“A beast,” remarked a son-in-law as he jumped into the Tundra Platinum.
“Yes, and a bloody big and beautiful beast at that,” we responded.
Toyota’s largest-ever truck to hit Australian roads measures 5955 mm in length, 2040 mm in width with a height of 1985 mm. (Watch those height restrictions when you drive into the parking bay at your supermarket).
The Platinum is the top-tier variant of Toyota’s full-size pickup and since its debut in the second quarter of 2025 this luxury-oriented model has brought high-end features and robust performance to a growing segment of the Australian market arriving to take on the Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150.
Priced from $172,990 before on-road costs, the Platinum is $17,000 dearer than the Tundra Limited which starts from $15,990.
The new Platinum gets a different chrome-framed mesh grille, smoked chrome window trim and side mouldings, a black tailgate handle, black 20-in. alloy wheels and LED lighting.
Inside, there are blue and black 10-way-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, memory settings and massage function, while the second row has two outboard seats now both heated and ventilated, just great in this chilly winter.
The Platinum also gets a power-adjust steering column, heated steering wheel, a large 10.9 in. colour head-up display, ambient lighting and satin chrome door handles.
Carrying over from the base Tundra Limited is a large 12.3-in. digital instrument panel, a 14 in. infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a punchy 12-speaker JBL sound system.
A blind-spot monitor detects approaching vehicles and assists in clearance checking when changing lanes
Under the bonnet both truck variants are powered by an ‘I-Force Max’ hybrid configured with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre petrol V6. In isolation, it produces 290 kW and 649 Nm, while an electric motor kicks in a further 36 kW and 250 Nm.
The A1 hybrid introduces new powertrain technology – an additional electric motor which serves to improve power and performance working in conjunction with the internal combustion engine.
The hybrid powertrain generates 790 Nm of torque where you need it most, delivering 2400 rpm for exceptional acceleration and pulling power whether towing a trailer, climbing hills or cruising the freeway.
There’s also integrated trailer brake and trailer sway control and a backup camera with hitch alignment for safer, easier towing of the ute’s 4500 kg capacity.
A release bump switch (built into the driver’s taillight on select models) gives hands-free access to the tailgate for easy parking and loading
With a 122-litre fuel tank full of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, the Tundra Platinum driving range is around 1100 km. In US EPA testing, a combined cycle for the 4×4 hybrid achieved 11.2L/100 km.
“Australia’s love affair with big utes continues to grow with the Platinum,” says Toyota Australia CEO Matthew Callachor.
“We knew it was time to bring Tundra down under.
