This weekend I had the opportunity to take out a brand new (300 mile) 2013 Toyota Tundra finished in handsome Magnetic Gray Metallic on Graphite from my local HLE. I frequently pick up full size pickups from this office, I've never had a chance to drive the Tundra, and was very impressed. Hertz classifies the Tundra as an "S".
Configuration - Base MSRP $29,055
Double Cab w/6'6" Bed
4x4
5.7L i-Force V8 (biggest engine offered) (EPA estimate 13/18, Flexfuel compatible)
Options
Hertz ordered the truck with the following options:
Convenience package with Bucket Seats +$680 (Front bucket seats with 8-way adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support and 4-way adjustable passenger seat; Fog lamps (Standard bed V8s only); Sliding rear window with privacy glass; Under-seat storage compartment; Privacy glass on rear side windows; Replaces column shifter with center-console gated shifter)
Carpet Floor Mats and Door Sill Protectors +$195
Running Boards +$345
Curiously, my truck had SR5 badging despite (apparently) not being equipped with the SR5 package. The SR5 package includes everything in the Convenience Package options plus an auto-dim rearview mirror and backup camera, neither of which were found on my rental.
With options, this truck stickered out at $33,270.
Pros:
The seats! In my opinion, the seats far outclass those offered in Ford and GMC/Chevrolet trucks for sure, and I'd say about par with Dodge Ram. This was the first rental pickup I've ever had with a power seat and power lumbar adjuster, which was a nice touch.
Civilized cabin. The Tundra lacks a lot of the "butch" features that GM and Ford play up heavily in their interior design which I found refreshing (I disagree with Edmunds here, by the way, which calls this interior "dated"). I appreciated seeing more car-like appointments inside. The cabin was also reasonably quiet on the highway, which I've never experienced in any of my pickup rentals before. I do agree with some auto magazine reviewers that some of the controls (radio buttons especially) are too far away from the driver.
Powertrain. The i-Force V8 engine pulls hard and the 6-speed automatic had butter-smooth shifting.
Cons:
Size. This is a large truck and navigating through any sort of suburban parking lot or city can be a challenge. Can be especially difficult without backup sensors or a camera. Thankfully, light steering makes difficult multi-point turning maneuvers manageable.
Fuel economy. I averaged about 16 MPG over mostly highway (70+)driving, not reaching the EPA estimate. I attribute this mostly to the engine being new and not broken in; also possible that the previous renter filled up with E85 and not regular unleaded.
Finally, Hertz failed to order the most important option: a bedliner! I've never seen a rental pickup not equipped with a bedliner. Fortunately, I had moving blankets on hand, but I expect if anyone puts anything in the bed it will be covered in scratches in no time. I was very surprised at this omission given the low cost ($127).
In short, I now have a new favorite pickup rental available from Hertz. I hope National adds the Tundra to its fleet as well! The only reason I might like the Dodge Ram more is the available Sirius satellite radio (despite the radio in this Tundra having a SAT button, there is no XM available as that is a separate option). Otherwise the Tundra was great!
