The 2005 Toyota Tundra can’t tow as much as the 2005 F-150 or Silverado, but from the sticker price to the cost of regular maintenance it’s a better deal overall.
Is the 2005 Toyota Tundra a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – One of the best used pickups on the market today.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Smooth riding with as much cargo space as you’re ever going to need.
- Reliability 9/10 – The only reason it doesn’t get a perfect score is that it’s nearly twenty years old. Multiple Tundras have passed the million mile mark.
- Safety 8/10 – Strong crash test ratings and standard anti-lock brakes make the Tundra one of the safer pickups in its model year.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – 18/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway, might not be the most impressive fuel economy you’ve ever seen, but it’s not bad for full-size pickup in its third decade of service.
- Value 8/10 – The Toyota Tundra is probably the best deal you’re going to get on a 2005 full-size pickup.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
Consumer Reports liked the 2005 Toyota Tundra’s strong V8, quiet cab, “civilized” ride, and generally well-rounded design. They note that it’s lacking any real heavy-duty towing power and it’s a shame that the four-wheel drive can’t be used on dry pavement.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Tundra a near-perfect 98% recommendation, without a single one-star review on file. Drivers love the truck’s longevity, reporting upwards of 200,000 miles with no major repairs. The biggest criticism for the pickup is simply that it’s twenty years out of date in terms of technology.
Edmunds liked the smooth feel of the V8, and they had nothing but praise for the overall build quality and reliability. They found the truck surprisingly nimble off-road, and more car-like in its handling than most full-size pickups. They felt it was a bit mid-range at towing, and the interior materials felt cheap.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Toyota Tundra Have?
The 2005 Tundra’s biggest problem thus far has been in the airbags. There have been seven airbag complaints in total, covering exploding airbags and inadvertent deployment, but complaints continue to pour in as late as 2022, making up 82 of 352 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints in total.
A number of drivers have experienced extensive rust in the Tundra’s undercarriage. This is most common in colder areas where you have a lot of road salt. A coating of anti-rust spray can help to prevent the issue, but once the rust settles in it’s almost impossible to fix.
The Tundra’s rust issues extend to the suspension. Even if you don’t see any extensive corrosion in the frame itself, you may wind up with useless shocks and struts as a result of premature rust.
There are 14 recalls on file with the NHTSA for the 2005 Tundra. This number may sound a bit high, but half of these are for the airbags. Major mechanical issues in the 2005 Tundra are few and far between.
How Long Will the 2005 Toyota Tundra Last?
Drivers report the Toyota Tundra lasting a minimum of 150,000 miles, a maximum of 300,000, and typically giving out somewhere in the 250,000 range. But, the 2007 model has been marked, twice, at over one million miles, so don’t be surprised to see a 2005 fly right past a quarter million.
RepairPal report a typical maintenance cost of $606 a year, which is on the low end as far as full-size trucks go. The most expensive common fixes include air conditioner recharges starting at around $195 and replacement park assist cameras at $405.
It has had some cosmetic issues: a door handle, as well as, the tailgate handle snapped off. There has recently been a recall on the airbag. Regular maintenance is all that has been required.
It is reliable and doesn't have any problems especially having 174000 miles. The only issues it has had were from problems caused by oil changing but that was a quick fix.
Yes very reliable and it has no problems. 175k miles and still truckin. Livin large in the ol 05..
It is extremely reliable. It has never died and has not had any issues in the years I have owned it.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology in the 2005 Toyota Tundra is pretty good for the model year. Entry-level equipment is pretty basic, with a CD player and six speakers. This can be upgraded to include a 6-disc changer with steering wheel-mounted controls.
Safety technology in the Tundra is solid for 2005. Standard features include anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution.
Is the 2005 Toyota Tundra a Good Value?
The 2005 Toyota Tundra is a pretty good value. Work truck models typically list at around $7,430, with higher-end models going for up to $8,182. This puts the truck in roughly the same price range as low and mid-range F-150s and Silverados.
What makes the Tundra a better deal is the relatively low cost of ownership. Most of the issues you have in a Tundra are going to be cheap fixes, burned out wires and switches and so on. The truck’s competitors generally spend a little more time in the shop than the Tundra.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
The 2005 Tundra is available in three trim levels, Base, SR5, and Limited.
The entry-level Base offers:
- Cloth seating
- CD player with 4 speakers
- Anti-lock brakes
With the mid-range SR5 you’re also getting:
- Remote keyless entry
- Manual air conditioning
- Power windows and door locks
- Two extra speakers
The high-end Limited adds:
- Premium cloth seating
- Fog lights
- 6 disc CD changer
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Cruise control
What Engines Come In the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
- The 2005 Tundra’s starter engine is a 4.0L V6 delivering 245 horsepower and 282 lb.-ft. of torque at an average MPG of 18/22, city/highway. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission in rear wheel drive, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds, depending on your options.
- Available in the SR5 and standard in the Limited is a 4.7L V8 engine delivering 282 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque at an average MPG of 16/18. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear/four wheel drive, and can tow up to 7,100 pounds.
What Colors Does the 2005 Toyota Tundra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
The 2005 Tundra is one of the more comfortable pickup trucks in its model year. The seating is nice and firm, the suspension rides smooth, and you’ve got 58.3 inches of hip room in the back of the bigger cabs. The F-150 takes the edge in innovating the SUV-like interior, but the Tundra was ahead of the curve in 2005.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Toyota Tundra Have?
The 2005 Toyota Tundra is offered with a 74 inch bed or a 98 inch bed. Double Cab beds are 63 inches wide in the interior, Stepsides are 54 inches wide, and other models are 49 inches wide. These range from 17 inches in depth to 19 in the Stepside and 21 in the Double Cab.
This is all to say that you’ve got about as much space as you expect to get out of a full-size pickup. The larger bed does have a couple inches on the F-150, but you’re splitting hairs at that point.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2005 model Toyota Tundra was the second to last of the 1st Generation, running from 2000 to 2006
2005: The 2005 Tundra received a handful of design upgrades with a more intuitive instrument panel and modernized headlight designs.
2006: No major changes for 2006, as Toyota were revving up the 2007 relaunch at this point.
2007: 2007 saw a sleek new exterior for the Tundra, more safety features, three cabs, three engines, and better towing capacity.
2008: Toyota dropped the suicide-doors on the AccessCab for a more conventional front-hinged door design.
2009: E85 flex-fuel capability was standard in the 5.7L V8 engine for 2009.
How Does the 2005 Toyota Tundra Compare to the Competition?
If you’re comparing a full-size pickup to the competition, you’re mainly comparing it to the F-150 and the Silverado. Both are more expensive than the $5,000 Tundra, with the Silverado typically listing in the $6,000 range and the F-150 starting in the low $7,000 area.
The Toyota is the most reliable of the three, but the least capable. The 2005 F-150 is the winner by a longshot here, towing up to 9,500 pounds. The Tundra taps out at 7,100 and the Silverado at 7,500.
Any one of these trucks would be a pretty good purchase, but the Tundra is hard to beat for overall value, with a lower sticker price and a lower cost of ownership than either of its leading competitors.
Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Toyota Tundra?
Yes, it has been hard-working and dependable. It was purchased used, but was in great condition. It has a comfortable and spacious cab, and the crew-sized back seat is comfortable for only children though.
Yes it is reliable and rarely has issues besides tire changes but that is separate from the vehicle.
Heck yeah! 175k miles and never a problem! I tow with it, drive it on family vacations and always have confidence in it.
Yes. It was passed down to me from my father and it runs amazingly. It have never died or sputtered out.