Car and Driver Likes The 2010 4.6L V8 Tundra
Jason Lancaster | Jul 29, 2009 | Comments 9
Car and Driver gave a nice review of the new 4.6L engine in the 2010 Tundra. Basically, C&D likes the engine for what it is – an adequately powerful and efficient V8.
Car and Driver reviews the 2010 Tundra 4.6L V8
The review mentions some nice things about the engine and the Tundra in general too:
- “the mid-grade Tundra motor boasts impressive fuel economy, too—the company estimates up to 15 city/20 highway mpg is possible, which places it among the best base V-8s of its competitors and even better than the Tundra V-6“
- “yet it is perfectly adequate, allowing one to scoot around town with reasonable gusto” [Who says ‘gusto’ in a car review?]
- “seem rather well-suited to the suh-moooooth operation and Lexus-like quietness of the 4.6. Seriously, you could drive through a library in this thing and not get shushed” [This isn’t always good if you’re looking for some exhaust sounds.]
Here’s the only negative comment that caught our eye (NOTE: Car and Driver tested the SR5 model):
- “The buttons and knobs are still cartoonishly huge…[the interior is nice]…so long as you’re used to being surrounded by hard plastic and sitting on seats upholstered more like the chairs in your dentist’s waiting room“
It’s worth noting that this is exactly what auto reviewers used to say about domestic products. Considering that Toyota is taking a lot of flack for “vanilla” styling, the writing might be on the wall here – time to upgrade the interior, Toyota.
SO, here it is: Attention Toyota interior engineers. Check out the interior in the Ram and the F150 and you won’t have to think twice about what to do next.
Still, overall, a good review of a great truck. Nice to see that the 2010 Tundra still rates with mainstream media.
Filed Under: Toyota Tundra Reviews and Comparisons
button and knobs cartoonishly huge. It is a truck man – not a subcompact car. I like the bigger knobs and buttons since it suits a truck’s purpose. Who drove this truck, a girl 5′ tall and 100 lbs.? I also like the interior with the firmer seats than most competitors since the more you weigh, the more the seats go flatter over the years. Much firmer than chevys’ seats that stay firmer longer. I don’t doubt the 4.6L is a decent motor, but only time will tell if the general public buy into the smaller motor just to save 1200 bucks. I’ll stick with the 5.7L engine until sales of the 4.6L around here are about 50% unlike sales now at less than 20%. It did seem to me that the 4.6L engine when punched or even at idle was a lot quieter than the 5.7L motor, but the more noise on the 5.7L engine was all engine growling sound which I like at a slightly higher rpm roar.
I like what I got and I get better mpg’s than they put out. Big knobs for a big truck what do you want? Fix the guages and make them real guages. How would I know when the thermostat hits 180 degrees? It’s just slightly past the halfway between the C and H. You want to fix something that’s it. PUT REAL GUAGES. That’s not a hard concept Toyota.
Agree with the interior comment…..hands down Toyota needs to work on it. However, my seats are damn comfortable for the SR5 model so I’m more concerned about the buttons and unslanted hard to reach dash configuration. The quietness of the truck is a plus….I just chose to change my exhaust but Toyota has done very well in that department. As always, thanks for the exceprts, J.
TXTee – For sure.
I have recently purchased a 2010 4.6L V8 Tundra and have been completely satisfied with my purchase. My average mpg’s has been right around 19 and that is with about 50/50 highway to city miles, which I was very pleased with. Also if the hard to reach dash is a problem for some buyers, do like I did and buy the SR5 model with the steering wheel controls. The power has been more than sufficient for my type of driving. I recently upgraded from a Reg Cab 2007 F-150 (also a good truck) and have definately noticed a difference in the handling and parking of my current doublecab. Overall, I give my new Tundra a 10 out of 10.
Glad to see a positive post about the new 2010. As for the steering wheel controls, I have that option on my Highlander but it’s only for the radio and cruise but it does not control A/C, loading discs, 12V placements, etc. Toyota can take the simple things like this to make the Tundra more appealing to those interested in simple aesthetics. I don’t want or need all the “fru-fru” options in a truck but would prefer ease of reach.
You can do it all on the steering wheel there TXTee. I have it and it’s better than reaching for any knob. Your hands stay on the wheel.
Glad to hear MC is enjoying the 4.6L 2010 tundra. I was going to save 1200 bucks and also get the 4.6L since the extra power is really not needed for me in the 5.7L, but until the general public realize where I live the 5.7L is not needed and dealers start selling more 4.6L’s, I’ll keep my 5.7L 2010 tundra strictly for resell and easier time selling it down the road, but I’m sure the 4.6L is fine. I get 17.5 mpg avg. with the 5.7L and pretty sure I would get 19.5 mpg with the 4.6L which is very good with either engine. I love the steering wheel radio controls, but it only does bluetooth and volume and radio changes, no cruise control, etc.. I would spend again the extra 400 bucks or so for the radio controls for 2 reasons: easier reach to change stations instead of having to move a little to reach preset 5 and 6 too far away and the other reason is simply because the radio information screen is much brighter so you can read the display of stations, etc. in bright sunlight or when wearing shades.
the v8 titan in a race with this wow!!!!