Take a look at Toyota's Tundra

srobertson

Double cab is biggest Toyota truck model yet

Americans are in love with their pickups, and it's a relationship that seems to have no end in sight. It's also apparent that "bigger is better," at least when it comes to pickups.

More trucks are sold in North America than in any other part of the world, and despite rising fuel prices, the three top selling vehicles are full-size trucks with V-8 engines. And it's not just guys who are buying them -- women love them too, and the more macho, the better. Any businessman knows that if he wants sales, he better give customers what they want, and so this year there are seven new pickup truck entries. While Ford was totally revamping their best-selling F-150 for 2004, and Chevy was working on a convertible retro-like truck and a new mid-size, Toyota was designing its biggest truck yet, and even stuffed a V-8 into it. It's called the Tundra, and you're invited to climb aboard for an eye-opening test drive.

I'm not kidding when I say "climb aboard." If you think Toyota only builds "little imports" the Tundra will change your mind. The 2004 double cab SR5 four-wheel drive V-8 Tundra I borrowed from Soskin Toyota last week was equipped with running boards, and I needed them to get into the front or rear seats. Sporting a gorgeous "Salsa Red Pearl" paint job, and sitting on big 17-inch alloy wheels, this handsome truck garnered stares and compliments everywhere it went. And it went to Marble Hill, Mo., for lunch, Fredericktown, Mo., for coffee and pie, and Shawneetown, Mo., for dinner. I'm telling you this for two reasons. First, there are some fabulous roads between those towns that gave us the opportunity to test the new Tundra on serious curves and over some mean hills. Second, after eating all that food, most folks want to ride home in a vehicle with a nice, plush, quiet ride -- not a pickup truck. Well, I'm happy to report that the Tundra doesn't ride like a pickup É it rides more like a big, comfortable sedan!

Hit a pothole or rough pavement and the only thing you'll feel will be a soft, rubbery bump. You won't hear rattle, and you won't feel the big truck dart off course. Whether plowing straight down the interstate or charging through a tight, back-road curve, the Tundra holds its course like a train on railroad tracks. Given that this is a four-wheel-drive truck, it's even more impressive. If you haven't driven a late-model pickup lately, you're in for a pleasant surprise.

The Tundra is "big" when compared to its earlier offerings, like the T100 of the early 90s, but it's actually smaller than American full-size trucks. It won't carry or tow as much (6,500 pounds maximum), nor does it have the usual mind-numbing array of features and options we often see on domestic lines. But many people don't need or can't afford such luxuries, and may find the Tundra a good compromise -- it's a few inches smaller than a domestic full-size, but larger than a compact truck, such as Ford's Ranger or Chevy's new Colorado. Toyota is also counting on attracting truck buyers expecting certain things from a Toyota: excellent build quality, reliability and well-designed interiors.

Available models

Tundra is available in regular, extended (Access Cab) and crew cab (Double Cab) versions. Regular cabs come only in long-bed form, while Access and Double Cabs come only as short-beds. There are three trim levels: base, SR5 and Limited. The SR5 I drove had standard body-color bumpers, a chrome grille and air conditioning. Instead of the standard V-6, it had a 4.7 litter V-8, producing 240 horsepower and 315 feet pounds of torque. I'd recommend this engine for such a large vehicle that will probably see heavy-duty use. Besides, the V-8 option includes cruise control, and the engine gets reasonable fuel mileage of 14 mpg city and 17 mpg on the highway.

The truck also had a $275 limited-slip rear differential, automatic four-speed transmission, and a push-button four-wheel-drive system that we actually needed to get up a steep gravel drive. Also handy for most buyers is a $430 towing package, and standard tie-downs in the double-walled truck bed. I spent some time in the 60/40 split folding rear seat, and thought it was comfortable, largely because of the generously reclined seat back, which some other trucks don't have. The leg room was adequate for most people, and Toyota provided convenient air conditioning vents in both door pillars. There's also a power roll-down rear window between the cab and the cargo bed. It provided great ventilation, and when used in combination with the driver's side window it eliminated that annoying "wind beating" you experience at cruising speed. Another nice feature -- the rear side windows roll all the way down, not just part way. My test vehicle also had a $1,000 moon roof for folks who just can't get enough fresh air.

Toyota has apparently done its homework on the Tundra. It can serve dual-purpose functions as a comfortable family hauler or weekend player. It carries a generous 5-year/60,000 drive-train warranty. You can put one in your driveway for $28,975 before options, or $33,033 equipped as my test vehicle was.

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian. Contact him at srobertson@semissourian.com.