Acceleration

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
7	4	5	5	5

No opportunity to test with V6. Good power, response with 4.7 V8, but 5.7 feels stronger at all speeds, is the obvious choice for heavy-duty hauling, trailering. Double Cab with 5.7 pulled 10,000-lb test trailer with no inordinate strain. Still, either V8 can seem slightly slow to deliver muscle in highway passing situations, even unladen. Towing capacity is 10,800 lb.

Fuel Economy

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
2	3	2	2	2.5

With 5.7-liter V8 test Double Cab averaged 14.7 mpg, 4WD CrewMax 15.1 mpg with more highway driving. All engines use regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
4	5	4	4	4.4

Heavyweight construction, long wheelbases tamp down most impacts. However, on rippled, bumpy pavement, 20-inch tires cause annoying jounce not evident with 18-inch tires. With empty bed, as with other pickups, tail prone to skitter in fast turns on washboard surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
4	3	3	3	3.5

Disappoints with slow, numb steering feel, lazy reactions and some noseplow in quick changes of direction. These deficits minimized with 18-inch tires vs. 20s.

Quietness

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
6	6	6	6	4.9

Both V8s very smooth, vocal only in full-throttle acceleration. Laudably low wind rush. Some tire whine on coarse surfaces.

Controls

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
5	5	5	5	6.3

Instruments large, well marked, but some drivers may find portions obscured by steering-wheel rim. Tow package adds transmission-temperature gauge. Controls generously sized, logically arrayed, dual-zone climate system standard. Navigation system reasonably simple to program, nicely segregated from most other control functions. Interior-materials quality disappoints. Switchgear has cut-rate, thin-plastic feel. Too many cabin panels ring hollow, are hard to the touch.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
7	7	7	7	8.3

Generous shoulder room. Seats very comfortable, but set relatively high so head room tight beneath sunroof housing. Bench seat's center position cramped, but only one in any vehicle with a three-point shoulder belt. All Tundras have tilt/telescope steering column. Good outward visibility; available rearview camera allows driver alone to line up trailer hitch. Ride height little different 2WD vs. 4WD, and steep enough so entry/exit a chore.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
0	5	8	8	5

Toyota says CrewMax will be 60 percent of Tundra sales. Like Double Cab, its rear doors open very wide, but entry/exit still a tall climb. Both have supportive, comfortable seats. CrewMax's slides fore/aft 10 inches to tailor passenger or storage, has reclining seatback, too. Good head room, but leg room that is expansive in CrewMax shrinks to adequate in Double Cab.

Cargo Room

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
3	5	6	6	5.2

Cabin storage a highlight, with double-tier glovebox, large door map pockets with room for 22-ounce bottles. Bucket-seat center console holds laptop computer or hanging files. Rear seatbacks fold in one motion to create sturdy parcel platforms. Tailgate locks, has handy counterbalance assist for low-effort opening, closing.

Value within Class

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
4	5	6	6	6.4

Toyota says the launch of the redesigned 2007 Tundra is the most important in the company's 50 year U.S. history. It seeks to double the truck's annual sales to 200,000. That pales vs. the 300,000-750,000 recorded by the domestic brands, but nonetheless requires expanding Tundra's appeal beyond the personal-use buyer to those who need a real pickup for real work. The '07 Tundra has the size, power, and model range to interest that crowd, but not the knockout punch to compel large numbers of GM, Ford, or Dodge loyalists to switch brands.

Total Score

2WD regular cab, 5.7 V8	2WD Double Cab	2WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	4WD CrewMax, 5.7 V8	Class Average
42	48	52	52	51.5

Scores for all Large Pickup Trucks

Low Score		7
Average Score		51
High Score		64