In our measured testing, the Sierra's 8.3-second 0-60-mph time was second only to the Toyota Tundra, and its 85.2-mph terminal speed in the quarter mile was the highest of any truck here. Its handling performance is competitive, too, with a 141-foot stop from 60 mph, 0.70 lateral g on the skidpad, and a 55.8-mph clocking through the slalom. At a reasonable $30,450, it's no wonder trucks like the Sierra 2500 SLT Extended Cab are the vehicles of choice wherever fifth-wheel trailers congregate.
Toyota Tundra 4x2 SR5 V8 Access CabAfter getting little respect from traditional full-size pick up buyers with the old T100 pickup, Toyota has launched the new American-built Tundra. With dimensions in the same ballpark as the traditional American iron, the Tundra demands to be taken seriously. Part of that seriousness is evident under the hood, where our Tundra packs an optional 4.7-liter/245-horsepower DOHC V-8. Related to the V-8 that powers the Lexus LS 400 luxury sedan, this is the most sophisticated powerplant ever to call a pickup truck home. But this isn't some high-society wimp engine; it's got 315 pound-feet of torque, and in concert with the Tundra's robust new chassis, delivers 1924 pounds of cargo capacity and a 7200-pound towing capacity.
To get a taste of the Tundra in its most civilized guise, we sampled the 4x2 SR5 V-8 Access Cab. Complete with a long options list, including ABS, power locks/mirrors/windows, upgraded wheels and tires, and other stuff, the Tundra comes it at $26,213. That surprisingly reasonable price is just one of the happy byproducts of the Tundra's made-in-the-USA status.
Though it's now on the same load-hauling playing field with the full-size U.S. nameplates like Ford F-150 and the rest of the light-heavyweights, the Tundra has a notably different driving feel. At the risk of alienating traditional truck owners who actually like a harsh ride and sluggish powertrain response, it's accurate to say that the Tundra feels much more carlike than its rivals. Its unloaded ride is remarkable, and its well-appointed interior is quiet, solid, and squeak free. The V-8 powertrain feels much friskier than conventional truck fare, too, with a rich, muted sound and a quick-to-rev character that makes it entertaining to drive. Our measured testing showed this was more than a just a seat of the pants sensation: the Tundra was the quickest to 60 mph, using just 8.2 seconds to turn the trick. Its handling numbers are solid, too, with a very short (for a truck) 130-foot stop from 60 mph, strong 0.71g grip on the skidpad, and an agile 57.1-mph run through the slalom. In all, if you're after the utility of a truck coupled with the civility of a sedan, the Tundra should be at the top of your list.
And The Winner Is
...whatever suits your needs best, actually. Not even Motor Trend can take the largest single market segment (full-size trucks) in the entire universe and distill it down to one easy answer that's right for everybody, everywhere. With the literally thousands of equipment possibilities offered among the makers, you can get a truck that's darn near custom-built for the sort of use you have in mind. The downside is that, to take advantage of all these possibilities requires an investment of time to map out your requirements. Gotta tow? Determine the weight of your trailer and cargo and start comparing. Need to go off road? Add 4WD to your list. Want truck utility, without trucklike feel? Don't buy more load rating than you're really going to need. When push comes to shove in the "which pickup is best" argument, our two personal favorites have been the Chevy/GMC and Ford half-tons. The surprise this year is that the new Toyota Tundra is quicker, better handling, and one helluva good value too!
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