Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
When the 2007 Toyota Tundra debuted, most of the talk centered on the new 5.7-liter V8. And for good reason. It was one of the most powerful engines ever offered in a half-ton truck, and its six-speed automatic transmission gave it the flexibility to perform brilliantly in almost any situation.
What wasn't talked about very much was the Tundra's smaller V8. A carryover from previous years, the base V8 wasn't nearly as impressive. Whereas the bigger 5.7 had few peers, the 4.7 merely kept pace with the mid-line engines in most of the Tundra's competitors. It also used a five-speed transmission like many of its competitors.
For 2010, the Tundra received a mild refresh. You probably can't tell it from the outside, but the big news is under the hood anyway where a new 4.6-liter V8 replaces the previous 4.7-liter. Although smaller, the new 4.6 produces a more substantial 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque. It also gets a little extra help from a six-speed automatic transmission which Toyota says helps it deliver best-in-class mileage for a full-size V8-powered truck.
Well, we didn't do a fuel mileage loop at the track, but we did put the new Tundra 4.6 through our normal battery of instrumented tests to see how it moves the big truck. Click through to see the results -- you can be sure the folks at Chevrolet and Ford will be doing the same.
Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4.6L V8
Odometer: 2,513
Date: 6/22/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: N/A
Specifications:
Drive Type: Four-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed automatic
Engine Type: V8
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 4,608cc (281 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 5,900
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 310 @ 5,600
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 327 @ 3,400
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Speed proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Double wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): Solid live axle
Tire Size (front): 275/65R18 T
Tire Size (rear): 275/65R18 T
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Dueler H/T
Tire Type: Mud and snow
Wheel Size: 18x8
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 5,469
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.9
0 - 45 (sec): 5.2
0 - 60 (sec): 7.9
0 - 75 (sec): 12.4
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 15.9 @ 87.1
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 7.5
30 - 0 (ft): 33
60 - 0 (ft): 134
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 56.3
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.69
Handling Rating: Average
Db @ Idle: 43.6
Db @ Full Throttle: 73.2
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 68
Acceleration Comments: Nothing major to report here. Launch technique makes little difference in E.T. or trap speed. Not really enough power to break the tires loose anyway. Still, this engine feels plenty adequate.
Braking Comments: Like other Tundras, pedal feel is excellent and stops are consistent.
Handling Comments: Skid pad: Up against stability control limits, so there's not much a driver can do here. Slalom: Key to getting through the cones quickly is to keep inputs smooth and slow. Otherwise, stability control kills the run with heavy brake application.
billt9 says:
06:04 PM, 07/14/09
That's a nice engine to put in a Supra.
cwc1 says:
06:53 PM, 07/14/09
"As tested Curb Weight (lb): 5,469"
The weight of today's vehicles is just crazy. In the mid '90s, a GM pickup weighed about 4500 pounds. Today's average is around 900-1000 pounds more. Even with higher luxury features and improvements in refinement and crash resistance, it seems that manufacturers just decided it was cheaper to add more power and technology to deal with all that excess weight than to keep it reasonable. If this truck didn't weigh so much, that 4.6 would perform much better.
kkear3 says:
04:19 AM, 07/15/09
I'm with you on that one. The first generation Tundra in the same spec as this article "only" weighs about 4700 lbs. Granted, it is a smaller but trucks and cars seem to be getting much heavier all the time. The alternative is extensive use of aluminum or other lightweight materials, but then you end up having a vehicle that is much more expensive to buy and insure and even more expensive to repair by only specialized shops and techs. Back in the seventies during the first and second fuel crisis, they had a saying: "gas, grass or ass, no one rides for free"
Guess the same thing applies here.
hondacura4 says:
06:05 AM, 07/15/09
"The weight of today's vehicles is just crazy."
So is the weight of Americans. The consumers demanded larger vehicles. The manufacturers simply responded.
The last generation Tundra was constantly ridiculed for its "small" size. Toyota made it larger...and now many say its "too big". They cant win.
If I wanted a truck, Id like a 2005 Toyota Tundra DoubleCab Limited with the 5.7L V8/6AT combo from the current Tundra.
flwind says:
07:35 AM, 07/15/09
Sadly, this is now Toyotas closest thing to "performance" here in the US.
thundera says:
07:43 AM, 07/15/09
@flwind - Not really...Toyota pairs with TRD to make performance parts for most models. A mid-range V8 truck is hardly an example of "performance". If its performance you're looking for, a TRD Supercharged 5.7L Tundra will run low 13's in the quarter mile - faster than many sports cars. Or how about the Lexus IS-F - yes, its a Toyota.
There are reports of people getting up to 25 mpg highway with the 4.6L engine. It has an extensive EGR system to save fuel off or during partial throttle.
artsy3 says:
08:12 AM, 07/15/09
@thunera.... LOL 25 mpg. Unloaded downhill with a tailwind, in neutral maybe. At almost 5,500 lbs and with a V8 and low gearing even the 4.6 version this truck will be lucky to see 16 mpg overall in daily usage.
Tell the guys in Toyota product PR I said hi.
cjasis says:
08:32 AM, 07/15/09
I'm curious about two things:
1) how does the new drivetrain perform under load? Acceleration looks pretty good with a driver but what about a few passengers and some gear in the bed?
2) mpg. I know you guys don't include that in these tests but I reman curious to see how it does.
stephen987 says:
09:39 AM, 07/15/09
@flwind: Drive a V6 RAV4.
It is a pity that they've abandoned sports cars, though.
greenpony says:
11:28 AM, 07/15/09
@artsy3
Toyota's 4.6 is rated at 15/20, which is pretty comparable to the competitions' best (GM 15/21, Ford 15/21, Dodge 14/20). Without hypermiling or exceptional circumstances (ie, a strong tailwind, long downhill stretch, etc) a driver cruising at 65 mph in a lightly-laden vehicle should expect 20% BETTER than the EPA highway estimate. That's 24 mpg for this truck, so 25 doesn't seem so far-fetched.
billt9 says:
12:43 PM, 07/15/09
hmmm why are trucks so heavy...
this is what trucks up to the model year 2003 looked like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB0araA0T_k
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=7
hmmm so very very dead.
For the rest of us, there's light weight modern crossovers.
flwind says:
08:14 AM, 07/16/09
stephen987-RAV4, not my idea of performance. thundera-Yes, Lexus is technically a toyota but where are the every man performance models? Trucks (supercharger or not) are hardly considered "performance". I don't really care if it is a 13 sec straight line truck when it handles like a boat on the road. Where is Toyota's version of Civic SI, Evo, WRX, Z350, Genesis, etc? Toyota starting to look like GM in terms of desirability. Ugly cars and boatloads of SUVs/trucks. I am on my 3rd Toyota vehicle and it will be my last unless they come up with something I can say "I gotta have that". Even GM has some models I can say that about...
s197gt says:
07:24 PM, 07/16/09
billt9, that video is very telling. especially compared to a 2004 ford f150 crash test:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LkAzt_0qIg
gdmstrb says:
10:28 PM, 07/19/09
Here are the crash tests from the 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-CdNMcSCI
mathew8487 says:
03:56 AM, 09/24/09
Nice post. 2010 Toyota Tundra is a worlds best heavy duty vehicles. Toughest and reliable material produced on this planet. Tundra and the Hilux are very much similarities. Headlight are very upgraded and five manually adjustable settings. In terms of feature Smaller 4.6 liter V8 engine compared to the older 4.7 liter engine. Toyota Tundra have capacity is around 1424 pounds, maximum capacity of 8300 pounds. The interiors are very simple with comfortable furniture. Good amount of power with high mileage. For more details refer http://www.macktruck.org/2010-toyota-tundra-review.html
mathew8487 says:
01:31 AM, 12/14/09
Very informative post. The Toyota Tundra is a oldst pickup truck. Features are also something diffrent like seat knee bags, folding tow mirrors and power vertical rear window to the new edition. Tundra is available in three body configurations regular cab, Double cab and Crew max. Interiors are very spacious. They offer maximum towing capacity of 10,800 pounds. For more details refer http://www.macktruck.org/review-of-2010-toyota-tundra-pick-up-truck.html