I admit it - I’m just a weenie when it comes to getting dirty and getting close to nature. Mountain biking may be one of my favorite sports, but a hot shower and wall-to-wall carpeting underneath my bare feet awaits me upon returning to my clean suburban home with its soft feather mattress and biodegradable citrus cleaners. Today I took the opportunity to shed my dirt phobias and got an intro to off-roading at the Toyota Trail Teams outdoor demo at the Sea Otter Classic in beautiful Monterey, CA. Essentially, the Sea Otter Classic is northern California’s largest cycling event and I was at Laguna Seca for four days covering the event for our sister sites - mtbr.com and roadbikereview.com.

Now, how does a bicycle race fit in with a car review site? Read the rest of this entry »

By John G.

Up, Down, and Sideways

Up:

-Toyota fit and finish, inside and out: flawless. Classy interior. No rattles or squeaks.
-The 4.0L V6 is a very strong motor.
-Good cockpit ergonomics, even for tall drivers. Steering wheel tilts and telescopes.
-Simple stereo and climate controls.
-Reasonably comfortable rear seats, unlike most double cab pickups.
-Real 4WD: two-speed transfer case and locking rear differential.
-Full size spare tire.

Down:

-Spongy brakes.
-Offroad package suspension feels stiff and a bit vague on the road.
-Large turning circle.

Sideways:

-Big. Not a compact pickup anymore. Not even close.

Takeaway:

-If you need a pickup with serious off-road capability, this is the civilized choice.

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Wider, longer and bigger
• Toyota durability
• More powerful 4.0 V6
• Car-like interior
• Extremely versatile and offroad capable

Dings:

• Wider, longer and bigger
• Minor interior nitpicks
• Still drives like a truck, albeit a mannerly one

Ruling: The size may have changed, but Toyota trucks will still outlive your mortgage.

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