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During the week I came to think of it as the maximum Toyota — the biggest, heaviest, priciest and thirstiest of the company’s extensive range of vehicles.

Big, bold and in-your-face, the Tundra is the antithesis of the diminutive Yaris or the variety of Prius models the company sells globally.

At a starting price of more than $60,000, the test vehicle tops the Toyota price charts. At more than 2,575 kilos with nothing or nobody aboard, it outweighs two Corollas.

And let’s not forget fuel mileage. The same company that has perfected the fuel-sipping hybrid also sells a vehicle that consumes 16 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres it travels — on the highway. A fill-up costs more than $100.

While those numbers scream excess when discussing a Toyota, let’s not forget the Tundra is up against vehicles that cost as much, are as large or larger, and use the same amount of fuel — or more.

The full-size pickup is a staple of the North American market. Full-size pickups are the bestsellers in both Canada and the U.S. — by a large margin.

The Tundra is exclusive to North America. Built in Texas for Texas-size vehicle appetites, the Tundra is Toyota’s entry in the full-size pickup segment. Although a distant fourth in sales behind F150, Ram and Silverado/Sierra, the Tundra gives Toyota dealers and customers an option.

Toyota does not offer a heavy-duty version or diesel power, sticking to the mainstream with a series of Tundra models. There are short and long boxes, double and crew cabs, two V8 engines, and both two- and four-wheel-drive at several trim levels.

For the 2018 model year, the Tundra gets a new face and some trim changes inside and out. Toyota has also added its Safety Sense P features across the full Tundra range. This includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar-based cruise control, lane-departure alert and automatic high beams.

During the truck’s introduction at the San Antonio plant a few years ago, Toyota executives said the typical Tundra buyer is “. . . a different customer set, younger, more affluent and better educated, someone more likely to own the small business or fleet that buys the Detroit iron.”

You certainly feel affluent after climbing aboard to be greeted with acres of soft leather and wood grain. In this trim, the Tundra is a very luxurious vehicle. It is also extremely roomy.

On several occasions I was able to fit objects in the rear seat area, out of the elements, that would not have fit in the trunk of any car I can think of.

With the rear seats folded up there is unrestricted access to a very tall and wide area. With them down, the occupants have more head, leg and shoulder room than many a limousine.

In Platinum trim it has leather and a full suite of features associated with vehicles at this price point, ranging from a power-operated tilt and telescope steering column to heated and ventilated seats. There is a premium audio system, a big screen for the navigation system and the entire rear window powers down at the touch of a button.

Just like an F150 or Ram pickup, you can get a Tundra with a distinctive western theme. In this case it is the 1794 package.

The designation comes from the year the ranch was formed on which land the Tundra and Tacoma are now built.

The Tundra is a superb highway cruiser, absorbing road imperfections with aplomb and keeping both road and wind noise at bay.

In addition to gobbling fuel at a prodigious rate, the big V8 responds to throttle inputs immediately and both steering and brakes provide plenty of feedback.

Another bragging point for Toyota is that the company’s reputation for quality and reliability carries over to its trucks.

The Tundra’s retained/resale value tops the charts.

The specs

-Model: 2018 Toyota Tundra Crewmax Platinum 5.7L

-Engine: 5.7-litre V8, 381 horsepower, 401 lb.-ft. of torque, regular fuel

-Transmission: six-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive

-NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): 18.1/13.9

-Length: 5,815 mm

-Width: 2,030 mm

-Wheelbase: 3,700 mm

-Weight: 2,575 kg

-Price: $60,390 base, $62,802.50 as tested, including freight

-Standard equipment: trailer brake and sway control, engine, differential and transfer case guards, power tilt and telescope steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control, JBL audio system with voice-recognition, navigation,

-Options on test vehicle: 1794 package featuring woodgrain and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, unique 20-inch alloy wheels, leather seats with suede accents, chrome front bumper ends and grill surround, bright silver bumper centre