The Toyota Tundra Trailhunter Is a Soft BargainToyotaThe Toyota Tundra is the oddball of the full-size pickup market, a minority choice compared to rivals from the Detroit Three, but also selling in smaller volumes than its own smaller sibling, the Tacoma. For 2027, Toyota is broadening the Tundra's appeal with a new Trailhunter package, one that makes it more capable of dealing with off-road use. Is this the one to pick?Our expert editors test every vehicle we review. Read more about how we test and review cars here.The LowdownToyotaThe Toyota Tundra receives a major facelift for 2027, and the addition of the Trailhunter package is a significant part of that upgrade. This is a similar package of upgrades to what the Sequoia Trailhunter gets, with off-road suspension from Australian supplier Old Man Emu, extra underbody protection, a locking rear differential, and Michelin LTX Trail tires, among other enhancements.AdvertisementAdvertisement● Vehicle Tested: 2027 Toyota Tundra Trailhunter● Base Price: $56,000 (Manufacturer EST)● Price as Tested: $56,000 (Manufacturer EST)● Location: Grand Junction, ColoradoMore SpecsPowertrain: 3445-cc twin-turbocharged V-6 enginePower: 389 hp @ 5200 rpmTorque: 479 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm0–60 mph: 6.2 sec (Manufacturer EST)Transmission: 10-speed automatic, all-wheel driveHow Does It Drive?I tested the Tundra Trailhunter prototype alongside the Sequoia Trailhunter prototype at nearly 10,000 feet above the mesas of Grand Junction, Colorado. From stretches of Interstate 70 to technical off-roading on the Colorado and Utah border, the Tundra Trailhunter assumed its regular working duties flawlessly, despite temperatures peaking at more than 100 degrees. Even with a slight lift and some new rubber, the Tundra Trailhunter is still a work truck at heart.AdvertisementAdvertisementAimed at reaching a broader audience, the Tundra Trailhunter uses the nonhybrid version of Toyota's 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 powertrain—whereas the Sequoia Trailhunter I drove had the hybridized i-Force powerplant. Toyota has yet to confirm exactly how much power and torque the final-spec truck will make but said the new variant should closely match its sibling models. That means prospective buyers can expect around 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. There was enough urge to push the Tundra Trailhunter along adequately, but at nearly 6000 pounds, the lack of electrified assistance was noticeable off the line. All told, the non-electrified version of the twin-turbo six did sound pretty agricultural when worked hard, but it managed to get the job done with a bit of coaxing.ToyotaWith an empty bed, the Tundra Trailhunter rides like a working horse. Long highway stints were comfortable enough on Toyota's Old Man Emu suspension, and the 18-inch wheels and Michelin all-terrain tires remain compliantly quiet. However, the Tundra had a tendency to bounce and shake over rough surfaces, creating an at-times-uncomfortable ride in the cabin. The combination of less power and a significantly longer wheelbase made the pickup feel more awkward than its Sequoia sibling. I found that creeping over rocks and climbing through sandy ruts required significant throttle inputs, and its bed end was an awkward factor on ascents and descents alike. On the plus side, Toyota's Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control features were intuitive to engage, and I found them both helpful.Shift timing from Toyota's 10-speed automatic was too slow for my liking on the road, while the transmission's willingness to downshift off-road was similarly lacking. This gearbox frustration exacerbated the nonhybrid Tundra Trailhunter's middling acceleration and reduced confidence in gear selection when descending trails.ToyotaThe Tundra Trailhunter is also not equipped with the front sway bar disconnect featured on 4Runner and Tacoma Trailhunter models, meaning head toss while off-roading was especially harsh. While I'd be happy to take the Sequoia Trailhunter deeper into the woods, the Tundra Trailhunter did not feel well suited for true wilderness adventures.What's It Like to Live With?ToyotaThe Toyota Tundra and Sequoia share a standardized interior experience. The 14-inch infotainment touchscreen is intuitive to use, quick to respond, and serves as an excellent camera display while off-roading. Certain functions, like adding new devices or finding some vehicle settings, required a few too many menu clicks for me, but the user experience was otherwise pleasant.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Tundra Trailhunter is based on the lowly SR5-trim pickup, which means that many premium amenities are simply missing. Heated cloth seats come standard along with various forms of soft plastic and rubber trimming at interior touch points. Most full-size pickups are used as work trucks, and I admit there was a certain charm to the base model feel inside the Tundra Trailhunter.The Tundra Trailhunter has ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder space in both rows. The generous interior space kept me from being jostled against hard interior parts during low- and high-speed off-roading alike. A chunky steering wheel and shifter earn the Tundra Trailhunter extra ergonomic credit.Should I Buy One?ToyotaThe full-size pickup truck market is fiercely competitive, and each manufacturer has its own off-road version. At $56,000, the Tundra Trailhunter is up against the Ford F-150, the Chevrolet Silverado, and the Ram 1500. However, off-road-specific versions of those three full-size trucks are significantly more expensive and generally more capable than the Toyota. The Tundra Trailhunter makes its mark for affordability and relative capability, but it isn't as sturdy or as luxurious as most of its direct competitors. If you need to do a little bit of everything without breaking the bank, the Tundra Trailhunter has you covered.The 4Runner and Tacoma Trailhunter are standout trims within their model line, while the Tundra Trailhunter model is not. That means the Tundra is sparsely adorned inside and is missing more premium amenities like ventilated IsoDynamic seats found on 4Runner and Tacoma Trailhunter models. However, with a price tag under $60K, it is hard to kvetch about the interior experience inside the Tundra.Highlights and LowlightsWe Love:AdvertisementAdvertisement● Helpful off-road assistance technology.● Useful approach and departure angles for its size.● Generous interior dimensions.We Don't:● Overly complicated infotainment menu functions.● Bouncy ride on- and off-road.● Limited performance, transmission lacks smarts.Favorite DetailToyotaToyota's Multi-Terrain Monitor camera system offers a variety of viewpoints and was essential in conquering tougher trails. The front-facing camera appeared to be angled too high at first but became a critical tool for breakover points. Similarly, dual side-view cameras kept the doors and bed of the wide truck scratch-free on tight trails.AdvertisementAdvertisementYou Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State