Why is the 2.5 the best late model truck on the market?

Just appreciating my 2021 Tundra and my opinion why it is the best truck made recently (at least half ton wise) - because it’s actually a damn truck.

It’s not a SUV with a bed like so many others - it’s not designed by someone looking to make the “occupant experience” the priority - it was designed with durability/work as it’s primary focus and while giving consideration to creature comforts - they were still an afterthought here.

The CM especially excels at being both “passenger friendly” - while still being a workhorse truck. Simple design - made to get dirty and not over filled with electronics that as they are exposed to dirt and grime will fail. Just solidly designed components that are proven to last under heavier than normal wear.

Then there’s the drive train - we’ll proven in its decade plus run - yes, no trans cooler and yes, fuel mileage sucks - but the trans cooler can be added if trailering.

Only downside - I wish they made a 6’5 bed at least - if not an 8’ bed on the CM. Yes - I realize that would make parking spaces a nightmare - but work trucks spend less time in places with parking spots. Wish someone would come up with a solution on adding THAT feature - but at least bed extenders are available and help some.

The reasons I liked my 2012 Silverado W/T are what make me love my Tundra. Still want my 2012 back someday - but I won’t be giving up my Tundra to get one.

 

Could've sworn someone here said the 3rd gen "destroys the previous gen in every category".

Same poster went on to say that anyone whom had an opposing viewpoint couldn't afford a 3rd gen.

 

Gen 3s are nice - but to me they feel more SUV than truck.

As to anyone who disagrees is just jealous/can’t afford a 3rd gen - im perplexed by that statement. Clearly a 2021 Pro or 1794/platinum is going to cost as much/more than a gen 3 SR5 without the inflated markup.

3rd gen looks good in certain colors - but is becoming more of what the big 3 have been producing for nearly a decade now - a suv aimed at truck buyers. Might as well buy one of those Hyundai trucks if that’s what your after. That said - they are still better than the big 3s current offerings - taking a step in that direction - but not there yet. I’ve never been a fan of turbos on work trucks. Simplicity is its own level of elegance sometimes. It’s why people still seek out 40 year old square bodies over decade old trucks with higher output snd more features.

 

5.7 V8, instead of a V6 or 4cyl, turbo, or some problematic diesel. 380hp on regular gas.

Oldschool, reliable, proven multiport fuel injection. Instead of a high pressure direct injection and caked up intake manifolds.

Variable valve timing that actually works without eating itself.

You can actually press on the gas pedal and it gets up and goes, unlike anything GM has made in the last 10 years. Gm calls it, "torque management".

Reliable 6 speed transmission without glitches and other issues.

Engine driven cooling fan instead of electric.

Hydraulic power steering instead of electric.

4 wheel disc brakes, instead of disc and drums. Idk if the other are still doing drums on base models, but they were in 2007 when the 2nd gen came out.

A 4.30 or 4.10 rear gear instead of 3.08, 3.23, or 3.73.

Window regulators, modules, fuel pumps, heater cores, tie rods, steering racks, CV axles, carrier bearings, and wheel bearings that DON'T crap out constantly.

There are a few things i can complain about, but are easily fixed or ignored. A close second among the great half ton pickups to ever exist is the 99-02 GM. Modern vehicles are laden with EPA and other safety bullshit. Pickups are not immune, luckily Toyota was able to produce what is basically the climax of simplicity and reliability from an era when the EPA and Safety regs werent crippling vehicles (2007) until last year, 2021. I dont believe any company will ever be able to produce anything as reliable to own ever again IMO.

 

Bingo !

 

Actually, they were right. With all the turbo trouble that will be coming down the pike, not to mention the transmission trouble that is all but guaranteed from the ridiculous 10 speed I absolutely won't be able to afford all of the post-warranty repairs. So, I CAN'T afford a third gen.

 

I offer that best is subjective. There is alot to love, long term reliability among them. Since you are here, you will likely get a lot of echoed sentiment. However, for every positive attribute I am sure someone could counter with a complaint.

 

Tailgate that bends under loads, frame that rust with the hint of salt, 1200lbs capacity, no trans cooler. The tundra is rated the lowest of all "trucks" as far as capacity. Only reason I bought was it had the tightest turning radius and the softest ride. I like to think of it as an EL Camino...

 

Look I own a Tundra as well a 21. Dont get me wrong luv the truck but simple things should have been added and done. LED inside inter lights and even tail lights. Crew max under back seat storage. Better stero and updated radio unit. I can go on but they could have added a few more thing over time. Better tail gate system options. Some interior upgrades. All this done over time. Its a great truck they could have just done some more small things over time.

 

Agreed they COULD have addressed things many would like to see as “standard” - but additions cost $$ (even minor change overs cost more when an already established process is in place) and it’s not as if it’s extremely costly or difficult for an owner to make these swaps themselves if they want them.

Costliest is likely a trans cooler - radio CAN get up there in cost - but I’ve met many Tundra owners who never felt their sound system needed a change (none were on this forum - they must be listening to audio books or something in my opinion. For rock/anything with any bass in it I found it lacking in clarity and more muddy than most any modern auto radio - even the lowest end cars).

But those are the trade offs of “trucks” vs SUV.

And again - we are comparing 1/2 truck offerings - complaining it doesn’t carry more than a half ton payload (which is what makes it a half ton truck) and rust in salt (which truck has a rust free frame made today ?) - I just don’t get these complaints - no one else offers this and saying it’s the lowest rated while having to admit it has the highest resale seems contradictory to me. So everyone thinks they are the worst out there / but buyers will pay a premium for them - THAT sounds like logic of someone who can’t afford something and has to slag it off as being junk.

If I were to pick the best truck made since 2000 - I d actually probably say 1st gens or 2018 or whatever the last year of the trans cooler equipped 2.5 was - wasn’t it refreshed in 2018 slightly AND kept the trans cooler.

EPA and pollution controls gets a lot of heat for killing performance (rightly) - but manufacturers CAN build amazing vehicles and meet requirements- it simply takes engineering and a willingness to spend $$. Hard to do that when your are barely profitable - or facing a unknown market. Now that the makers are suddenly flush with profits - hopefully they spend and come up with some great drivetrains.

Remember in the early 70s Detroit gutted some of the greatest engines ever and had V8s that couldn’t turn out 200 horses powering land yachts. Yet by the end of the decade - they had designs in place for some truly great 80s classics. I’m curious to see what they manage to come up with in the EV evolution- right now not much that’s going to change the landscape of vehicle buying long term - just high priced offerings that are minimalist performers that can be built cheaper as supplies and manufacturing cost drop in the next 5-10 years. Something tells me that Toyota is going to partner up with someone though and take a giant step forward though.

 

False. I can get over 2000 lbs of payload from either Ford or GM in a halfton.

Half ton is an antiquated naming system, anyway. Just think of them as 1500 series trucks.

 

There is no complaining only facts. I bent the tailgate within a week of ownership. My frame has spotted rust on it and its a 2021 and never seen snow. It does have the lowest load and towing capacity rating of any 1/2 ton "truck". I bought because it was the least "truck" of the 1/2 tons. Soft gooey ride, turns tight, I like it. If I had to pull anything over 5Klbs I would not be using a Tundra. You get into the 3/4 ton and above light duty trucks and its a truck. Market is supply and demand, they do have great resale value. I paid cash for mine, just like the other 29 vehicles I owned. Never made a payment in my life. In 2 years of ownership I driven the Tundra 7K miles (95% time sits in driveway). Surprised the 2 years I owned my F250 6.7 I drove 14K miles and I hated that TRUCK. Strange the truck i hated i drove more, oh shit that right, it had 3 times the capacity. I bought the F250 new sold after 2 years and made $2K that was good resale.

 

TOYOTA made it perfect after 7-14 years of continuous improvement practice.

 

Here is the other thing after 14 years production the tundra cost to produce with tooling in place they were making bank off each one i am just saying they could have made a few more litttle upgrades into them. Simple things.

 

I don’t have the tailgate or rust problems. Added a trans cooler because this transmission was originally designed to run one in trucks with the tow package. Payload numbers—like its fuel economy—are from 2007, but I go over them occasionally (not by a lot; still within my gross axle ratings), and the truck just shrugs.

They also deleted several features and options (interior storage, folding rear seat, engine options, driver’s side grab handle) at the mid-generation refresh in 2014. Toyota isn’t the most profitable automaker in the world for no reason.

 

I think the payload limitations of the truck are an honest issue. I don't often complain about it, because I knew what I was getting and bought it anyway. It's simply the tradeoff for the high resale value and other things that I like about it. I do tow a medium size travel trailer, and have to be very conscious of how I load the truck and the trailer to keep payload in check. It's certainly in my mind that there are other half ton trucks out there where this would not be an issue, but I am willing to deal with it because I like the rest of the package. It doesn't mean it isn't an issue, it is, but I live with it.

 

It could just be my experiences, but I've never seen a broke down Tundra on the side of the road, ever. I have however seen all of the big 3 and Titans broke down. There are little things I can nitpick about it (as I can do with every vehicle because nothing is perfect) but overall they are solid built trucks.
I had a 2000 Chevy 1500 that had a notorious issue with a short in wiring harness going to fuel pump (lots of online complaints). I never did figure out where the hell it was at but I was replacing fuel pumps by every 30k max. Chevy refused to honor warranty for it. They should have did a recall, never did to my knowledge. Got rid of it in 2007. Two of my uncles were hardcore ford guys. Both had their fords at the dealer a lot as well. My brother had a 08 F250, maybe 6.2 or 6 7 diesel? The EGR on those were a nightmare, constant issues by 60k miles. It got sold and a 1999 Ram 2500 5.9 replaced it. Best decision for what we used it for.

Anyone complaining about towing vs a 3/4 ton are just confused individuals. My buddy's f450 tows better than my Tundra too for obvious ass reasons . Let's compare 1/2 ton to 1/2 ton. Pulling the same trailer/load (8k 22ft cargo) my 2019 CM vs my buddy's 2012 Ram 1500 CC. Both 5.7 and stock minus ATX tires. His truck would experience significant sway, ride quality was worse, braking was worse. Both seemed to have similar power but Ram struggled to find gears and would surge more. My buddy, a life long hard-core dodge/ram guy (and mechanic), admitted my Tundra was the better of the 2 trucks. Take that as you will. My 2014 Tundras only issues was front suspension/ball joint replacement at 130k, bone stock minus tires. 2019 has the flex engine so I had rough start TSB for software flash done, fixed that. Fuel pump recall, and it needs the headlight wiring recall done. I've just been to busy for it. I've treated this truck rough for work, towed long distance 5k+ multiple times, went offroading/mudding. Stock suspension was shot by 70k is my only real complaint/repair. Upper ball joints, leaf springs, coilovers and shocks were done. Other than that this truck is fantastic for a Truck.

 

The reliability and longevity factor can't be understated.

I take for granted that everything continues to work 7 years 110k miles later after manufacture date. Not just the engine and tranny (they are just getting broken in!), windows, lights, doors, and so forth as well.

Then I see non Toyotas...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43MLpdniz_o

newer version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAn40128fy8

 

I don't know about longevity. I usually buy new cars or trucks every 2.5 years. Have an old 2001 Lexus gs300 I drive to work and decimates the 2021 Tundra in quality and options. Again its 20 years older. Probably trade the 2021 next couple weeks. Probably jump to land cruiser.

 

It’s definitely not the best in many categories, but it’s the best in the categories that matter most to me given my hauling needs. I could use a little more payload but I’ve seen no problems running it at or slightly over its max payload frequently. I just need a truck that is unquestionably reliable, has good resale value, is powerful, looks good, is comfortable and sounds good. Towing capacity is fine for me, as mentioned the biggest kicker is the payload. Some aftermarket suspension add ons and I’ve never once felt it was inadequate for my hauling needs. All of my boxes are checked personally. My next truck will be a 3/4 ton, but I fully expect more quality concerns going to a domestic. I truly hate the thought of buying anything newer with all of the latest nanny technology, but there won’t be a way around it I’m sure.

 

My 2.5 is a '15. I wouldn't want a 21 with all the nanny stuff either.