The 2009 Toyota Tundra is essentially the same truck that made waves three years ago when it arrived on the scene as the first full-range, top-to-bottom overseas threat to the domestic truckmakers. With its robust chassis, wide range of body styles, available 381-horsepower V8, pleasant driving demeanor and distinctive interior, the Tundra set itself apart from the pack. The recently redesigned GM pickups were certainly viable challengers, but after living with both a Tundra and a Silverado in our long-term fleet over the past year, we ultimately determined that the Toyota was the better buy.

What a difference a year makes, or rather, what a difference two redesigned competitors make. After ruling the roost for its first couple years of production, the 2009 Toyota Tundra must now contend with the redesigned trucks from Dodge and Ford. Despite this onslaught, the Tundra sticks to its still-mighty guns for 2009, adding only a pair of limited-edition sport and off-road packages. The lineup of three stout engines, three bed lengths and three cab styles remains the same. Notably, the Tundra forgoes a traditional extended cab in favor of two crew-cab flavors: regular Double Cab and jumbo CrewMax. Now that Dodge’s Mega Cab is discontinued, no other truck comes close to matching the Tundra CrewMax’s rear-seat space.

During our long-term test of a Tundra Double Cab, it proved to be a capable workhorse that tackled all our towing, hauling and commuting needs without breaking a sweat. Its strapping 5.7-liter V8 and responsive six-speed automatic consistently impressed, and although the cabin evinced a few ergonomic missteps, it was generally durable, spacious and comfy. On the downside, the Tundra’s wide haunches and expansive dashboard make it seem larger than some competitors from behind the wheel. Also, its rear suspension provides a significantly bouncier ride than the sophisticated coil-spring setup found in the new Dodge Ram.

The full-size-pickup segment is an embarrassment of riches these days. The new trucks from Dodge and Ford are impressive, but so are the GM full-sizers. In our most recent full-size truck comparison test, the Tundra was narrowed edged out of first place by the Ram. Nonetheless, the 2009 Toyota Tundra remains a well-built and thoroughly competent truck. Make sure it’s on your to-drive list if you’re shopping for one of these beasts of burden. for make payment use payday loan

While GM tries to keep itself in business, it’s also trying to launch a new set of hybrid pickupsfor the 2009 model year. Soon, GM will be letting journalists–including the car review experts at TheCarConnection.com–to drive the 2009 Chevrolet SilveradoHybrid.

GM says the new Hybridedition of the full-size pickup truck will be 40 percent more fuel-efficient in city fuel economy and 25 percent better in highway mileage.

The Silverado Hybrid will come in the four-door Crew Cab body, in either rear- or four-wheel drive. Outfitted with a 6.0-liter V-8 engine and GM’s version of the two-modehybrid system shared with the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, the Silverado Hybrid will be capable of 500 miles of driving range. It will also be able to run on electric power alone, gasoline power alone or a combination of the two. GM’s Silverado Hybridpickup will also have cylinder deactivation technology, which turns off half the V-8′s cylinders to save fuel when it’s running under light engine loads. Chevrolet’s sister brand GMC will also get a hybrid version of their Sierra pickup.

Dual front and curtain airbags and stability control will be standard on the SilveradoHybrid. Minor aerodynamic tweaks help the Hybrid’s fuel economy; its battery pack is located behind the rear seats.

TheCarConnection.com will be driving the new Silverado Hybrid this month, with a full review yet to come. Stay tuned–in the meantime, find out more about the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado here at ChevyTruckReports.com, including extensive photos and pricing information.

General Motors’ focus on four brands – Buick,Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – indicates for the near term that light-duty trucks and SUVs will continue to be a part of the product mix, with new SUVs in the form of a Cadillac SRX crossover, Chevy Equinox compact SUV, and the GMC Terrain compact SUV among six new models announced for 2010.

While touting leading-edge design, technology, engineering excellence and quality in their ‘re:invention’ strategy, GM might see a glimmer of hope in a recent survey from J.D. Power & Associates, entitled “Automotive Emerging Technologies Study”, released this month. The study, which is designed to measure familiarity, interest and purchase intent for emerging automotive technologies, polls consumers before and after an estimated market price is revealed. For example, in the survey, 67% of the 19,249 respondents indicated that onboard navigation systems to guide them to the nearest Starbucks or other destinations were of interest.When the cost of a factory-installed navigation system was revealed at $1,600, interest dropped to 20% overall, while 45% of those who owned premium vehicles still chose the factory onboard systems versus lower cost off-board systems.

Mike Marshall, J.D. Power director of emerging technologies said, “Although the factory-installed options are considerably more expensive than an off-board navigation system, the price difference is not reflected in a proportionate decrease in consumer interest levels. Among consumers who express interest in both types of navigation system, seven out of ten indicate they would choose a factory-installed navigation system rather than an off-board version—despite the cost premium.”Other technologies fared about as well, and among consumers who listen to their portable digital music player in their vehicle, more than one-half use an auxiliary input jack, while approximately 20% use a wireless FM transmitter. Nearly 2/3s of consumers indicate that they would like the ability to listen to a portable digital music player through their vehicle’s speakers, while 27% express a desire to use a smartphone’s music capabilities in conjunction with their vehicle’s audio system.

Among consumers currently utilizing their vehicle’s Bluetooth functionality, initial interest for wireless connectivity in their next vehicle is 68%, compared with just 47% among those who have the feature but do not use it in their vehicle.Premium surround sound systems garner the highest interest rate among near-term vehicle intenders at 72%, while just 61% of consumers who plan on purchasing a new vehicle in two years or more indicate interest in this feature. “Consumers nearing the final phase of the vehicle purchase process are often more well-versed on vehicle options and features than those in the early stages of shopping, and likely have recently researched the available vehicle specifications,” stated Marshall, who added, “The increased familiarity of the possible benefits and conveniences of these technologies may lead to an increase in interest.”

How this bodes for an industry accustomed to making their profit on all the bells and whistles, and GM in particular with a plethora of trim levels and options, remains to be seen. In addition, how does the automotive aftermarket deal with consumers who are increasingly more interested in having the OEMs integrate these entertainment and connectivity technologies into the new vehicles? Time will certainly tell – but that’s oneluxury automakers don’t have, and a gamble they can’t afford to take.