Toyota confirms huge price for Tundra pick-up
Everything about this enormous American pick-up is super-sized, including its asking price.
Toyota customers will need to dig deep to take home its largest car.
The auto giant has confirmed a six-figure price tag for the new Tundra ute that will make it the most expensive car in Toyota showrooms.
Priced from $155,990 plus on-road costs (about $165,000 drive-away), the big Toyota costs almost $50,000 more than the entry point for Ford’s F-150.
MORE: Toyota Tundra leaves HiLux in its dust
That’s because the Tundra is available in one fully-loaded model, a highly-specified “Limited” trim loaded with luxury features.
The car has heated and cooled seats trimmed in synthetic leather, with enough space to seat three adults across the back row.
Tech includes a 12.3-inch digital dash and 14-inch central infotainment system linked to a 12-speaker Bose stereo.
MORE: Toyota Tundra confirmed for Australia
The Tundra is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that makes 290kW and 649Nm, combining with a 36kW and 250Nm electric motor generator for a combined total output of 326kW and 790Nm.
A 10-speed automatic transmission with four-wheel-drive is standard.
Toyota’s largest car can tow up to 4.5 tonnes and has a clever system that can recognise different trailers – such as a horse float, caravan or race car – and vary the behaviour of its powertrain and stability control to suit.
The car is more expensive than Ford’s F-150, which starts at about $117,000 to $152,000 drive-away.
It costs about $20,000 more than petrol-powered versions of the Chevrolet Silverado, but undercuts the diesel-powered flagship by about $8000.
It’s significantly cheaper than RAM’s range-topping Yellowstone edition – yes, it’s named after the cowboy teledrama – that costs about $193,000 drive-away.
MORE: Concerns grow over huge US-style pick-ups
Toyota’s decision to launch the Tundra in Australia follows a 12-month-long trial and consultation process with potential customers, along with a six-year-long research and development program with Walkinshaw Automotive.
Like the RAM and Silverado, the Tundra is built in left-hand-drive in the US, then shipped to Australia for a thorough right-hand-drive re-engineering program by Walkinshaw.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales, marketing and franchise operations, said the Tundra was a first for the brand.
“Toyota has never before worked with a third party to re-engineer a vehicle for right-hand drive so we needed to ensure that it met our high quality standards, and the result is something that all parties can be proud of,” he said.
“Its bold stylish design, the high level of performance from its twin-turbo V6 i-FORCE MAX powertrain, and spacious comfortable interior will appeal to a variety of customers, whether as a work vehicle for carrying tools and workers around town, or getting out onto the open road and touring the country with a caravan or boat in tow.”
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