This particular week in our lives couldn’t have been better suited for a full-size pickup. We had three big events lined up — each requiring muscle, space and capability — and the Tundra delivered on all fronts. From hauling heavy sound equipment to Nephi, to moving gear for an outdoor movie night in Springville, to hauling yard waste over the weekend, the truck never once broke a sweat. And, of course, it also served as our comfortable daily driver for errands, appointments and a few joyrides just to enjoy that smooth TRD-tuned ride.

First impressions — Rugged with a dash of class

The SR5 trim is the Tundra’s solid, no-nonsense work truck at heart, but the TRD Rally Package adds an undeniable edge. Think of it as a practical pickup that’s dressed just enough to stand out without shouting. The blacked-out badging, 18-inch TRD alloy wheels, and subtle body accents make it look purpose-built for adventure. A sportier front grille, skid plates and TRD-specific suspension tuning round out the package, giving the truck both visual presence and off-road confidence.

The Magnetic Gray Metallic paint set it all off beautifully. Depending on the sunlight, it went from deep charcoal to a shimmering silver-gray, hiding road dust from our busy week but gleaming like polished metal when freshly washed.

Photo supplied

Inside, the Rally package influence is felt in small but noticeable ways — like TRD-embroidered floor mats and a more rugged dash trim.

Thursday — Concert in Nephi

Our first real test came Thursday afternoon. Craig had a trailer full of professional sound gear that needed to be taken to the Juab County Fairgrounds in Nephi for a concert that evening. The load wasn’t light — mixing boards, speakers, lighting rigs and cables can add up quickly — but with the Tundra’s twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 producing 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, it handled the job effortlessly.

Toyota’s integrated trailer brake controller and Tow/Haul mode made the trip smooth and confident, even when climbing out of Utah Valley. The truck’s stability while pulling at highway speeds was impressive, especially when a few gusts of wind tried to nudge us around.

Backing the trailer into place at the fairgrounds was made much easier with the Tundra’s wide-angle backup camera. By the time Craig unhooked and unloaded, he was reminded how much easier big jobs are when the truck underneath is built to handle them.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

Friday — Outdoor movie at Spring Acres Arts Park

No rest for the Tundra — or for Craig — the very next day. He had an outdoor movie night at the Spring Acres Arts Park in Springville, and that meant moving a projector, large screen, sound system, cables and other event essentials.

The Crew Cab’s rear seat area came in handy here. With the 60/40 split seats flipped up, the floor space was more than enough for boxes of cables, and fragile electronics that I didn’t want bouncing around in the truck bed. The 5.5-foot composite bed carried the larger items, and the included tie-down cleats kept everything secure.

There also has to be credit to Toyota’s bed lighting — having bright, focused light back there while loading after the movie made all the difference. That, combined with the power tailgate, proved the Tundra was designed with real-world use in mind.

Saturday — Yard work made easy

Photo supplied

After two days of event prep and late nights, Saturday could have been a rest day. But with a truck in the driveway, it somehow always turns into “let’s haul something” day.

We had a pile of yard waste ready to go — a mix of tree branches, grass clippings and hedge trimmings. A quick trip to the recycle center was in order. With the power of the Tundra’s bed and a set of gloves, the chore was over almost before it began. The bed’s durable composite liner shrugged off the debris without a scratch.

Everyday comfort — More than just a work truck

When the heavy lifting was done, the Tundra proved it’s more than capable of just being a comfortable daily driver. For all its size and muscle, it never felt unwieldy around town. The steering is light enough for parking lot maneuvers, and the visibility from the driver’s seat is commanding without being intimidating.

Toyota’s infotainment system — centered around a large, crisp 14-inch touchscreen — was intuitive to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connected wirelessly, and the sound system had no problem filling the cabin with music on our longer drives.

The TRD Rally Package’s tuned suspension struck a great balance between firmness for control and enough give to handle bumps without jostling passengers. It’s a setup that feels equally at home on a gravel road or a smooth freeway.

Fuel economy and performance

Given the work it did this week, our Tundra’s fuel economy was respectable. We averaged about 18.5 mpg overall, with trailer towing and city driving in the mix. On the open highway without a load, the truck consistently hovered around 20 mpg — impressive for a full-size, four-wheel-drive pickup with this much capability.

The twin-turbo V6 replaced the old V8 a few years back, and while some purists miss the rumble, this engine delivers more torque, better acceleration and improved efficiency. Paired with the smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, it’s a combination that felt modern and muscular.

Safety and confidence

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 comes standard, and it’s more than just a list of features — it’s peace of mind. Adaptive cruise control made freeway stretches easier and lane departure alert kept us honest.

At the end of the week

By the end of the week, the Tundra had earned our respect all over again. It wasn’t just the raw capability — though it certainly proved it could handle whatever we threw at it — it was the way it balanced that with comfort, style and thoughtful features.

The TRD Rally Package may not be a flashy head-turner like the TRD Pro, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a quiet confidence — small visual upgrades, better suspension tuning and functional additions that make a difference in both appearance and performance.

Base price: $51,010

Destination charge: $1,945

Price as driven: $62,442