New Toyota Tundra coming next year

Leaked information from a top-level Toyota dealer conference in the USA has confirmed a new-generation Toyota Tundra will be launched in the fourth quarter of 2021.

And the 2022 Toyota Tundra could be the first factory-built, right-hand drive full-size pick-up sold in Australia.

Competing head to head with big utes like the Ford F-150, RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – all of which are converted from left-hand drive and sold in Australia – the new Tundra is expected to up ante in terms of power output, towing capacity, functionality and technology.

Currently powered by a 5.7-litre petrol V8 worth 284kW/583Nm, the existing Toyota Tundra (pictured) has a towing capacity of 4580kg – significantly more than the 3500kg of Australia's top-selling vehicle, the Toyota HiLux.

Its 4.6-tonne towing limit is almost certain to improve with the next-generation model, which is almost certain to develop more power and torque. Whether it retains a traditional V8 or joins the turbo V6 club like the Ford F-150 is not yet clear.

With seating for up to six people and available in either 4x2 or 4x4 configuration, the Tundra currently measures 5.8 metres long and has a 144-litre (38 gallon) fuel tank.

Toyota’s local product planning and development boss, Rod Ferguson, previously told carsales.com.au that Toyota Australia and its customers desperately want the new Tundra in Australia.

But he indicated that establishing a business case for RHD Tundra production ex-factory – Toyota Australia’s preferred option – is difficult due to this country’s relatively low sales volumes.

“The most obvious choice in the Toyota global line-up is the Tundra from the US, but at the moment it’s only made in left-hand drive, so that's one of the things we're up against when we try to look at our volume requirement in Australia,” said Fergusson.

There are numerous businesses in Australia that convert privately imported left-hand drive Toyota Tundras to right-hand drive (RHD), but these vehicles cost well over $100,000.

Converting big American utes to RHD – and certifying them to meet full-volume Australian Design Rules – can cost tens of thousands of dollar per vehicle, so if Toyota Australia could source a RHD Tundra from the Texas plant it could undercut even Australia’s cheapest full-size ute, the RAM 1500 Express Quad Cab (from $79,950).

In September last year, Toyota confirmed it will invest $US391 million ($A655m) in its San Antonio factory in the USA, where the Tundra and Tacoma utes are built, igniting speculation the Tundra would be built in RHD from the factory.

Toyota USA has previously declined to comment on whether the Tundra would be built in RHD and Toyota Australia wouldn’t comment today, but it's understood that the business case to bring the Toyota Tundra ute to Australia is still being explored.

Orlando Rodriguez, Toyota Australia's senior product specialist, told carsales.com.au the new Tundra hasn't been ruled out for Australia but that nothing has been green-lit either.

"We're well aware the new Tundra will be an amazing product and be upgraded to take on the best pick-up trucks in the USA, but for our market it's something we need to study very thoroughly before we commit to full volume introduction," he said.

Stay tuned for more details.