Two Scoops of Brawn: 2019 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro Packs a Premium

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

With half-ton pickup facades now verging on grotesque, we’ll miss the Toyota Tundra’s appealing, chrome-heavy grille when the model inevitably gives way to a fresh generation. Speaking of fresh, the Tundra ain’t it. Bowing for the 2007 model year, the second-generation Tundra soldiers into 2019 relatively unchanged, though there’s improvements at the top of the range.

No, Toyota hasn’t put the model on a weight loss regimen or finessed its powertrain, but it has added off-road capability. And for this newfound ruggedness, you’d better be prepared to cough up more cash.

According to order guides seen by CarsDirect, the Tundra TRD Pro, back and somewhat better than ever after skipping a model year, sets the pricing bar high. Featuring the toughest legs in the Tundra line (read about the TRD Pro upgrades here), the 2019 model reaches $51,275 after destination. That’s $3,870 more than the 2017 model and less than a grand below the 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCab’s sticker.

Available only in crew cab guise, this TRD Pro approaches the price of a 2018 Tundra 1794 Edition — the gaudy, ultra-lux Tundra variant that didn’t exactly find a home in my heart. That King Ranch rival tips the pricing scales at $51,725 after destination.

Perhaps that double hood scoop is for hoovering up money.

Regardless of the canyon-bombing potential of the off-road Tundra’s new 2.5-inch Fox internal-bypass shocks and other specialized suspension kit, this model’s bones are painfully dated compared to its full-size competition. Ford’s F-150 is still young, and both the Ram and General Motors twins gain new engines and a lighter, restyled body this year. And yet the Tundra seems unwilling to move on. Toyota clearly has better things to invest in.

Automotive News‘ product pipeline says a full revamp won’t occur until the 2022 model year, so there’s still time to get into a strong-but-dated pickup with a great grille and dismal fuel economy. Tundra sales fell 10.1 percent in July, year over year, but the model’s year-to-date tally remains in the black. Over the first seven months of 2018, Tundra sales rose 1.7 percent.

Indeed, U.S. Tundra volume remains extremely consistent, varying only by a few thousand units each year since 2013.

[Images: Toyota]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments
Join the conversation
2 of 43 comments
  • Carroll Prescott Carroll Prescott on Aug 20, 2018

    Third rate truck maker who doesn't appear to be very serious about keeping their product current. At least these third rate trucks are durable and relatively maintenance free. Otherwise ISIS and the related middle eastern nice people would be buying Honduh Ridgelines - the sticking point is how do you mount the required guns when the covered catbox in the bed of the Ridgeline is in the way?

  • Flipper35 Flipper35 on Aug 20, 2018

    Needs a raisin theme on the inside to go with the two scoops...

  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X Just remember though, Leif Erikson and his vikings discovered the New World centuries before Columbus did.
  • Likescars Today is a paid day off in the US only for people who work for government. For most others it is a work day..
  • Ollicat Happy Columbus Day!
  • Bd2 In honor of our lost indigenous people, when you are considering your next automotive selection , not only are eATPs and SACDs to be considered with the utmost urgency, consider the exigency of the automaker's treatment of indigenous people. Toyota is, as I'm sure you are aware, Japanese. Japan has a long history of human rights abuses throughout the islands it now occupies. Even nazis condemn Japan's human rights record in China. Why you ask? It is becaue Japan is a godless society. Now, would you not prefer to purchase from a company with a sterling and platinum reputation in the space of human rights? We thought so. Please consider Hyundai, Kia and Genesis of South Korea. The country with the best human rights record is joined with an incredible selection of curated eATPs. Please visit your Hyundai Kia Genesis dealer today and experience the vehicles of God's Country: South Korea.
  • Aron9000 Always liked the 70's Nova better than the 1978 A body Malibu that effectively replaced them. The Novas felt a bit more substantial, not as tinny/floppy/rattly/cheap. And the rear windows rolled down on the 4 doors. And the two doors as well if you have a 1974 or older one. Also I dont think Chevy ever offered a 350 v8 on the downsized Malibu, a lame 305 was as good as it got.
Next