I Took a 2024 Tundra for a Test Drive

I was at the dealership having the rear wheel bearing replaced on my 2016 Tundra OR and had a four hour wait. I figured why not take a new Tundra for a ride even though I had no intention to buy. I told the salesman I wanted to test drive a SR5 double cab OR. They only had a SR5 double cab but not the OR. It was nice. The cab was quieter than my 2016. Power was very good but not as linear as my 5.7. Certainly felt the turbos kick in. I also also surprised that the right rear tire broke loose as I floored it at around 20mph. I expected the traction control would have prevented the tire spin. Saleman was cool and insisted I test out the power. I did like the door Armrest. The dash was different and considerably shorter than my 2016. The windshield also seemed to be more upright. The steering wheel also seemed closer to the dash and windshield but that was OK. It had the smaller headunit screen but I found the backup camera had good clarity. What was surprising was that even though the HVAC wasn't dual climate it still had the auto temp. I also noticed that it had a feature that would hold the brake ON when stop at a light when you let your foot off the brake. The cab seemed a littler tighter than my 2016 and it didn't feel as wide. It drove like a smaller truck than my Gen 2.5. Ride was definitely better than my Tundra. I expected the composite bed to be slippery but it had a texture on it that provided good traction. When I'm ready I'll probably buy one but my truck only has 25K on it.

 

Ya Toyota did a good job overall

nothing is 100% perfect

 

One thing I did notice was that the rating on the rear axle was lower on the 2024 even though the payload was higher.

 

This is a good in depth review based on your short term test. Great job!

 

Well that’s neat! I didn’t realize Canadians measure weight it kegs! You learn something new everyday…

 

I am pretty sure that is 165 beers!

 

Yup, we're all metric but still buy 2x4s by the foot.

 

I wonder if the rating has anything to do with the size tire specified.

 

Also how I buy my fruit. Good honest review, thanks!

 

How TF is your truck 8 years old but only has 25k miles is the real question buddy

 

The truck was my 83 year old Father in-law’s and he barely drove it. He used it for garbage runs once a week and the occasional run to the lake twice a year. He stopped driving this summer so I bought the truck.

 

Tires are both 18” and very similar in size. 265/70R18 for the 2024 and 275/65R18 for the 2016.
I’m thinking maybe the coil suspension compared to the leaf spring but you would think the payload would be lower.

 

I’m a retired Toyota Pro tech and really don’t have any emotional attachments to vehicles.

 

Nice quick review.

Most if not all of the new Toyotas have that hold the brake at a stop light button. That is one of the new gadgets I really liked and miss from the 2021 Sienna I sold during Covid when they were offering crazy high prices for them.

I also like that the adaptive cruise control would work all the way down to stop and automatically hold the brake for you. Within a short time period, would start moving again with the car in front of you, otherwise hit the resume button to go again.

Our older ones, adaptive cruise won't work below 25mph (?).

 

My 2015 Pro only has about 23,000 miles.
Our 2005 Tacoma, on the other hand, has over 260,000.

 

I use to have a 2020 Tundra that I sold during covid that had the adaptive cruise. That was my one complaint was that the adaptive cruise would kick off at lower speed. Also the auto headlight were useless and would keep blinding oncoming drivers by not dimming down or going to high beam at the wrong time. How are the auto headlights in the 2024?

 

auto headlights on my platinum work perfectly , so do the rain sensing wipers for that matter

 

Auto headlights are decent.
They turn off high beams within about one second of when oncoming car was detected. Yes it may blind them for half second or so on a twisty maintain road...

No, Tundra auto high beams aren't as fast as BMW X5, but I think acceptable

 

Wheel bearing at 25k? dang....

 

I had a new 99 Tacoma that had a bad wheel bearing before the first oil change. Rare, but it happens. One of the very few problems I have had with a Toyota over the years.

 

Is Wheel bearing failure common at 25k miles?

 

No, but neither is taking 8 years to hit 25K miles.

 

Absolutely not.

 

Yeah, $1200 bucks lighter in the pocket book. We were traveling from Northern Ontario Canada down to Florida and started hearing the noise when we arrived. No place down here for me to do it myself.

 

Just throwing this out there.

 

What do you think caused the bearing failure. Off-roading?

 

Maybe backing a boat in the water, then sitting around a lot?

 

No rhyme or reason. The truck was never went off road and never used to launch a boat. It was driven by a 83 year old man and rarely even got to highway speeds. Think grampa on a Sunday morning drive kind of use.

 

I want to be the grandpa that’s kicking the backend out sideways and spinning donuts on the way to church on Sunday mornings… Maybe that explains the wheel bearing?