Every year, we take the new crop of trucks and run 'em head to head in our Sport Truck of the Year competition. This annual rite of passage is open to any manufacturer whose product is new or radically improved for the coming model year. For '05, the field of new trucks engaged in our battle are all downsized, with the exception of the Dodge SRT-10 Quad Cab. Nissan's all-new Frontier, Toyota's all-new Tacoma, and Dodge's all-new Dakota are midsize pickups packed with lots of performance and serious convenience, style, and mobile-entertainment content.
To find the best of the best of the '05 light trucks, we divide our Sport Truck of the Year testing into two categories: hard empirical data from a battery of track tests and data derived from the real work of the test - behind-the-wheel driving impressions from our hard-core staff of testers. It's a tough job and somebody's got to do it, so we put these trucks through every kind of driving situation we could dream up and fabricate, from day-to-day commuting and long freeway drives to miles on winding mountain roads to test-handling and -braking under real-world and worst-case conditions. That's the only way to get a feel over the course of two weeks what it's like to live with these trucks for the long haul.
This year, we reprised our track-testing session at California Speedway in Fontana, California, with the help of John Hotchkis and crew. Unfortunately, Hotchkis, a race-car driver and manufacturer of high-performance suspension components under the brand of Hotchkis Suspension, had a surfing accident the day before our test. Not to worry, though, as Gary Pinkely, John's backup hot-shoe, was available to slam our test trucks through the 600-foot slalom course with 100-foot cone spacing, through the 0-60 testing, down the quarter-mile, and through the 60-0 brake testing. And as we did last year, we also conducted multiple stops to measure brake fade under extreme conditions. After a long day at the track shooting Gary threading the cones, toasting brake pads, and boiling the hides, we washed and fueled the trucks and headed out to the real-world segment of the competition.
Our loop began at the March Air Force Base in Perris, California, in front of the Air Museum that's part of the base. From there, we drove through stop-and-go traffic and pulled serious grade as we climbed into the San Bernardino mountains near the 11,502-foot roof of SoCal, Mount San Gorgonio, on our way to Palm Springs. The 200-plus-mile loop, outbound and return, gave us a chance to test both the passing power and speed limits of the trucks as well as ride quality and A/C performance in the 100-degree (OK, it's a dry) heat of the Springs.
All of our test drivers spent plenty of time at the controls of each pickup. We found the weaknesses and strengths of each and scored accordingly. Each truck had something to offer, some more than others, but ultimately there can be only one Sport Truck of the Year. To find out which was the one, keep turning the pages.
Sport Truck Of The Year ScoringTo determine the Sport Truck of the Year, we perform objective and subjective evaluations. In other words, some tests we can measure, for example, 0-60 mph, quarter-mile e.t., 60-0-mph braking, and speed through the 600-foot slalom course. Other tests are simply putting a value on an educated opinion of some aspect of the test truck, for example, styling, materials choice, powertrain integration, and refinement.
We organize our test results to judge the truck in three basic categories with 1,000 points possible: instrumented track testing; test-driver opinions on performance; and test-driver opinions on style and comfort. The maximum possible score for the instrumented track testing portion is 300 points, or 30 percent of the score. Tester opinions on performance also has a maximum value of 300 points, or 30 percent of the score. The third category of subjective judgments on style, ergonomics, and other conveniences carries a maximum score of 400 points, or 40 percent of the score. An example of a perfect score in the objective portion of the test would be a vehicle that had the quickest acceleration and shortest stopping distances, and was rated to tow the most weight. That would give it 300 points; 700 points are also up for grabs in the other two categories.
Weighting the scoring in this manner rewards powerful trucks that accelerate quickly, brake forcefully, handle well, and produce good ride quality. A vehicle that's mostly style and comfort with very little performance will score poorly with this test design.
The Players
'05 Dodge DakotaDodge brings a bigger, bolder, and tougher all-new Dakota to market in '05. The company claims it stands alone as the largest, most powerful, and most capable midsize pickup in the market, with its best-in-class torque, horsepower, and towing capacity. Dodge is also touting the new Dakota's fullsize pickup styling, feel, and power, with the only V-8 in its class.
Spec-wise, it looks like a contender. And while we weren't impressed with the stock appearance, after we got the concept art on a slammed and squirted Dakota, it turned out to be one of our favorite stock-to-stylin' transformations.
Base Price: $24,339
Price As Tested: Approx. $26,000 (Excluding Shipping Charge)
Vehicle Type: 1/2-Ton Midsize Pickup
Construction: Body On Hydro-Formed Frame
Engine: Next-Generation 4.7L (287 Cid) Magnum, SOHC, 16-Valve SMPI V-8; Cast-Iron Block, Aluminum Alloy Heads; CR: 9.0:1
Horsepower: 230 @ 4,600 Rpm
Torque: 295 @ 3,600 Rpm
Fuel: 87 Octane Unleaded
Transmission: 5-45RFE, Automatic, Five-Speed Overdrive
Suspension: F: Upper And Lower A-Arms, Coil Springs Over Gas-Pressure Shock Absorbers, Link-Type Stabilizer Bar. R: Live Axle, Multileaf Two-Stage Longitudinal Springs, Staggered Gas-Pressure Shock Absorbers, Link-Type Stabilizer Bar
Steering: Power Rack-And-Pinion; Ratio: 17.4:1; Lock To Lock: 3.18
Wheel F/R: 17x8-Inch Aluminum
Tire F/R: P235/50R17 Low-Profile Radial; Fullsize Spare Standard
Brakes: Power, Front Disc/Rear Drum, Four-Wheel Antilock Brakes: Front: 12.3x1.1-Inch Vented Disc With 2.13 Dual-Piston Sliding Caliper; Rear: 11.6x2.28-Inch
Wheelbase (In): 131.3
Length/Width/Height (In): 218.8/71.7/68.6
Track (In): F: 62.8; R: 62.9
Turning Circle (Curb To Curb) : 44 Ft
Curb Weight (Lbs): 4,413
Tow Rating (Lbs): 7,150 (W/ 3.92 Axle)
EPA City/Hwy/Combined Mpg: 15/20/N/A
Fuel-Tank Capacity: 22 Gal
'05 Nissan Frontier
The Frontier comes on strong with a powerful new engine - a 4.0L DOHC V-6 producing an estimated 250-plus horsepower and 270-plus lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 70 hp and 68 lb-ft of torque compared with the current normally aspirated 3.3L V-6-equipped Frontier. Nissan says the new 4.0L V-6 is based on the Nissan VQ engine series used in the 350Z, among other Nissan models, but is specifically tuned for truck use.
Last year, we awarded the Titan Sport Truck of The Year, because it set the standard for innovation in pickup design and performance. If the '05 Frontier has much of the Titan's DNA in its frame and the new V-6 moves the truck like the Titan's 5.6L V-8, it's going to be a rough test session for the competition.
Base Price: N/A
Price As Tested: N/A
Vehicle Type: Midsize King Cab Pickup
Construction: Body-On Fully Boxed, All-Steel (F-Alpha Frame, Based On The Nissan Titan), Rear Drive
Engine: 4.0L DOHC V-6
Horsepower: 250-Plus Horsepower
Torque: 270-Plus Lb-Ft Torque
Fuel: 87 Octane Unleaded
Transmission: Five-Speed Electronically Controlled Automatic
Suspension: F: Double-Wishbone Front Suspension With Coilover Shock Absorbers, Stabilizer Bar; R: Rigid Leaf Rear
Steering: Power-Assisted Rack-And-Pinion
Wheel: As Large As 17 In/265/65R17
Tire F/R: N/A
Brakes: Four-Wheel Vented Disc Brakes With Antilock Braking
Wheelbase (In): 125.9
Length/Width/Height (In): 205.5/72.8/69.7
Track: N/A
Turning Circle (Curb To Curb): 38.1 Ft
Curb Weight (Lbs): Est: 4,000
Tow Rating: 5,500-Plus Lbs
EPA City/Hwy/Combined Mpg: N/A
Fuel-Tank Capacity/Range: N/A
Final Figures Will Be Announced Closer To Production
'05 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab
Here's how Dodge puts it: "If a Dodge Ram pickup - complete with 500 hp courtesy of the Dodge Viper SRT-10 engine - is good, a Viper-powered Ram with four doors is even better." OK, we're with 'em on that. Last year, the SRT-10 Ram was so good, we gave it a special award. This year, we're looking at the Quad Cab version with shock and awe.
Is it good enough to win this year's competition? We'll be the judge of that.
Price As Tested: Est. $50,000 MSRP (Excluding Shipping)
Vehicle Type: Ultimate Performance Four-Door Pickup
Construction: Body On Frame; Rear Drive
Engine: 8.3L (505 Ci) 10-Cylinder, 90 V-Type, Aluminum Alloy Block With Cast-Iron Liners, Aluminum Alloy Heads, 9.6:1CR OHV W/ Roller-Type Hydraulic Lifters, Two Valves/Cylinder, Sequential Multiport Electronic Fuel Injection, Redline: 6,000 Rpm
Horsepower: 500 @ 5,600 Rpm
Torque: 525 Lb-Ft @ 4,200 Rpm
Fuel: Premium Unleaded 91 Octane
Transmission: 48RE Gearbox, Specially Adapted From Diesel Engine Application; Heavy-Duty Torque Converter; Custom Transmission Calibration; Two-Piece Driveshaft
Suspension: F: Upper And Lower A-Arms, Coil Springs With Gas-Charged Shock Absorbers, Stabilizer Bar. R: Live Axle, Longitudinal Leaf Springs, Gas-Charged Shock Absorbers
Wheel: F/R: Forged-Aluminum "Viper-Style" 22x10 In
Tire: F/R: Pirelli Scorpion Zero 305/40YR 22
Brakes: ABS-Equipped Four-Wheel Disc Brakes; Front Rotor: 15 In; Rear Rotor 14 In
Wheelbase (In): 140.5
Length/Width/Height (In): 227.7/79.9/74.7
Track (In): F: 68.5; R: 67.4
Turning Circle (Curb To Curb): 45.7 Ft
Curb Weight (Lbs): Est: 5,280
Towing (Lbs): 7,500 (4.56 Axle)
'05 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner
For '05, Toyota brings an all-new Tacoma pickup truck line to market. The new midsize is larger, more maneuverable, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient than '04 Tacos. While the new Tacoma comes in a dizzying array of configurations, leading the Tacoma line in performance and style is the X-Runner model. This sport truck blends great truck design with sports car performance, mostly by virtue of its new 245hp V-6 engine backed by a six-speed manual and a specially tuned chassis.
Toyota is touting "documented industry-leading quality, dependability, and reliability" as the top reasons customers have chosen the Tacoma. And the company further asserts that the new-generation Tacoma will build on that foundation with its attractive design, greater performance and capability, and improved passenger room and comfort.
To which we say, Talk is cheap. We're putting the pedal to the metal on this one and it better not break.
Base Price: $23,110
Price As Tested: N/A
Vehicle Type: Midsize Access Cab Pickup
Construction: Body-On Fully Boxed, All-Steel (F-Alpha Frame, Based On The Nissan Titan), Rear Drive
Engine: 4.0L DOHC EFI V-6, 24-Valve Aluminum Block With Aluminum Alloy Head With VVT-I; 3,956 Cc; CR: 10.0:1
Horsepower: 245 Hp @ 5,200 Rpm
Torque: 282 Lb-Ft @ 3,800 Rpm
Fuel: 91 Octane Unleaded
Transmission: Six-Speed Manual Overdrive
Suspension: F: Coil Spring Independent Double-Wishbone With Gas-Filled Shock Absorbers; Front Stabilizer Bar Diameter: 1.18 In; R: Leaf-Spring Rigid Suspension; Rear Stabilizer Bar Diameter: 0.98 In (X-Runner Only)
Steering: Power-Assisted Rack-And-Pinion. Ratio: 17.4:1; Lock To Lock: 3.43 Turns
Wheel: 18-Inch Alloy
Tire F/R: P255/45R18
Brakes: Power-Assisted Disc/Drum Four-Wheel Antilock Braking System (ABS) With Brake Assist (BA) And Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD); F: 12.56-In Disc. R: 10-Inch Drum
Wheelbase (In): 127.2
Length/Width/Height (In): 208.1/74.0/65.2
Track (In): F: 62.2 R: 62.2
Turning Circle (Curb To Curb): 42 Ft
Curb Weight (Lbs): Est: 3,690
Tow Rating (Lbs): 3,500
EPA City/Hwy/Combined Mpg: 16/21/N/A
Fuel-Tank Capacity/Range: 21 Gal/N/A
'05 Dodge Dakota-Third Runner-Up
All-New Dakota Laramie Impresses With Sharp New Body Lines And Smooth Sohc V-8Iodge's midsize Dakota rolls into '05 as an all-new machine with a new 4.7L SOHC V-8 and available six-speed manual, as well as sharp new body lines.