Toyota introduced the second generation of the Tundra pickup at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show and showed the carmaker’s determination to succeed in a market dominated by American companies.
Right from the start, the Tundra was available in no less than 31 configurations, which was huge when compared to anyone else. It consisted of three cab lengths, three bed lengths, three wheelbases, and two transmissions. It aimed at professional contractors, and that led to special design details.

The Crewmax front fascia was flat and tall, with a thick chromed surrounding for the three-slat grille. While it didn’t offer the longest bed in the back, it provided the roomiest interior in the stable. Toyota made the door handles bigger, so they could have been used with working gloves on. Its side-steps, offered as an option, were wide enough for size 11 (size 45) working boots.

Inside, the Japanese carmaker made the interior fit for a family or for a team of workers. It offered two wide front seats and a spacious bench in the back where three people could share the space without touching elbows. But the most unusual part of the interior was the dashboard, where Toyota designers considered that the center stack had to be divided and left the infotainment screen outside the driver’s area. On the plus side, the carmaker designed the headrest so the occupants could keep their hardhats on.

Under the hood, Toyota offered the Tundra Crewmax with a rear or 4WD system. Unlike the rest of the Tundra range, it was available only with a 4.7-liter and a 5.7-liter under the hood, paired to a five-speed automatic gearbox.