Tundra may create new breed of man
In the classic Darren McGavin film, A Christmas story, the narrator, looking back at his childhood, says, “Some men are Baptists, others Catholics, my father was an Oldsmobile man.”
Younger viewers may have wondered what that meant, but older ones got it immediately.
Once upon a time that was the case with just about every father.
Your dad bought the same make of car, often from the same dealer, every time he traded in the family’s old wheels.
It’s not true any more, mainly because the traditional domestic brands have lost so much market share – and so many customers – to the imports. There’s very little brand loyalty, except in one area – trucks.
When it comes to pickups there still are “Chevy men,” “Ford men” and “Dodge men.”
And now, with this new-from-the-wheels-up second generation Toyota Tundra, I predict there’s going to be a whole new generation of “Toyota men.”
When the first Tundra was introduced back in 1999, I wrote that the biggest problem, versus the domestic opposition, was that instead of asking, “What kind of truck can we build for you?” Toyota was saying, “Here’s what kind of truck you can buy.”
Trucks are highly personal, and there just wasn’t enough choice in the Tundra lineup.
No more.
For 2008 you can buy Tundra models in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, in three cab sizes, with your choice of 4.7-litre and 5.7-litre V8s and either a standard or long box. That’s a total of 15 combinations, not counting trim levels. So now you can tailor your Tundra to your wants and needs, just like you can with the full-size pickups at your neighbourhood Ford, Chevy or Dodge dealer.
Our test truck was a 4x4 Double Cab with a standard bed and the optional 5.7-litre V8 that produces 381 hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential multi-mode shifter, the 5.7-litre engine features dual variable valve timing with intelligence on both the intake and exhaust cams.
It’s a smooth, powerful combination.
In testing by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), a 4x4 Tundra equipped with the 5.7-litre engine smoked the opposition, rocketing from 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and from 80 to 120 in 5.2. That was 1.5 seconds faster from 0-100 than the GMC Sierra, with a 6.0-litre V8, and 1.8 seconds quicker from 80 to 120 than Chevy Silverado powered by a 5.3-litre V8.
Where the Tundra itself got smoked in AJAC’s truck of the year competition was in fuel economy, delivering fewer kilometres per litre of gasoline than the Chev, GMC or Dodge Dakota.
Inside, the Double Cab is spacious, with a back seat you wouldn’t mind riding in yourself. (For even more cabin space there’s the Crewmax cab, which allows three rear-seat passengers to really stretch their legs.) Our 4x4 tester was not equipped with accessory running boards, making it difficult to climb in and out. To assist in entry/egress grab handles would be better mounted directly above the door openings than on the A-pillars.
Once in, it’s hard not to like Tundra’s roominess, comfort and conveniences – including a full set of seven gauges – although the central placement of the driver information centre makes it a little difficult to read and our test truck came with cloth upholstery, meaning no heated seats. Brrr!
Controls are straightforward with big, round knobs for heat and A/C that are easy to use even if you’re wearing mitts or work gloves.
Engaging 4-wheel drive is simplicity itself. To switch from 2WD mode to either 4High or 4Low, just turn a dial mounted on the dash to the right of the steering wheel.
Standard safety features on Tundra Double Cab include front airbags for driver and passenger, front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags with roll sensing.
Active traction control was standard equipment on our test truck, as were anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA) technologies.
Cargo space was limited by the standard bed’s 78.7-inch length, but if you want more room you can now opt for a long bed version. A nice touch is the light mounted on the back of the cab, above the rear windscreen, that shines on the bed so you can see what you’re loading/unloading at night.
All Tundra models come with lots of standard equipment including dual zone air conditioning with cabin air filter, tilt steering, accessory power outlets, engine immobilizer, class IV trailer hitch plus four- and seven-pin wiring harnesses, a tire pressure monitoring system, power windows, locks and foldable heated mirrors, stake pockets, bed rail caps and bed tie-downs.
You can personalize your own Tundra using the vehicle configurator on Toyota Canada’s Website (www.toyota.ca). But beware: there’s an options/package list as long as your arm. Be prepared to spend the evening at it.
When you’re done, you might be well on the way to becoming a “Toyota man.”
Fact file
2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4 Double Cab
Configuration: Front engine, 4WD pickup
Price as tested (before taxes): $40,475
Options: Offroad package ($4,300) includes console mounted shift lever, gate type shifter, telescopic steering wheel, front and rear Bilstein shock absorbers, 275/65R18 raised letter all-season radial tires, full size spare, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, lock package, in-dash 6-disc CD changer, bucket seats, 8-way power driver’s seat, privacy glass on sliding rear window, integrated garage door opener
Freight: $1,390
Engine/transmission: 5.7L V8/6-spd auto
Horsepower: 381 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 401 lb.-ft.@ 3,600 rpm
Fuel required: 100 litres, regular
EnerGuide fuel ratings (L/100 km): 16.9 city, 11.8 highway
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 15.5 combined (18.5 mpg)
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 km comprehensive; 5 years/100,000 km powertrain
MSRP range: $23,475-$53,395
Engines available: 4.7L V8 (276 hp/313 lb.-ft.); 5.7L V8 (381/401)
Transmissions available: 5-spd auto; 6-spd auto
Competition: GMC Sierra; Ford F150; Dodge Ram
Strengths: simple, straightforward controls; choice of models
Weaknesses: fuel economy; awkward placement of driver info centre
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