When Toyota started its involvement in the pickup segment in the U.S., it started on the wrong foot with the Tacoma in 1995, but that was the learning curve.
Just five years after the introduction of the Tacoma, the Japanese carmaker upgraded the vehicle and renamed it Tundra. Still, that was not enough to convince American customers to drop their Ford and Chevy trucks and buy the newcomer. In 2006, though, Toyota made a significant step forward and brought the second generation of the Tundra. This time it was the real deal.
Toyota offered the Tundra with an option for three cabs: regular, extended, and double. The entry-level was the Regular, which featured a two-door cabin. At the front, the Japanese carmaker introduced a new design theme: the trapezoidal grille. In addition, the Regular-Cab version was available with a 6.5' or 8' (1.98 m or 2.4 m) bed at the back.
Inside, Toyota offered either a two-seat or a bench for three interiors, depending on the options and trim levels. In the three-seat layout, the center section could have been folded down, transforming the mid-section of the seatback into a table with two cupholders. The dashboard sported an SUV-like design split in two: the driver's and the passenger's area, clearly differentiated by colors. Moreover, the Tundra featured five clusters for each dial and gauge installed.
Under the hood, Toyota insisted on a base model powered by a 4.0-liter V6. At the same time, customers could also opt for the larger, 4.7-liter V8 engine. It was offered with either an RWD or 4x4 system.