CanadianDriver's New Car Buyer's Guide 2006:
Toyota Tundra
Toyota is building a new plant in Texas to accommodate the Tundra’s upcoming makeover, but for 2006, the company’s biggest pickup truck receives minor changes. All models receive an engine immobilizer, and all Double Cabs receive an anti-theft system as standard equipment. As well, there’s a new TRD Yamaha Special Edition, decked out with Toyota Racing Development (TRD) accessories including a TRD dual exhaust system, 17-inch alloy wheels, colour-keyed front grille, bumpers, mirrors and body side mouldings, fender flares, unique grille and badging, monotone exterior paint and metallic dash accents. It’s available only in Canada.
Click image to enlarge Images courtesy: Toyota
In two-wheel-drive configuration, the Tundra is available as a regular cab with a 4.0-litre V6 engine, or as a Double cab with 4.7-litre V8. In four-wheel-drive, it comes only with the V8, in regular, Access or Double cab. The Access cab has two rear-hinged doors, while the Double cab has two rear independently-opening doors. Regular cab models come with an eight-foot bed; all others are six-footers.
The 4x2 regular cab includes air conditioning, CD player with four speakers, front bench seat, sliding rear window, tilt wheel, vinyl floor, 16-inch steel wheels, and variable intermittent wipers.
In 4x2 configuration, the Double Cab adds the V8, CD player with six speakers, rear seat heater ducts, front captain’s seats with 60/40 split rear fold-and-tumble bench, power locks with keyless entry, power windows, tachometer, carpeting with floor mats, cruise control, power heated mirrors, fog lamps, alloy wheels, power sliding rear window and privacy glass.
Features are similar on the 4x4 Access Cab and Double Cab; both also come in a top-of-the-line Limited edition that adds power driver’s seat, six-CD changer with wheel-mounted audio controls, leather-wrapped steering wheel, passenger folding armrest, woodgrain trim, front centre console box, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and chrome bumpers.
All with all Toyota heavier-duty vehicles, the Tundra offers truck toughness with the refinements of a well-made passenger car. It’s smaller than most of the steroid-pumped domestic trucks, but that’s not a bad thing; not everyone needs the biggest hauler on the block. The Tundra’s smaller size and lack of monster torque means the Big Three aren’t looking over their shoulders when it comes to the bigger-is-better work crowd, but for everyday hauling, the Tundra fits the bill.
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