Home

Long-Term Road Tests

Daily updates on our fleet of cars and trucks

Long-Term Test: 2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab

2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab

We've added a Toyota Tundra to our long-term fleet.

At 228 inches long, 76 inches high and with a 146-inch wheelbase, it's quite large.

But it's still easy to drive. It also has 381 horsepower and a towing capacity of 10,300 pounds...

Get ready for a year of blog posts.

Read the Tundra Introduction on Inside Line.

Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor

Categories:

19 Comments

altimadude00 says:

12:41 PM, 10/12/07

I wonder how much one-up-manship consumers can handle. Can we rate the major trucks in terms of best to worst? is there a worst? Ford, Chevy, Nissan, Toyota and Dodge all have pretty good products...here's how i rate them (1/2 ton models only):
 
1) Tundra/ Silverado, 3) Titan/Ram, 5) F-150
 
The Toyota has newness and a sophisticated powertrain, but is hampered by ugliness and ungainliness. The Chevy looks good and priced right and can be ordered to your needs, but the base engines are kinda weak.
 
The Nissan looks ok and has a good powertrain and drivability, but lacks the customability that the other possess. The Dodge is the brute of the litter with the looks and the snort, but it's also expensive and thirsty.
 
The Ford looks too tall and cheap, and it's also the least powerful. However, you know it will last a lifetime.
 
Would you settle for a truck that's just right for you, but you knew that a truck was better? If price was no object, would you still get the sentimental truck, or the Starship Enterprise?

stovt001 says:

12:51 PM, 10/12/07

Good thing there's gonna be a new F150 soon. Altimadude is right, pretty much every 1/2 ton truck out there is a good choice, for different reasons. I guess that's one reason why trucks are so popular in the U.S. market. Or are they so good because they're popular. Hmm.

tackepj says:

01:21 PM, 10/12/07

Yep, if you're in the market for a full-size pickup, it' pretty hard to go wrong. I think the newcomers to the market (Nissan and Toyota) are slowly learning that a broad, diverse model lineup is key to success in this market. Both have added considerably to their lineup in the last year or two.
 
I'm learning to adjust to the Tundra's appearance, but it's a slow process. I still have trouble getting over its "double dashboard". It looks gimmicky--as if it were designed by two different committees and they couldn't pick one, so they jammed both together.

christiangm says:

03:07 PM, 10/12/07

i'm interested to see how this compares with the chevy in the fleet.

daytona_500 says:

03:25 PM, 10/12/07

Just wondering, how come you guys didnt order the backup camera on the Silverado as well?

boxermike says:

03:39 PM, 10/12/07

Daytona_500,
 
Because it was not an available option on the '07 Silverado. It may, and should, be there on the '08.

jriz says:

04:00 PM, 10/12/07

"Would you settle for a truck that's just right for you, but you knew that a truck was better? If price was no object, would you still get the sentimental truck, or the Starship Enterprise?"
 
Personally, it would depend on the Starship Enterprise. After all, seven ships have bared the name Enterprise. Obviously, I'd take the 1701-D or the 1701-E, however, without the recreational benefits of holodecks, I may be pursuaded to take a Toyota Tundra in lieu of the older ships. I mean, Constitution-class? Please, they top out at Warp 7!

altimadude00 says:

04:16 PM, 10/12/07

Driving around tonight, I happened upon a new Tundra, and I was struck by two things...1) It casts a big shadow...it shaded me from the setting sun quite nicely....2) The top leading edge of the grill is even with the roof of my car (2000 Altima).
 
I know my car isn't the biggest on the road, or the tallest. I do know that there are a lot of smaller cars on the road than mine. Images of this Fifth Gear episode came to mind...
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXeKSDpFjlg
 
EDIT: The tundra I saw tonight was the 2wd model, the front wasn't jacked up off of the wheels.

carfreak8394 says:

07:17 PM, 10/12/07

As is christiangm, I am intersted to see how this truck compares to the Silverado over the next year.

golfgti4789 says:

09:14 PM, 10/12/07

As a tundra owner, its going to be great getting other's opinions. Although ive never seen a tundra so oddly equipped. This one is a bench, with the navi + backup camera, and no tint! going to be a interesting year seeing how the tundra stacks up with the silverado.

hondacura4 says:

12:39 PM, 10/13/07

"The Ford looks too tall and cheap, and it's also the least powerful. However, you know it will last a lifetime."
 
Im not sure sure about the F150 lasting a lifetime. Do some research these trucks arent that reliable.

opfreak says:

07:18 AM, 10/14/07

I do have a question would you actually get all this options if your site would foot the bill?

roar02ram says:

08:54 AM, 10/14/07

Does anyone else think that this thing's got an odd combination of options? Navigation with cloth and a bench seat? Tell me that's not weird.

altimadude00 says:

10:07 AM, 10/14/07

Why is everyone wondering why they bought a bench seat with a nav system? Here's the answer: You want to snuggle with your honey while you don't get lost to your restaurant. It's difficult when you have to reach over a center console.
 
So...the tundra has just made itself out to be the dating vehicle.

billt9 says:

07:21 PM, 10/14/07

Ya bench seats are great for couples, or three-somes.
 
Stupid center console.

ahightower says:

07:47 PM, 10/14/07

I love bench seats. My right knee bumps into almost every center console I've seen, and I drive a lot of rental cars. Just too bad you can never get them with leather.

billt9 says:

11:24 PM, 10/14/07

The bench seat isn't even available in a 2008 SR5!
 
This must have only been available for 2007.
In 2008, only base models may have bench seats.
http://www.toyota.com/tundra/models_dcab.html

ltdan2 says:

03:24 AM, 10/15/07

i have a 07 d-cab,longbed,4w-d,5.7 good truck. have installed gooseneck hitch.the rear springs are to light for heavy towing & farm work toyota still needs to get into the 3/4 &1 ton class to make a serious run @ the big 3.

mrnoodley says:

10:26 AM, 10/15/07

To billt9; You can get a leather bench in the Silverado/Sierra. IIRC, it's a $400 option on the 1LT/SLE1 trim level.

Add a comment

Advertisement

Latest Poll

Has reading the Long-Term Road Test Blog helped in your car purchasing decisions?

Recent Posts

Advertisement

Tip the Editors

Got a breaking news tip for the Inside Line editors?

Send it to tips@edmunds.com

Awards

min's Best of the Web award

Past Vehicles

Browse Archives