By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(December 18, 2019) My test truck this week was the 2020 Toyota Tundra four-wheel drive TRD Pro CrewMax, finished in a new exterior color called Army Green. It came trimmed with black leather interior with red contrast stitching.

All Tundra pickups, regardless of trim level, make do with a single engine and transmission combo: a 5.7-liter V-8 that delivers 381 horsepower with a massive 401 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. That transmission is “old school” when compared to the 10-speed automatics offered in competitors like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado.

The Ram pickup uses an eight-speed automatic and the new 2020 Titan comes paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. We wish Tundra offered more engine choices and a more geared transmission.

Other unique standard features on the CrewMax include a shorter 5.5-foot cargo bed, 145.7-inch wheelbase, TRD-tuned FOX shocks, part-time four-wheel drive with electric controlled transfer case, A-TRAC and Auto LSD, trailer brake and trailer-sway control, and eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility along with Amazon Alexa.

There’s also the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense equipment including dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, Star Safety System, pedestrian detection and Dynamic Radar Cruise control.


2020 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO CrewMax in Army Green

Still, the interior shows its age, with ample hard plastic and faux-brushed aluminum trim. It doesn’t look as up to date nor as well appointed and luxurious as competitors like the terrific RAM truck.

There’s a standard spray-on bed liner, heated seats and side mirrors, blind spot monitoring, power slide and tilt moonroof, embedded navigation, fog lights, front tow hooks, TRD Pro carpeted floor mats, and other trim items.

There’s a huge center console between the comfortably large heated bucket seats. The front seats are not only heated, they also retain your settings even if you turn the truck off. So when you start it up again from the comfort of your home with the Toyota app (more on this in a minute), the seats will start to heat up and you’ll be greeted by a warm place to sit. Oddly, the steering wheel isn’t heated, and that’s a minor issue except if you live in a cold climate; a toasty warm steering wheel can make a world of difference.

Interior features include a premium audio system with 12 JBL speakers, including subwoofer and amplifier, dynamic navigation, Sirius XM, and wifi connectivity. There’s room for up to six, with a standard three-person front bench seat, but you can opt for front bucket seats that are divided by a large center console. Both rows of seats are roomy, and you can upgrade to a 10-or 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Heated and ventilated front seats are optional. The rear seat does fold up nicely against the bulkhead to open up an enormous amount of secure, enclosed cargo space for things like camping equipment, mountain bikes, work gear, tools, and room when need to haul furniture or other bulky items.



The current 2020 Tundra is the oldest generation pickup in its class, with the current generation introduced back in 2007. That’s ancient when compared to Ford, Ram and Chevrolet, as well as the Titan, which received a facelift for this year.

Armed with the greatest of expectations when the U.S. started manufacturing the Tundra back in 1999, it has so far failed to gain inroads and grab market share from the big three. Additionally, while all of its competitors have been fully redesigned and technologically advanced the Tundra marches on, virtually unchanged, save a minor refresh in 2014.

For 2020 Toyota has updated the TRD Pro CrewMax, with the off-road oriented truck now offered in both Double Cab and CrewMax body styles. We do like the dedicated larger grille with large FJ Cruiser-like “TOYOTA” lettering emblazoned across the center, along with its hood scoop and black 18-inch wheels. The Army Green color is new for 2020 and also offered on other TRD Pro models including the Tacoma, 4Runner, and Sequoia.

We spent most of our driving time behind the wheel of the TRD Pro on suburban roadways and highways during our weeklong testing. But we did have occasion to take on some off-road driving over some challenging trails at Arizona’s Butcher Jones State Park. The Fox shocks significantly improve the ride by taking the brunt of the trail, reducing cabin jarring when negotiating some steeply inclined and descending boulder-strewn and rutted trails. The front skid plate also featured, with loud scraping over rocks contributing to its call of duty. The 31-degree approach angle helped the TRD Pro to navigate almost all of the trails we traversed, void of any issues.

Overall, other than the more significant refreshing for 2014 model year, Tundra is basically the same truck that was introduced back in 2007. It ranks near the bottom of full-sized pickup trucks along with the refreshed Nissan Titan.

The Tundra offers nothing beyond, or comparable, to what you find in other, more updated and refined pickup truck rivals. It isn’t the toughest, fastest, most flexible, and certainly not the most fuel efficient. As a daily driver, we think most will find the Ford F-150 or RAM to be better choices and a more comfortable place to spend time in, with the Tundra perhaps best suited as work truck. Still, the Tundra is the most reliable, trouble free, and maintains the highest resale value among its competitors.  

Vita Stats
Base Price: $52,780
Price as Tested: $55,143
Engine: 5.7-Liter 381-hp V8 powered through a 6-speed automatic transmission
Fuel Economy: 13/17/14/ - MPG City, Highway, Combined
Seating: Up to 6

Crash Test Ratings: Overall four out of a possible five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Where Built: San Antonio, Texas

Competes With:
Chevrolet Silverado
Ford F-150
GMC Sierra
Nissan Titan
Ram 1500

Fab Features:
Excellent reliability and resale ratings
Impressive and long list of standard safety features
Fully retractable power rear window
New for 2020 Army Green exterior color