The Toyota Tundra is not a really significant player in the full-size pickup space. During the 2018 calendar year, GM sold 805,135 combined units of the Silverado and Sierra, while Toyota moved 118,258 units of the Tundra. In fact, full-size pickup trucks is one of the few remaining segments where GM still holds a notable lead over Toyota in terms of overall sales volume, but the Japanese automaker might be looking to change its luck with the upcoming 2020 Toyota Tundra, which is in for a major refresh.
Our spy photographer caught the 2020 Toyota Tundra undergoing testing in Ann Arbor alongside the current-generation Ford F-150. The refreshed Tundra will maintain the cab from 2008 model, while getting heavy reworking nearly everywhere else, including a new design from the A-pillar forward, along with an updated bed and tailgate. Inside, an all-new interior is expected.
Mechanically, the 2020 Toyota Tundra is expected to see several tweaks to the engines, while gaining a new 10-speed automatic transmission. But here’s the kicker: the spy photos show the prototype with street-sweeper-style camouflage designed to disguise the rear axle and suspension components. The secrecy leads us to believe that Toyota is working on a unique rear end for the updated Tundra, which could involve an air suspenders or maybe even an independent rear suspension.
What the Japanese bull has in store for the 2020 Toyota Tundra is anyone’s guess at the moment, though we should also note that engineers got extremely concerned when our spy tried to get a shot under the truck’s rear end.
Point is, if the 2020 Toyota Tundra has an air suspension system or an independent rear end, then it will be one thing that GM’s new Silverado and Sierra don’t even offer… while serving as one more reason not to buy the new GM pickups that serve as the automaker’s bread-and-butter vehicles.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Mainstream Pickup Trucks - Q4 2018 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 18 / Q4 17 | Q4 18 | Q4 17 | YTD 18 / YTD 17 | YTD 18 | YTD 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-SERIES | -3.28% | 230,312 | 238,128 | +1.40% | 909,330 | 896,764 |
| RAM PICKUP | +28.27% | 161,397 | 125,822 | +7.24% | 536,980 | 500,723 |
| SILVERADO | -3.64% | 161,178 | 167,274 | -0.05% | 585,581 | 585,864 |
| SIERRA | +6.06% | 67,312 | 63,467 | +0.74% | 219,554 | 217,943 |
| TUNDRA | -0.43% | 30,476 | 30,608 | +1.70% | 118,258 | 116,285 |
| TITAN | -27.37% | 12,620 | 17,375 | -4.66% | 50,459 | 52,924 |
| TOTAL | +3.21% | 663,295 | 642,674 | +2.09% | 2,420,162 | 2,370,503 |
No matter what Toyota has in store for the updated Tundra, we should keep in mind that it is a very distant fifth in the full-size pickup truck space, a circumstance that we don’t expect to change any time soon.
Comments
I don’t think air bags are going to turn the tide for Toyota, especially if they aren’t even doing a full redesign. I feel like the Tundra is dated and desperately needs a complete overhaul. Personally, I don’t like bags on a vehicle as they always seem to leak, Ford had it on the Explorers for awhile and they all seemed to have issues. Not sure how Dodge has done with their trucks though I’ve never known anyone that had it, however bags are not what turned the tide for them either. Seems to be the giant touchscreen, of all things, that people gravitate towards.
I’d still take a Sierra. 5.3 or 6.2 over anything else. People seem to forget that there’s still the inline six Duramax coming.
Toyota must be losing money on Tundra but keep building them?
doubt it. the thing has been around basically unchanged for 13 years. the development cost was recovered long ago. they charge a fortune for them. and the TX plant also makes the Taco so maintaining production at the plant isn’t a problem.
Stupid article. There is no evidence of the changes you wrote about. ‘Maybe’ Gm will win the pickup wars because ‘maybe’ Santa’s sleigh is underneath it.
There is a bar visible on that closeup of the left rear side of the truck through the “brush”. I wonder if they are implementing a Ram style coil rear suspsension?
Also note, this Tundra is now a 6 lug bolt pattern truck, instead of a 5 lug as current.
By “Ram-style” you mean the coil spring rear suspension first introduced in 1996 on the Toyota 4Runner?
Also previously used on Chevrolet Avalanche?
Ok, ya, that rear suspension.
They’ll get a few sales here and there, mostly for only Toyota buyers that would look at a Titan otherwise.
Silverado with the 5.3 at 353hp still outperforms the tundra 5.7 with 390hp on every level. That is the difference in sales. Ride is less refined as well. If Toyota changes everything, and I mean everything, then they would take more sales. as it stands Toyota isn’t even going to touch the performance of the Silverado. I expect some kind of Silverado update in 2020 or 2021 as well to combat ford. Chevy has issued patents for new motor designs that were intended for trucks that were not implemented in the 2019 model. My guess is when ford releases the new f150, chevy will say “I match you and now raise you 20” with newer engines, 10speed across the board and an interior facelift. its a good tactic to try and kill ford upon arrival of their new truck, something that ram just did to chevy.
Here is the thing , indepandent rear suspension has less power train loss compared to solid rear axles so if this
tundra got it , it means more power to wheels + air suspensions + alumiunm structure such as ford would make it
perform best in the segment !
I don’t see how an IRS setup is more efficient as the power has to route through CV joints on it’s way from the diff to the wheel bearings as opposed to just a solid shaft. But either way the effecincy loss/gain is very minimal
Agreed more of an update / changes are needed for Toyota to cater to a broader range of customers, but the Silverado certainly does not outperform the Tundra in reliability. Never has, probably never will. Many a Tundra driver became one after finally tiring of the umpteen recalls, and throwing money away on repairs that come standard with the 3 top sellers.
Americans are a patriotic bunch, there should be no need for a chicken tax, or false propaganda to protect the home team. Focus more on quality, rather than an all new design every couple of years. Take time to hone what works and fix what doesn’t.
Magirus, I`ve had 5 chevys, and one Tundra, I agree with you!! GM doesn`t stand behind their product ( 8- speed problems)
Really?????
You must drive a Tundra. Toyota trucks are not more reliable.. Patriotic YES, false propaganda, NO. Domestic REALITY yes! Recalls???Toyota frames with their cheap Chinese steel rust horrifically. Tundra comes in last place in every comparison test and review. Toyota is perceived to be better than it really is.
Missing lug nut
For a significant number of truck owners air suspension adds an unnecessary expense both short and long term for a pickup owner. They are a not a small priced option when ordered new and when a suspension air bag fails it renders the vehicle unusable. Doubtful it will happen while under warranty, but they will fail surely fail. Coil and leaf springs normally only fail because of corrosion. Just because they are desirable for many Medium and Heavy truck applications doesn’t equate to them being desirable on a Light duty truck.
And what about IRS? If it is such a leap forward why hasn’t it been adopted for Medium and Heavy truck use? I hope this doesn’t offend you, Alex, but please recall the maxim that there are horses for courses,
large trucks, Kenworth, Peterbilt etc have had air ride for decades, air bags RARELY fail, , they last for years, are not that expensive to replace
Tundra, probably needs updated, but reliability,WAY ahead of GM, and I`m a Chevy guy.
Chevy’s have less reported issues per milage. Also, tundras don’t get worked as hard as Chevy’s do. Everyone I know who has had tundras did very little work with them. My current Silverado has been thoughly abused with multiple cross country horse trailer mountain trips. 170k, but looks more like 300k wear wise. It’s hard to beat a Silverado for reliability.
What year is yours? It`s not hard to beat chevys reliability, you got one of the good ones.
2009. Biggest issue is 5th wheel ball Frozen in socket.
I am driving a 2008 company Tundra – just broke 274k miles today…. multiple drivers over the years. Average MPG in segment. Keeps on ticking. Not a pretty vehicle but dependable and functional. No major repairs in 11 yrs. I’m a GM guy – but this Tundra makes me want to see the next generation
5 thumbs down for an honest summary of a Tundra – dead reliable but not pretty.
5 must really enjoy getting bent over the parts bench over at the GM dealership.
It doesn’t have to be that way. 270k miles on basic maintenance alone is real.
For those of you that have the opinion that the Toyota Tundra is a higher quality truck how do you explain that fact based JD Powers ranks the Silverado number 1 and Tundra last for initial quality.
https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Quality/2018/Large-Light-Duty-Pickup
And the fact that the Silverado has the highest dependability. While the Tundra once again is the least dependable.
https://www.jdpower.com/Cars/Ratings/Dependability/2018/Large-Light-Duty-Pickup
Let me counter that.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.trucks.com/2019/02/13/toyota-tundra-chevy-silverado-tops-dependability/amp/
Air overload springs are one thing. Dumping conventional coil or leaf springs going total air spring suspension is a mistake in my opinion. Take for example the Lincoln Navigator the air springs are good for a while but when they need replacing it is about $1500 front $1000-$1500 rear. If you buy one with this setup you better trade it just before the warranty expires.
All pickups reliability has gone down hill since the 70’s
I have a 2014 GMC Sierra. I love the way the truck drives but everything started to break at 90,000 miles . 3k to replace most parts of my a/c. My tranny went out at 90,000. My engine consumes a lot of oil. I definitely wish I bought a tundra instead. A couple of my friends have tundras 200,000+ and no problems at all just normal service and they beat their trucks. My next truck will not be gm or Ford . I don’t know where jdpowers gets their data from but if you look at any gm forum there are a lottttt of pissed off owners.
MPG is Tundra’s number one weakness. The new 10 speed combined with some decent ratios would go a long ways in improving the mpg. Maybe a smaller high output engine. I dunno. I do know I am looking beyond Tacoma’s for a better truck next time I buy. Some things I do not want are cylinder deactivation, 1950’s cannister oil filters with plastic housings, cylinder deactivation is a major downfall for mfgrs to become involved in, It destroys engine long term. Oil burning, ring land coking, etc.
Daren: I`m a G.M. guy, but there is no way, chevy is more reliable than Tundra, if J.d. POWER said that, their vote was paid for.