Used 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO CrewMax Review

Full-size trucks are more popular than ever, and the race to have the most luxurious, advanced and gadget-filled machine is in full swing. Bringing up the back end of this race, however, is the 2019 Toyota Tundra. Compared with the rest of the segment, the aging Tundra is decidedly behind the times.

For starters, Tundra's only available engines are V8s — a 4.6-liter engine that produces 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque or a 5.7-liter engine that produces 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. While we like the 5.7-liter's robust power, other brands are equipping their base trucks with new turbocharged six- and four-cylinder engines. These smaller powerplants provide significantly higher fuel economy and still have enough grunt to get a lot of jobs done.

The lack of the latest features is another drawback for the Tundra. You can't get advanced towing-assist technology (such as a remote-mount trailer camera system) or Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration. And, for better or for worse, the Tundra is still very much a truck. Its ride quality and driving characteristics are rougher and less refined than what you'll find elsewhere.

Ultimately, if all you need is a truck to haul cargo and tow a trailer without fuss, the 2019 Toyota Tundra should be on your list to consider. The available TRD Pro variant is pretty cool, too. But we advise checking out the Ram 1500 or the Ford F-150 if you demand more civility and capability from your full-size truck.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup that is available in one of five trim levels: the base SR, the value-conscious SR5, the flexible Limited, the upmarket Platinum and the specialized 1794 Edition and TRD Pro. Two engines are available, both V8s: a 4.6-liter (310 hp, 327 lb-ft) and a 5.7-liter (381 hp, 401 lb-ft). From there, you'll pick a body style (the regular Double Cab crew cab or extra large CrewMax) and one of three bed lengths. Note that Toyota limits certain combinations of the above, and feature availability can vary depending on where you live in the U.S.

Highlights for the base SR include 18-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, a damped tailgate, a rearview camera, an integrated trailer brake controller, a tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and a USB port. It also includes forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control.

Going with the SR5 gets you foglights, variable intermittent windshield wipers, and an upgraded tech interface that includes a 7-inch touchscreen, HD and satellite radio, traffic information and a navigation app. The crew cab adds a power-opening rear window and an overhead console.

The SR5's Upgrade package adds front bucket seats with a power-adjustable driver seat, a center console (with storage and console shifter), a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a larger 38-gallon gas tank when equipped with the 5.7-liter V8. There's also a TRD Sport package that adds 20-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a hood scoop, body-colored mirrors and bumpers, LED headlights and foglights, TRD shift knob, floor mats and graphics.

The Limited builds on the Upgrade options package with 20-inch wheels, automatic headlights, movable tie-down cleats, automatic dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, an upgraded power driver's seat and a power-adjustable passenger seat, a power horizontal-sliding rear window (extended cab), a navigation system and additional stereo speakers.

At the top of the heap, the Platinum trim level comes with distinctive styling elements, LED daytime running lights, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, a sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory functions and a 12-speaker JBL sound system.

The 1794 Edition really only differs from the Platinum in terms of its exclusive exterior and interior styling elements.

A TRD Off-Road package can be added to the SR5, Limited and 1794 Edition. It includes 18-inch TRD wheels, off-road tires, LED headlights, trail-tuned shock absorbers, skid plates and tow hooks.

For better off-road performance, the TRD Pro trim features larger aluminum Fox shocks for better heat dissipation and damping control, a 2-inch front lift for more clearance, lighter BBS forged wheels, and LED headlights and foglights to help light up the trail at night. A shiny black exhaust tip and TRD Pro exhaust change the exhaust note, while a front skid plate prominently features the TRD logo in red. Visually, a unique grille, TRD Pro stamping on the rear quarter panels, and a hood scoop separate it from the rest of the line. On the inside, TRD Pro logos are pretty much everywhere.

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Toyota Tundra CrewMax 1794 Edition (5.7L V8 | 6-speed automatic | 4WD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Tundra has received some revisions, including an upgraded infotainment system and new driver safety aids. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Tundra, however.