The Motor Trend Evaluation Process
Motor Trend editors spent several weeks with the contending vehicles, exploring their performance, features, and functionality. Thorough testing was done on each vehicle with a specific focus on the following: engineering and technology, performance, ride and handling, styling and design, interior fit, finish and materials, utility, and value. Special attention was paid to the "pickup" aspects of loading and securing cargo, performance with a payload, and towing. Once the testing and evaluations were completed, Motor Trend editors chose the Toyota Tacoma to receive the coveted Golden Calipers.
Motor Trend evaluates the eligible vehicles based on three key categories: Significance, Superiority, and Value. Significance refers to the vehicle's impact on the market and innovation in engineering, technology, design, safety and packaging. Superiority balances the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of performance, style and functionality within its specific competitive set. Finally, the all-important Value question asks, "What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the consumer has to pay to purchase and own it?"
The complete report on the 2005 Motor Trend Truck of the Year testing and selection will be published in the February 2005 issue of Motor Trend (on newsstands January 4, 2005) Truck Trend magazine will also provide detailed coverage on the contest and winner in its March/April issue (on newsstands February 1, 2005). Multimedia coverage of the testing and selection process will be broadcast on Motor Trend Radio, hosted by Bob Long. Also, a video has been posted online. Click here to watch.
About Motor Trend
Motor Trend, a PRIMEDIA publication, was founded in 1949 and has a circulation of 1.1 million and a total readership of 7.1 million. Internationally recognized as the world's number one automotive authority, Motor Trend is one of the leading brands in automotive publishing. The Motor Trend brand is comprised of motortrend.com; Motor Trend Television; Motor Trend Radio; Truck Trend; Motor Trend International Auto Shows; Motor Trend en Espanol; and the renowned Motor Trend Car, Sport/Utility and Truck of the Year Awards program.