Toyota Tundra named Motor Trend 2008 Truck of the Year
by John Neff on Dec 18th 2007 at 11:05AM 
click image for more pics from our own review of the 2007 Toyota Tundra
Motor Trend awarded its 2008 Truck of the Year award, the last of its three yearly awards, to the Toyota Tundra today. New for the 2007 model year, the Tundra beat out the Chevy Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD and Ford's line of F-250, -350 and -450 Super Duty trucks. What's interesting about MT's TOTY competition is that because these trucks have such a wide range of capabilities and purposes, they are not pitted against each other, bur rather against specific criteria determined by the magazine's editors. Each is scored in the areas of "superiority", "value", and "significance". They use this strategy in both the Car OTY and SUV OTY award competitions, as well.
While we think the Tundra is the most significant truck that hit the market this season, at least in terms of how it has increased competition in this segment to new levels, we're not so sure that it stacks up as well in the other two categories. For one, it's difficult to call the Tundra "superior" when it's been saddled with a number of quality issues, including most recently its first official recall of 15,600 trucks for a driveshaft issue. And how exactly is the Tundra a better value than its competitors in the class when all can be had with a bed full of rebates and incentives?
Our money was on the F-450 for this award, as the truly super truck from Ford is rather peerless in the market. But we're not the editors of Motor Trend, and it's their award to give to whomever they choose. We're sure they're ready for the onslaught of armchair automotive journalism that's coming their way. Toyota, no doubt, is thrilled with the honor. Expect to see new commercials for the Tundra with those golden calipers on the hood any day now as the automaker attempts a last ditch effort to reach its goal of selling 200,000 units in 2007.
[Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 17)
Fred O\\\'Neal 12:48AM (1/26/2008)
This isn't the first or last time an automaker will "adjust" the release of a vehicle to improve it's chances at the TOTY or COTY award.
While I truly don't think the Tundra is the best full sized truck, I'm not mad at Toyota for this effort. I do think they missed the mark here and I doubt this truck appeals the "traditional" truck buyer in the way Toyota had hoped. This a very good truck but one drive in a GMC Sierra will banish all notions that the Tundra is truly "better", different sure, but not better as Toyota likes to remind us so often.
What really puzzles me about Toyota and the Tundra design is the fact that they build the Tacoma, 4-Runner and Land Cruiser. These have always been among the segment leaders. It's not like Toyota doesn't know how to build great trucks as these models all prove otherwise. I'm still baffled at what Toyota was thinking when they rolled out the first Tundras and lined them up against the competition. I guess they just figured people would buy them cause they're Toyotas. That is fatal thinking for any manufacturer.
Congrats to Toyota anyway.
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James Cregger 9:26PM (1/25/2008)
Toyota= American made!I bought Chevy,o. k. ;Ford o. k.
; Dodge last .Just o. Just bought a new 08 Tundra.wow!
Would not ever own anything else.Imagine the concept!
A Japanese vehicle, made in the U.S. Wish I had thought of that.Got everything you need,381 Horses ,with class
too.Come on State Police with your high powered chevy
Camaro. See you soon, or is that later!!! Not enough stars to rate.Sits right,Drives right, Handles right,Price
right; And I am union too.I likee Amelican Jobs,Tanks!!
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Toyota Facts 7:12AM (1/31/2008)
I had to post I can't stand the total lack of facts to back up your fictional story of Toyota recalls.
please read this post before posting your hogwash!
http://blog.lexus.com/2008/01/irvs-sheet-se-1.html
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CARSISELL.COM 7:24AM (1/31/2008)
oh and keep in mind that the sales department and the editorial department is separate at Motor Trend. So the theory about the sales department determining the Truck or Car of the year is incorrect. Toyota has superior engine technology and superior manufacturing capability.
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tim 5:31PM (2/11/2008)
As a builder of the sierra and silverado HD pickups, I know first hand the quality of them. My belief is that if everyone contemplating a new pickup, should first research owners opinions of the last few years, drive one of each,( GM , Ford and tundra ) and then make an informed and intelligent decision. My guess is Toyota would be hurting on these trucks if all simply did this rather than take the magazines word for it. thanks for reading.
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Freestyle4x4f150 11:13AM (12/18/2007)
cough, cough, bull shyt
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geo.stewart 11:40AM (12/18/2007)
guess who bought a truckload of adspace this year????
WillDaThrill 11:52AM (12/18/2007)
Agreed. With all the problems it had in the '07 MY, they name it the truck of the year for '08? I would have voted for the Silverado or Sierra.
Robert 12:39PM (12/18/2007)
I don't believe this. This is worse than the wannabe Ridgeline winning two years ago. An I agree with the adspace issue.
MUSASHI66 12:47PM (12/18/2007)
Obviously, GM bought the ad space, because CTS won COTY.
But no, that can't be. CTS won because it is such a great car, and Tundra won only because of ad money.
Yeah, right.
Speddy 12:56PM (12/18/2007)
Truck [remove With The Most Flaws and Ugliest Interior] of the Year is the Toyota Tundra for 2008.
MotorTrend will graciously accept the anonymous donor check...after these messages.
geo.stewart 1:15PM (12/18/2007)
mush-
I think Caddy won it on ad space also, see their ads all over, but at least there is some redeeming value to the CTS. I dont think it will blow away bmw fans and I think the malibu will be the one to change its market the most.
fireblade 1:44PM (12/18/2007)
Amazing how bias your report is...
Mike 1:46PM (12/18/2007)
cough, cough, bull shyt. uh.. NO.
Go TOYOTA!!!
Alex 5:18PM (2/05/2008)
there's a place for people like you... http://www.gmscoop.com
go there.... and then just stay there
sheesh, fanboys
Russell 11:13AM (12/18/2007)
WTF
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Pete 11:17AM (12/18/2007)
I have a great amount of hatred for this truck.
Russell 11:22AM (12/18/2007)
I thought it was a joke at first, is it?
If not, MT is a joke then.
EJ25RUN 11:17AM (12/18/2007)
I call major B.S, this is wrong period, i sold these at a toyota dealer so im not some american truck fan... these really do suck!
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TOM 10:19AM (12/19/2007)
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND. DID THE TOYOTA DEALER FIRE YOU FOR LACK OF PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE?