2002 Toyota Tundra

Even before the all-new Toyota Tundra took home the Golden Calipers as Motor Trend's 2000 Truck of the Year, we knew we had to have one for our One-Year-Test fleet. The Tundra was, and remains, an exceptionally significant product for Toyota, as it became the first Japanese automaker to take on Detroit in the full-size pickup class. Quality construction and materials, a carlike interior, and the first V-8 offered in a non-domestic branded pickup showed that Toyota was serious.

We took delivery of our Sunfire Red Pearl Tundra 4x4 shortly after its TOY victory. Built in an all-new assembly facility in Princeton, Indiana, our One-Year Tester carried a base price of $25,585. A handful of the most commonly ordered options, including a convenience package ($1060) with power windows/locks, mirror lighting, and sliding rear glass, the TRD off-road package ($925) with 16x7.0-in. alloy wheels and foglamps, a tow-hitch receiver ($379), destination charges and other goodies brought the final price to $29,493.

It didn't take long for the miles to accumulate. The 4.7L/245-hp DOHC iForce V-8 and four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission drew strong praise right off the bat. "Amazing engine for any vehicle," noted Truck Trend Editor Mark Williams. With 315 lb-ft of torque, even tow-master Scott Mead commented that "there isn't the immediate low-end grunt I like, as with the pushrod GM products, but the Tundra's wide torque band enabled the truck to pull longer in each gear without running out of breath." With a Class III hitch and a four-pin electrical harness, small/medium-size trailer hauling is easy duty.

The transmission garnered praise for its quick but smooth shifts, and more than one staffer commented on the intuitive feel of the cruise control. The "carlike" adjective was frequently used to describe the entire truck-and that's both pro and con. One editor called the Tundra "the best truck out there-if you use it like a car. Driving a 4x4 pickup as a car is like using a chain saw to cut your grass. It's not the most efficient or safest thing, but you sure look manly doing it." On the flip side, another said, "How could a pickup-and one this big-be so smooth, so seductive? The ride is luxo-comfy, the engine/tranny package creamy, the quietness impressive."

Not every mile was peaches and cream. Chuck Schifsky wrote: "Fuel door lock using a key is old school!" Another log entry noted that the "seats are cheap feeling, like a Tacoma's, perhaps slightly better. Would like more comfort and support." Yet Williams praised the interior saying that it was "open and comfy. Almost better than the Chevy. A truck for personal-use daily driving? Very easy to accept." In our "Truck of the Year" writeup, we indicated, "The Tundra's roomy interior delights with the level of design, comfort, and fit and finish you'd expect in a topline Camry." But be advised: The interior is not a full-size crew cab. The rear seat will hold medium-scale adults and kids only, and the seatback is quite upright.