Heels on Wheels 2014 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition Review

HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel

INTRO TO THE TUNDRA VEHICLE
The Tundra has adopted an appreciation of the finer things with sharpened styling as the main headliner for 2014 – gone are the bubbly corners, replaced by a more chiseled and traditional shape with a logo embossed on tailgate.

I drove a 2014 Toyota Tundra with the 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. Offered in five trim grades – the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum and 1794 Edition with two cab configurations – my 1794 Edition Crew Max with four-wheel drive came with the following standard features: upgraded perforated leather upholstery; heated and ventilated seats; seven-inch touchscreen with navigation; Entune media services; moonroof; power rear glass; twelve-speaker JBL audio system; XM radio; tow hitch receiver; and twenty-inch wheels. Price as described came to $47,320.

The Tundra hopes to be a truck that can answer a variety of needs, whether you are getting out of the SUV or need it for work-related reasons. Main competitors are the Dodge 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 and Nissan Titian. I have also written a preview on the 2014 Toyota Tundra at a destination event for media only.

HEELS ON WHEELS REVIEW CRITERIA

Stylish But Comfortable Results: The 1794 Edition has a western-themed interior cast in premium brown wood and leather upholstery. Technical changes include a center stack that has been moved away from driver position by 2.6-inches and a more streamlined multi-information display (a gauge has been dropped). The rear seat slider dropped and the backseats now tip up. Standard highlights for the base Tundra SR trim include a rearview camera, 6.1-inch touchscreen and some basic Entune features. Additional options included a $200 chrome-clad wheels and $345 running boards which are essential for shorter drivers. For a truck of this size, it is roomy and spacious with excellent visibility.

Reliability & Safety Factor: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the model ratings of “Good” in all areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2014 Toyota Tundra and overall 4-Star rating with lowest results in frontal crash.

Cost Issues: The base Tundra SR starts at $25,920 with both the Platinum and 1794 Edition beginning at $47,320. The most popular trim, the SR5 with the 5.7-liter V8 is roughly $34,015.

Activity & Performance Ability: The Tundra’s suspension absorbs all rocks, pits and other abrasions with a more generous approach angle than competitors, well-tuned brakes, and a confident steering response. Road noise is minimal on the highway and the transition is extremely smooth. The Tundra hauls more than 2,000 pounds and tows more than 10,000 pounds, plus is the only full-sized pickup that is J2807 compliant with the 5.7-liter which gets the most performance technology. There are two other engines to choose from – a 270-horsepower 4-liter V6 or a 310-horsepower 4.6-liter V8. Four- or two-wheel drive is available for all.

The Green Concern: This engine debunks the myth of competitor’s V6 engines, with Toyota claiming it gets same fuel economy of the Tundra’s V8 without all the strain. The 4-liter V6 gets 16-city and 20-highway for a combined 17 miles-per-gallon combined; the 4.6-liter V8 with four-wheel drive gets 16-combined; and the 5.7-liter V8 with four-wheel drive gets 15-combined.

FINAL PARTING WORDS
While the 2014 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition is certainly swanky, the half-ton crew cab in the SR5 trim with the same 5.7-liter engine meets functional, technical, and budgetary needs best.

©2014 Katrina Ramser