The Toyota Tundra may be reliable, but its popularity has declined over the years. That’s partly because it’s been 13 years since its last redesign, and truck is definitely showing its age. It doesn’t have as much towing or hauling power as most of its competition. And while the Tundra does have an impressive TRD off-road version, the base truck is a big underachiever. 

The Tundra got some technology updates for 2020, like a bigger touchscreen and standard smartphone integration. However, the Tundra’s subpar interior has been a frequent source of complaints among critics. Is the Tundra’s cabin really that bad? We looked up a couple of reviews to see what people had to say about the latest Tundra interior.

New technology

Roadshow was impressed with the Tundra’s updated infotainment offerings. In addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Tundra also has an optional 8-inch touchscreen. It also comes equipped with Safety Sense P, which is now standard on all Toyota cars. It includes useful safety features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. 

However, the reviewer noted that Entune system is still as buggy as earlier models. The touchscreen is slow to recognize user inputs. However, it’s less of a problem now that you can use your smartphone’s navigation instead of the built-in one.

Ample space

A recent review from Forbes had good things to say about the truck’s spacious cabin. Cloth upholstery is standard, with leather available on certain trims. In each model, every driver’s seat is four-way adjustable. While it doesn’t have the modern appearance of many rivals, the Tundra’s cabin is not cramped by any means. However, Forbes did point out that the higher driving position may be a problem for shorter drivers.

There’s also plenty of space in the second row. In the tester’s CrewMax cab, they noted that there was plenty of room for bulky car seats. Both kids and adults can ride comfortably in the back thanks to the extended legroom.

An uncomfortable ride

One thing that both reviewers mentioned was the truck’s suspension. Without anything in the truck bed, the truck’s ride feels harsh, especially over bumpy terrain. Combined with the standard cloth seats, there’s little to cushion drivers while going over uneven pavement.

It still has a powerful V8 capable of 381 hp. When paired with the six-speed transmission, it has no problem providing accurate shifts. However, many of its competitors can offer smoother rides.

Limited storage options

Roadshow also pointed out that the interior storage left something to be desired. While there are many storage compartments inside the cabin, they can only hold little items. The center console is also disappointingly small and narrow. The reviewer even noted that the lid couldn’t close all the way.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t redeem itself with a functional truck bed. It can hold a lot of cargo inside, but the walls are too high for easy loading. However, Car and Driver found that the DoubleCab configuration has a big storage box under the back seat. They could also fit a good amount of luggage after folding down the second row.

Is the Tundra still a good truck?

The Tundra still has a great reliability rating, but it needs more overall improvements. Its interior definitely doesn’t have all the standard comforts of its rivals. The cabin looks outdated and is filled with cheap-feeling materials. However, the interior quality can be improved somewhat if you purchase a more expensive trim.

Gear Patrol pointed out that the leather seats with red stitching were a nice touch in the TRD Pro. This trim also comes with more safety and off-roading features. Still, most drivers don’t want to pay extra for a comfortable interior that’s standard in other trucks.