Consumer Reports rates half-ton pickups, raises eyebrows

While we do respect the folks over at Consumer Reports, we do not envy them. Whether the subject is vacuums, lawnmowers or half-ton pickups, nearly every test they perform is scrutinized down to the tiniest of details. We suppose it goes with the reputation of being the most reliable source of production information for consumers, but it's gotta be hell on the nerves.

In its most recent issue, CR is publishing a report on half-ton pickups that might have some crying foul and revisiting claims the publication is biased in favor of imports. Included in the test are the 2007 Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8, 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L V8, 2007 Ford F-150 5.4L V8 and 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8. The report puts an emphasis on towing, and (spoiler alert) the Toyota Tundra received the best score of the four pickups. The Tundra also received the "Recommended" label from CR (as did the Dodge Ram 1500), and was awarded a predicted reliability rating of "Very Good" thanks to the past performance of all Toyota's in CR's reader survey results.
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w209w114 - 8/7/2007 9:56:24 AM

+1 Boost

Hahaha. Coming from Consumer Reports I am NOT surprised.

Everyone is well aware of their love affair with toyota. I mean how much credibility are you willing to satke when you rate a pickup "best" when every other review has placed it last?
Makes you think about whats going on behind the scenes of this publishing company

w209w114 - 8/7/2007 10:22:31 AM

-1 Boost

Stake**

no1listensanyway - 8/7/2007 12:18:11 PM

+2 Boost

I guess they tested the one without the cam shaft failure. CR is BS. I bet you all of them drive Priuses anyway.

Will_ - 8/7/2007 12:21:37 PM

0 Boost

The Toyota badge is what earned the Tundra a "Recommended" rating. Kind of like how the BMW badge put the 3-Series in first place in every C&D and MT comparison test. Sure Toyota has their reliability slip-ups, just as BMW has their magic feel slip-ups, but overall, perception is everything.

1970toyotamarc - 8/7/2007 3:40:53 PM

0 Boost

I didnt raise my eyebrows. An objective comparison will give the edge to the Tundra every time. Better power, towing, quality, mpg. It may only lose on subjective grounds, if you, for instance, dont like the styling. But thats not how CR works.

So good job Tundra!!!

pushrod27 - 8/7/2007 5:39:31 PM

+1 Boost

You're a dumbass and you obviously didn't read the article. The Tundra only wins because they used a Silverado with the 5.3 V8 instead of the 6.0 V8. They didn't compare similarly equipped models. CR stacked the deck for the Tundra to win the contest.

johnct - 8/7/2007 6:36:02 PM

0 Boost

You obviously know as much about properly specing a truck for the job at hand as CR does.

johnct - 8/7/2007 6:34:50 PM

0 Boost

CR is becoming a joke. To new to rate should be universal for all brand new vehicles. Eventually this Toyota/Honda bias is going to burn thier reputation the same way car seats did.

XYZZ - 8/8/2007 3:40:34 AM

+2 Boost

"CR is becoming a joke. To new to rate should be universal for all brand new vehicles."


your inability to read with comprehension is a joke. along with your spelling.

"too new to rate" IS STANDARD on CR's RELIABILTY histories. nothing is too new for their ROAD TEST ratings.

sometimes CR will PREDICT/project reliability based on the model's history. and toyotas have ALWAYS had historically better reliability than anyone else.