Consumer Reports Pickup Ratings Show Toyota Bias
Posted Aug 07, 2007 @ 6:16 am
Consumer Reports has just released their latest ratings for 1/2 ton pickups and the results are quite interesting. For years, domestic fans have accused Consumer Reports of favoring imports, and these new ratings definitely support that theory. Out of the four trucks rated (Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L V8, Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8, Ford F150 5.4L V8, Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8) the Tundra snagged the top spot. However, it's not merely the fact that the Tundra come out on top that has domestic fans up in arms; it's the comparison method CR used that has everyone calling BS.
For the testing to be a fair comparison, all the trucks would have to be equipped similarly. The trucks used in Consumer Reports' test featured a Tundra with a significantly larger engine and a higher rear-axle ratio than the Silverado used. Everyone knows a larger engine means more horsepower and torque which helps acceleration and towing. However the rear axle ratio is also a significant factor in acceleration and towing.
More after the jump...
The Tundra used had Toyota's beefy 5.7L V8 a rear-axle ratio of 4.10. The closest configuration the Silverado has would be the 6.0L V8 with a 4.10 rear-axle ratio, but this isn't what consumer reports used. They used a Silverado with the 5.3L V8 and a 3.73 rear-axle ratio. The most glaring problem here is that the Silverado could have been equipped with a 4.10 rear-axle ratio at no extra cost!
Another point of contention is the reliability ratings. The Tundra received an "above average" reliability rating while the Silverado was labeled as too new to predict. The Silverado has been on sale longer than the Tundra and far more Silverados have been sold to date. So how can Consumer Reports confidently proclaim the Tundra to be reliable, but not the Silverado?
For a far more in depth look at the test, check out the article at PickupTruck.com
Category: Chevy, Competitors
Consumer Reports has just released their latest ratings for 1/2 ton pickups and the results are quite interesting. For years, domestic fans have accused Consumer Reports of favoring imports, and these new ratings definitely support that theory. Out of the four trucks rated (Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L V8, Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L V8, Ford F150 5.4L V8, Toyota Tundra 5.7L V8) the Tundra snagged the top spot. However, it's not merely the fact that the Tundra come out on top that has domestic fans up in arms; it's the comparison method CR used that has everyone calling BS.
For the testing to be a fair comparison, all the trucks would have to be equipped similarly. The trucks used in Consumer Reports' test featured a Tundra with a significantly larger engine and a higher rear-axle ratio than the Silverado used. Everyone knows a larger engine means more horsepower and torque which helps acceleration and towing. However the rear axle ratio is also a significant factor in acceleration and towing.
More after the jump...
The Tundra used had Toyota's beefy 5.7L V8 a rear-axle ratio of 4.10. The closest configuration the Silverado has would be the 6.0L V8 with a 4.10 rear-axle ratio, but this isn't what consumer reports used. They used a Silverado with the 5.3L V8 and a 3.73 rear-axle ratio. The most glaring problem here is that the Silverado could have been equipped with a 4.10 rear-axle ratio at no extra cost!
Another point of contention is the reliability ratings. The Tundra received an "above average" reliability rating while the Silverado was labeled as too new to predict. The Silverado has been on sale longer than the Tundra and far more Silverados have been sold to date. So how can Consumer Reports confidently proclaim the Tundra to be reliable, but not the Silverado?
For a far more in depth look at the test, check out the article at PickupTruck.com
Category: Chevy, Competitors
