I haven't seen a 4.7 in a single review of the Tundra. It is always a 5.7 V8 model, typically a TRD model, that is tested. Just curious if a lot of reviewers are giving it reviews primarily on the powertrain vs the total package. I think a 4.7 review would likely remove that possibility. If anyone has one please post it or post a link to it.

 

That is part of Toyotas strategy. They don't want anyone to initially test the main bread and butter engine they have because it is a D O G. They are trying to convince the public that they have a serious truck so they only want comparison tests to be with thier 5.7 and nothing else.

 

That's part of everybody's strategy. Think back over the past few years - how many tests of any new vehicle have been of anything but the top o' da line powertrain and trim packages?

 

I have seen quite a few tests of the GMT900s with the 5.3 but I guess that is because they are much more readily available. Wasn't the Toyota 5.7 supposed to be available later in the 1st year, suggesting that most if not all of the Tundra's actually being sold are being sold with the 4.7?

 

No, they've been available with the 5.7 from the start. I test drove a few back in February and it seemed there were more 5.7's on the lots than anything else. I was surprised because usually it's hard finding trucks with the top level V8. One of the dealers told me 2/3's of all V8 Tundras will be 5.7 powered. I don't know if that's true or not but it sure looked like it.

 

Yeah, it's not like it is unique to them or that they suddenly came up with this strategy, but it is still what they are doing. It's no big deal just as long as thier top of the line is matched against the competitors top of the line for a fair test. I have seen several comparisons where this is not the case.