Sometimes, it's nearly impossible to keep track of everything going on around the office. The good thing is, sooner or later, you get to see all of it in the magazine. The bad thing: When doing so many things in so little time, we end up stretching ourselves thin. This issue is a perfect example. Not only do we have a huge special section of "Readers' Rides," where we sift through tons of reader submissions to decide which pickups, big-rigs, SUVs, or whatever will make it into the pages of Truck Trend, we've also got exclusive pictures of a new custom one-off project truck built especially for SEMA by Toyota. For those who may not know, SEMA is a huge trade show for anyone interested in the automotive aftermarket. Unfortunately, it's not open to the public, but the show organizers do permit our cameras and video gear so we can bring you all the excitement, whether you get our magazine or visit us on the Web at www.trucktrend.com.
There's no question we'll have more on the SEMA show in our next issue, but when we heard Toyota was putting together a special project, we knew we couldn't wait for its formal debut. Although Toyota is adamantly denying this project is in any way, shape, or form an indication of future plans, there is something special going on here. In the past, smart companies have used SEMA as a gauge to measure the reaction of the automotive enthusiast to various concept trucks or custom projects--some built by deep-pocket manufacturers, some by relatively obscure creative types with small budgets. Read all about this unique beast (we're calling it "CrewMaximus"), what it is, where it came from, and what it might imply by turning to our story on page 22. This won't be the last time we see or hear about a Tundra dualie.
A look toward the future brings us to our longest story in this issue, Truck Trend's coverage of Motor Trend's 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year. As many of you know, Truck Trend was born from the pages of Motor Trend and shares a common heritage. However, where Motor Trend is excellent at understanding current and future trends, Truck Trend takes a more traditional approach, especially relating to vehicle capabilities. Case in point: this year's SUOTY. By many accounts, the crossover market is the only growing market segment in the industry right now, and it shouldn't surprise anyone that companies looking to cash in on it are trying to fill the segment with their own interpretations. As usual, some are good, some bad. They often succeed at combining sedanlike ride and handling, especially when compared with traditional ladder-frame SUVs, and we get why it's important to have a flexible interior that can hold seven. But at what point are the trade-offs too limiting (less towing capacity, absent V-8 option, less carrying capacity, light-duty 4x4 systems, and FiFi designs)? It seems manufacturers are darting after the elusive crossover sweet spot because that's the fashion trend of the day. No matter how big the group of "swing buyers" (those that can be swayed), there'll always be buyers looking for the same qualities and capabilities as people were 10, 20, or 30 years ago.
If this year's Sport/Utility of the Year competition is any indication of things to come, then I'm getting nervous.
Let's go right down the list:
Buick Enclave: Impressive interior quality, but with all the sex appeal of an elephant seal with one of those wet, jiggly, oversize noses. Talk to me when you get a V-8.
Hyundai Veracruz: A company that's good at aiming at a segment and pricing a vehicle right, but open the hood, and the design of the engine cover may fool the owner into thinking he doesn't have a transverse-mounted V-6.
Jeep Liberty: Clearly a better crack at the segment. I'm a fan of the new look and a huge fan of the gigantic open-air Sky Slider roof, but the engine doesn't cut it.
Jeep Patriot: Staffer Allyson Harwood put it best when she said just because it looks and tries to sing like Elvis, doesn't make it Elvis. Why is Jeep making a Jeep impersonator?
Land Rover LR2: Although I'm not a huge fan of this segment, there's nothing in this vehicle (from the interior to the terrain capability) that doesn't remind me this is a Land Rover. They know exactly who they are.
Mazda CX-9: For better or worse, this is the future. I'm impressed with how well something this size and weight can handle. And it's powered correctly. Still, a max towing capacity of 3500 pounds?
Nissan Rogue: My biggest surprise of the test. A fun, entry-level vehicle with a stunningly quick paddle-shifting CVT. Reminded me of an Audi sedan transmission (in a good way).
Saturn Vue: I like that this new vehicle got smaller, but somehow they made it as weighty as a chunk of lead. Thankfully, the top level (of three) engine is the 3.6-liter V-6--just tolerable.
Subaru Tribeca: Should anything in this category have an engine-blip when downshifting? Looked too much like a Subaru before so they changed to something more generic. Brilliant.
Toyota Highlander: Better in every single way than the successful vehicle it replaces and still bores the crud out of me. If there's such a thing as a traditional crossover, this is it. And it can tow 5000 pounds.
Toyota Land Cruiser: One of only two in our test with a low range. How depressing--and telling. The engine is 21-percent bigger, with better EPA fuel economy than the engine it replaces. Crawl Mode has changed my life.
Well, at least we have our Truck of the Year in the next issue. So many trucks, so little time.