Compared to the efficient and impressive new Tundra 4.6, the Tundra 5.7 feels like an entirely different beast of burden. Its raw

Sweet looking truck, the Tundra takes its place alongside Detroit's half tons. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

power at takeoff, superb passing performance, respectively relaxed hauling capability and overall big truck goodness is a joy to be revered, unless you happen to build or sell trucks for Ford, GM or Dodge.

Ok, Toyota’s Tundra sales are hardly significant compared to F-Series deliveries, combined Silverado/Sierra sales or even Rams moving off of dealer lots, but ask any one of these three automakers if they’d be interested in getting their hands back on this small slice of big truck action given up to Toyota and they’d no doubt be willing to perform some potentially embarrassing tricks to do so. No, there’s no pride in the truck business now, with numbers significantly down for 2009. As of November 2009, F-Series sales were sitting at -22.9% (yes, that’s a minus sign) for total year-to-date (YTD) sales of 365,416 units, whereas Chevy had got signatures

A nice taillight design and curvaceous flanks, for a pickup truck that is. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

on 283,243 Silverados for a slide of (sit down bowtie fans) -34.4%... Ouch! Dodge’s Ram came in third with a respectable -28.0% sales volume and 165,254 units out the door, whereas the fourth place Toyota Tacoma remained number one amongst compact/midsize pickups with 102,327, -24.2% off of last year’s pace. Where does the Tundra come up? Not yet, because GMC’s Sierra takes fifth spot with sales of 99,698 units and a whopping -35.9% pullback from new truck buyers (and yes, that once again shows that GM’s combined Silverado/Sierra sales outpace F-Series deliveries by a significant margin), but that’s nothing compared to the Tundra’s freefall, off 44.5% as of November 2009, with 70,515 units sold, only looking good when compared to Nissan’s Titan that could only

The Tundra's interior is sportier than its Big 3 rivals, and while well made it lags behind the domestics due to harder, cheaper feeling plastics and some wiggly switchgear. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

muster up a comparatively pathetic 16,894 sales and kamikaze-style market share dive bomb of 47.1%! Whew!

Nobody said taking on the Big 3 in the truck segment would be easy, but then again nobody could have ever reliably predicted our economy would nearly sink the segment altogether. Fortunately due to nothing less than tenacity from Nissan and its leader Carlos Ghosn, it appears that the Titan will soldier on, as will the Tundra, of course, and considering that neither import builds a heavy-duty (3/4- or 1-ton) version to fight it out with the various 250/2500 and 350/3500 models in the light commercial segment, at least the latter company’s sales are respectable.

They

Top-tier features are available. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

should be better, however, because the Tundra is one mighty find truck. As reported previously, the upgraded 2010 model sports a new small-displacement V8 option at 4.6 litres instead of last year’s 4.7. The new 310hp V8, while 12% more powerful than the old one, achieves an 11% savings in fuel with an estimated 14.0L/100km in the city and 9.9L/100km on the highway in 4x2 trim, or when fitted to the four-wheel drive system can manage a respectable 14.9L/100km in the city and 10.5L/100km on the highway. All models get Toyota’s upgraded 6-speed transmission, by the way, eking out best-in-class mileage while improving performance.

The truck

Like all Toyotas, the seats are wonderfully comfortable. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

that’s got me all revved up today is the Tundra 5.7, and truly it’s a serious player with a meaty 381hp available at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque on tap at 3,600 rpm, which makes the massive hauler shoot forward with the enthusiasm of a featherweight sport sedan. Truly, this thing is actually fun to drive, and it handles corners surprisingly well for a full-size pickup truck too with a decent ride to boot. But let’s face it. Folks don’t buy into this class of vehicle for sporting on-road dynamics, but rather off-road capability and their hauling and towing characteristics. This in mind, Toyota’s big daddy loaded up with the 5.7 can carry a lot of weight, equaling 860 kilos (1,900 lbs) in Regular Cab Long 4x2 guise, 655 kg (1,395 lbs) as a Double Cab 4x2, 690 kg (1,530 lbs) as a Regular Cab 4x4, and 690 kg (1,530 lbs) as a Double

Rear seating is commodious, while flexible seats offer rear storage benefits. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Cab 4x4, 830 kg (1,835 lbs) in Regular Cab 4x4 SR5 trim, 600 kg (1,325 lbs) with the SR5 trim in the CrewMax cab, 590 kg (1,310 lbs) with the same crew cab in Limited guise, and lastly, 590 kg (1,310 lbs) in the new CrewMax Platinum edition.

And now that you know the cab configurations, the Regular Cab is self explanatory (there’s a short and long box version too), the Double Cab offers short rear doors (that are now front-hinged and therefore can be opened without the need to open the front doors too) and abbreviated rear quarters, and the CrewMax is the most accommodating of the three. Follow this pattern for tow ratings and you’ll find a Regular Cab 4x2 with the 5.7 can tow up to 4,895 kilos (10,800 lbs), while a Double Cab 4x2 can manage 4,715 kg

Load 'er up! The Tundra can haul a lot! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

(10,400 lbs), and a CrewMax 4x2 can muster 4,715 kg (10,400 lbs). A Regular cab 4x4 is rated at 4,580 kg (10,100 lbs), a Double Cab 4x4 can also pull 4,580 kg (10,100 lbs), or a little more at 4,625 kg (10,200 lbs) with the short box, while lastly the top-line CrewMax 4x4 with the 5.7 can pull up to 4,580 kg (10,100 lbs).

Four-wheel drive models come with a traditional part-time 4x4 system that allows 4x2 mode when not needed, saving fuel. My experience with Toyota 4x4s has been nothing but superb, and so far with the Tundra I’ve enjoyed excellent performance and total reliability when off the beaten path, plus the standard traction and

Features galore. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

stability control really comes in handy when tracking quickly on gravel roads or mucking through mud or other gooey or slippery surfaces.

As far as the interior goes, the Tundra is sporty where its rivals from Detroit come across more on the classy side. A new 4x4 CrewMax Platinum 5.7L model is pretty high-grade stuff with heated and ventilated perforated leather seats, auto up/down windows, plus a colour-keyed and chromed front bumper. This gets added to the Limited package that includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a 400-watt 6-CD/MP3 JBL audio system with XM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity and wheel-mounted audio controls, plus ten-way driver and four-way passenger power adjustment,

Overhead bins for what-have-you, or an optional rear entertainment system. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

a power sliding rear window, Optitron gauges, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated compass and backup camera, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, front and rear clearance sonar, an anti-theft system, power-folding auto-dimming chrome exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamps, driver's side memory, automatic headlamps, a Limited-specified grille, and big, beautiful 20-inch alloy rims.

Below this is the SR5 model, with a slightly sportier look and feel. It gets 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded premium cloth upholstery, power door locks with keyless entry, power windows,

Rear cupholders are built into the back of the centre console between the front seats. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

a sliding rear window, an outside temperature gauge, and full carpeting below carpeted floor mats.

Features on the standard trim models include 18-inch steel wheels, dual-zone manual climate control, full fabric seats, 40/20/40 split front bench, front passenger fold-down seatback, tilt steering wheel, CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input, vinyl floor with all-season mats, cruise control, digital clock, overhead sunglass storage, seat and side roll-sensing airbags, driver's knee airbag, front tow hook, tire pressure monitoring system, heated mirrors, front and rear splash guards,

This badge makes all the difference! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Class IV trailer hitch, two-speed wipers, bed rail caps, cargo bed tie-downs, and removable locking tailgate. The Double Cab with long bed includes bucket seats.

For 2010 Toyota has fitted more models with its adjustable headlamp leveling system too, as well as fog lamps, towing mirrors, map lights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, integrated garage door opener, and fold-down seatback table, to make life with the truck more enjoyable. On the safety front, a driver's knee airbag is added as standard equipment, joining standard dual front, front-side thorax airbags, and standard side-curtain airbags on both rows.

At

The 2010 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab 5.7 is now seriously in the Big Leagues. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the end of the day, the Tundra is a terrific light-duty pickup truck that’s especially enjoyable with the top-line 5.7L V8. Despite the challenges the Toyota has experienced in trying to take market share away from domestic models such as the best-selling Ford F-150, better selling Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra twins (if you count both clones as one), and superb new Dodge Ram, the Tundra appears here to stay for the long haul and enjoys impressive improvements each year. Without doubt the addition of a heavy-duty model would give the Tundra some street cred within the working community and improve sales numbers, but that won’t happen anytime soon. Within the half-ton class, however, it can haul and tow as well as any of its rivals, and just might be the most intimidating to look at. And with pricing that starts at $28,660 and only breaks the $51k mark when totally optioned out, the 2010 Tundra 5.7 offers excellent value as well.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(J004) Standard Black Paint

(B) SR5 Package