Pickup trucks from Toyota include the compact-class of Tacoma and a full-size truck called Tundra. The Tacoma series, produced at a Toyota manufacturing facility in California, has been redesigned for 2005 in a longer and wider package with stronger yet more efficient powertrains. Tundra, assembled in Indiana, shows Regular Cab and Access Cab configurations plus the larger four-door Double Cab.

Toyota's big trucks include the two-door Regular Cab and extended Access Cab plus a four-door Double Cab. The Tundra Double Cab is bigger due to a wheelbase stretch plus inches added to the rear track and width and height. It comes with seats for five, then adds a pickup box in back over six feet long and stuffs many horses below a brawny hood through a big V8. That 4.7-liter engine gets new features for 2005 like Toyota's valve wizardry, labeled VVTL-i for variable valve timing and lift with intelligence. Output rises by 42 points to 282 hp.

Tundra's Regular Cab and Access Cab trucks also score the improved V8 as an option, plus a new base 4.0-liter V6 rated at 245 hp with either a manual five-speed or electronic automatic four-speed transmission. All Tundras offer rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction. The 4WD mechanism has an electronic transfer case with push-button convenience for switching between RWD and four-wheel high and low modes. Tundra Double Cab is not only big but it's comfortable, even luxurious, offering a power sliding rear window and power moonroof to open the cabin.

Toyota designers virtually started from scratch when reinventing this best-selling compact pickup. It's a bigger truck, stretching six inches longer and nearly four inches wider, which brings more room for riders in the cab and more cargo space. This new design for Tacoma performs better with a more powerful engine and boosted towing capacity. The Tacoma looks tough with a raised hood and big front grille. Models include three cabin designs with the two-door Regular Cab and extended Access Cab plus a four-door Double Cab.

Powertrains begin with a twin-cam 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine worth 164 hp, but a new 4.0-liter V6 is also on tap with 245 hp. Both 2WD and 4WD versions are offered, as well as special editions like PreRunner and X-Runner. Prerunner with RWD traction has the look of a customized 4WD truck with a tall stance and flared fenders. X-Runner, a performance truck with ground effects and hood scoop added, draws its name from x-brace frame reinforcements to increase torsion rigidity. An optional TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Off-Road package for 4WD Tacoma trucks adds a locking rear differential, progressive-rate front springs and Bilstein shocks plus big Goodrich Rugged Trail tires.