Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008: Crew Cab PICKUP, 2WD
By Editors of Truck Trend
Winner: Toyota Tundra CrewMax
Runner-Up: GMC Sierra
This is a now huge category (one that didn't really exist 10 years ago) with prices all over the map. But in terms of cubic volume, capability, power output, and sheer muscle, the Tundra CrewMax is an easy choice. Sporting payload and towing numbers more like a 3/4-ton truck, the Tundra's ride and handling are well sorted and ready for any work-duty challenges. We're not huge fans of the dash layout and design (it looks like it's been split in two), but the interior is the quietest in the category and offers plenty of storage solutions and creature comfort options. We like the 5.7-liter V8, , so we'd recommend spending the extra $3000 (which also gets you the six-speed trans) for the upgrade. The only other real choices here are Ford and GM (Dodge uses an HD frame with the Mega Cab), and the GMC Sierra Crew Cab looks good, inside and out--plus you can get the high-output all-aluminum engine with the Denali package.     | Crew Cab Pickup, 2WD | | Vehicle | Chevy/GMC Colorado/Canyon | Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra | Chevy Avalanche | | Base price | $21,700/$21,565 | $27,625/$27,625 | $33,710 | | Wheelbase, in | 126 | 143.5 | 130 | | Engine | 2.9L DOHC I-4 | 4.8L OHV V-8 | 5.3L OHV V-8 | | Opt engines | 3.7L V-6 $1000 | 5.3L V-8 $600, | 6.0L V-8 $1095 | | Opt engines | | 6.0L V-8 $1695 | | | Horsepower, SAE | 185 (242) | 295 (310, 367) | 320 (366) | | Torque, SAE | 190 (242) | 305 (335, 375) | 340 (380) | | Airbags | Dual | Dual | Dual | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 235/75R15 | 265/75R17 | 265/70R17 | | Fuel cap, gal | 19 | 26 | 31 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 18/24 (15/20) | 14/19 (15/20, 13/18) | 14/20 (12/17) | | Max pass | 6 | 6 | 5 | | Base curb weight, lb | 3722 | 5142 | 5556 | | GVWR, lb | 5200 | 7200 | 7000 | | Max payload, lb | 1300 | 2000 | 1400 | | Max towing cap, lb | 5500 | 10,200 | 8000 | | Vehicle | Dodge Dakota Crew Cab | Dodge Ram 1500 Mega Cab | Ford Explorer Sport Trac | | Base price | $22,780 | $33,635 | $25,435 | | Wheelbase, in | 131.3 | 160.5 | 130.5 | | Engine | 3.7L SOHC V-6 | 5.7L OHV V-8 | 4.0L SOHC V-6 | | Opt engines | 4.7L V-8 $985 | | 4.6L V-8 $1250 | | Horsepower, SAE | 210 (302) | 345 | 210 (292) | | Torque, SAE | 235 (329) | 375 | 254 (300) | | Airbags | Dual | Dual | Dual | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 2WAL | Disc/disc, 2WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 245/70R16 | 265/70R17 | 235/70R16 | | Fuel cap, gal | 22 | 35 | 22.5 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 16/20 (14/19) | 13/17 | 14/20 (13/20) | | Max pass | 6 | 6 | 5 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4376 | 6150 | 4570 | | GVWR, lb | 6010 | 8600 | 5840 | | Max payload, lb | 1500 | 2200 | 1280 | | Max towing cap, lb | 7050 | 9800 | 6640 | | Vehicle | Ford F-150 SuperCrew | Honda Ridgeline AWD | Mitsubishi Raider Double Cab | | Base price | $27,820 | $28,635 | $24,650 | | Wheelbase, in | 139 | 122 | 131.2 | | Engine | 4.6L SOHC V-8 | 3.5L DOHC V-6 | 3.7L SOHC V-6 | | Opt engines | 5.4L V-8 $895 | | 4.7L V-8 $4800 | | Horsepower, SAE | 248 (300) | 247 | 210 (235) | | Torque, SAE | 294 (365) | 245 | 235 (295) | | Airbags | Dual, head, side | Dual | Dual | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | Tires | 255/70R17 | 245/65R17 | 245/70R16 | | Fuel cap, gal | 30 | 22 | 22 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14/19 (13/18) | 15/20 | 16/22 (15/20) | | Max pass | 6 | 5 | 5 | | Base curb weight, lb | 5095 | 4491 | 4433 | | GVWR, lb | 6800 | 6000 | 6010 | | Max payload, lb | 1800 | 1500 | 1500 | | Max towing cap, lb | 9500 | 5000 | 5000 | | Vehicle | Nissan Frontier SWB/LWB | Nissan Titan SWB/LWB | Toyota TacomaSWB/LWB | | Base price | $21,645/$22,444 | $28,065/$28,475 | $23,225/$23,725 | | Wheelbase, in | 125.9/139.9 | 139.8/159.4 | 127.8/140.9 | | Engine | 4.0L DOHC V-6 | 5.6L DOHC V-8 | 4.0L DOHC V-6 | | Horsepower, SAE | 261 | 317 | 236 | | Torque, SAE | 281 | 385 | 266 | | Airbags | Dual | Dual | Dual | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/disc, 4WAL | Disc/drum, 4WAL | | Tires | 265/70R15 | 245/75R17 | 225/75R15 | | Fuel cap, gal | 21.1 | 28 | 21 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 16/20 | 13/17 | 17/21 | | Max pass | 5 | 6 | 5 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4261 | 5073 | 3855 | | GVWR, lb | 5400 | 6500 | 5450 | | Max payload, lb | 1200 | 1500 | 1400 | | Max towing cap, lb | 6300 | 9400 | 6500 | | Vehicle | Toyota TundraCrewMax | | | | Base price | $28,370 | | | | Wheelbase, in | 145.7 | | | | Engine | 4.7L DOHC V-8 | | | | Opt engines | 5.7L V-8 $1200 | | | | Horsepower, SAE | 276 (381) | | | | Torque, SAE | 313 (401) | | | | Airbags | Dual | | | | Brakes, f/r | Disc/disc, 4WAL | | | | Tires | 255/70R18 | | | | Fuel cap, gal | 26.4 | | | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14/17 (14/18) | | | | Max pass | 5 | | | | Base curb weight, lb | 5255 | | | | GVWR, lb | 7000 | | | | Max payload, lb | 1800 | | | | Max towing cap, lb | 10,400 | | |
(Related Articles) Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008
It's that time of year again. We've collected the vital information on every pickup, sport/utility vehicle, crossover, and minivan and put all the data into charts for you to sift through. Every Full-Size, Compact, Pickup, SUV, Minivan, and More! |
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