10 Things You Need To Know About The 2013 Toyota Tundra

The 2013 Toyota Tundra is proof positive that the dominance of the Big Three in the full-size pickup market is by no means guaranteed.  The Toyota Tundra is very much the equal of its domestic competitors in many important categories, and the automaker's reputation for reliability has served it well in changing the opinions of long-time truck buyers who may have never previously considered purchasing a vehicle that wore the Toyota nameplate.  It also doesn't hurt that the Tundra's styling strikes a balance between edgy and classy.

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2013 Toyota Tundra.

01. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Is A Full-Size Pickup

The 2013 Toyota Tundra competes in the full-size pickup truck segment, which means that it features a task-focused, body-on-frame platform that is capable of absorbing significant abuse in the course of a day's work.  The Toyota Tundra offers a suspension system that is not only strong enough to take off-roading (and which comes with the amount of ground clearance required to tackle obstacles like stumps and rocks), but also capable of towing up to 10,400 lbs when properly equipped.  The Tundra additionally boasts a payload rating of almost 1,500 lbs.

02. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Offers Three Body Styles

The 2013 Toyota Tundra can be had in each of the three most popular pickup truck body styles.  For those who are looking for a basic workhorse, or a vehicle that focuses more on hauling rather than passenger room, the Tundra Regular cab provides three-across seating and a single set of doors.  Drivers who might need to occasionally transport more than just a couple of people should opt for the Double Cab, which grafts on additional access doors to the vehicle's extended passenger compartment that is stretched to handle another three people.  The Toyota Tundra CrewMax features four full-size doors and the roomiest cabin available with the pickup, making it the commuter truck of choice for family shoppers.

03. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Provides A Trio Of Bed Lengths

In addition to offering a palette of different cab styles, the 2013 Toyota Tundra can also be ordered with an equal number of bed lengths.  The most extended cargo bed available with the Tundra is the 97.6 inch Long Bed, which is available with the Double Cab and Regular body styles.  Next up is the Standard Bed, which measures 78.7 inches and can also be had with either the Regular or the Double Cab versions of the pickup.  The Short Bed checks in at 66.7 inches and is designed to offer better maneuverability for the CrewMax, which already rides on a long wheelbase.

04. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Offers Six and Eight-Cylinder Engine Options

The 2013 Toyota Tundra starts out with a six-cylinder engine under the hood as its base power plant.  Displacing 4.0-liters and offering 270 horses and 278 lb-ft of torque, the V-6 is matched with a five-speed automatic transmission.  Moving up to mid-tier trim levels adds a 310 horsepower, 4.6-liter V-6 that also generates 327 lb-ft of torque, which comes with a six-speed automatic gearbox and also opens up the option of four-wheel drive.  The top-of-the-line eight-cylinder mill to be found with the Toyota Tundra is a 5.7-liter that generates a hefty 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque.  Like the 4.6-liter, the large V-8 comes with a six-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment.

05. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Delivers Decent Fuel Mileage

Despite offering substantial horsepower across its entire engine range, the 2013 Toyota Tundra is reasonably thrifty at the fuel pump (considering its two-ton mass).  The Toyota Tundra's V-6 engine can be counted on to provide fuel economy of 16-mpg in stop and go driving and 20-mpg on the highway, while the more robust 4.6-liter V-8 manages to match the six-cylinder's highway rating while dropping only a single mile per gallon from its city measure.  The 381 horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 returns fuel efficiency figures of 14-mpg city and 18-mpg highway.  Four wheel drive models post slightly less optimistic fuel economy.

06. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Can Be Ordered In Three Trim Levels

The 2013 Toyota Tundra is initially offered in 'Tundra grade,' which represents the base model.  Regular cab Tundra grade trucks come with power windows and door locks, heated mirrors, dual climate control, a split-bench seat, 18-inch wheels, and a CD player.  The Double Cab Tundra grade adds cruise control and intermittent wipers, while the CrewMax Tundra grade comes with a power rear window.

The Limited grade (unavailable with the Regular cab) installs alloy rims, body-colored bumpers, tie-downs and bed rails, automatic climate control, heated seats with power adjustments, an upgraded sound system, a backup camera, a trip computer, and Bluetooth connectivity.  New for 2013 is the Platinum grade, which offers heated and cooled front seats with a memory feature, power folding mirrors, a moonroof, a navigation system, wood trim, and leather upholstery.

07. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Introduces The TRD Rock Warrior Package

The 2013 Toyota Tundra can be loaded up with the kind of all-terrain features that are needed to conquer the toughest trails by way of the TRD Rock Warrior Package.  A step above the TRD Off-Road Package, the TRD Rock Warrior Package provides 17-inch forged wheels, knobby tires, Bilstein shock absorbers, fog lamps, cloth seats with power adjustment (unless ordered with the Platinum grade, which then includes leather and all the requisite niceties), as well as a backup camera.  The Rock Warrior Package also provides all of the skid plating and tow hooks that come with the standard TRD Off-Road group of features, as well as exterior appearance upgrades designed to set the Package apart from other editions of the truck.

08. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Provides Numerous Other Equipment Packages

The 2013 Toyota Tundra - like most pickups - can be easily customized via the selection of a long list of options packages.  For those who want to improve on the appearance of the pickup, the TRD Sport Package provides a special black fabric interior, 20-inch rims, and a body-colored grille surround, mirror covers, roll pan, and door handles.  The Tow Package adds increased hauling capability via an upgraded rear final drive ratio, a TOW/HAUL feature for the transmission, and heavy-duty cooling, while the Work Truck Package strips the vehicle down to basics and offers rubber and vinyl trim throughout the interior (for easier cleaning) while removing most power equipment from the truck.  The Sport Appearance Package mimics many of the TRD Sport Package's cosmetic features, while the Chrome Appearance Package adds a splash of shine to the pickup. 

09. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Can Be Had With Entune

Making its first appearance for 2013 is the option of the Toyota Entune multimedia and communications interface.  Available when the Toyota Tundra is equipped with the Display Navigation with Entune feature, Entune provides a 6.1-inch LCD color display that allows for touchscreen interaction with the system's connectivity features.  Entune facilitates connecting an iPod or mobile phone to the Tundra and comes with voice commands, Bluetooth wireless music streaming, USB compatibility, and HD radio.  The system is also compatible with satellite radio as well as MP3 digital music files.

10. The 2013 Toyota Tundra Is Safe

The 2013 Toyota Tundra comes with the brand's Star Safety System, which encompasses active electronic safety features such as stability control, traction control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and Smart Stop.  The latter prevents the throttle from being activated at the same time as the Tundra's brake pedal is depressed.  The Tundra also features dual forward airbags, side-impact airbags mounted on each front seat, knee airbags for the driver and passenger, and side curtain airbags that deploy along the entire length of the Toyota's passenger compartment.  Trailer-Sway control is optional with the Tundra, but a tire pressure monitoring system is standard.