and excellent, if subdued, design.
Our test truck was the top-of-the-line SR5 XtraCab 4x4 (from $24,778,
including destination), which comes with the best level of standard equipment,
but Toyota also offers three lesser series as well as standard-cab models
and two-wheel drive. The model array is almost as wide as those of the
American Big Three, minus V8 or diesel power and big-time work ratings.
But the T100 V6 has almost everything else. It is rated to carry a 2150-pound
payload in 2WD V6 editions, and tow up to 5200 pounds. It has all the traditional
pickup truck equipment, including an easily removable tailgate, two-tier
cargo storage, an array of tie-down hooks in the bed, and a set of stake
pockets in the bed as well, where customers can add aftermarket wooden
stakes to retain taller loads.
But as you'd expect of a Toyota, it isn't so businesslike as to avoid
creature comforts. The option lists include all the popular pickup power-operated
accessories like seats, windows, mirrors and locks, as well as several
very good sound systems.
The SR5 package adds a ton of equipment to the truck, including chrome
wheel arch moldings, chrome grille, chrome front bumper and door handles,
a sliding rear window, privacy glass, tilt steering wheel, full instrumentation,
an AM/FM/cassette sound system with four speakers, map lights and a passenger-side lighted vanity mirror.
The only things conspicuously absent are a passenger-side airbag, which
we'll see on 1998 models, and a third door for extended cab models, something
that's been very popular for Ford and General Motors trucks.
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