2025 Toyota Tundra Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
The Tacoma may be Toyota's sales darling, but some buyers need more capability than a midsize truck can deliver. For those buyers, Toyota builds the Tundra, a full-size pickup more on the level of the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and Ram 1500. Although a 2022 redesign introduced major improvements, the Tundra is still no segment leader.
For information about the most off-road ready Tundra, read about the TRD Pro model here.
What's New
·Standard power driver’s seat with power lumbar on SR5 model
·Massaging front seats standard on 1794, Platinum, and Capstone models
·Available Mudbath exterior color for the TRD Pro
·Optional power closing tailgate
·Available TRD Rally package
·Available Tow Tech package
What We Think
Toyota may have left the previous Tundra on the proverbial vine a little too long, but the redesign that debuted for 2022 is a major improvement. Buyers bemoaning the loss of Toyota's old-school V-8, fear not. The twin-turbo V-6 and its more powerful hybridized sibling are plenty strong, providing quick acceleration, though we were disappointed by some vibration at idle. We've had mixed experiences with the Tundra's towing capability; we've been both seriously disappointed and generally impressed in different settings.
We've found our long-term TRD Pro hugely capable, but not without its issues off-road. The suspension on that truck can be pretty unpleasant, too, with uncontrolled body movements even on decent pavement. Our first-hand experience with the truck also revealed its enormous turning circle, even for an off-road full-size pickup.
Buyers should also be wary of build quality. At least when we evaluated certain 2022 models, we found loose body trim, interior rattles, glitchy infotainment, and troublesome clunks from the front suspension. We're hopeful Toyota has ironed out those issues in the model years since.
The cabin is huge and comfortable, the infotainment easy to parse, the styling is great, and the Tundra is decent at everything, but the new Tundra doesn't excel at much beyond, well, acceleration. Unless you're a Toyota die-hard or have a cousin at a Toyota dealership giving you a great deal, we recommend looking elsewhere.
Performance and Efficiency
Toyota gives buyers two options under the hood of the 2025 Tundra. Standard trucks feature a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 and a 10-speed automatic (RWD is standard and 4WD is optional). Output measures 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, and in terms of acceleration, you can expect 0-60 mph in as little as 6.1 seconds. The base SR model delivers less output at 348 hp and 405 lb-ft. Fuel economy comes in around 17-18/22-24 mpg city/highway depending on configuration.
This may seem counterintuitive but if you want more power, go for the hybrid. Toyota's i-Force Max powertrain pairs the twin-turbo V-6 and 10-speed with a battery and electric motor to boost output to 437 hp and 583 lb-ft, which drops 0-60 mph times to 5.7 seconds. This setup comes standard on the range-topping Tundra TRD Pro and Capstone trims.
What Comes With the New TRD Rally Package?
Fans of Toyota’s off-road racing past should immediately recognize the red, orange, and yellow-striped badges that adorn the exterior of 2025 Tundras with this package. The old-school TRD livery colors are found in the cabin, too, as accents on the dash and faux leather seats.
This isn’t just another cosmetics bundle, though. It includes 18-inch off-road wheels, all-terrain tires, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, an electronically controlled locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. It seems like kit for shoppers looking to hit the trails but not interested in the full TRD Pro experience or price. Models with the TRD Rally Package are available in four exterior colors: Ice Cap, Magnetic Gray, Midnight Black Metallic, and Celestial Silver.
In our on-road testing, we appreciated the Tundra SR5 Rally package's tall suspension and big tires. The full-size truck has excellent visibility and pothole-stomping invincibility. However, everyday comfort and handling are compromised by the off-road hardware. Still, the spend is worth it for the blend of cosmetic and additional ruggedness.
Safety Ratings and Features
Crew cab 4WD variants of the 2025 Tundra with each powertrain are the only trucks with full ratings from NHTSA. They each get the administration’s highest grade, a five-star overall safety rating. Last year’s Tundra is an IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick, achieving the institute’s second-highest award.
Every 2025 Tundra includes the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 collection of driver assists. That means all trim levels have automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane centering, automatic high-beams, and road sign recognition as standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with trailer merge warning are included with the Tundra Limited and higher trims.
Cab and Bed Configurations
Toyota offers three bed lengths with the 2025 Tundra: 5.5 feet (65.6 inches), 6.5 feet (77.6 inches), and 8.1 feet (96.5 inches). Only the SR and SR5 offer that longest option, and the TRD Pro and Capstone exclusively use the 5.5-foot bed. In any length, the bed measures 20.9 inches deep and 58.7 inches wide with 48.7 inches between the wheel wells.
As for cab options, buyers can choose between a Double Cab with short rear doors and a smaller back seat, or a larger CrewMax with 41.6 inches of rear legroom. The Double Cab option is only offered on Tundra Limited and below.
Technology
Since the current generation's 2022 debut, Toyota has built the Tundra with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 14.0-inch version of the same system is available on the Tundra SR5 and included at higher trims. Buyers who choose pricier variants will also get 12-speaker JBL premium audio. A 360-degree camera is standard on the Platinum and Capstone, but only the TRD Pro gets cameras to aid visibility off-road. Buyers who spring for the Capstone will be impressed by its head-up display.
Massaging front seats are standard on three of the Tundra’s top four trim levels. An automatic closing feature is now available for the truck’s power tailgate. Finally, the new Tow Tech package for this year features a wireless trailer camera system.
Towing and Payload
Towing capacity for the Tundra tops out at a respectable 12,000 pounds if you opt for a non-hybrid RWD Double Cab Tundra SR5. That same pickup boasts the Tundra's max payload capacity of 1,940 pounds. All of Toyota's American competitors have higher maximum towing and payload capacities, but with any truck purchase, be sure to check the ratings of the configuration you had in mind to make sure it'll suit your needs.
Recommended Trim
Toyota builds seven variants of the Tundra: the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and Capstone. We've called the Platinum insufficiently luxurious (less so now with massaging front seats) and the TRD Pro is outclassed by similarly pricey off-road pickups like the Ford Raptor and Chevrolet Silverado ZR2. The best Tundra is likely on the cheaper end; we'd recommend a nicely equipped SR5, which picks up a standard eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar this year.
