The Japanese automaker has a lot of vehicles produced on a single version of its well-known modular TNGA platform. And it all started with the XK70 third-generation Toyota Tundra, at least in America.
The latest iteration of the full-size pickup truck, which fights (a mostly losing battle) with the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram 1500, was first showcased during the summer of 2021. It was officially revealed during Motor Bella in September, and production kicked off in December at the company's San Antonio, Texas-based factory (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas - TMMTX) based on the company's body-on-frame iteration of TNGA (F).
Meanwhile, also in June, Toyota unveiled the J300 Toyota Land Cruiser on the same modular TNGA-F chassis – but this iteration doesn't count in the grand North American scheme of things as the Japanese carmaker decided to make it a regional affair and a forbidden fruit in the United States. However, that doesn't mean the company is narrowing its TNGA-F vision across one of its most important markets.
Instead, next, they brought to life the J310 Lexus LX 600, followed by the XK80 Toyota Sequoia (2022), N400 Tacoma, and the J250 Land Cruiser and Lexus GX twins in 2023. What comes from the TNGA-F side of the division this year remains to be seen, as the rumor mill has various ideas. Some believe that Toyota will present a smaller, more compact body-on-frame 'baby' Land Cruiser to show rugged crossovers like the Ford Bronco Sport how it's properly done.
Others think that Toyota will simply start expanding and remodeling the assets it has introduced so far. For example, the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have imagined the CGI looks of the hypothetical upcoming facelift of the XK70 Toyota Tundra as a partner for potential XK70 Tundra EV or GR Tundra arrivals. Frankly, the latter two seem a lot less likely than the former, right?
According to the channel's resident pixel master and the host, the 2025 Tundra would arrive in the nick of time to fight the upgraded Chevy Silverado and refreshed 2024 Ford F-150 or 2025 Ram 1500. The changes are subtle, as per Toyota tradition – new headlights, a slightly altered front fascia to fit them perfectly, and a few changes to the HVAC controls inside the cabin. There is nothing fancy except for the unofficial color reel, which is a welcomed tradition from this outlet.
So, which is your favorite hue? Also, do you think that Toyota will bring an upgraded Tundra to the market for the 2025 model year with such minute changes? Last but not least – is it better to go on as the fourth best-selling nameplate, or will the Tundra suffer the same fate as the Nissan Titan and Titan XD and face impending doom because the Big Detroit Three can't be caught up?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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