Refreshed 2026 Toyota Tundra Coming - Insight from Chief Engineer

We recently got a chance to hang out with Toyota and chief engineer Sheldon Brown. Publisher Tim Esterdahl talks about what he learned and shares what you can expect from a refreshed 2026 Toyota Tundra.

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[aldati]

There's beauty in simplicity. I have a computer at home, don't need it in my truck. Engineer it for simple maintenance, and reliability

[celliott]

Not everyone wants a turbo charged V6 or 4-cylinder displacement. Especially in a full-sized pickup. Not to mention the 5.7 iforce V8 is extremely reliable. Give us an option for V8 with an 8 or 10 speed transmission and you will drastically increase fuel economy. Many of us are not going to sweat a "$1000" difference to obtain a V8 displacement in a Tundra.

[seanvandergriff]

I used to have a 2019 Platinum Tundra. I drove it for over 3 years and never really grew to love the truck. Yeah, I liked it. It was solid. It had a few warranty issues, but it still just felt like a brand new 10 year old truck.
- I grew up a GM fan and for almost a decade had planned to buy a Sierra. The lack of interior space and ludicrous pricing made me pass on them.
- Growing up to hate Ford, I swore of the F-150. Doing my diligence I shopped the F-150, and then I realized why it was/is the #1 selling truck. It struck all the right notes. Interior space, V8, options, etc. The price was more than I wanted to pay, as all trucks are, but at least I could ALMOST justify it compared to the competition.
- When I checked out the new Tundra in 2022, I was appalled. The truck was physically longer, but the interior space was much more cramped. It felt like a larger Tacoma, not a compliment either. The screen sticking up over the dash, I will NEVER buy a vehicle with that. Make the infotainment system fit in the dash. This is just a stupid and asinine design concept. I do miss having a back window that rolled down. My dogs LOVED it. The Toyota dealership where I live is much better than the competition too.
Why Toyota still doesn't offer auto 4WD in the Tundra, I don't know. My 2019 Tundra 4WD system was capped at 55mph. Sometimes, when it rains, I want to drive in 4WD Auto and not have to worry about the details of turns, speed, etc. I did like the adjustable headlamps. I wish I still had them...
- I liked the Nissan Titan, but the bed had no volume. The back seats were super thin, so driving long distances with 3 kids and 3 dogs wasn't going to be pleasant. I think it is a good looking truck, and I liked the powertrain. The truck, overall, just wasn't at the level of the rest.
- I ended up buying a Ram 1500 Laramie 4WD. I swore I would never buy one as they were subpar 2 years into ownership, it has been fantastic. It is comfortable, the power is smooth and linear, the seats are good all around, the 4WD system has an AUTO setting, it has a payload about 500lbs more than the Tundra it replaced while riding MUCH better. The infotainment system is fantastic, while being integrated into the dash. I didn't realize it until recently, but the Ram is what I had hoped the Tundra would be, or at least have offered as a version.

I hope to have my Ram for a long, long time. I don't hate turbo engines. I have driven numerous of them for many, many years. In fact, I love the feel of a turbo when it kicks in. Turbo lag is easy to get around when you know your vehicle. The flexibility and "tinkering" you can do with them is awesome. I trust Toyota when it comes to engines, so that wasn't the big thing. It was the rest of the truck. If Toyota wants me back, they have much work to do.

[alexmseu]

2026 Tundra refresh: "With our new Tundra models, you will now get functional driver seats that won't crack, center consoles that dont sqeak and rattle, and window seals that actually work! With these new, innovative changes, we are raising the MSRP by $3k."

What a joke.

[raulbuznego]

February 15, 2024. Bought a new 2024 Tundra SR5 TRD Pro Sport. March 15, 2024. Check engine malfunction came on, break system malfunction, pre collision system malfunction, vehicle stability control system malfunction, secondary collision system malfunction, all came on. Truck kept doing a long, slow start. Took it to the dealer. They first said issue came from a fuel injector, they replaced it. Turns out it didn't work. Then, they said found a piace of shaving metal that was left inside the motor head during assembly at factory manufacturer. Truck has been at the delaer for almost 30 days. They said they need to replace the engine. This is outrageous.

[allentechpt]

There's a much bigger problem for the Toyota Tundra that a refresh won't fix. Platform sharing can save costs, but platform sharing can also water down the products or create product overlap. Ultimately, you end up with a full line of products that aren't that compelling.

[healer]

Tow hooks should be standard. They aren't that expensive to put in.

[Getusom]

The Tundra needs the sequoia front end on it. It would look so much better

[fooslinger]

I hope they refresh the main bearings.

[greekmaster]

Every year new Tundra comes out my 2019 increases in value

[Wellhwrya]

I think most truck people would eat the thousand dollar penalty in order to get a V8 come on let’s be realistic here

[Pistolmike]

I feel so violated by Toyota. I saved for over a decade to buy my dream truck a 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. My $80, 000 truck with 5500 miles is only worth $60k on trade-in now. I previously owned 2 Toyota vehicles with zero issues over a 20 year period. And my truck is not included in the engine recalls because it is a Hybrid. I was a Toyota fan, not anymore….

[joeydelgado]

Toyota offers many engines worldwide that are not offered in the U.S., including these new body on frame trucks. The Tundra and Sequoias are U.S. market vehicles. Updating the 5.7 and adding an 8 speed Auto, or turbocharging the 4.6 at lower PSI would've been a much more reliable idea.

[mikem]

Toytota America chief engineer. Sheldon Brown.. YOUR FIRED!

[MichaelMorrison-ph]

Had a 2013 with 160K flawless miles. Sold for a 2021 to get the last V8. So far outstanding.

[AkioWasRight]

I feel like Toyota doesn't understand its truck customers anymore. The simplicity, honesty, reliability and serviceability of their trucks is what made people loyal. I knew so many careered mechanics and Toyota truck owners who would tell you that. Now, ask a mechanic or the owner of a $80, 000 Turbo Hybrid 10-speed TRD Pro if they feel the same way.

[sambarnette]

I have a 2007 Tundra with almost 300, 000 miles with almost no problems but I bought a Nissan Titan with 400hp 413 Torque and 23.9 mpg going to the Beach from Charlotte N.C. . The Titan is smooth, quiet and fast . It has a V8 that has been around for more than 20 years .

[dakotaracebrown]

Please bring the front bench seat with a 6.5ft bed

Along with 2.4w or 7.3w inverters like ford power post. Super disappointed Toyota didn’t offer that the first time with the tundra.

[cstgx]

The 2022 redesign failed on so many levels. The best description of them in my opinion is "cheap". If you go back, the biggest complaint on the forums for the last gen Tundras was the gas mileage. They made an effort to help that, but didnt gain a lot.

At least they listened to feedback on the front end and fixed it for Sequoia and Tacoma. That giant grille looks terrible. I was close to buying a TRD Pro when they came out. I saw the plastic front end in person and immediately was turned off. It looked so cheap. I never felt this way about the previous generation. Then i saw the rattles, the seats breaking, the weather stripping, the panels not lining up, the rusting shock bolts, the lack of tow hooks, the lack of bumper steps. These trucks just scream cheap, but their price doesnt reflect that.

[MsAce]

Do you ever watch the you tuber, The Car Car Nut? He is a toyota tech. I think you would like him. VERY detailed and knowledgeable. I'm pretty sure he brings up some of these issues. The bearing issue was bad parts supplier. Im almost positive. He talks about the waste gate fix too. It should be fixed according to him. He has zero issues pointing out common toyota issues.