2018 Toyota Tundra review
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Toyota Tundra photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Toyota Tundra
1. Standard V8 power
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.
2. Numerous configurations
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
Rugged and versatile, the RAM 1500 is an all-around terrific full-size pickup truck. The RAM 1500 aims to please, whether you're seeking a vehicle to hold your crew or your family. For model years 2017–2019, the RAM 1500 is offered in two different cab configurations: the quad cab and crew cab. This truck is also available in two bed sizes: a standard six-foot-four-inch bed and a shorter, optional five-foot-seven-inch bed. A 3.6L V6 engine at 305 hp is standard across all trim levels, and a larger and more powerful 5.7L V8 is also optional. For model year 2019, these features are standard on the RAM 1500:
Five-inch touchscreen interface
Vinyl flooring and upholstery
Front and rear stabilizer bars
Folding rear bench seat
Available in three different cab models, the Nissan Titan is a rugged and versatile full-size pickup that's bound to meet your needs, whether hauling or towing heavy loads or simply getting around town. 2017-2021 models come standard with a 390-hp 5.6L V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, with either RWD or AWD.
Standard features on the 2017-2021 Nissan Titan include:
18-inch wheels
Five-inch infotainment system
Bluetooth connectivity
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
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 TundraToyota Tundra features and specs
1794 2WD 4D Crew Cab
Standard Features
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- A/C Seat(s)
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Entune
- Front Seat Heaters
- JBL Sound System
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Tow Hitch
- Traction Control
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- Bed Cover
- Bed Liner
- Flex Fuel Vehicle
- Remote Start
- Running Boards
- Sunroof(s)
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
5.7L
Horsepower
381
Torque (ft-lbs)
401
Engine type
Gas
Fuel capacity
38
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
P275/55HR20
Rear tires
P275/55HR20
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
950/9500 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2018 Toyota Tundra FAQ
With the base 4.6L V8 engine, the 2018 Toyota Tundra can tow an estimated 6,800 lbs when properly equipped. Opting for the 5.7L V8 engine increases the 2018 Tundra's estimated towing capacity to 10,200 lbs, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
2018 Toyota Tundra models with the 5.7L V8 engine come standard with a tow package, which includes a towing receiver hitch, 4.30 axle ratio, tow/haul mode switch, trailer brake controller, supplemental engine oil cooler, supplemental transmission cooler, heavy-duty battery, 170-amp alternator, and 4-/7-pin connector.
All 2018 Toyota Tundra Double Cab and CrewMax models include fold-up rear seats (instead of fold-flat seats), which provide cargo space to carry tall items inside the cab.
The 2018 Toyota Tundra comes standard with a 26.4-gallon fuel tank. Limited and higher trims feature a 38-gallon fuel tank.
More about the 2018 Toyota Tundra
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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