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Hello everyone, I'm Michael Land, and welcome to another episode of Nexccelerator.
And the vehicle that I'm sitting in right now, is in the all new redesigned
2014 Toyota Tundra. And the Tundra was redesigned to not only
give itself a brand new, and modernized look, but to also give itself a more competitive
edge in the full-size truck market.
But, does the all new Tundra though have what it takes, to be a very competitive
full-size truck, against the similar offerings that are out there,
such as the all new redesigned Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra?
Well let's have some fun, and figure that out.
Now like I've said, this is the all new redesigned 2014 Toyota Tundra. However,
this particular version is the newly-introduced 1794 edition trim-line of this
vehicle, in where the name comes from the year that the JLC Ranch was discovered
in San Antonio, Texas, where the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Plant has been
currently situated since 2006.
So taking a look at the exterior of this western-inspired luxurious truck, the Tundra doesn't only have
multi-level halogen headlights with manual level control, but it's also equipped
with both LED daytime running lights & halogen fog lights that gives the
truck both a sleek & modernized look.
But also looking at the left, right, and top sides, that same feel that was
just now mentioned is carried on over through the remainder of the truck.
Also along with that, there are two powered heated side mirrors equipped,
with one turn signal indicator a piece on each side.
Now looking at the back of the Tundra, there's a single exhaust system
equipped with the tailpipe being located on the right side.
In addition, the back of the Tundra also has a trailer hitch in where you're able
to hook up either both a ball mount hitch and/or trailer that have either a 7-pin or
4-pin connector respectfully.
Additionally, the Tundra also comes equipped with two rear parking sensors,
with one being on the left side of the rear bumper, while the other one is
on the right, alongside with the other two front parking sensors that you saw
earlier, which adds up for a total of four.
As for the taillights however, they don't only fit extremely well, but they also
give an awesome compliment to the rest of the fancy exterior of this vehicle.
Getting to the truck bed of the Tundra, the EZ Lift tailgate drops down very
softly. Not to mention that it does also offer plenty of flexible hauling
capabilities that would easily handle any kind of load.
Now located underneath bed of the truck is where you'll discover the Tundra's
spare tire.
In addition, the necessary parts to install the spare tire are conveniently located
behind the rear seats for easy access.
Plus, there's also an individual spare tire access compartment located above
the license plate holder, that allows for easy access to remove the
tire from underneath the truck, which makes it a piece of cake.
Also, if you want more cargo capacity in the tundra, you can easily fold the
bottom portion of both of the back seats up to make that a reality, if you wish.
So opening the door to the Tundra, it has a Red Rock perforated leather interior,
with ultra suede inserts in the middle left and right side of all the seats,
that also have both a 12 way driver, and a 6 way front passenger seat,
all with power adjustments.
Now to start the engine of the Tundra, just take the black Toyota ignition
key that you see me holding up in my hand. Then immediately afterwards, put the
key inside the ignition, and turn it clockwise to bring the engine to life.
As you just now witnessed, the Tundra immediately starts right up
like a champ without any kind of mechanical issues whatsoever, even when the
outside temperature is at 70 degrees Fahrenheit as you're seeing right now
on your screen.
Now getting to the engine area of the Tundra, it isn't only well organized,
but it's also easily accessible as well, in which I'll explain more on that
here very shortly.
But focusing on the power-plant offering, the Tundra has a 5.7 Liter, 381hp,
iForce V8 engine that punches out 401 pound ft of torque @ 3600 rpm.
With that you get an respectable 13 mpg in the city & 17 on the highway.
But with the EPA Combination, you get a decent 15 mpg overall.
Now focusing on the different parts of the engine area, the radiator is
conveniently located right in front of the engine, while the engine
coolant is in between both the radiator and the engine.
However, the windshield washer fluid compartment is located on the front
left side, while the power steering fluid compartment is next to it on
the right side, and the Air Intake system is on the middle left side,
right next to both of those compartments, that I just now mentioned.
In addition, the oil dipstick is located right next to the power steering
fluid compartment, with the oil compartment being located right next to
the engine, just off to the bottom right side of it, across from the
radiator.
Also, the battery compartment is conveniently located on the front right
side, while the brake fluid compartment is located on the back right side.
So now taking a look at the interior of the all new Tundra, besides having
the Red Rock perforated leather interior seats that I mentioned earlier,
it doesn't only have a whole brand new interior that make's life easier on
the driver, but it also provides a generous amount of creature comforts for
the passengers as well, in which I'll discuss more on that here in just a
little bit.
Now the type of the steering wheel that's equipped on the tundra is a
four-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, with the wood-grain wrapped
accents, being at both the top portion from the 10 to 2 o'clock position,
and the bottom portion at the 6 o'clock position.
Additionally, it even includes additional controls on both the middle and
bottom left portion as well as the middle right portion, with the
cruise-control settings on the bottom portion right underneath, as well.
Now located on the left side of the steering wheel is where you'll discover
both the turn signal indicator and headlight controls, while the windshield
wiper controls are just off to the opposite side of it, on the right.
However, other additional controls such as the parking sensors,
traction control, and tow-haul mode, are all conveniently located on the
right side, right next to the steering wheel.
Now to adjust the steering wheel to the Tundra, you can easily have it
raised up, lowered down, and even have it closer or further away
from you, by using the powered steering wheel control button, just off to
the bottom left side of it.
Now located right next to the steering wheel, on the left side, are the controls
for the mirrors, the three door mode light activation button, the halogen
headlight manual level control height adjustment, rear cargo light switch,
Blind Spot Monitor mode, and the power rear window switch, in which I'll explain
on that particular switch, later on in the episode.
Now the transmission equipped on the Tundra is a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission
with manual shift ability just off to the side, with your electronic e-brake
being located on the bottom left corner of the driver's side.
Also, the truck even comes with an integrated backup camera, providing
easy-to-see distance lines that definitely make the task of backing up really
simple and easy to accomplish.
Moving on over now to the middle area of the Tundra, it not only provides
2 12V Power-outlets on both the left and right, but it even includes both a
USB and Auxiliary port, for additional convenience.
Now located above the outlets that I just now mentioned,
are the air conditioning controls, that also feature heated and
cooled seat controls for both the driver and front passenger.
But right next to the Air Conditioning Controls, on the left side, is the 4WD
control system.
Also, the Toyota EnTune system is located right above the air conditioning
controls.
Equipped with that are 12 JBL speakers, alongside with an amplifier,
with the first one being located on the bottom portion of the driver side door.
In addition, the second speaker is located on the top portion of the driver
side door, while the third, fourth and fifth speakers are located on the
left, middle and right portions of the dashboard, while the sixth and seventh
speakers are located on the top and bottom portions of the front passenger side door.
Plus, the eighth and ninth speakers are located on the top and bottom portions
of the left rear door, while the tenth and eleventh speakers are located on the
top and bottom portions of the right rear door.
Also, the twelveth speaker is located underneath the Tundra's back seat, in which
that particular speaker is the amplifier.
Now the Toyota EnTune system comes with AM,FM & SiriusXM Satellite Radio,
that's even equipped with HD Radio capability.
But when the system is in XM Mode of the audio section, both the name of the
artist and song title are displayed.
Additionally, you even have the capability of adding up to 36 preset stations
as well. Not to mention that you can perform the same operation in both the FM
and AM Modes, to where you can have a mixture of every kind of station, for
additional convenience.
Getting over to the Channel list area of the XM Mode, you have the ability
to also search for a station based on which category you want to search for.
Not to mention that you can even listen to well-known nationwide radio stations,
like KIIS-FM, from Los Angeles, California.
Plus, when you're in the options area, you can look up additional information
for any song that you want to know more about, as the same operation can
even be performed in both the FM & AM modes, if you wish to do so.
Also, when you're in the XM Sound settings mode, you even have the ability
to adjust the sound settings that are best suited for you. Not to mention
that the same thing can be done in both the FM and AM Modes and be
adjusted individually so you don't have to rely on just one sound setting.
Transferring on over to the Apps section of the Toyota EnTune System,
there's a generous variety of apps that are there to help get a
user-friendly experience that's simple and easy to operate.
So beginning with the navigation app first, it displays a map of the vehicle's
current location that allows you to zoom in, or zoom out,
depending on what your preferences are. Not to mention that you can pull up the
exact address of where the truck's currently at as well.
Additionally, when press destination, you get a variety of different selections,
such as searching for a point of interest, being a relevant example.
Hovering on over now to the phone app, you have the ability to pair up
a Bluetooth enabled cell phone and even check your text messages on the
EnTune display while in the message mode, all by using the phone controls
located on the right side of the steering wheel respectfully.
Now proceeding on to the setup app, it shows the different variety of
vehicle settings to use, such as making adjustments to the EnTune Home Screen,
and making modifications to the touchscreen display, being a couple of the
examples.
Moving on to the traffic app, there are three different available selections
that you can choose from, like both the Traffic Event List and Predictive
Traffic Map options, that assist in making your commute a lot easier, and the My
Traffic Routes selection that let's you plan your own routes as well.
Now concentrating on the weather app, it provides five particular choices
that you can select from, with all of the information being provided by
The Weather Channel.
So beginning with the current weather option, it shows the conditions on what
both the outside temperature and weather are like in real time. Plus,
you can even also see what the future weather forecast will be like, whether it's
in the next 3 days, as well as even in the next 6 and 12 hours also.
Now focusing on the national cities option, you have the choice of viewing
the weather forecast for each different region of the United States.
And when you press on any of the selections that are currently listed on the
touchscreen, you have the ability to view the individual weather forecast for
each city that's displayed and be able to look information up, such
as the future weather forecast, that I just recently mentioned.
Turning the attention on to the Other Local Cities option, you can also view
the local weather forecast for each individual city in the state of Texas,
including the surrounding small town cities too.
Advancing on to the weather map option, you have the ability to view a map of
what the current weather radar is like in real time, with the radar map legend
being located on the right side of the touchscreen.
Now another way that you can also get some use out of the Toyota EnTune system
is that you can even take advantage of the hands-free voice recognition system
to navigate through it also.
In addition, I will go ahead and activate the hands-free voice recognition
system to show you on what kind of general commands you can say to get the
best possible experience.
[Toyota EnTune Voice Recognition System]: What would you like to do?
[Michael Land]: Help.
[Toyota EnTune Voice Recognition System]:To use this speech to recognition system, press the push to talk button on your
steering wheel, and say a command that is natural.
Here are some things you can do with this system, get directions to an address,
find points of interest like restaurants and movie theaters, play your music,
listen to the radio, make a call, read and send text messages, view weather
and traffic conditions.
At any point, you can say, back, start over, or cancel, and help is always
available as well.
[Michael Land]: Cancel.
[Toyota EnTune Voice Recognition System]: Canceled.
Now located next to the automatic transmission, on the right side, are the two
main cup-holders, with a third cup-holder being right in front of it, while the
Tundra's center console is placed behind the main cup-holders, respectfully.
Inside of the center console, you not only receive a gigantic amount of extra
storage space to store stuff inside of, such as the bed-liner conditioner like
you're seeing right now, but you also get another 12V power-outlet and even
additional storage capacity to store small items, like writing utensils and
business cards, being a couple of examples.
In addition, the center console not only opens smoothly, but closing it is also a
piece of cake too.
Plus, there's even a 1794 Edition badge on top of the center console, that adds
a luxurious look and feeling to it, respectfully.
Now moving on over to the top roof area of the interior, there are two sunvisors
for both the driver & front passenger, that feature both their own vanity mirror,
lights, and hidden extender that vertically stretches out further, as well.
In between the sunvisors are the sunglasses holder, the bluetooth microphone,
the power moonroof controls, and front interior lamps, which are all located
right next to each other.
So starting off with the sunglasses holder, it gives you the option of either
storing a pair of sunglasses, or other small items of any kind.
Also, the rearview mirror is located behind the sunglasses holder, in which
the mirror has both a digital compass and the garage home-link system buttons
as well.
Now to operate the power moon-roof, just simply push on the up arrow button that
you see in the slide section to open it up to let some fresh air inside the
Tundra's interior. But to close the window, just push on the
down arrow button in the same section, to close up the window.
Additionally, to tilt the window open, just press on the up button that's in the
tilt section. But to tilt the window shut, just press down on the button across
from the up button in the same section, to close up the window.
Plus, to open the rear window, just push down on the rear window button, which is
next to the Blind Spot Monitor Button, to slide down the rear window.
But to close it up, just lift up on the rear window button, to slide up the
rear window.
Moving over to the Glove box now, it has a decent amount of room to where you can
store information related to the vehicle, including the driver's manual, like
you're seeing right now.
In addition to the airbag that you saw on the steering wheel eariler, there are
two other airbags, with one each on the A pillars of both the driver and front
passenger sides. Not to mention that there's even a Knee Airbag underneath the
steering wheel of the driver side too.
Also, there are two additional airbags, with one each on the B pillars of both
the driver and front passenger sides, right above each seat belt adjuster.
Plus, there's even two bottom-seat airbags equipped underneath on both the
driver and front passenger seats, and one equipped on the front passenger side
of the dashboard, which adds up for a total of nine airbags, all together.
Now proceeding on over to the driver side
door of the Tundra, it doesn't only provide the controls for the memory seat settings,
power locks, and all 4 power windows, but the material quality
is very excellent, with soft touch materials on not only the top and middle portions
of the door, but even the bottom portion is also the same
way as well.
Additionally, the material quality on the front passenger side door
is the exact equivalent of the driver side door.
As for the rear left door, the same soft touch material qualities that were
present on the driver side door, are carried on over to give the rear
occupants the exact same benefit.
Also, the right rear door is even the same way as the left rear door.
Now as for the backseat goes for the all new
redesigned Toyota Tundra, it doesn't only offer a generous amount of both practically
and flexibility, but also in addition to that, there's even a plentiful
amount of headroom space that I have in the backseat back here, and
I'm just about 5 foot 11 to 6 feet tall. But what about the thigh support
though on the other hand?
As for thigh support goes, it's both very comfortable and very supportive.
Plus, the amount of legroom space that I have in the backseat is also
very spacious and roomy, as it's definitely both a pleasant and enjoyable experience
to be able to kickback, relax, and stretch your legs out, especially on long
road trips.
In addition, there are two adjustable rear air vents for the rear
passengers that also includes a 12V power-outlet in between them.
Not to mention that there are even two rear map pockets, with one being
on the left side, while the other one is on the right.
Also, there are even two rear cup-holders for the rear passengers,
for additional convenience.
So with everything that you have seen, the MSRP price of this particular
version of the Tundra is $47,320.00. And that's the price
with the 1794 Grade Package, and other amenities that you just saw.
But if you add both the Blind Spot Monitor feature and the destination charge
to the MSRP price that I just now mentioned, the total price of the vehicle
runs at $48,885.00. Which is not a bad price for a full-size truck that's
able to to offer a lot for a price that you simply cannot refuse to pass up.
So to reiterate the question that I asked in the beginning of the episode,
does the all-new redesigned Toyota Tundra have the ability to be
very competitive against the other full-size truck offerings?
The answer, it absolutely does, without a doubt about it.
Not just because of how much the vehicle has changed from both the inside and
outside, but also because of the generous amount of safety
features that the truck is able to offer that nobody can pass up.
In addition, the Tundra even provides an extremely generous amount of room
and comfort for both the driver and passengers, without compromising both
fuel economy and driving performance.
So with that being said, I hope you enjoyed this episode of Nexccelerator.
I'm Michael Land, and I'll see you next time.