Tundra gets more power for ‘05

When Tundra first arrived on the truck scene in 2000, some called it a 7/8-size truck. But somehow, Tundra Double Cab delivered to my driveway didn’t seem anything but huge to me. In fact, at just over 19 feet, Tundra is longer than Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram and Nissan Titan.

The Toyota Tundra is available in thirteen different varieties including regular, Access Cab (extended) and Double Cab (crew cab) bodies. Regular cabs come only in long bed form; conversely Access and Double Cabs are short bed only. Access Cab models have an extended cab with auxiliary rear doors that open “suicide” style. Double Cab models are a true four-door offering. Both two- and four-wheel-drive versions are offered with three trim levels available: base, SR5 and Limited.

First introduced for 2004, the Tundra Double Cab shares many of the same features of the Toyota Sequoia full-size sport-utility vehicle, adapting much of the same interior and exterior look and style. The larger Sequoia interior in the Double Cab affords increased front and rear passenger room, making it larger inside than the regular and Access Cab models.

For 2005, the Tundra got a significant increase in power from Lexus’s ultra-smooth 4.7-liter double overhead-cam V-8. It now has 282 horsepower, up 42 horses from last year’s V-8. There’s also new 5-speed automatic transmission that improves performance and extends fuel economy.

The new V-8 is smooth and quiet but not as quick as other trucks in this class. The ride is exceptionally quiet for a truck and there is good isolation from road and wind noise. I wish the Tundra had a smaller turning circle. Several back and forth shifts from drive to reverse and back to drive to are always required to negotiate a parking space.

My Double Cab test truck was the mid-level SR5 with a 4X4 drive train. The base price including shipping was $30,015. Options included limited slip differential ($275), a cold weather package (heavy duty battery, starter and heater, heated outside mirrors for $100), upgraded JBL audio system ($660), overhead console ($160), 17” alloy wheels and tires ($650), color-keyed overfenders ($180), remote keyless entry ($230), fog lamps ($110), privacy glass ($80), carpeted floor mats ($152), and bedliner ($299). Bottom line: $32,911. Leather seating is available on Limited models.

As with the Sequoia, the exterior styling of the Tundra is bland and certainly not as striking as the Nissan Titan, Ford F-150 or the new Honda Ridgeline. Up front is a wide-ribbed grille that oddly extends down into the bumper almost as an afterthought. Exterior lines are smooth, unlike the sharp edges of the Titan and F-150. It isn’t as though the look is offensive; the conservative style just won’t turn many heads.

Inside, the Double Cab features front bucket seats with a split seat in the rear that flips forward. The rear seat isn’t as large as that in other trucks in this class, but the Tundra’s rear seatback reclines at an angle, increasing passenger comfort.

One of the nicest features of the Double Cab is the vertical power-sliding rear window that makes access to the rear bed easy, especially if the cargo area is covered with a camper top. It’s the only truck with this feature.

Perhaps the Tundra’s weakest feature is the dash that lends little in the way of function over form. The overall look of the dash seems economy in appearance. The center stack is an odd oval that houses climate and audio controls. But the radio knobs are set too deep into the dash and tuning is an act of frustration. The Limited model utilizes some of the cheesiest looking faux wood trim I’ve seen on any vehicle.

Safety equipment includes dual-front airbags and four-wheel anti-lock brakes. Stability control is optional, head and side airbags are not available. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Tundra its highest rating, “Good,” in frontal crash tests. Tundra scored four stars for front driver’s side impact and five stars for front passenger side impact in tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There are trucks in this class with more towing capacity, more engine power, trendier styling and more options. But Tundra does almost everything the others do and with quality, durability, reliability and traditionally high resale value. And the new V-8, while thirsty, is as smooth as they come. Even my 4X4 had a carlike ride and, if not for the dismal gas mileage, would serve well as a daily commuter.

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