2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Review

Toyota includes many interesting features for the Tundra, including a powerful V8 engine, some necessary driver assistance features and a cool slide-down rear window. These are nice, but ultimately the overall package isn't as nice as the competition - even with the infotainment upgrade.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra fulfills its role as a capable and workable truck or as a fun-loving truck in the mud, but as an everyday driver it falls short of the competition.

I've spent a week testing the Tundra TRD Pro and am still impressed with the powerful 5.7 liter V8 engine and exhaust. When it comes to hauling and loading cargo, the tundra has served me well and helped me clean up after a storm hit and destroyed many trees in the area.

Drive through the tundra 2020

The Tundra is capable, but it's best suited as a work truck or SUV.

The 2020 Tundra is equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine capable of delivering 381 hp and 401 lb.-ft of torque. This delivered good acceleration off the line and strong power, and the exhaust sounded good. The six-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly and knew exactly what gear I wanted to use. Although I didn't approach towing capacity, it was very capable when hauling fallen branches and debris on a small trailer.

On-road, the ride quality isn't on par with the competition, but a lot is possible off-road. Driving it through a ravine and up a steep hill felt like I was in control and like I'd barely scratched the surface of what I could do. The TRD Pro model includes skid plates to protect vital parts of the truck, a lifting platform and upgraded suspension, as well as better off-road tires.

The Tundra can carry 1,730 pounds of cargo and has a towing capacity of 9,200 to 9,900 pounds depending on the TRD Pro configuration you choose. Other tow pan trim levels tow up to 10,200 pounds.

I used the tundra to clean up after a big storm.

Fuel economy is 13mpg city, 18mpg highway and 15mpg combined. During testing, these numbers were very close to what I observed. While competitors don't have great fuel economy either, they are better than the Tundra. The 38-gallon fuel tank reduces the need for frequent stops and is a nice standard feature on the TRD Pro.

2020 Titanium Interior & Equipment

The interior is spacious.

The Tundra interior is spacious for everyone, but the design isn't as fresh as the competition and the seats aren't ready for a long drive. It's not a bad interior, but you have to make a choice about what you want - especially when you live in this truck for hours every day.

There's plenty of small storage spaces up front and decent storage space in the middle, but no tricks here.

The back seat is very roomy, which is great for transporting friends. The seats fold up to let you use the area for cargo, but there's no fancy under-seat storage or a fold-out platform to make the surface completely flat. If the competition is full of memory tricks, then this is another sign of the age of the tundra.

There's no trick tailgate like GMC or RAM, but the bed is still capable, and there are multiple attachment points to secure cargo. I used it to transport lumber and as our base of operations while we cleared a ravine.

The rear window has a trick you won't find on the competition.

The Tundra's rear window offers a trick the competition doesn't have. The rear window slides down to offer a very open truck experience when you roll down all the windows and open the sunroof.

Tundra Tech & Security

I'm pleased that the Tundra now includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard on most trim levels. This tech upgrade makes it easier to stay connected, get your location, and listen to your music while you're on the go. Most users will want to rely on these options rather than the default Entune system. The screen is easy to see and responsive. There's a built-in WiFi hotspot option if you need to stay connected on the go

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide access to high-tech connectivity.

There's only one USB port on the Tundra, which you use for CarPlay or Android Auto, but there are two more USB charging ports on the front. And there are three 12V outlets that you can use to charge other gear and passenger devices.

From a safety perspective, Toyota deserves high marks for integrating Safety Sense P into all Tundra models. These include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control helps on long drives, but remember it's not full speed, so it's designed for freeway cruising, not stop-and-go city traffic. Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert aren't part of this safety package, but you can get them on higher trim levels.

Is the 2020 Toyota Tundra worth it?

The 2020 Toyota Tundra is worth buying as a capable work truck and for fans of the Toyota badge. It's competent, powerful, and good at a lot of truck stuff. The price also aligns well with the features that add value to the Tundra.

The 2020 Tundra SR starts at $3,425 plus destination, and the reviewed Tundra TRD Pro is $53,525 before $1,495 destination.

For buyers looking for a work truck, fans of the TRD Pro's capabilities, and budget-conscious buyers, the Tundra makes a lot of sense, even when compared to the competition's newer options.

By: 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Review