2002 Toyota Tundra Interior Review at Automotive.com
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2002 Toyota Tundra Review: Interior

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2002 Toyota Tundra Review

Bigger isn't always better.
Interior
This is a comfortable truck with a friendly interior. The 60/40 split-bench cloth seats are welcoming and supportive. Accessory switches are concentrated in the center cluster for easy operation. Instruments are straightforward, with a big tachometer on all but base models. A center console box comes with storage space and a pair of good, deep cup holders. The latch on the center console on our truck wouldn't stay latched, however, so the lid would flop open whenever the console was flipped up. Our truck came with double sun visors with extenders.

Climbing in is easy, though the two-wheel-drive model seems to sit higher off the ground than other two-wheel-drive pickups. But that means that even the two-wheel-drive Tundra feels tall in the saddle, giving the driver a commanding view over shorter vehicles. Toyota claims the Tundra provides more front legroom than any of the domestic pickups, including the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Overall, however, the domestic trucks offer more usable room in the front seats.

An advanced seatbelt system with pretensioners and force limiters adds to safety, along with dual front airbags and side-impact beams. The passenger-side airbag can be switched off with the key when babies or children occupy the front passenger seat.

Access Cab models add interior storage space and the ability to carry two more passengers. If those passengers are adults, however, the rear seat is mostly a short-term affair. The Tundra does not have nearly as much space in the rear compartment of the extended cab as the Chevrolet, GMC, Ford and Dodge pickups. Plus, the Toyota's rear seatback is vertical, causing the occupant to sit bolt upright, which is uncomfortable for traveling any farther than the neighborhood restaurant.

A far better use for the extended cab is carrying dry cleaning, groceries, briefcases, outdoor gear, or anything else that should be shielded from the elements. Unfortunately, the rear seat itself takes up a fair amount of room. The seat bottom on the split bench can be flipped up, but the seat doesn't fold completely out of the way, nor can it be easily removed. Some of the domestic pickups are set up better for this. Next Page



2002 Toyota Tundra