The Toyota Tundra is a truck that sells well, but has not made deep inroads in the market that is dominated by Ford, Ram, and Chevrolet. However, overlooking the Texas-built Tundra would be doing the vehicle is disservice. I drive, for the first time, a Toyota Tundra pickup truck and walk away with some pretty positive impressions. The vehicle has always appealed to be, perhaps because it is NOT part of the truck establishment. Although I only had a brief time in the Tundra, I walked away impressed and think that the brand really has a lot going for it.

Tundra

The Tundra has curved lines that make it look more majestic than brute. (Photo: Raven Photographic Studio)

Climbing inside the Tundra, it feels like a very modern truck. Everything is placed where it is expected, and the truck sports the latest Entune audio system from Toyota. The only thing really disappointing in the cabin is the clock. Every single Toyota product has the same digital clock in it (of some variation) and while a staple of the brand, looks antiquated.

Tundra

Tundra is very off-road capable. (Photo: Raven Photographic Studio)

That small issue aside, the Tundra is a nice place to be. For a family, this could very well be the truck to purchase. Space in the rear of the cab is massive, holding large adults with ease while still sporting plenty of room for front passengers. Many of the trucks at Knibbe Ranch for the Texas Truck Rodeo had extremely quiet cabins, and the Tundra is no exception. It’s obvious that the engineering that goes into making a Camry or Lexus goes into making the Tundra. For some, that may seem like a negative, taking away from the “manliness” of a truck, but for something that is to be lived with daily, I like that.

Tundra

The Tundra can cross any mountain and forge any stream just as well as any other truck. (Photo: Raven Photographic Studio)

Because this is not a full review, I did not get to sample the Tundra in every type of situation, but its off-road credentials are definitely in tact. Power is ample from the 5.7L V8 making 400lb/ft of torque. It really is inexplicable why more people are not buying this truck.

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Truck buyers are loyal to a brand, and Toyota is new to the scene. (Photo: Raven Photographic Studio)

Truck purchasers often buy a truck as a tool. If a tool has served an owner well, they typically replace that tool with the same one. This brand loyalty makes it difficult for another company to step in. Toyota tends to target active lifestyle buyers instead of work truck buyers, and it works well for them. What still confuses me is that this truck is built in Texas, but Texans aren’t buying them in droves like they are Ford F-Series trucks. Hopefully high-trim models like the 1794 Edition that are designed to compete with King Ranch and Big Horn will change peoples’ perceptions of the truck and make it a serious contender for purchaser’s dollars. I wouldn’t buy a truck without driving a Tundra first, and neither should you.

Note: Toyota provided the vehicle for review.