Sell Me On A 2020 Tundra

I apologize in advance if this seems like a troll thread - I assure you, it is not. I am genuinely interested in selecting the right Tundra configuration, if there is one.

Background - I drive a 2019 Ford F-150 - SuperCrew, XL/STX trim, FX4 package, 36 gallon fuel tank, 5.0L V8

There are exactly two things that I’d change on that truck - a keypad entry (so I can go to the beach without worrying about getting my keys wet), and an engine that doesn’t drink motor oil.

The lemon law lawyers are sorting it out now. It would be easy to select a nearly identically configured F-150, just with a 2.7 EcoBoost.

Or, I could see what the Tundra has to offer.

I’m trying to price a comparably equipped Tundra, and I’m having trouble. I’m not familiar with the trim nomenclature, and all the local dealer people I’ve talked with are Prius-loving cucks.

The FX4 package on a Ford is straightforward - upgraded suspension (I believe they’re Bilstein shocks), skid plates, an electronic rear locker, and hill descent control.

Where does that fall on the SR5>TRD Sport>TRD Off-Road>TRD Pro spectrum?

Do I need further package add-on's to get a bigger gas tank (a must if I’m taking the V8)? What about Apple CarPlay (I love being able to use my iPhone’s maps on the F-150’s screen)?

I’m using the truck as a daily driver, and to take the family camping and driving trails (I hate the term “Overlanding,” but it’s kind of what I intend to do with it).

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Tundra is not very fancy as far as gadgety stuff so your Ford will most likely win in that department. However, if you want a reliable car (engine, transmission, etc.), I have no doubt that Ford will lose ... not saying Ford is not reliable but it will lose.

You will also like one of the packages that comes with every Tundra:

" ... and an engine that doesn’t drink motor oil. ... "

I don't think "keypad entry" is available on any Tundra but I could be wrong.

 

Reliability is why I bought mine.

Welcome from NY.

 

Here is what I did to get what I wanted.
I purchased a 2019 SR5 Crewmax (4 door that you will want for family). I then proceeded to build the truck exactly how I wanted it down to the leather inside, the wheels and tires and the sound system. I was able to do this for less than the cost of the current pricing of the TRD Pro.

I’m fairly sure the 2020s have apple car play, but if you get an earlier year, just take out the stock unit, sell it on here and get whatever head unit you want that has car play and other options.

I don’t know about keypad entry. That could be a deal breaker right there for you and you can look at the Ram as a contender.

My truck is just like what you are going for. Not quite overlanding, but not quite noverlanding. PM me if you need help with parts and ideas and go this route.

 

Google search...what is the most reliable truck on the market?

Google says...
The Most Reliable Used Pickup Trucks in Consumer Reports Rankings

1. Toyota Tundra. Toyota's full-sizer is the most reliable truck on the market.
2. Honda Ridgeline. Honda's reliability shines through in the Ridgeline. ...
3. Nissan Frontier. ...
4. Toyota Tacoma. ...
5. Ford F-350. ...
6. Chevrolet Avalanche. ...
7. Ford F-250. ...
8. Ram 1500. ...

Your Ford is way down there on the list. Which is probably why you are shopping around again. In my mind, reliability is all that matters, all the rest is just gadgets to fiddle with while you are waiting for a tow truck on the side of the road.

 

At a minimum you are looking at an SR5 CrewMax and up. SR5 with 5.7 will get you the 38 gallon tank. Search forum for comments on 38 gallon tank.
I don't know of a keypad option however the 2020s come with push button start.

Various packages will get you color matched bumpers and mirrors (Sport and Pro) as well as different suspension features such as shocks.

I grew up a Ford guy but my last 6 vehicle purchases have all been Toyotas. Best vehicles on the road. I didn't say perfect or the fanciest, but certainly the best.

Good luck in your endeavors.

Here's a pic of my 2019 TRD Sport. All stock except for the side steps.

 

well i wouldn't call the ridgeline/avalanche a truck since its a uni-body design, unlike all the other models listed are BoF designs.

 

This may help: https://www.toyota.com/tundra/features/packages/8261/8272/8275

But I agree with Skip in the post above. His is a sharp looking truck and well equipped. I have a similar truck in black. If luxury is your thing and you like leather and sun roof, you may want to consider a Platinum. If you are a serious off-roader, the PRO.

 

Had a Taco and sold for my Tundra because it was too small and couldnt tow my tractor or camper. Havent owned my Tundra long enough to say anything other than ‘its pretty!’. Husband’s Tundra has over 300k untroubled miles. My 2012 F150 and 2017 Silverado work trucks were both in the shop before 30k miles for thousands of dollars worth of repairs for reasons nobody could explain other than they’re garbage. The charging system went on the chevy, LUCKILY in my driveway and not where I was up at the Canadian border out of cell range the day before, but fried the entire truck and they had to replace about $5k in shit. Its a 3 year old truck that never tows and barely offroaded on dirt pipeline roads. I keep asking for a Tundra work truck to no avail. A personal thing but after what Ive experienced in the work vehicles you couldnt pay me to own either of those brands.

 

I didn't make the list, just copy/pasted.

I have been doing a lot of side by side comparisons lately. Most of the other trucks out there for 2020 are ahead of the game when it comes to interior sex appeal, fuel economy, and items like larger buttons for fat fingers...lol... but on every site I go to, Tundra wins when it comes to reliability. What really matters after that? The more I have been thinking about it, it humors me that any other company that builds a truck in this day and age, wouldn't make that there primary focus. Especially when a guy wants to take his family on an out of town camping trip.

Yes the 2020 comes with apple car play. All models have the 5.7 L.

I like this forum talk about Tow/Haul Beast mode... https://www.tundras.com/threads/trac-control-off-tow-haul-beast-mode-confirmed.8116/



I stole that pic off line since i'm not at home with my truck at the moment. But they are nice, especially with the leather. I had a Chevy Tahoe before my Tundra and there is more room in the Tundra back seat then the Tahoe (without 3rd row seating), plus a 5.5 foot bed.

 

i believe the 38 gallon tank comes standard in 2020 as well.

 

all except the SR come with a 38 gal i think now, but he SR is mostly used as a bare bones work truck (ie: pretty much engine/wheels/bed)

toyota has never had a keypad entry for any vehicle

only the pro and off-road has upgraded suspension

carplay is now standard on most 2020+ vehicles across the toyota lineup

if you are overlanding, tundra isnt the ideal vehicle to use. it can be done, but its width, length, approach/departure angle isnt suited for it imo and you need to do alot to get where you need it to compare to something like a land cruiser, 4runner, tacoma (better starting point for overlanding than a tundra).

for a daily driver and long cross country trips (3400 miles round trip) with 4 people, it was effortless (crew cab platinum)

also bed size is either 8.1 --> 6.5 --> 5.5

these are listed in least to most availability

8.1 is only available on the SR5 double cab (dont ask why its not available on the limited, beats me)
6.5 only available in double cab
5.5 is limited to crew cabs only

this is the quick and dirty post, someone will probably clear up anything i missed/leftout.

 

Howdy from DFW and

But this,.......

 

I really love my 2020 Tundra Sport Premium. It does have Apple Car Play or Android Auto.

I bought the truck for 2 reasons:

1) Reliability. I keep hearing horror stories about Ford and Dodge. I've experienced several reliability issues with my Ram.

2) Resale value.

I know the interior isn't the fanciest but I do really enjoy the 2007 feeling as I'm old school!

Also, I think you're looking at a TRD PRO if you want to compare the FX4 package (skid plates, fox suspension, more power seats, coolant in your seats, etc.)

I really wanted leather so I went with a premium. I couldn't be happier with my adaptive cruise control or my lane assist. Never though I'd use that!

Two things though...You need a Platinum minimum if you want your passenger to get power seats and I only get a bed of 5.5 with my Crewmax. All good by me lol

 

The tundra will not be like the ford, they are different, and for different people. You may find yourself not liking anything the tundra has to offer, but you may love it. There is no keyless entry, and there is no rear locker from the factory, to get some of the features of a mid level ford you'd need to go more upscale in the toyota. I think the closest choice for you would be the PRO and add a locker, alternatively get a lower priced model and swap out indiviual pieces as has been mentioned to get it as close to perfect as you can.

I think the best question to ask yourself is: "How long do I intend to keep this vehicle?" The best qualities of Toyota Tundras are all realized after 5 or 10 years, if you dont intend on keeping it that long or longer then the Tundra may not be for you. Alternately, if you intend on having this for a decade or more then I think the downsides of the Tundra will be overshadowed by the perks

 

Prior to my Tundra, I had a 2011 F150 Lariat that I purchased new.



I started looking in early 2019 to trade it in with the expectation of replacing it with another F150. After comparing prices alone, I could get a new TRD Pro for less than I could get a slightly used Lariat for.



Much newer technology on the TRD Pro based on the year of course, but the only thing I miss about the F150 is the keypad for the door. When I'm cycling, I don't want to have to worry about what to do with the keys. I ended up getting a Bed Rug and I keep an extra key velcroed between the rug and the inside of the bed. Lock the keys in the truck and I'm good to go.



The ride on the TRD Pro is far better than I ever had on my F150 too.

 

I just turned in my 2017 F150 XLT Super Crew lease with 2.7L and bought a 2020 Tundra.

Here is a list of my experiences in 49k miles:
Leaves carbon/water puddle where parked - normal for eco boost
Sunroof leak during heavy rains due to drain hose coming off. Likely not seated properly at factory.
Skid plate fell down while driving, I suspect the dealer never tightened it up after service.
Fog lamp lenses stress fractured from heat of halogen bulbs. Low quality plastic.
ECM lost power and wouldn’t start. Left it for a couple hours, came back and it started. Checked battery voltage, terminal connections etc. Never figured it out.
Key fob would fail to work randomly, replaced battery multiple times.
Sunroof rattles, tightened clamp screws that hold it in every-time the season changed.
Block heater disabled for 6 months due to recall.
Front brakes pulsating, lightly warped rotors. Never towed with the truck.
Advised by Ford service to watch for noise coming from front hubs, anticipate actuators going bad in the next 20k.
Bed cracks and sounds like its breaking when you walk on it.
Wind noise coming from door seals.
Occasional strange idle after startup. Would turn it off and start up normal after that.
$55,377 at time of purchase, dealer is selling as certified used for $29,999 with the BAKFlip and bedrug I left in it.

Not a horrible experience but not necessarily confidence inspiring.

Like others have said, you would likely go for a SR5 with TRD Off Road package or aftermarket suspension. Ford and Toyota both offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in those trims. Tundra includes homelink garage door opener and Ford does not. Tundra will offer dynamic cruise, lane departure and auto high beams in that trim, I think you have to go to Lariat to get those features in the F150. F150 with 2.7 will get better fuel economy without towing or payload. Once you apply either of those it drops dramatically 20mpg ->14 mpg. Mud flaps and plastic skirting inside wheel wells are options on F150, standard on Tundra. Ford comes with power tailgate lock, $140 option on Tundra. Tundra comes with easy lower and lift tailgate, $100+ option on F150. If you consider safety features, component quality, fit/finish and residual value then I think you get more for your money with Tundra.

 

I just picked up a 2020 Platinum and I love the new changes. I had a 16 and 18 limited before. The jbl sounds way better than the previous ones (don’t know what they did to make it sound better). The screen is bigger and there are more options than the previous screen like Apple Car Play and a better rewind song option on fm and satellite. The whole radio just works better. I’m even digging the Toyota app that lets you lock doors and start car from your phone. That will come in handy when I’m sitting in the rink watching the kids and want to walk out to a warm truck. Love the the push button start especially the keyless entry. No antenna that you need to take off every time you go through a car wash. To me the truck is perfect.

 

Lots of good feedback here. My favorite feature.. the rear window rolls down all the way, which is sweet. i think this is Crewmax only feature.

 

Yup, my ‘18 double cab only has the manual center slider. I needed the extra bed length over the huge backseat i’ll never use.

 

The keypad on the door is what i miss most about my F150. just get XLT with 302A luxury package

 

Ok I have history with Ford so maybe I can help you. Closest thing to what you have would be a Crewmax SR5 TRD Offroad. The Trd offroad pkg has special wheels, skid plates, offroad tuned bilstein shocks and bedside decals. They only come with a 5.7 v8 and 6 spd auto trans and a 38 gallon fuel tank. Interior is cloth buckets and a center console. Exterior has chrome bumpers and grille. If you desire colormatched exterior then the TRD Sport package would be your next choice however it's tuned more for on road driving with a rear sway bar and 20" wheels. You can also purchase colormatched parts from Toyota. The TRD Pro is the ultimate offroad Tundra but comes at a steeper price. Hope this helps you out

 

Limited comes with power pass seat

 

Thanks to you all for the replies so far.

Awesome - this is the kind of answer I was looking for. The Toyota website’s configuration tool is pretty vague on the contents of the different options packages (TRD Sport, TRD Sport with Options, TRD Sport Plus, WITH Options).

I don’t really need all the creature comforts and super gadgets in the cabin, with the exception of Apple CarPlay. I don’t need to upgrade to premium sound for that, do I?

 

No, CarPlay and Android Auto are stock for 2020.

 

Before I purchased my 2020 Crewmax SR5 TSS OffRoad I went and looked at Ford's. I was amazed that for something with a similar price tag ($44k); the Ford had to shift in the steering column, terrible LCD display (with no carplay if I remember right), and had to pay extra to go up to the XLT to get a power driver seat. It just blew my mind that a car above $40k would not have a power driver seat and shift in the steering column.

 

I actually LIKE the column shift selector. My old daily driver is a 6 speed manual, which makes sense to put on the console or floor.

I do agree that a $40k vehicle should come with power seats. However, all power seats should come with memory and paired with individual keys. Our Honda Pilot can differentiate between keys and remembers climate control settings between them, but not the power seats. I could have changed the seat position between my wife and I faster with manual seats.

 

I would love the keypad entry but NO WAY I would drive a ford to have it. 1st world problems I guess.

 

I have to say that this is my 6th Tundra. From 2000 on and when I did switch to a Ford in 2009 I regretted it ever since. I know the six-speed transmission isn't the best with MPG but its dependability is something you can count on. I have added several items to my 2020 Platinum and I will be keeping it for at least 8 years. Check out my profile if you'd like a list of what I have done so far. The next step is a GFC.

 

I traded in my 2013 F150 for a 2020 Tundra; obviously it doesn't compare to a 2019 F150, but I can make some comparisons.

Reliability: You've already read about that. You simply can't beat the Tundra, period.

Creature comforts: This is where the F150 would win. F150 has more of these; e.g., you can't get hill descent control with a Tundra that I'm aware of, and the rest of the stuff that you can get with the Tundra, you can get with an F150.

Performance: I can't compare the 2013 5.0 to the 2019 5.0, but I can compare it to the Tundra's 5.7L. It had 365HP/385TQ; and the 5.7L has 385 HP/401TQ. On paper that doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but then you factor in the torque curve of the 5.7L as opposed to the 5.0L (likes to make its HP/TQ up high) *and* 4.30 gears, and holy crap, the difference was/is night and day.

MPG: I hate to use this term, but 'your mileage may vary.' LOL Everything I've read says "it'll suck a lot worse than the F150." This is true...to a point. If I drive it like I stole it, MPGs do drop faster; but given that more torque is made down low with my truck, I find it downshifts far less, and as a result, I actually get *better* MPG (16.2MPG, vs 15.9 in the F150). My gut feeling is that your overall MPG will be worse by an MPG or two.

In my eyes, reliability is far and away #1, and the others are a distant second. My F150 was pretty dang reliable - it never left me stranded. With that said, I did have plenty of minor issues (some rust, 3 recalls, issues with windshield wiper/spark plugs, tailgate handle, rear/side windows, the driver's side rear door would not stay latched in the wintertime, and I could go on). And while the interior may seem more 'plush' with the F150, it's not like the interior of the Tundra just absolutely sucks. As such, the few 'downsides' the Tundra has didn't and don't matter to me. I owned 3 F series trucks in a row; and this is my first Tundra, but it won't be my last for sure, whereas I don't see myself owning a Ford anytime in the future.