I got my Consumer Reports annual auto issue today. It has the updated ratings for all vehicles, and "The Best" in each class of cars and trucks...Best Full size pickup, Tundra,"The performance of the Tundra has been our benchmark for full sized pickups."As far as GM and Ford, GM, "Were it not for its disappointing reliability record, this competent pickup would be a... recommended model." Ford, "While no longer a stand out in it's class, the F-150 still offers some basic strengths....poor performance in an offset-crash test prevents us from recommending it." Repair record, based on the average of all vehicles from '99-'01, Tundra is 40% better than average, F-150 is about 18% better than average, GM and Chevy range 30-50% worse than the average. CR has not tested the new Dodge yet, and it's too new to get a reliability rating, but past Rams have been average to below average. But we all knew we had the best truck already!
Steve
__________________ 2007 Tundra DblCab Limited Salsa Red Pearl
SNUG TOP SL, BED RUG, VAIS TECH. IPOD CONTROLLER, DU-HA REAR UNDER SEAT STORAGE BOX, TRD EXHAUST, TRD ANTI SWAY BAR, BILLET GRILL, 2.5" FRONT LIFT, NAVI, XM, SONAR, 20" WHEELS, RUNNING BOARDS, PIAA DRIVING LIGHTS,DRL ENABLED 2005 Tundra Double Cab SR5 TRD 4x2,Phantom Gray Pearl, SOLD
Magnaflow, TRD wheels chromed,VSE sub, side badges removed, Line-X, Onki Nerf Board, 3rd Eye rear sonar System 2004 Highlander Limited 2 wd, Salsa Red 2000 Access Cab SR-5 4x2 -SOLD
Way cool. Thanks for posting that Sgull. Just goes to show you that consumer reports remains a good place to check things out before you buy something. Course, they didn't tell us TS supporters & members anything that we didn't already know, did they?
The Tundra was ranked the best pickup in Consumer Report's 2002 Auto issue. The performance of the Tundra (about $29,000) has been our benchmark for full-sized pickups. It rides well, handles capably, and offers a smooth, powerful V8. The cabin is quiet and well built. But we already new that. The Chevy/GMC clones were second, followed by Ford. They hadn't yet tested the new Dodge. It also had the best safety rating of all pickups. The IIHS offset frontal test (the one where the Tundra performed best, and was hyped in their ads) was considered a more meaningful test than the NHTSA test, which the Tundra did not score as well in. On the reliability front, the 4wd GM trucks and the old Dodge were considered "reliability risks". The predicted reliability of the 2wd and 4wd drive GM trucks were "poor" and "poorer". The F150'S predicted reliability was a little better than average, while the Tundra's was much better than average. Surprise. Not.
Yep, nothing we didn't know already. What a good testimonial for the credibility of consumer reports, eh? You'll notice that most of those 4wd magazines rarely mention anything BUT the big three, so go figure. I caught them once mentioning something about a Toyota 4x4 taco, and their comment simply stated was "bulletproof". I suspect they'll say the same thing about our Tundra when they do a comparison someday.
My personal experience backs up this mag. If you count Lexus as Toyota, I've owned well over a dozen. All have performed well, and proven to be exceptionally reliable. Put 125,000 miles on our first Camry, then gave it to my son, who took it back to Wyoming to college. He, in turn, loaned it to his girl friend, who arranged her classes on Tuesday through Thursday, then communted to Univ of Wyoming (Laramie) every weekend for the better part of a school year. Round trip was about 1,000 miles. Needless to say, they traded in the Camry after six months of marriage -- for a Celica. It was still running strong with over a quarter of a million miles, but my son was a bit squeemish, what with a wife, a new baby on the way, and Wyoming winters. They have three children now, carried around in a Toyota van and another Camry.
__________________ Larry Lawton
Retired in Wyoming
Last edited by Possum; 06-07-2004 at 12:57 PM.
Reason: an "OOPS!" in title
im not surprised by these finding's it's a toyota thus it will get pretty good results.....only grip i have with the tundra has been subpar brake's and thats been addressed by the 4runner's rear and stronger one up frount.....
That's right!! I too have owned quite a few Toyotas and never had any problems (73 Corolla-cost me $43.00 a month fro 3 years!, 77 Corona-remember those?, 78 PU-sold to my brother for $1K and brought back for $500 the next year, 85 PU-changed the oil every 10k miles, 90? Previa-broad-sided at Ft Bliss, Texas in 93 , 93 4Runner-boy, that was gas hog!, 98 4Runner, 99 Corolla-son, should of brought him a Tacoma, 2000 Tundra, and a 2001 Sequoia) Now THE WIFE wants a Lexus!
On page 61 of the September 2002 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, the following kind words describe Toyota Tundras:
"...In fact, among all full-size pickups we can recommend only the capable and refined Toyota Tundra. The Tundra is comfortable and quiet, has a strong, smooth-running powertrain, and its reliability is much better than average. It is available with an extended cab, but the rear seat is tight. It's not available in a crew-cab version. With a V8 and four-wheel-drive, the Tundra lists for about $28,000..."
Tundra Ranked
Larry Lawton
My wifes is still great! Got to drive it today!
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