Power-up
For 2007, Toyota has introduced a larger, much more powerful i-Force V8. The DOHC beast displaces 5.7-litres and incorporates all the goodies - including 4-valves per-cylinder, VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) on both intake and exhaust cams and multi-port fuel injection - needed to produce a prodigious 381 horsepower @ 5,600-rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque @ 3,600-rpm. Those big numbers are sufficient to mobilize the big Crew Max with performance-car hustle.
Anecdotally based it may be but I'll argue that the Crew Max is the fastest full-size crew cab pickup in stock production. No doubt its 6-speed autobox contributes to the truck's wicked, off-the-line launch and its stupendous passing power. Although my testing didn't provide towing opportunities, with a tow rating of 4,581-kg (10,100-lbs) the new engine leaves little doubt about its capability to pull.
Ride and handling
With 401 pound-feet of torque available at only 3,600-rpm, the Crew Max never feels burdened by its curb weight of 2,544-kg (5,610-lbs). Hills are dispatched almost unknowingly with very little need for the transmission to gear down or search for a better-suited cog. The power on tap combined with quick-ratio power steering and strong, highly reactive brakes impart a sense of litheness to the big truck, which belies its true girth and mass, making it effortless to maneuver through city traffic.
Ride quality is outstanding for a 4-wheel-drive pickup. I was impressed with how compliant both front and rear suspension setups were, especially when considering that my testing was conducted with an unloaded cargo box. As one might expect, the Tundra Crew Max is no sports car when it comes to aggressive cornering; expect it to handle like a heavy pickup truck and your expectations will be met.
The agreeable ride was complemented by an overall absence of road and wind noise typical of such beasts of burden. Toyota has done a remarkable job of keeping the new Tundra quiet. When driven sensibly, the big V8 is nicely muted and wonderfully refined. Lay heavy into the throttle and its demure voice becomes one of staccato-like authority as revs quickly climb and cam-timing shifts in favour of performance.
For 2007, Toyota has introduced a larger, much more powerful i-Force V8. The DOHC beast displaces 5.7-litres and incorporates all the goodies - including 4-valves per-cylinder, VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) on both intake and exhaust cams and multi-port fuel injection - needed to produce a prodigious 381 horsepower @ 5,600-rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque @ 3,600-rpm. Those big numbers are sufficient to mobilize the big Crew Max with performance-car hustle.
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| The Crew Max receives a new 5.7-liter V8 for 2007. |
Anecdotally based it may be but I'll argue that the Crew Max is the fastest full-size crew cab pickup in stock production. No doubt its 6-speed autobox contributes to the truck's wicked, off-the-line launch and its stupendous passing power. Although my testing didn't provide towing opportunities, with a tow rating of 4,581-kg (10,100-lbs) the new engine leaves little doubt about its capability to pull.
Ride and handling
With 401 pound-feet of torque available at only 3,600-rpm, the Crew Max never feels burdened by its curb weight of 2,544-kg (5,610-lbs). Hills are dispatched almost unknowingly with very little need for the transmission to gear down or search for a better-suited cog. The power on tap combined with quick-ratio power steering and strong, highly reactive brakes impart a sense of litheness to the big truck, which belies its true girth and mass, making it effortless to maneuver through city traffic.
Ride quality is outstanding for a 4-wheel-drive pickup. I was impressed with how compliant both front and rear suspension setups were, especially when considering that my testing was conducted with an unloaded cargo box. As one might expect, the Tundra Crew Max is no sports car when it comes to aggressive cornering; expect it to handle like a heavy pickup truck and your expectations will be met.
The agreeable ride was complemented by an overall absence of road and wind noise typical of such beasts of burden. Toyota has done a remarkable job of keeping the new Tundra quiet. When driven sensibly, the big V8 is nicely muted and wonderfully refined. Lay heavy into the throttle and its demure voice becomes one of staccato-like authority as revs quickly climb and cam-timing shifts in favour of performance.
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| The Crew Max has a towing rating of 4,581 kg, which may be more than enough for most people. |