Of significant importance, the interior is exceptionally clean with easy-to-read displays and clearly labeled dials. Reminiscent of the Ford F-150, a large center console (with an armrest/storage bin large enough to be a filing cabinet) and robust shift lever dominate the driver's experience, as the center stack uses large pushbuttons and well-marked knobs to control the radio and HVAC. In addition, we especially like the extra-large sideview mirrors as well as the hinge dampers on the tailgate, which help cushion when it's dropped or slammed closed, typical with everyday use.
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Toyota has taken dead aim at what it's calling the "True Trucker," the real truck guy. And from the looks of it, it's taken all the right measurements and created a well-calculated combination of size, brawn, and style. However, Toyota better have a plan as to how it's going to imbue the soul of a work truck into this new vehicle. Toyota is probably in the best position of any of the import automakers to sell 200,000 full-size trucks a year, especially when a new Silverado is coming and fuel prices don't look to be going down anytime soon. Expect a diesel version to be an-nounced in a year or two, with one of its patented hybrid versions (maybe with a 4.7-liter V-8?) following close behind (we've even heard rumors of a diesel hybrid).
No word on pricing yet, but our guess is it'll price the new truck aggressively against a similarly equipped F-150 version. That's where Toyota's planning on stealing buyers. We'll see. As it stands, it's already pushed back the on-sale date once (it was supposed to be the end of this year, but now will not make it to dealerships until February 2007) and many things can happen--good and bad--to a new truck with a new engine when it's being built at a brand-new plant.
We'll see if the third time is the charm and report everything we can in an upcoming issue. Stay tuned.