2020 Tundra 1794 Edition Review

I recently spent a week driving a 2020 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition Crewmax. Here are my thoughts, and yes I cried when I had to give it back.



The Exterior Still Looks Good

While the third generation Tundra that debuted in 2014 is largely unchanged, there are subtle updates that make the truck look more modern. Things like the chrome grille and LED daytime running lights make sure the truck stands out from the rest. The TRD Off-Road Package adds sharp looking machined aluminum wheels. If you really want your Tundra to stand out, opt for the Voodoo Blue paint color. It really looks great in the sunlight.



One gripe I do have with the truck is bed access. There’s simply no easy way to get in and out of the bed, or reach items in the middle. I had to stand on the rear tire to remove a couple of five gallon fuel cans from the bed. Toyota does offer an accessory step, but for a truck that costs over fifty grand, I think that is something that should come standard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHUk-8fSepA&feature=emb_title

Best Interior in a Half-Ton



The 1794 Edition is named after the JLC Ranch in Texas, where the Tundra and Tacoma are manufactured. 1794 is the year the ranch was founded. As such, the 1794 Edition Tundra has a western-themed interior. Maybe it is the wood grain on the steering wheel, dash, and shifter. Or possibly the La-Z-Boy-like premium brown leather bucket seats that are as comfortable as they are supportive. Either way, the inside of this truck will rival any luxury car in its price range.

My favorite feature was the automatic high beams. On rural two lane roads, the truck took care of the headlight dimming and allowed me to focus on more important things like deer running across the road. Once they did engage at the wrong time and flashed someone for no reason. Sorry about that, guy in the black Audi Q5.

I also had some passengers complain about the hard plastics on the dash. I honestly don’t understand why some people automatically fault an interior just because there are hard plastics somewhere that are tangible. Areas like the top of the dash, knee kick panels, steering column, and glovebox are indeed hard plastic in this truck. It didn’t bother me once, but some may find fault in the lack of soft-touch materials in these areas.

One thing that could definitely be improved was the JBL Stereo’s low-end punch. Even with nine speakers, the bass just wasn’t there. The mid and high range audio sounds great, even over bluetooth. I just wish the bass response was better. The eight-inch touchscreen could use some updating, but it was nice to have hardware buttons for the home and volume controls. Everything worked as intended, and was simple enough where the owners manual wasn’t needed to begin playing tunes.



The rear seats in this truck are enormous. There’s just as much leg room in the rear of the truck as there is in the front. I also like how the entire rear window slides down into the cab, as opposed to only a tiny port window that slides horizontal in Double Cab Tundras. Underseat storage was missing from this truck – folding the rear seats up only exposes the floor. A minor inconvenience, all things considered.

This truck also had the factory spray-in bedliner and an optional deck rail kit. Other than a few tie down loops, the rest of the bed is fairly basic. I would definitely option this truck with a tonneau cover and maybe even some LED lights, to make things more secure.

Still The Best V8 Powertrain



I cannot say enough positive things about the iForce 5.7L V8 engine. Not only does it sound great, but at 381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque at only 3600 RPM, it is a useable engine for a variety of different purposes. I had zero complaints while towing a 20′ boat full of fuel on a tandem-axle trailer with three people in the truck. Even on hills, the truck had great power. The tow/haul button was used, and I kept the truck in S4 as recommended on the Tundra forums.

I know the transmission is “dated,” but I had zero complaints about it. I was impressed with its tuning, and loved how it downshifted while braking in D. This is one of the few trucks, if not the only half-ton truck, where I felt comfortable leaving the shifter in D at all times. It would be a shame if Toyota changed this transmission for the sake of adding more gears, and it only takes one glance at the GM 8-speed fiasco to see how well that worked out. In this case, dated is good.



One issue I did have was with the four-wheel-drive system. In fact, I had the same problem on the Tacoma TRD Pro that I tested recently. I had a hard time getting the truck in and out of 4LO. I followed the procedure exactly as it was outlined in the owners manual, and I still could not get it to engage. On the boat ramp, I ended up using 4HI instead. I’ve driven trucks that were nearly twenty years old that went in an out of 4LO without any issues. Maybe the truck just needed to get broken in some more.

The truck had great steering feel (for a truck.) Toyota still uses hydraulic steering rather than electric assist, and I think that plays a big part in how the steering behaves. The Bilstein shocks and off-road tires did contribute to a somewhat truck-like ride, but it never felt skittish and was always predictable – even while towing.

Best Reliability and Resale = Toyota Tundra



This is the number one reason for buying this truck. Reliability and resale.

According to MotorBiscuit, who gets their data from Consumer Reports, the number one most reliable pickup truck is the Toyota Tundra. And according to KBB, who knows a thing or two about used car values, the number one pickup truck for highest resale value is the Toyota Tundra.

These trucks just seem to run forever. Check out this thread on Tundras.com. It is a roster of members with the highest mileage on their 2014+ Toyota Tundras.

bobontuesday, 226,000 miles on a 2016
redhat, 176,000 miles with routine maintenance
paulskie, 160,000 miles on a 1794 Edition

Or you can just check out this Tundra with one million miles on its original V8 engine. It is a second gen with a 4.7L V8. Now at 770,000 miles, the transmission did lose reverse. It also needed an alternator and a water pump in those one million miles. They also did the timing chain as part of regular maintenance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL7fyyUNRmA&feature=emb_title

If you’re trying to get the most truck for your money, the Toyota Tundra is going to win every time. With award winning reliability and resale, it is hard to justify buying any other brand. The powertrain is bulletproof, the engine sounds great, and the truck can handle anything half-ton that you can throw at it. The 1794 Edition adds an interior that rivals most luxury cars, and the truck is offered in a variety of exterior colors to suit anyone’s taste.

2020 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition CrewMax Specifications

Base Price
$ 48,775
Price As Tested
$ 55,199
Layout
Front engine, part-time 4WD, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup truck
Engine
5.7L iForce V8, 32-valve DOHC w/ VVT-i, 381 hp @ 5600 rpm, 401 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Curb Weight
5,670 lb.
Payload/Towing Capacity
1,530 lb./8,800 lb.
Fuel Capacity
38 gal.
Overall Length/Width/Height
228.9 in./79.9 in./76.2 in.
Wheelbase
145.7 in.
Bed Length/Width/Height
66.7 in./66.4 in./22.2 in.
EPA Fuel Economy, City/Highway/Combined
13 MPG/17 MPG/14 MPG
Observed Fuel Economy
16.4 MPG

Photo Gallery

 

I'm supposed to look at this one tomm...Calvary Blue. https://www.tundras.com/threads/is-this-a-good-deal-for-a-2020.68986/

 

Welcome! Thanks for the amazing review. Toyota just sent me one online in my email and I made sure to tell them everything that bothers me about the truck (yet, while reading your review, I forgot talking about a bed step. It's so hard to get in the back of these trucks. There's no handle to grab and pull your weight to the top. I have to jump in pretty much haha

For the JBL, have you tried adjusting it in the settings? I though mine was adjusted to be really low until the 30-35 volume notch numbers. I did adjust mine (can't remember exactly what I did) but in general, it did improve the sound all around, even at a lower setting.

One more thing, I tried going in 4LO the other day and I had a hard time. Is it because we need to take the traction control off before????

 

I bought a 1794 at the end of Feb, and concur with your review....

I installed the bed step. It was a PITA to install, but much needed for my old, stiff bones. a pole with a hook on it is a must-have for any pickup owner as well.

I may address the sound system someday. It's OK, but I don't think it is even up to the performance level of my '00 Tundra limited.

Also, the cupholders stink. both the in-door and console cupholders are small. They're fine for a disposable water bottle, but none of my favorite reusable bottle fit. A man's truck should have man-sized cupholders. And I say that as a person who made fun of auto magazines for years for complaining about cupholders.... But really, it is my only significant gripe.

 

I went from a 17 Limited to a 20 1794, love the interior, headlights, but hate the stereo vs the 17 (both had the premium JBL). Not to crazy about the push button start but I've gotten used to it although I'd rather have an ignition key. Here's a picture after my 6112/5160 suspension upgrade (17 was silver 20 MGM). I took my BAmuffler and RB20 steps off the 17 and put them on the 20.

 

Sorry to burst your bubble but my ~$38k SR5 has automatic high beams.

 

I find that on certain approaches that the auto high beam will not dim especially on hilly curvy roads, I've used it and have bright lighted a few people so now I don't mess with it.

 

I never had any interest in the feature. Just wanted to point out that it's not exclusive to the 1794.

 

Yea my wife's 19 Camery SE had it as well as her current 20 4runner, I believe it's standard across the Toyota board now for the most part.

 

I was looking at a 20 1794. That is such a beautiful truck. The push button start is a nice feature. Too bad it's out of my price range.

 

Voodoo blue and the tan interior are like oil and water... horrible color combination

 

I agree with your review 100%. Bought my 2020 1794 about a month ago. Still absolutely love it. Needs a drivers side grab handle and rear under seat storage and it would be about perfect. Oh and a bed step with led lighting in the bed. It’s a nice blend of my old Lexus LS430 and my Ram 1500 Outdoorsman. Best of both worlds.

 

Yes, I took delivery of my 2020 1794 in mid May. Just turned over 2000 miles. I will be adding the bed step as well. I have not had the opportunity or need for 4Lo yet but will pay attention to any difficulties. I am extremely happy with the truck - especially the interior. And I knew about Toyota's reliability, but the million mile tundra video was still pretty impressive!