Should I buy a Tundra ? Coming from a Forester in Canada

Hi, I'm wondering if I should buy a Tundra. I'm currently looking at 2014-2017 models with crew-max cabs.. I own a 2000lbs boat but I plan to upgrade it soon. Here in canada, Tacomas are preatty much the same price as Tundras. My main concern is that I love to drive in the snow quite fast. I was wondering if the tundra performs well at 75mph (±120km/h) in snow or does it feel unsafe. Currently I drive an AWD forester with Nokian Hakka 10 studded and nothing is stoping it. I'm worried that a Tundra would be a downgrade in the snow.. Knowing that we have 5 solid months of snow here in eastern Canada, what are you suggesting me? Should I stay with a AWD car or the 4x4 Tundra will do fine? I also wonder the real gas milage Tundras have.

This is the blizzard we had in march this year.

 

Yes, I do plan to put the same Nokian tires on it! Here, we are required by law to put snow tires from dec. 1st to march 15th. Tires should have the 3peak mountain symbol as well as 3/16'' threads min.

That's some serious rock crawling btw.

 

My opinion:

It’s less of a comparison of the Forrester to the Tundra but rather a small/mid AWD SUV with a full size pickup.

With equal winter tires, the Subaru is better as a winter highway commuter. The Tundra is a big, rear wheel drive truck with a 4WD system that isn’t designed for long, high speed travel. It’s also much heavier.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s excellent in the winter with good tires, but my previous A4 or Impreza were better. They don’t get pushed around in the wind as much and have more of a balanced front/rear weight ratio. The heavier weight of the Tundra also increases stopping distance and the likelihood of under/oversteer on corners.

Today in the family we have a Tundra and a Honda Pilot. If I have to get somewhere and there are drifts and lots of unplowed roads I prefer the Tundra because of the ground clearance. Otherwise on typical Canadian plowed roads or winter highway that is plowed, I choose the Pilot most of the time. It is much more predictable in my opinion.

I can’t really comment on speed as my driving style is different, but I can tell you that below -15C, a heavy right foot and 4WD will enable you to watch the gas gauge move down in real time. If you want speed, forget about fuel economy in a Tundra.

 

I wouldn't drive my Tundra fast in the snow even in 4wd, my Camry on the other hand.

 

Welcome and greetings from Minnesota. Driving fast is easy, stopping is the tricky part. 4WD, AWD, 2WD ALL stop the same. Buy the Tundra.

 

Mine has done fine in the snow the past 3 years.

I'm not driving 120km/h in the snow, not sure why anyone is, but it handles snow fine.

 

I drive at 120 in the snow towing my boat all the time AND get 40 MPG. Really, I do. I am cereal. I do. Really damn it. If I were you I would get a turbo so you can go even faster.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! I drive my Tundra all winter long, but we don't get snow but every 5 years or so.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

I drive Volvo XC70 and Tundra. Sorry, wrong forum. I drive Tundra and Volvo XC70 The oldie-goodie, designed and made by Swedes, not Ford.

Volvo's Haldex+TRACS is fantastic in snow, the car plows until high-centers completely. Toyota's A-TRAC only mimics TRACS (Swedes really know what they do), honestly. But the whole thing - the truck - is much more capable in snow. If you know what you are doing.

I was sold when Tundra climbed up a steep snowy forest hill without much hassle using its low gear and aired down to like 8 PSI. When I jumped out the truck for reconnaissance, I got waist deep in snow. Not possible in AWD car w/o low gear.

Also Tundra is tough as nails.

The only problem: it's a truck, its weight is heavily shifted towards engine bay. Need some extra weight in back.

 

Thanks all for your answers! I think I'll still buy the Tundra anyway but I'm going to wait untill a big snow storm to test drive one. With gas being at 2.25$/l (±8.52$/Gal) I'm probably going to have to slow dawn a bit. As I understood, good snow tires with studs and sand bags in the bed should get me trough the harsh winter.

 

8.52/gal...................















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With proper snow tires like the Subie AND weight in the bed, the Tundra will do fine. Stopping will require more distance and you will not corner the same, but a truck will handle (dig through) deep snow better than the Forester. Read the manual and get familiar with the traction control systems and how/when to deactivate them.

75 MPH in the snow is a bit fast unless it's and empty road and you are only risking your own vehicle, IMO. Definitely don't try that the first time driving it in snow, and certainly not without weight in the bed.

 

Nokians are the best I've driven ever. The new 10th gen of the hakkapellita, has very low noise levels at highway speeds compared to other studded tires. It's actually less noisy than AT/MUD tires. Only at lower speeds ±50km/h you can hear the studs. It's not as silent as no studs but there is not much of a difference. I 100% recomend them. Last winter we had black ice one night when I was returning home and I notice it only once I saw 5 cars flying off the freeway. The grip is incredible even on ice. It's not invincible and still slips but it's better than everything I've driven so far. It has very consistant grip and that's what's important in a tire. It's good to know that you'll be able to brake if needed. As for wear, I can't tell yet, I've only driven 1 season on them (±12000km). So far, no signs of wear. I haven't lost a single stud last winter. Witch compared to other brands is great!

 

Welcome to Quebec my friend..

 

True, but when you need them, it's good to have. If you ever change your mind, make sure you buy the ones that come factory studded. Dealer installed studs suck. My old man had good experience with studless blizzaks. They're cheaper and have a compound that has good performance on ice. Not as much as studs though.

 

I've driven the same AWD vehicle with Bizzaks and Nokian studded. The Blizzaks are great, but the Nokians are next-level better on mixed roads and black ice. The only reason not to get studded Nokians is availability - if you can get them, they are the best.

And I agree with factory studded. I had a set of mud terrains studded by Kal Tire once. Not nearly as good factory studded.