Toyota Has a Powerful, Comfortable Workhorse in the Tundra

It's the 2007 Tundra from Toyota.

Did I mention that it's big?

This behemoth with the V-8 under the hood can tow up to 10,000 pounds easily. And it can seat 5 in comfort.

The test model we spent a week with also was equipped with GPS and a a back-up camera to ease getting this big boy out of a parking spot.

And it comes in handy, with the affinity of other drivers in shopping center parking lots who enjoy getting as close to this giant as possible.

This truck is powerful enough, too, to run with the big rigs down the interstate as we discovered on a road trip to Georgia for a few days.

Inside the cab, the seats are roomy and spacious and once you load the CD player with six of your favorite discs, you can cruise to your heart's content. The only drawback is the miles-per-gallon you get in this powerful V-8 beast: on the road trip, the Tundra averaged 14.8 mpg.

But if you don't mind filling the tank often and you want one of the biggest, best-handling and driving trucks out there, the Tundra's for you.

The only piece of equipment lacking in the test Tundra was a pair of running boards. For a small person, getting into the cabin could be a challenge. And even for a large man, the pull-up handle inside and above the door comes in quite handy in aiding entry and exit.

This summer, Toyota began offering handsome incentives on Tundras, so if you're thinking about buying a workhorse like this one, it might be a good idea to check out the deals on toyota.com or visit your local dealer.

According to the Japanese automaker's website, the MSRP for the Tundra regular cab is $22,290, equipped with the 4-liter V-6 powerplant that generates 236 horsepower. If you opt for the top-of-the-line 5.7-liter, i-Force V-8 engine, which produces a whopping 381 horsepower, the price starts at $24,380 for the regular cab. The 4X4 version begins at $26,480.

The Tundra double cab has an MSRP of $26,105 while the 4X4 version has a price of $29,900 listed on the website.

The super-duper CrewMax is $29,675 for the two-wheel version and the 4X4 climbs to $32,725.

Toyota currently is offering $3,000 cash back on the Tundra CrewMax as well as special 48-month lease prices.

There are a multitude of options available to build your own Tundra at the company website, including several cool colors.

According to Toyota: "It's not complicated: When it comes to standard equipment, Tundra's got 'em beat. Compare the Tundra Double Cab SR5 5.7L with the Ford F-150 Super Cab XLT 5.4L, Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab LT2 5.3L and Dodge Ram Quad Cab SLT 5.7L:

"What we've got standard, they don't:

* 6-speed automatic transmission

* Supplemental engine and transmission cooler

* Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC)

* Automatic limited-slip differential (Auto LSD)

* Tow equipment

* Dual zone climate control

* Front seat side and side curtain airbags

* Easy lower and lift tailgate

* 18-inch wheels."

So if you're in the market for a super, well-built truck, the Tundra might just be your ride.