The 2008 Toyota Tundra

After being completely redesigned for the 2007 model year, the Toyota Tundra returns for 2008 with only a few minor changes. While the previous Tundra had been slightly smaller than full-size best-sellers such as the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the new Tundra grew significantly and gained more assertive styling, including the very prominent upright grille, more detailed headlamps, and flared wheel wells. And going along with the new, bigger packaging, it's now made in Texas.

Engines range from a 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6 up to a new 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter iForce V-8. In the middle, there's a 4.7-liter V-8 making 271 horsepower. The iForce comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, but other engines get a five-speed auto. When properly equipped, the Tundra can tow up to 10,800 pounds.

Just like its Detroit competitors, the Tundra now comes in a wide range of body configurations, with Regular, Double Cab, and CrewMax cabs and three different bed lengths. The Double Cab has small rear doors and enough seating space for children, with a folding seat bottom when it's not in use, but the CrewMax has full-size back doors and enough space in the backseat to compare with the second row of full-size SUVs.

The top-of-the-range Limited includes quite a few standard features that could be referring to a luxury SUV, such as a powerful JBL sound system, dual-zone climate control, and heated power front seats. All models have a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Major options include a screen-based navigation system with rearview camera and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. A TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Off-Road Package is also offered.

The Tundra was given four stars in federal government frontal and side-impact crash tests, but it earned the top Good rating in all of the insurance industry tests; it was named a 2008 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The 2008 Toyota Tundra certainly has more standard safety features than most of its competitors. Front-seat side airbags and roll-sensing side-curtain airbags are standard across the line, along with anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes and electronic stability control.

2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

Mike Monticello, in his review of the 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD, assessed that this baby is big on safety, style and power. When I read Mike's review on this particular vehicle, the thing that caught my eye was the author's description that "Volvo's turbocharged, all-wheel-drive XC60 — which will compete in the small utility segment when it goes on sale in the U.S. next March — will be the first vehicle in the world to come standard with a low-speed accident-avoidance system, making it "the safest car Volvo has ever produced." Not surprising, really, considering how Volvo has always been anal about safety.

Also, the vehicle actually uses an infrared laser sensor located near the top of the windshield to detect a vehicle within 13 feet of the XC60's front bumper that is either stationary or moving in the same direction. In his well-written review, Mark notes that if the "system feels the XC60 is about to strike that vehicle, and the driver has not reacted, it will automatically apply the brakes, bringing the car to a stop if possible." Amazing, ain't it?

Aside from incredible safety features, Volvo has also designed the new XC60 T6 as a fun ride for its owners and passengers. The XC60 T6 AWD comes with the same transversely-mounted 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 as found in T6 versions of the S80 and XC70. That means 281
bhp and best-in-class torque of 295 lb.-ft., the latter from 1500 -4800 rpm. This super-smooth engine is mated to a 6-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, the power put to the road by Haldex's fourth generation all-wheel drive with Instant Traction.

If you are interested in reading Mike's full review, you can click here . In a gist, Mike tells us what's hot and what's not in this new vehicle from Volvo:

What's Hot:City
- Safety system
- Powerful turbocharged inline-6
- Fancy styling, inside and out

What's Not:
- Poor fuel mileage: 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway
- Most active safety systems are optional, not standard
- Won't be cheap