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√Configurator Challenge: Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is expected to come to Australia in 2024, once a right-hand-drive development program is completed. Here’s how the Drive team would order theirs.

Customisation is in vogue at the moment, but choice can be seriously confusing. In our configurator challenge, we let the Drive team loose on a manufacturer’s website to create their ideal combination for a certain model.

This week’s challenge focuses on the Toyota Tundra, one of the main players in the US pick-up market – and bound for Australia in 2024, after a right-hand-drive development program concludes.

Let us know what your ideal Toyota Tundra would look like in the comments below (configure yours here), and the cars you’d like us to configure next.

MORE: 2023 Toyota Tundra: Everything we know so far


James Ward, Director of Content

While not expected to come to Australia, I’ve opted for the most rugged-looking Tundra TRD Pro for one reason: to create an up-sized Marty McFly Toyota pick-up! Check out that four-by-four now!

Meet the Marty BigMac, featuring Midnight Black metallic paint, a red SofTex interior and the standard 3.5-litre hybrid V6 with four-wheel drive.

The TRD Pro comes with the full-size four-door cab and 5.5-foot (1676mm) bed, but I’ve added the bed extender and tub liner so that Marty and Jen can actually fit in the back for that long overdue trip to the lake.

The GoPro mount has been added to capture the sights of Hill Valley, as has the cargo-net which makes so much sense it really should be included on every ute!

(KC spotlights and push-bar added hastily in Photoshop.)


Kez Casey, Production Editor

The flagship Capstone and TRD Pro Tundras may get the most attention here, but what’s the oddest spec you can get?

It has to be this one, more of a ‘what if’ than a ‘must have’ in terms of my own personal garage: a Tundra SR5 with the shortest cab and longest tray available.

The SR5 Double Cab looks more like what we’d call an extra cab here, but the interior pics reveal there’s still plenty of room inside. Same goes for the 8.1-foot tub, with a massive 2451mm bed length (a full 900mm longer than a HiLux dual cab) and a genuinely truck-like 6413mm overall, a whopping 1106mm longer than a HiLux!

Unfortunately the SR5 spec locks out the i-Force Max hybrid option, so this one runs the 290kW/550Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6. The only other options and highlights are a coat of Blueprint paint, Boulder fabric interior, and a set of chunky towing mirrors – essential just to see past that massive rear tub.

Pricing comes up lean compared to some of the other builds shown here, at $US49,129 ($AU70,630), but for a fairly basic ute that’s hardly what you’d call cheap.


Sam Purcell, Off-Road Editor

Even though we likely won’t see a base-specification Tundra in Australia any time soon, I opted for the stripped-out SR model grade. Because let’s face it: this is more than all the car that anyone truly needs. 

I opted for the shorter tub (with a spray-in liner) and larger second row, because I care more for my family and friends than the cargo I carry. And of course, it’s 4×4 capable. The only thing I really miss here is the more powerful hybrid variant, but I’ll live with the ‘measly’ 290kW.


Tom Fraser, Journalist

I was all-aboard the Tundra TRD Pro train until I started specifying one – you can only have it in a measly three colours!

This is why I’ve gone for the Tundra Limited which offers far more choice in terms of customisability – not only do you get various body and tub sizes, but you can also select different engines under the bonnet.

I’ve gone with the Army Green exterior colour and paired it with a Boulder SofTex-trimmed interior. As a consolation for missing out on the TRD Pro pack, you can option a TRD-lite package which brings 20-inch black wheels, all-terrain tyres, a TRD grille, off-road suspension with Bilstein shocks, skid plates, aluminium pedals, and TRD branding inside. So basically, a TRD anyway.

Other than that I’ve selected a spray-in bedliner. I did find it odd that Toyota offers an in-car safe for your valuables – I can’t imagine what you’d want to put in there, but I’ve got no use for it!

All in all my build costs $US62,419, or $AU89,722.


Jordan Mulach, Journalist

While last week’s configurator challenge (click here) was all about excess, I’ve decided to be a bit more sedate this week, choosing the Toyota Tundra Platinum edition.

Similar to the more expensive 1794 Edition but with black trim highlights rather than chrome, the Toyota Tundra Platinum in Blueprint paint gives off an understated look compared to its blinged-up range-mates.

Plus, it’s one of the cheapest variants available with the 326kW/790Nm ‘i-Force Max 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, mated to a hybrid system, four-wheel drive and 10-speed automatic transmission in this instance.

Sold with a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot (1981mm) bed, I’ve opted for the shorter of the two options, because how many people really need anything bigger in Australia? This pick-up is giant as it is, and doesn’t need to take up more space.

Optional equipment includes the $US2995 ($AU4300) ‘Advanced Package’ – adding adjustable-height rear air suspension and a 10-inch head-up display – plus a TRD front skid plate ($US550/$AU790), paint protection film ($US880/$AU1260), a black chrome exhaust tip ($US110/$AU160), dash cam ($US499/$AU715) and emergency assistance kit ($US59/$AU85).

In my chosen spec, the Toyota Tundra’s total cost is $US70,978 ($AU101,750). Now, when can I go check out the Ford showroom for an F-150?


Alex Misoyannis, Journalist

I’ll admit, the Toyota Tundra is not my favourite full-size US pick-up (that would be a Ford F-150, in a lower-grade Lightning spec). But given Toyota Australia’s vast dealer network – and list of HiLux and LandCruiser owners to prod – I think it could be a winner in its segment here.

While Australia might only get mid-trim SR5 and flagship Capstone models, I’ve gone for one grade above that Aussie ‘base’ model, the Limited – which I think wears the best grille and wheels of the lot, with a reasonable number of features for the money.

Prices start from $US47,550 ($AU68,350), but upgrading to the roomier ‘CrewMax’ body and a shorter 5.5-foot tub adds $US2050, and the 3.5-litre hybrid V6 with four-wheel drive adds $US6400 – for a total of $US56,000 ($AU80,500), before you add a single optional extra.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of those, too. They are: Supersonic Red paint ($US425), black SofTex upholstery (no cost), a cargo net in the tub ($US49), black side steps ($US595), and a hard tonneau cover ($US1295).

But the big-ticket item is a $US1910 option package, which combines three different packs to add a 12-speaker JBL premium stereo, upgraded LED headlights, trailer cameras, a digital rear-view mirror, blind-spot monitoring, heated side mirrors with LED indicators, and a 360-degree camera.

The final price? $US60,274 ($AU86,640) before delivery charges – or $US62,069 ($AU89,220) on the road. That’s a lot for a Toyota pick-up – and “only” $US10,000 less than a Baja-ready Ford F-150 Raptor.

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