The 2008 Toyota Tundra boasts enormous size, impressive interior space, and optional 5.7-liter V8 engine secure its place near the top of the full-size pickup truck rankings. But Toyota must enhance its cabin materials and give a more inspirational exterior design to outpace its top rivals.
Completely redesigned in 2007, the 2008 Toyota Tundra is both bigger and stronger than the preceding generation, and its strong 5.7-liter V8 engine helps increase it to the top tier of the full-size pickup class. Lots of interior and passenger space is another benefit and with the 2008 Tundra, you have your choice of three cabs – the Regular Cab, the Double Cab, and the CrewMax Cab.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the 2008 Toyota Tundra is a Top Safety Pick, with recognition for good performance in front, side, rear and stability control testing. This marks the first time a pickup truck was chosen among the institute’s defense selections.
If you’re searching for a used full-size half-ton pickup truck, the 2008 Toyota Tundra should be on your short list. It is fully capable of handling heavy work (its maximum towing capacity is over 10,000 pounds), is pleasant to drive and comfortable to ride around in.
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2008 Toyota Tundra Configurations and Trim Levels
A full-size half-ton truck, the 2008 Toyota Tundra comes in three body styles: Regular Cab, Double Cab, and CrewMax. The Double Cab is basically a big extended cab with four forward-hinged doorways, although the Tundra CrewMax is very large Crew Cab. Regular and Double Cabs could be arranged with a 6.5-foot or 8-foot bed, while the CrewMax is available with only a 5.5-foot bed.
2008 Toyota Tundra configurations include the base model Grade, midlevel SR5 and lavish Limited. The standard-cab truck comes just in the Grade configuration, while the Double Cab and CrewMax are offered in Grade, SR5 and Limited trim levels.
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Grade
Standard features on the Grade comprise of 18-inch steel wheels and tires, a 40/20/40 cloth bench seat, dual-zone air along with a 4-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack.
SR5
The SR5 adds an additional set of speakers, cruise control, power accessories, keyless entry, a telescoping steering wheel, and rear heater ducts. Additionally, the Double Cab and CrewMax trims add electric front bucket seats, a six-CD changer and heated side view mirrors, while the CrewMax additionally has rear A/C ducts, a reclining rear bench seat and a sliding rear window with a defroster.
Limited
Tundra Limited models add alloy wheels and tires, slightly wider wheels, a bed railing system with flexible tie-downs, front and rear park assist, leather upholstery, front captain’s chairs with 10-way adjustment for the driver, automatic climate control, a 10-speaker (12 for the CrewMax) JBL audio system, Bluetooth and power-retractable, auto-dimming, side-view mirrors.
Options
Notable options for the 2008 Toyota Tundra include a navigation system, a backup camera, driver seat memory, 20-inch wheels, and tires as well as on the CrewMax, a sunroof. The TRD Off-Road Package includes an updated suspension with Bilstein shocks, BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, and foglamps. An appearance package which contains monochromatic styling components is readily available for Regular and Double Cab configurations.
See also: 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road: Build & Price Review
2008 Toyota Tundra Engines
The 2008 Toyota Tundra offers three engine options: The conventional 236-horsepower 4.0-liter V6, a 276-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 or the 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8. The first two include five-speed automatic transmissions, while the 5.7-liter is mated to a six-speed automatic.
Since the 5.7-liter V8 makes 105 horsepower over the 4.7-liter V8 and has almost the exact same gas mileage as the V6, the huge majority of Tundra buyers choose the i-Force 5.7-liter V8 engine for obvious reasons.
Toyota employed several technologies to permit the 5.7-liter V8 to produce both good power and reasonable fuel economy. Variable valve timing optimizes engine performance for changing conditions and requirements, and the six-speed automatic transmission employs a low first gear to aid low-speed acceleration and two overdrive gears to optimize highway gas mileage numbers.
4.0-liter V6
- 236 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
- 266 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
- EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/19
4.7-liter V8
- 276 horsepower @ 5400 rpm
- 313 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3400 rpm
- EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/17 (2WD); 13/16 (4WD)
5.7-liter V8
- 381 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
- 401 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm
- EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/18 (2WD); 13/17 (4WD)
All variations of the 2008 Toyota Tundra may be outfitted with a two-wheel or four-wheel drive system, and all trucks arrive with a limited-slip rear differential. Properly equipped, a 4×2 Tundra Regular Cab can tow up to 10,800 lbs.
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More about the 2008 Toyota Tundra
Like many of today’s half-ton trucks, the 2008 Toyota Tundra provides a smooth and quiet highway ride, though trucks using the off-road package are inclined to feel choppy over grooved pavement. Light, precise steering makes for effortless maneuvering in parking lots, but some buyers might find it a bit too light at highway speeds. Handling is predictable when turning, with minimal body roll, though the Tundra does not hold a substantial advantage over its rivals in this field. Braking performance is a strong point, as the Tundra has a good, progressive pedal feel and respectable stopping distances, with minimal fade under heavy usage.
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Interior
Inside the 2008 Toyota Tundra, it is clear that the designers put their emphasis on usefulness and durability. The front seats are adapting, the storage areas and cupholders are ample in size, and build quality is tight. Soft-touch surfaces are infrequent, however, and because of this, there’s a large number of hard plastic surfaces. The attractive gauges are not as easy to read as they could be, as a result of individual binnacle design. And even though the center stack controls are big and well organized, they are quite a stretch to reach from the driver seat, particularly in Tundras equipped with the navigation system.
The Regular Cab offers comfy seats in addition to a generous quantity of interior cargo space. In Double Cabs, the backseat is completely usable for adults, while the CrewMax provides the roomiest rear seat of any pickup truck. Having a limolike 44.5 inches of rear legroom, even 6-footers can stretch out and cross their legs.
Exterior
The 2008 Toyota Tundra projects the right image that many buyers of full-size pickups desire. Its tall grille and hood and conspicuous front fenders make it as imposing as any major truck. However, it keeps its Toyota identity. A longer cab, bigger rear doors, and a shorter bed distinguish the CrewMax from the Double Cab. For 2008, Toyota provides the lowest-cost form of the two-door Regular Cab version styling consistent with that of a work truck. Elements include a chrome bumper and matte-black grille surround.
Safety
Antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-size side curtain airbags are standard. In government crash testing, the 2008 Toyota Tundra scored four stars (out of five) in frontal impact tests for both driver and passenger. At the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s frontal offset crash testing, the Tundra earned a “Good” rating, the highest potential.
2008 Toyota Tundra Owners Manual
Owner’s manuals may not make exciting reading, but they’re packed with valuable directions, warnings, and information. I’ve made it effortless for you to get the 2008 Toyota Tundra owner’s manual with no digging. And by using a manual on the internet or by keeping it on your computer, you have convenient replies when you are not in the vehicle.
Final Thoughts: 2008 Toyota Tundra
A top pick for a full-size pick-up, the 2008 Toyota Tundra gets it right concerning functionality, work capability, road manners, and available configurations and gear. After being completely redesigned last year, the Toyota Tundra enters 2008 with just minor adjustments, like the growth of the entry-level model “Tundra Grade” spec to all body styles and extra standard attributes for the SR5 and Limited spec levels.
Equipped using the optional 5.7-liter V8, the 2008 Toyota Tundra is unbelievably effective and the engine delivery is impressively smooth. Shifts in the six-speed automated transmission are instantaneous, along with the console shifter’s exact action permits drivers to quickly use the manual mode whilst handling extreme highway grades or rugged off-road scenarios.