When it comes to sales numbers, special editions can be a hit or a miss. Regardless of how they perform on the sales chart though, they are interesting! It’s always cool to see what car companies do when they are looking to make their vehicles stand out. The changes on these special edition models can vary quite a bit, from huge performance-driven tweaks to minor cosmetic additions.
These special editions also have unique names and often pay homage to a special moment in the company’s history. The Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition is one such vehicle. As its name suggests, it’s based on the company’s biggest and baddest truck – the Toyota Tundra. If you read our list of the best Toyota truck models to get in 2022, you probably already know a little bit about this truck. If you haven’t or if you’re curious to know more, here’s what to expect with the Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition.
Why Is It Called the Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition?
The Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition was named after a ranch in Texas, that was founded in 1794. If you are wondering what does Toyota Tundra have to do with a ranch, we need to go back to the early years of this Japanese truck. Toyota started manufacturing the Tundra back in 1999 and given the Tundra’s size and target audience, the best place for the company to make them was in the US.
Initially, Toyota made them at their plant in Indiana. However, production was moved to the company’s new plant in San Antonio, Texas. After all, it’s only fitting that Toyota makes its largest truck in Texas. However, that doesn’t explain the ranch connection. Toyota would require a sizable piece of land to make a plant that could manufacture hundreds of thousands of these trucks.
Toyota found the perfect spot between Leon Creek and Medina River. There was a ranch for sale right in the heart of Texas and Toyota scooped it up. This ranch was established in 1794 by a Spanish colonist named Juan Ignacio de Casanova. As mentioned earlier, special editions usually celebrate something significant, and this one pays homage to the year the ranch was established.
Rewind to 2014
While Toyota impressed many with the second-generation Toyota Tundra, it needed a trim level that could go up against luxury-printed versions of its rivals. These rivals, namely the Chevrolet Silverado High Country, GMC Denali, Ford King Ranch, and Dodge Ram Laramie Longhorn all had a focus on comfort among other overall improvements. It was in 2014 when Toyota’s marketing department came up with the idea of adding a new top luxury trim package called the 1794 Edition.
Keep in mind that this was also when the second-generation Tundra was receiving its midlife facelift. Before we discuss what the 1794 Edition added to the Tundra, it’s important to know a little about the vehicle it’s based on. The refreshed second-gen Tundra got a redesign. This included a large grille, wider fenders, and reworked tailgate and tail lights. Toyota also raised the hood line which gave the truck a more muscular stance.
On the inside, the refreshed Toyota Tundra got an overhauled interior. Updates included redesigned seats, a dashboard, controls, and updated ergonomics. New features came in the form of a 3.5-inch screen that showed vehicle information, Bluetooth connectivity, and a backup camera. In terms of performance, trucks equipped with the 4.0 V6 witnessed a power increase of 34 hp. Toyota also made minor changes to the suspension and steering which improved the ride quality and steering response.
Features of the 1794 Edition
In 2014, the Tundra was available in five trim options – SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, and top-spec 1794. Toyota stuck to a ranch theme with western-style features. The Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition had its seats and steering wrapped in saddle-brown colored leather. The leather also got appropriate contrast stitching. Other highlights on the inside included the use of wood trim on the dashboard, steering wheel, and door panels. There were also emblems on the inside denoting that it was the 1794 Edition.
The Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition might have had old-school touches on the inside, but they were purely cosmetic. Underneath, it was quite technologically advanced as it featured heated seats, a sunroof, and a premium audio system with JBL speakers. That’s not all, it also featured navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and auto-dimming mirrors. Safety features came in the form of automatic headlights, a glass breakage sensor, a blind spot monitor, and more.
On the outside, the Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition had the same bodywork as the other version, but with additional styling highlights. For example, the lower bumper on it was silver while both ends of it along with the grille had chrome touches. This truck could also be optioned with 20-inch chrome-finished alloy wheels.
The second-generation Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition also came equipped with the company’s beefiest engine as standard. This engine was a 5.7 V8 unit producing 381 hp and 401lb-ft. Paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission, this has proven to be quite a capable powertrain. While naturally-aspirated V8 engines are considered somewhat taboo by today’s eco-friendly standards, this engine featured all kinds of modern goodies.
How Different Is the Third-Gen Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition?
This particular Tundra trim isn’t really the best, it’s different. There are two trim levels above it — the TRD Pro and Capstone. That being said, the 1794 Edition stands out in its own way. Compared to a TRD Pro, it’s more special, despite falling short in performance and other areas.
Like the second-generation Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition, the third-gen features western-style features. With this version, there’s an option of choosing between saddle brown or rich cream leather on the inside. Like the second-gen version, it features leather and wood elements on the dashboard, steering, and door panels.
Other similarities come in the form of a chrome grille and exterior design touches. The truck comes equipped with machined 20-inch alloy wheels as standard. As it’s based on the third-gen Tundra, one has to realize that it’s a completely different vehicle. It was always a fairly recent introduction which means it has loads of technology on the inside. However, these are the same features you would also find on the Premium trim level of the third-gen Tundra.
While the second-gen only got the V8 engine options, there’s a choice of two V6 engines with the third-gen Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition. Both V6 engines are 3.5-liter twin-turbo powertrains, but one comes mated to a hybrid system. The engine without the hybrid system produces 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the unit with the tech makes an impressive 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of the engine option, both come paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
What’s the Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition’s Towing Capacity?
The naturally-aspirated V8 engine in the second-generation Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition allows it to have a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. The third-gen with its twin-turbo, hybrid V6, meanwhile, can tow up to 12,000 pounds. Both generations of this truck have a dedicated tow mode. While both generations aren’t the best in the segment in terms of towing capacity, it will be adequate for the majority of customers.
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