Toyota T100 Overview

The Toyota T100 created a big buzz in 1993 when it was introduced as the first full-size import pickup to be sold in the United States. The biggest knock on this otherwise fine first try was its rather anemic 3.0-liter V6 engine, while all of the domestic products had V8 engine options and therefore much greater hauling capacities.

Since the earliest days of its life, the T100 has been rumored to be getting that elusive V8 engine, but that won't materialize until sometime in 1998. However, the performance of the T100s have been improved through the use of a new, larger and more sophisticated 3.4-liter double overhead cam V6 that makes a great deal more power and torque than the original 3.0-liter.

Toyota has been building small pickups for decades, and they have always displayed what we think of as typical Toyota quality, durability and value. Although the T100 is much larger than the compact Toyota pickup, now known as the Tacoma, it still has all of the basic goodness that the Toyota name implies. The T100 has been awarded J.D. Power's Best Full-Size Pickup trophy for its initial quality in three of the past four model years.

The list of new equipment for 1997 is minimal: a larger alloy wheel and tire package, a new optional sport seat package for the SR5 XtraCab, and wider distribution of standard equipment and option packages across the T100 line. Also, there are two new colors.