2014 Toyota Tundra Gained/Lost List – Media Preview Wrap
Tim Esterdahl | Aug 26, 2013 | Comments 11
After a fun weekend up in Jackson Hole, WY to check out the 2014 Toyota Tundra at the regional press preview, here is a quick list of what Toyota Tundra fans gained and what was lost with the new introduction. What tops your list?
A beautiful backdrop for the new truck. Here is a quick list of what was gained/lost.
Gained:
- Improved ride and handling (trust me, more coming on this)
- Clearer instrument panel and closer controls
- 3-piece bumper (innovative and useful)
- Towing connection relocation
- Styling (love it or hate it, it is a mixed bag for sure)
- Aerofins or “vortex generators”
- Circular air vents
- More true “on-center” driving
- Re-tuned suspension
Lost:
- Driver side grab handle (must use steering wheel)
- Slide and recline CrewMax seats (also, less leg room)
- Door storage bins
- Clock/temperature quick read on dash
- Double glove compartment
- Vertical air vents
There are a lot more features/questions I hammered them on. Overall, the big response was either “we are strongly considering it” or “it’s coming.” One thing is for sure, this truck is really just a step toward a much larger plan.
The plan is each day this week, I’ll be revealing more and more as I go through the materials. Keep tuned.
Filed Under: TundraHeadquarters.com
– I use the driver’s side grab handle
– I use the driver’s side cup holders for ratchet tie downs, measuring tape, gloves, and double stud anchors (track system)
– The top glove box holds a stack of napkins
The things I miss but not a deal killer:
Keypad on door. If you are active outdoors with “any” activity this is a must have. Aftermarket pads have way too many problems. Just copy Ford and do it, their patent has been gone for years and years.
Trailer brake controller: Do it right; electric over electric AND electric over hydraulic.
A real load flat floor: I realize this cannot be done now. It must wait until the next major overall of the design. I can make the current design work, so it is not a deal killer.
In regard to the “Lost” items:
Grab Handle: Not a biggie for me, just like the Ford I step on the nerf bar – stand up on bar left foot first and sit down and do not use steering wheel. My Ford does not have a handle and the lack of the handle makes for greater visibility. On the passenger side the handle does not block visibility and my wife “has to” use it. I think they got it right.
Back seat CrewMax: I Prefer the new design AND the new design has the most comfortable back seat of “any” half ton out there. I have tried it and I like it a lot.
Clock and Temp: Oh wow, I must have missed this one. Is there a full time clock and temp on the Entune panel like the Ford Sync thing? Surely there is a full time clock and air temp?
I never had a double glove box so it is not a problem for me.
AC Vents design: All that matters to me; Does the AC cool when it is 120 degrees and 100% humidity. The vents could be triangles and parallelograms if the AC and Heat do the job – that will work for me.
Ok, Tim:
Drill them good on the brake controller and the keypad.
Keep up the good work!
I am looking forward to the “on center” driving and overall handling in your report.
Thanks
Thanks Randy!
It is interesting you bring up the trailer brake controller. Sweers tows a lot and many of the changes in the 2014 are his direct feedback on towing with the truck. I’m thinking if he doesn’t think it is an issue, it won’t be fixed.
I’m going to see what I can do to get a better grasp on the issue myself. I haven’t done a lot of towing, yet there was a towing demonstration with the Tundra and I got to drive it with about 5,500 lbs. I’m waiting to drive other manufactures trucks to get a better sense of how it did. I’m too used to towing with HDs to fairly judge the Tundra.
The keypad is an interesting suggestion. I’ll keep that in mind for future conversations. My guess is that not enough customers have provided that feedback. Frankly, I asked about the oil filter placement under the skid plate and they were like “is this an issue?” Well, duh! I really think I shook them up a bit with my knowledge that I have gleamed from everyone’s help.
-Tim
I’m glad I bought an ’07. I’ll hang onto it until the wheels fall off!!
I don’t know, if I agree. If I can get the rear seat from the ’13 in the ’14, it would be good for me.
-Tim
I suppose, if you want a CM. The 5.5′ bed just isn’t big enough for my use so I have a DC.
My problem with the newer ones is that each year since ’09 Toyota has deleted stuff that was previously standard. It appears that policy will continue.
I love my 2012 tundra platinum. And im happy with all the stuff that the 14 model has gained. But some stuff that is not there I like. Simple things like the grab handle to get in that’s the one I really will never understand. I miss the tempature and time at quick glance. I like the dual glove box but that I can do without. And the rear seats its a mixed bag for me love the recline on older model but like the flip up for storage I wish there was a way for both. In my opinion the 13 and 14 model is better than any half ton. I think Toyota is doing a good job with this truck. I could get into a whole other story of the reasons I have. I will later lol. I think the only way Toyota can steel some diehards away from there brands would b in the fuel economy dept. If they had a way to keep the current power but the economy like a domestic at least the highway number it would be hands down the best. thanks for reading. And thank to u Tim for all the info
Brain,
No problem, happy to share what I know. Without you guys, I wouldn’t be able to go to these events, so really, thank you!!
-Tim
seems to me most of the new is more car-like made for yuppie drivers vs. truck buyers needing more inside storage like door pockets and dual glove boxes both of which I think should be a no brainer as std. eqmt.
I like what chevy did with their new silverado when it comes to rear built in step bumpers on each side of the rear bumper, very nice, large step to put your foot into. The 3 piece bumper tundra has now is a nice idea as well as what tundra did I think and know chevy silverado did was move the wiring harness up above the bumper instead of below the bumper. Twice now in 2 separate tundras I have bent inward the wiring harness bracket backing up into stuff and have to bend it back straight again.
I bet most crewmax owners will not like loosing rear seat legroom as you say as well as the slide and recline rear seats. Seems to me that should be a no brainer to keep since bet most crewmax owners enjoy that feature and use it.
I really don’t get toyota’s way of thinking at all in a lot of areas they think improved the tundra but in my way of thinking made it worse.
I mean better ride and handling?: It is a 1/2 ton truck for gosh sakes not a cadillac, car-like ride.
Going to be a tough decision for me tundra or chevy crewmax 6 1/2′ bed when the rebates come out eventually especially since I totally dislike the seat fabric in the chevy silverado’s being way too soft as usual and way too rough a texture (feels and looks cheap). I also hear the new ext. cabs in the silverado have regular opening doors like the tundra DC plus improved rear legroom so really looking forward to see that cab/bed config but chevy dealer states will be a few more months before they come out darn it.
My opinion so far without seeing a new 2014 tundra, is overall, they made it more car-like and didn’t focus on what truck buyers need and want and have been asking for over 6 years now.
@mk
Most Crewmax owners actually didn’t care for the slide and recline rear seats according to Toyota.
Yeah, like 88 percent. I told them to count me in the 12 percent. LOL!
-Tim