A Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger was already available for the 3.4L V6 (2000–2003 models) that bumped power to the 260 hp (194 kW) range and 260 lb⋅ft (353 N⋅m) of torque.

While suitable for many, the first generation Tundra was reported at the time to not have enough power to compete with heavier-duty offerings of the Big Three (General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford).

[citation needed] The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Tundra "Good" overall in their frontal offset crash test.

[4] It was the first full-size pickup awarded a "Good" score; its competitors from Ford and Dodge were rated "Poor," and in the case of GM's entry, "Marginal.

Some other changes Toyota included in the new Tundra are optional tow mirrors, a 26.4 US gal (100 L; 22 imp gal) fuel tank, available 22-inch (560 mm) alloy wheels, backup camera, Bluetooth, large center console (enough to fit a 15-inch (380 mm) laptop), extra-large disc brakes and calipers, and the aforementioned 6-speed sequential automatic transmission.

All 5.7L Tundras came equipped with a tow package which included engine oil and transmission coolers, an integrated trailer hitch, 4.30:1 axle ratio, and large braking hardware for increased fade resistance.

[16] For the 2009 model year, Toyota introduced a new off-road themed option package called the TRD Rock Warrior.

Manual sliding rear window with privacy glass (Double Cab), and TRD Rock Warrior graphics.

)[17] For the 2010 model year, a new luxury option group called the Platinum package was made available exclusively on CrewMax Tundras.

The package included a chrome front bumper, unique 20-inch aluminum wheels, Platinum badges, and a power moon roof.

This option group included heated and ventilated bucket seats with perforated leather trim, power controls, and embroidered headrests.

The interior included new seats, new gauges, new controls, updated ergonomics, and a redesigned dashboard with improved materials and metal-look surfaces.

[23] For the 2014 model year, Toyota discontinued the regular cab Tundra with the 6.5 ft (2.0 m) box, but other configurations remained the same.

[29] The 1794 Edition is a Western-themed package which includes Lexus-grade saddle brown leather interior, heated/ventilated/powered front seats, wood-trimmed steering wheel and dash, power sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, an Entune Premium JBL sound system with a navigation system, unique 20" Alloy wheels and 1794 Badging.

[31] For the 2015 model year, Toyota introduced the TRD Pro option package to compete with the likes of the Ford SVT Raptor and Ram 1500 Rebel.

The interior features unique TRD Pro upholstery and door trim with contrasting red stitching and an Etune premium audio system with navigation.

When designing the Texas plant, Toyota arranged for 21 key Tundra suppliers to set up factories on the same site to avoid logistical issues.

Toyota's Tundra was the first full-size pickup to have earned the IIHS's Top Safety Pick accolade, followed by the redesigned 2009 Ford F-150.

[80] The third-generation Tundra is offered with two powertrain options: a 3.4-liter V35A-FTS twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 348–389 hp (260–290 kW) and 405–479 lb⋅ft (549–650 N⋅m) of torque, or a hybridized version of the V35A-FTS unit with an electric motor housed within the transmission (marketed as "i-Force Max"), producing a total of 437 hp (326 kW) and 583 lb⋅ft (790 N⋅m) of torque.

An initial batch of 300 right-hand drive vehicles meant for a 12-month real-world test was made available for lease in Australia for selected customers in November 2023.

NHTSA was particularly concerned that owners reported the potential for the spare tire to drop from the vehicle without warning due to corrosion and they opened an investigation on October 6, 2009.

As of January 2012[update], Toyota Motor recalled 533,000 trucks and SUVs because of possible steering and suspension problems caused by faulty ball joints.

The recall marked a sudden shift in policy for the Japanese automaker after repeatedly denying consumer complaints about ball joint problems and failures in the Tundra and Sequoia.

Toyota originally intended to begin selling the 5.7L-equipped Tundra during the northern hemisphere summer of 2007 but decided to rush the engine into production in order to match the November 2006 launch date.

[93] On December 13, 2007, Toyota Motor Corp recalled 15,600 4×4 2007 model-year Tundras in the United States because a rear propeller shaft joint may fail.

As of 2015[update], the Tundra was sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Honduras, Bolivia, Chile, and the French territory of New Caledonia in LHD configuration only.

The Tundra also has a grey import presence in several countries that include Japan, Taiwan, China, Australia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Switzerland, the Middle East, and Sweden.

[118][119] In 2004, the Tundra joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and got its first win at Michigan International Speedway on July 31 that year.

On Friday, October 12, 2012, an unmodified, Toyota Tundra Crew Max pulled the Space Shuttle Endeavour, on top of a special lightweight dolly, across the Manchester Boulevard bridge over Interstate 405.

However, due to weight restrictions on the bridge, the shuttle was moved to a lighter non-powered dolly and towed the short distance by the Tundra.