So how do you call a fifty-thousand dollar pickup a "bargain"?
When it's priced several thousand dollars under its competition.
Yes...with tricked-out heavy-haulers approaching six figures, it was a welcome sight to see our test Tundra's sticker top out at "only" a bit over $52,500.
And that was for Toyota's top-of-the-heap 1794 version with 4-wheel drive.
Let's stop right there for a quick minute and answer a question that more than one person asked me: "What's with the 1794? What does that mean?"
The Tundra is made in Texas…San Antonio, to be exact. And the land on which the assembly plant stands was purchased from the oldest working cattle ranch in Texas…first established in 1794.
And in keeping with that Western theme, the 1794 caught quite a few admiring glances for its saddle brown leather and suede interior. I'd call it a welcome change from the black and grey that so many use.
If you like tradition, you'll probably like the Tundra. They all come with V-8's.
Entry-level Tundras have a 4.6 liter, 310 HP engine, and most others with a 381 HP, 5.7 liter power plant that generates 401 ft lbs of some serious trailer-towing torque. How much? 9,900 lbs in 2-wheel trim, and an even 9,000 with a 4X4 set up. All transmissions are 6-speed automatics.
Mileage is EPA rated at 13 city and 17 Hwy. We got around 14.5 in our week-long around-town test.
Tundras will start in the low $30's…with the usual choices of Double-Cabs and full-sized Crew-Cabs available. And bed lengths range from 5.5' to 6.5 and all the way up to 8.1'. But if you want to go with the 1794, you'll automatically get the full crew cab and short box. Your major choice is whether to go 2-WD or 4-WD.
There's a lot more to the 1794 Tundra than just good looks, though. A towing package is standard…with engine and transmission cooling, a 38-gallon fuel tank, a heavy-duty battery and alternator and heavy-duty suspension.
Trailer sway-control, Toyota's front and rear sonar parking assist, blind-spot and cross-traffic, plus Toyota's "Safety-Sense with pre-collision alert, pedestrian-detection, lane-departure and auto high beams were all included as well.
And in the comfort department, that saddle-brown leather is heated and ventilated and 12-way adjustable for the driver. Premium Sound? Of course.
Our test Tundra 1794 was topped off with Toyota's TRD Off-Road package.
This got us 18' off-road tires and alloys, Bilstein shocks, a skid-plate, tow-hooks and TRD Trim.
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AutoNSider Review | 2019 Toyota Tundra 1794 4X4 1
Bob Jackson| Entercom Atlanta
AutoNSider Review | 2019 Toyota Tundra 1794 4X4 2
Bob Jackson| Entercom Atlanta
AutoNSider Review | 2019 Toyota Tundra 1794 4X4 3
Bob Jackson| Entercom Atlanta
AutoNSider Review | 2019 Toyota Tundra 1794 4X4 4
Bob Jackson| Entercom Atlanta
AutoNSider Review | 2019 Toyota Tundra 1794 4X4 5
Bob Jackson| Entercom Atlanta
