available with a short bed (66.7 inches). As part of last year’s revamp, the Tundra’s hood was raised slightly and better integrated into the grille. As with other full-size trucks, the Toyota’s grille appears to just get bigger and bigger. At the other end, the lockable tailgate automatically lowers slowly to prevent the dreaded tailgate slam.

REPLACEABLE BUMPER PANELS
Treat a truck like a truck and it’s almost bound to happen: bruising a bumper. The 2015 Toyota Tundra features a 3-piece design for its front and rear bumpers that makes them easier and less costly to replace should/when they get banged up.

BLIND-SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM
Driving a big truck means dealing with a wider zone in which you can miss spotting vehicles to the rear left and rear right. Sedans have been offering electronic monitoring of these areas for years, but Toyota claims the title of being first to bring the technology to a full-size truck.

Even if you buy the least expensive version of the 2015 Tundra, you’ll get a nicely equipped truck with a V8 engine, rearview camera, power windows and door locks, and 6.1-inch touch-screen audio/entertainment system with AM/FM/CD player, USB and auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity. These models also come with a fabric-trimmed 40/20/40-split fold-down front bench seat with 4-way adjustable driver and passenger seats (tough vinyl is available with the Work Truck package). All new Toyotas also come with two years/25,000 miles of complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance.

Most extras for the 2015 Tundra are bundled into trims. SR5 models add a larger, 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, sliding rear window and the new storage compartment under the rear seats, while Limited trims bring premium audio and navigation, leather-trimmed and heated front bucket seats, 20-inch wheels, chrome mirrors and door handles, and power-operated sliding rear window. The top-line Platinum and 1794 Edition offer heated and cooled front seats, moonroof, JBL premium audio and blind-spot monitoring. The TRD Pro Off-Road package, available in double-cab or CrewMax form, includes Bilstein shocks, TRD-tuned springs with a 2-inch lift in front, front skidplate and unique badging.

2015 Tundra models are now powered solely by V8 engines since the former base V6 has been dropped. The 4.6-liter V8 is now the standard engine in lower-trim models, while the powerful-yet-thirsty 5.7-liter is available across all Tundra models and is standard on higher trims of Toyota’s full-size truck. Both V8s are connected to a 6-speed automatic. All Tundra engines run on regular gasoline, and the big 5.7-liter V8 is E85-capable. The Tundra’s maximum towing rating is 10,500 pounds and applies to a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) regular-cab model with the 5.7-liter V8. Additionally, models with that engine can be had with an integrated trailer brake controller.

4.6-liter V8
310 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
327 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/19 mpg (RWD), 14/18 mpg (4WD)

5.7-liter V8
381 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
401 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg (RWD), 13/17 mpg (4WD)