Toyota Tundra Platinum review: Does Toyota’s big ute cut it off-road?

Toyota was the last manufacturer to bring its full-size American pick-up to Australia, where it competes with the Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and class-leading Chevrolet Silverado. 

Originally sold here solely in Limited grade, the range-topping Platinum joined the line-up in early 2026, and that’s the model we’re testing here.

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Interior and features

The Tundra Limited was already highly specified, but the Platinum adds plenty of niceties.

This includes genuine leather in place of the Limited’s synthetic interior trim, a power-adjustable steering column, heated steering wheel, 10-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat, four-way power-adjustable lumbar support and a massaging function for the front seats. The outboard rear seats also gain heating and ventilation, while a massive sunroof lets more light into the cabin. Unique trim and finishes distinguish the Platinum’s exterior.

Both grades feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound is pumped through a 12-speaker JBL audio system, while a wireless phone charger and dual-zone climate control are also standard.

While the Tundra has a premium interior, especially in Platinum grade, the fit and finish of the American-made pick-up’s cabin is still not quite up to the high standards of a Japanese-made LandCruiser 300 Series – but it is close.

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Tundra Pricing

• Limited: $155,990
• Platinum: $172,990

Engine and hybrid powertrain

The big difference between the Tundra and its American-brand rivals is its powertrain.

Both Tundra grades available in Australia are powered by the same drivetrain, comprising a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 that produces 290kW and 649Nm – but that’s only part of the powertrain. The i-FORCE engine is paired with a parallel hybrid system that charges a 288V NiMH battery, which feeds a motor-generator mounted in the bellhousing of the 10-speed automatic transmission. Combined outputs jump to 326kW and 790Nm.

This is the same powertrain recently released in the LandCruiser 300 Series Performance Hybrid. However, the pick-up misses out on the full-time dual-range transfer case fitted to the Cruiser, where having 790Nm on tap makes it particularly useful. The Tundra makes do with a part-time dual-range transfer case.

It’s disappointing that the Australian-delivered Tundra Platinum doesn’t get the on-demand transfer case offered on some grades in the US, or the available off-road package that would improve its capability in rough terrain.

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Towing and off-road capability

Towing capacity is rated at up to 4500kg with the heavy-duty towing kit fitted, and there’s an integrated electric trailer-brake controller in the dashboard. Towing capacity is limited to 3500kg without the heavy-duty kit.

Safety equipment includes ABS, ESC, lane-departure warning, lane-centring control, a pre-collision AEB system with day/night pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert and trailer-sway control. None of these 1500-class pick-ups have a decent payload and the Platinum is no exception, offering just 720kg – which should be enough to fill that huge cargo bed with helium balloons!

The Tundra Platinum does what it says on the label. It’s a premium full-size pick-up with bucketloads of interior space, a well-appointed cabin and plenty of grunt from its hybrid powertrain.

It’s not a great off-road vehicle – none of these US pick-ups are particularly capable in standard form – but we found the coil-sprung rear axle articulated well through holes and washouts to maintain progress. Ground clearance, although relatively low, was adequate for the type of off-roading you’re likely to tackle in this style of truck.

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Off-road specs

On-road performance and touring

On the road, it’s smooth and powerful, and a pleasure to spend long hours behind the wheel of.

The Tundra is a great touring and towing ute, with interior space that back-seat passengers will appreciate compared with any midsize 4×4 ute.

The Tundra might be re-engineered in Australia by Toyota’s partner, Walkinshaw, but it is covered by Toyota Australia’s full five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assistance. This includes five years of capped-price servicing at $450 per service, with intervals of six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

This is a factory-backed partnership between Toyota and Walkinshaw, so you can be confident the work is completed to the highest standard.

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Toyota Tundra Platinum specs