2026 Toyota Tundra: A Bold New Chapter in Full-Size Pickup Excellence

Judging by your username, you know your way around some code?

That said, I did say it was possible, but why when you’re still selling these trucks with 2.5? Maybe charge for the 3.0 upgrade…I could see that, but ripping out and replacing sensors, cameras and wiring is a serious upgrade.

Are you sure that remote start is a simple server-side change/toggle? Because 3.0 as a whole is a host of new/upgraded features. I wouldn’t be surprised if the core algorithms changed. 2.5+ has side detection for bikes (or something like that) that 2.5 doesn’t have. Now that, I can believe would be a software update.

And your engine seizing is a different kind of problem than TSS versions and remote start. For one, your truck won’t start with a seized engine. Let’s not pretend they’re the same and that Toyota’s response should therefore be the same.

 

This for sure. No one would be opining for a refresh already if the current version wasn't a rolling biblical plague....

 

Safety and convenience? The new RAV4 with most controls integrated into the touch screen begs to differ.
I don’t mind the screens being a bit bigger for maps, etc, but for crying out loud stop eliminating physical controls. Anytime I see that im reminded of my cousins Infiniti that had HVAC controlled through the screen. The screen went out and, guess what? No HVAC. $3500 to get a new screen. No thanks.

Edit: Yes, nice HUDs would be awesome. Can’t ignore your original post entirely

 

Agreed on the infotainment integration of the HVAC controls. It will not stand the test of time like simple physical controls do. It’s an absolute dealbreaker for me when I’m considering a new car purchase.

 

Love your user name, I miss my 2UZ.

I was honestly surprised to see Toyota ditch the physical controls for the RAV4 redesign, especially since they kept them on the Camry redesign.

Though since this is a Tundra forum, moving back to Tundras, I can’t see them eliminating them on most TNGA-F vehicles. I say most because if I remember right the Lexus flavors are more touch screen based. Toyota was always about making the controls big and easy to use with gloves.

 

Still no truck bed step ... I still like the ford setup where the step is integrated into the door. I use it all the time on my company truck.

Pretty much no change if you are a Pro owner besides new seats that will reduce back seat room and new color. Zzzz, guess I'm keeping my Pro for another year and not trading up.

 

Hmmm, how often does Toyota do a big refresh? Wondering why you all thought that was going to happen after four model years?

 

"hopeium is a hell of a drug"

 

You mean like physical volume knobs that fall off if you breathe on them? ;-)

Unfortunately, no matter how dumb HVAC control within infotainment systems is, things will likely continue that direction because it won't keep the vast majority from buying a car. And as long as they keep selling then it means the customers love it. You'll have a group of people that have to replace the overpriced infotainment to save HVAC controls (like the one mentioned above), and they will say "never again".

 

Newest Mercedes. Virtually no buttons other than the steering wheel. Climate is voice controlled as well. Right screen is a browser for the passenger. Who knows if it's the future?

 

I'm sure to some degree it is the future. Apple is trying to take all of this over with CarPlay Ultra, and sure it looks beautiful.....but the cost to fix these things without warranty? Ouch. Even if you're ok pressing an on-screen button for climate, most of these setups make you tap a climate button first so it's just extra steps for one of the most frequently used settings.

 

Subaru has back tracked and reverted back to physical controls, pretty sure Hyundai and Kia have as well.

I love car play, but I definitely don’t want my whole car driven by car play.

 

At this point I'm not even sure what I want anymore. Driving my 16' Pro and it's been nothing short of an ace, and with 85k miles, I'm guessing I will wait a few more years to see what comes next. While not in the cards most likely, I just want another V8 and no turbos or electric motors.

 

I love the new tech, but making most all controls screen centric or voice control instead of buttons and switches is a very bad idea for so many reasons. I also saw that Mazda is doing similar to their next gen CX-5. From not ever having a real touch screen to that? LOL. This crap may turn even me into a "luddite" of sorts.

 

I end up using voice for climate which I like. I’ve only had it for a few months and I’m pretty so so on it. It is lightening fast. My wife hates it and won’t drive the car.

I think the tundra has a pretty good balance on touch vs physical buttons.

 

Voice controls may be OK if you are driving solo but would be very intrusive if you have passengers. Easy to change a temp or fan setting with a quick press of a switch without interrupting a conversation or interrupting the music... or the silence. I don't want to be yapping at my climate controls nor listening to anyone else doing that.

 

And forces you to take your eyes off the road! How does this get past the safety nannies in gov't? Some things are just better analog. When fighter jets started using digital screens, pilots reaction times dropped because it takes longer to "read" a digital screen, process the information, and finally make your decision based on that information. A digital tach or speedometer gives no "sense" of speed like a sweeping needle does.

And yes most vehicles have purely digital dashes but many still use a needle as that conveys the info in the best way possible. All that to say that a simple knob is still the easiest way to control: radio volume or channel selection, temperature, and or fan speed, period. Again without taking your eyes or focus off the road, but actually paying attention while driving doesn't matter to a lot of people anymore, so yes, you're right, it'll sell.

 

I hope the next tundra refresh they make it more like the Tacoma. Specifically the hvac controls. The toggles are terrible. Hard to see the lights and takes forever to adjust up and down. Need the round dials back.

 

I don't disagree but luckily I keep mine set the same 99% of the time. My wife changes her side constantly, but that's her problem.

 

I wish I could but mornings can be freezing and afternoons can be warm around here. Kids want the heat in the morning and I want the ac when I get in later in the day. First world problem going from high heat to max cool one tap at a time ha

 

It may be the future but what it really is is CHEAP. Instead of a bunch of individual switches with wires going either to devices they operate or to the BCM you have one screen and a CANBUS cable. Not to mention simpler assembly and smaller spare parts inventories. They try to sell it as modern and cool... but it is just cheap.

 

Yep, cheap and cutdown the number of different parts and share them across different models. Instrument clusters are no longer unique to the vehicle and neither are the head units. It’s all the same part and no longer catered to each vehicle.

 

https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-full-line-pricing

 

How does the Toyota Tundra line refresh compare to the other truck brands? When shopping for my first truck this past year, I cross shopped the Tundra with the Ram 1500 Rebel and Ford Tremor and Raptor. While the Raptor seemed to have a more modern look and feel, both the Tremor and Ram felt outdated. The Ram did have a very nice interior, but that vertical display and Ram and Rebel everywhere was a deal breaker. (Granted I was shopping 2023-2024 models of all 3)

Chevy and GMC were not even considered.

I typically only hold on to cars 5-7 years so I can wait for the refresh on all 3 of those and choose again.

 

I don't see the 2026 MY on the list yet but thanks for the link.

 

They're all there... (just a few listed here)

8348 2026 Tundra 4x4 SR CrewMax 5.5-ft. bed i-FORCE $46,260
8361 2026 Tundra 4x4 SR5 CrewMax 5.5-ft. bed i-FORCE $51,510
8372 2026 Tundra 4x4 Limited CrewMax 5.5-ft. bed i-FORCE $57,860
8375 2026 Tundra 4x4 Platinum CrewMax 5.5-ft. bed i-FORCE $66,695
8376 2026 Tundra 4x4 1794 Edition CrewMax 5.5-ft. bed i-FORCE $67,380 8381

 

They were added on July 22, 2025 @ approximately 7am Central when the 2026 model year Sequoia Press Release went live.

 

I truly believe TSS is just that far behind in design for the big trucks. I wish it wasn't so, and wish these trucks offered the hardware to support better software. There is a lot of reasons, but I agree TSS should be at 3.0-3.5 by now and it's unfortunate the Tundra software lags in iterations compared to some other brands. Once the trucks can handle over the air updates maybe Gen 4, this will all be a mute point, but in the meantime, we just have to sacrifice tech features for mechanical reliability and that business model seems to work well for Toyota. My 2014 !! Tacoma head unit was running QNX the same OS used to "run some" RIM Blackberry devices. Thats tells you how NOT focused Toyota is on software.

 

We are talking about Gen 3 Tundra's right?

 

Blackberry bought the rights to the QNX operating system but I don't think that it was embedded in any RIM devices apart from a tablet called the PlayBook. I believe that, due to its stability, QNX development continued on a separate stream for automotive applications.