All that's left is Nissan's new Frontier and Toyota's Tacoma, both featuring more available power than almost any of their peers
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| The Raider is the only "import" compact-to-midsize pickup with V8-power. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
at 265-horsepower and 284 lb-ft of torque in the former and 245-horsepower and 282 lb-ft of torque in the latter, although with the Toyota the engine isn't standard, and its 2.7-litre four-cylinder labours with only 164-horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque. The Raider, on the other hand, includes that powerful 4.7-litre V8 I mentioned a minute or two ago. This makes it the only "import" compact-to-midsize pickup with V8-power, and other than the Dakota, the only pickup in its class with eight cylinders. While Dodge keeps the high-output version of this engine to itself, which produces 260-hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, the engine produces a healthy 230-horsepower and an impressive 290 lb-ft of torque in Raider trim, more than enough to give it a class-tying towing capability of 2,950 kilos (6,500 lbs) and impressive passing power even when accelerating from standstill.
The V8 also gives the Raider an entirely new feel, more so than any other pickup. When matched to the refined interior and top-tier XLS package, or sporty DuroCross cabin, the truck almost feels like something created by a premium brand. Its five-speed automatic transmission, standard with the V8, doesn't hurt either, shifting smoothly while providing immediate kick-down when passing is required. I like this package, and would at least want to buck up for it if in the market for a pickup truck.
And just who is in the market for a pickup, let alone this particular urban-style but still
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| It seems more and more that families are opting for four-door pickups,being that they offer the same seating capacity as five-occupant SUVs,yet deliver benefits fully enclosed vehicles can't. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
work-a-day machine. It seems more and more that families are opting for four-door pickups, being that they offer the same seating capacity as five-occupant SUVs and the same cargo capacity, and often more, if fitted with a canopy. By the way, just above the Raider's fully boxed steel frame with hydroformed rail tips, is a total cargo volume of 40 cubic-feet (1,133 litres) in standard trim with a payload capacity of 770 kilos (1,700 lbs). The added functionality of the open cargo bed, which stretches from 1,615 mm (5.3 feet) in Double Cab trim to 1,951 mm (6.4 feet) in its base Extended Cab layout, can be used for everything from taking a load to the dump to hauling a camper during family vacation, makes something like the Raider especially enticing. That box measures 1,514 mm (59.6 inches) wide, which is the same distance spanning the tailgate opening, while it's 447 mm (17.6 inches) deep.
