Toyota Tundra Platinum 4WD – American Pickup trucks have become somewhat popular in recent years. Toyota was late to the party with its Tundra but now has two models available. The Limited and Platinum.
It’s the Tundra Platinum we chat about today.
What is good? |
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What is not so good? |
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Instead of the Toyota Tundra Platinum – buyers could look at:
There is of course the Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500.
Everything you need to know about the Toyota Tundra can be found HERE
Readers can find the Toyota Tundra Specification sheet HERE
MotoringMinute Radio segment can be found HERE
Toyota Tundra Platinum Details
What does the Tundra Platinum look like?
Toyota has managed to hide a large body pickup in a stylish design. It belies its size, and it’s not until you get closer do you realise its much larger than normal Utes.
I Like the design. Especially the large, bold chrome-plated mesh-style front grille and side door trim. The LED self-levelling auto headlights (with auto high beam function) and DRLs seem to integrate into the grill. There are no dedicated fog lights though.
It has presence without trying too hard.
From the side the sheer size is hidden by clever styling detail around the wheel arches and the lower door trims. Heavy duty crushed tube side steps integrate to add a practical feature.
Also, with black 20 x 8 inch alloys and 265/60 R20 112H road terrain tyres that fill the large arches.
One feature I particularly like is the powered tailgate. Both up and down, it makes it easy to load items if your hands are full. The tub includes a LED tub light, four reasonably convenient tie points, though they could be lower and the tailgate has LED taillights.
Other external features include:
- Heated power side mirrors
- Active grille shutter and front spoiler
- Crushed tube side steps
- Front and rear mudguards
- Foldable tub cover
- Retractable moon roof.
Tundra Platinum is available with the choice of seven exterior colours, consisting of six metallic hues –
- Eclipse Black,
- Graphite,
- Silver Storm,
- Jungle Khaki,
- Saturn Blue, and
- Feverish Red – along with
- Frosted White crystal pearl.
Lets step inside the Tundra Platinum.
Space is the first impression. There is an abundance of it.
Access is easy all around with the side steps and handy grab handles for each door.
One interesting issue is that the front left hand passenger door opens all the doors but hold the driver’s door handle and it opens only that. A product of LHD to RHD conversion I suspect.
Both front seats have black and blue leather-accented upholstery and are especially comfortable. With 8 way for the driver and 10 way for the passenger, electronic adjustment and 4 way electronic lumbar support. I suspect that is another carry over from LHD to RHD conversion.
Front seats are heated and ventilated as well as a handy massage function with multiple choices.
Given that I am larger than the average bear, these seats are amongst the most comfortable I’ve ever sat in. There is plenty of leg, butt, shoulder and head room.
The trade off there is that smaller drivers may look for more side bolster.
The large, heated and electronically adjusted steering wheel comes with the usual controls expected. Cruise control can be either adaptive or speed only by holding down the select button. That’s appreciated. In the Platinum it’s also electronically adjustable.
In front of the driver is a 12.3 inch colour multi-function driver instrument binnacle. There are configurable sections. But like most choices, you find the combination you like and leave it.
Also, there is a large 10.9 inch head up display that allows for driver focus to stay on the road. Other notable features are Panoramic roof and rain sensing wipers.
Rear seats.
The outer two rear seats are heated and ventilated. There is ample room for three passengers my size back there. Again, access helped by the grab handles and sidestep.
This is one of the benefits of these mid-sized American Pickup trucks. The relatively huge rear seat room. Hpwever head room for taller drivers may be restricted due to the moon roof.
Rear windows have manual blinds for privacy and shade.
With the hybrid battery under the rear seats, they miss out on extra storage there. But they can be folded up, and a flat plastic load area is available.
Rear seats have isofix points on the two outer seats as well as top tether point. However, accessibility is difficult.
Infotainment, technology and connectivity.
As you expect there is a 14 inch central touch screen. This allows wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Another issue is that the controls for CarPlay are on the far left side of the screen.
As are most of the selection “buttons.”
It also houses the controls for functions such as front seat massage functions. This is noted as there are a few extra steps involved to set both front seats. A programming issue.
If you are driving the Tundra Platinum, you have to try the various massage selections, My favourite being the Centripetal. It gets in everywhere.
One excellent feature is the surround camera system. It great for parking or low speed off road driving. But does get annoying when it activates at traffic lights.
Audiophiles are catered for with a 12-speaker JBL® premium audio system. It’s a middle range system but more than adequate.
Throughout there are USB and 12V ports for convenience.
I do like the manual switches for the air-conditioning controls. They are always appreciated.
Storage
There is heaps. Door pockets that hold twin bottles. A huge multi-layer central console bin. Thankfully, this isn’t wasted by placing a cooler in there.
A large glove box adds more space as does a small tray behind the central screen on top of the dash. This houses a 12V outlet as well.
Twin cupholders, and a small bin in front of the wireless charging tray, which is on a slope to maximise useable space.
Rear doors also have cupholders, there are front seat pockets and a fold down central arm rest, with cup holders.
The tub is huge. Dimension are in the table below. There are also lights to illuminate back there.
Tundra Platinum Engine and transmission
The Tundra Platinum is powered by Toyota’s highest-output powertrain offered to date in Australia – the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 i-FORCE MAX which produces 290kW/649Nm from its petrol engine and 36kW/250Nm from the electric motor for a combined output of 326kW/790Nm.
The electric motor generator is placed between the engine and 10-speed automatic transmission in a parallel hybrid arrangement. Enabling electric motor-only driving at low speeds. Assistance for the engine, a stop-start system and energy regeneration from braking.
In two-wheel drive, power is fed to the rear wheels with a selectable four-wheel drive system and low-range gearing to help tackle low-traction terrain.
Tundra Platinum comes with a part-time 4-Wheel Drive, electronic 2-speed transfer case and an automatic limited-slip differential.
Fuel economy is an interesting equation. I found myself getting down to around 10.3 l/100 km of the motorway. And around town it got up to 15.1 l/100k. That was with a heavy right foot.
Overall, it settled around 11.4l/100k which is ok.
Suspension
Unfortunately, we don’t get some of the upgraded suspension set ups that you get in the USA. For Australia we settle for :
- coil springs all round,
- with a double-wishbone front end and
- solid rear axle with multi-link suspension at the rear.
I didn’t load the Tundra with anything heavy this time, so can’t comment on how it handles a big load. I suspect it will not even blink.
Towing
The Tundra is rated to tow a maximum 4500kg along with a 450kg tow ball rating. It comes with a 3500kg tow ball, but you can request as an option a heavy duty setup.
Assistance comes from two selectable towing modes which tailor powertrain performance to offer maximum stability and controllability when hauling.
Having inbuilt slide trailer brakes is an advantage.
Like all towing set ups, adding a load levelling hitch arrangement adds to the safety.
I do like the fact that the wiring harness is on top of the rear step up out of the way and for easy access.
What is the Tundra Platinum like to drive?
Tundra Platinum in Australia comes with selectable Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes, and a tow/haul mode.
One thing I noticed is that the shift between petrol and hybrid modes is imperceptible.
4WD and off road
The long wheelbase is both a blessing and a curse. It smooths out many road corrugations and imperfections. You tend to glide over them.
Dirt roads and forest trails are a breeze. It can bottom out occasionally on deeper bumps though. But that also depends on speed.
Despite its weight the Tundra loves the sand, and you feel like Lawrence of Arabia driving on the beach.
Tundra personifies effortless beach driving.
However, its sheer size means that it isn’t designed for tighter trails and heavy duty 4WD tracks.
Horses for courses I say.
The shift between 2WD and 4WD H is easy with the push of a button. 4WD L is also easy once you stop obviously.
I found myself heading on and off the beach many times.
Two limiting factors. A low rampover angle. I cant fond the exact measurement, but its long wheelbase says short hilly trails are a no go.
And the road based tyres will limit your adventurous nature.
On road
The Tundra simply glides over tar roads. Its smooth, quiet and you feel cocooned.
It’s a true highway cruiser, with the ability to consume huge distances with ease.
The steering is light but reasonably responsive. You appreciate the lightness in tight suburban carparks.
It doesn’t like being pushed around corners, but it’s not designed for that.
Visibility
Its big and sometimes feels it, especially in tight suburban car parks. You know those ones with lots of concrete pillars and circular ramps between floors.
Also, over bonnet visibility is restricted and you don’t really see the front corners. Thankfully, the surround camera helps here.
Both the ‘A’ and ‘B;’ pillars affect line of sight at times. Especially on pedestrian crossings for the front and at side streets the ‘B;’ pillar seems top block the view.
Reversing would be problematic if it weren’t for the excellent reverse camera.
Toyota Safety Sense
A comprehensive suite of Toyota Safety Sense5 active safety features ensures maximum possible safety for occupants, along with eight SRS airbags.
Toyota Safety Sense features include the autonomous emergency braking pre-collision safety system. This can detect pedestrians and oncoming vehicles day and night and cyclists during the day.
Other features include:
- Emergency steering assist,
- active cruise control,
- lane trace assist and
- lane departure alert, and
- automatic high beam.
In addition to these features, the Tundra also incorporates blind-spot monitor with cross traffic alert, parking support brake and front and rear parking sensors.
To provide a comprehensive view of the vehicle surroundings, it also features a panoramic view monitor and rear-view camera with guidelines that are displayed on the large 14-inch touchscreen, and a digital rear view mirror.
A more comprehensive list of safety features is below.
- Toyota Safety Sense:
- Pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking
- Pedestrian, oncoming vehicle and daytime cyclist detection
- Emergency steering assist
- Active cruise control
- Lane trace assist with lane-departure alert
- Automatic high beam
- Pre-collision system with autonomous emergency braking
- Blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
- Parking support brake
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear view camera with guidelines
- Panoramic view monitor
- Vehicle stability control with active traction control
- Anti-lock brake system
- Electronic brake force distribution
- Hill start assist control.
- Trailer back-up guide
- Trailer brake controller
- 8 SRS airbags
- 2 outboard rear ISOFIX child restraint points with top tethers
Toyota Tundra Platinum final thoughts
First up I love it. It’s easy to live with (size not withstanding), easy to drive and comfortable to sit in. It looks stylish without trying too hard.
Throughout the vehicle you will find little carry over quirks from the LHD to RHD conversion. You get used to them .
Where the Tundra has an advantage over the Silverado and RAM 1500 is the extensive dealer network. Ford not so much.
My major issue is its expensive. At $172,990 plus the usual costs it’s quite a bit more than its competitors. However, i’m not sure that would matter with Toyota enthusiasts.
The Toyota Tundra Platinum could possibly be the ideal outback tourin ansd towing vehicle.
Would I buy one – the short answer is YES.
Toyota Tundra Details
| Toyota Tundra | |
Model |
Tundra Platinum |
| Model Price | $172,990 MLP* |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid Petrol Euro 5 |
| Drivetrain | 8 Sp ZF Sports AT Dual range 4WD |
| Power (combined) | 326kW |
| Torque (combined) | 790 Nm |
| Safety | N/A |
| 0-100kmh / Top Speed | Approx 6 sec / 170 kmh |
| CO2 Emissions | TBA g/km |
| Economy ADR | TBA/100km / 122L capacity |
| Economy on test | 11.4 L/100K |
| Max Range | TBC |
| Range on test | 850 km |
| Servicing | Capped Price $4,700 over 5 years |
| Warranty | 5yr/ Unlimited km |
| Warranty on Hybrid | 8 Yrs / 160,000 km 70% effectiveness |
| Roadside Assist | 1Yr. conditional roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs, and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges). Pricing is from Redbook as at date of article or from the manufacturer’s website.
Overall Rating |
88/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 10 |
| Equipment | 9 |
| Performance | 9 |
| Ride and Handling | 8 |
| Practicality | 9 |
| Fit for Purpose | 9 |
| 4WD/Towing Capability* | 9 (4WD 4/5 Towing 5/5) |
| Technology/connectivity | 8 |
| Value for Money | 8 |
*Towing and 4WD capability is measured against similar vehicles in the same class.
Dimensions |
Tundra Platinum |
| Overall Length | 5955 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3700 mm |
| Width | 2040 mm |
| Height | 1985 mm |
| Wheels | 20 x 8 Inch Alloy |
| Tyres | 265/60 R20 112H Bridgestone |
| Full size spare | No, its 18 inch |
| Max ground clearance | Up to 216 mm |
| Wading Depth | TBA |
| Approach | 23.0 degrees |
| Rampover | TBC |
| Departure angle | 21.0 degrees |
| Turning Circle KTK | 15.0 m |
| Tub Length | 1650 mm |
| Tub width arches | 1230 mm |
| Tub width | 1500 mm |
| Tub Depth | 550 mm |
| Tare Mass | 2750 kg |
| Kerb Weight | 2834 kg |
| Payload (kg) | 702 kg |
| GVM (kg) | 3536 kg |
| GCM | 7980 kg |
| Towing Capacity (braked) | 4500 kg (optional) |
| Tow Ball rating | 450 kg (optional) |
| Maximum Front Axle Load kg | 1850 kg |
| Maximum Rear Axle Load kg | 1850 kg |
