2010 Toyota Tundra Double Cab

Our test vehicle's sticker wasn't a shock; a four-wheel-drive Double Cab V-8 pickup, reasonably equipped, seems like it should cost about $30K. Our tester had the new-for-2010 entry-level V-8 engine, a 4.6-liter unit that replaces the previous 4.7-liter but offers 34 additional horsepower and 14 additional lb-ft of torque. It also teams up with the six-speed automatic transmission that previously was offered only with the optional 5.7-liter V-8.

The smaller V-8 seems like a smart choice for the Tundra; it costs roughly $1300 less than the bigger V-8, depending on which of the myriad Tundra models you're talking about. It accelerates well, although not as effortlessly or as quietly as the bigger V-8; when you push the 4.6, you know you're pushing it. Yet the engine never seems unwilling or unreasonably taxed, and I had no problem piloting the Tundra at 70 to 80 mph on two-lane country roads.

The Double Cab's rear doors are a bit truncated, but they still provide decent access to the rear seats, which fold up nicely out of the way. Note: Toyota also offers a Crewmax model with a full-size rear door.

2009 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4X4 V6 Sr5

As a person who enjoys doing small-scale outdoorsy work or towing the odd small camper, car, or boat, I really like "small" trucks like this Toyota Tacoma, the Nissan Frontier, and the Dodge Dakota, among others. Compared with their full-size kin, such pickups are generally more economical both in initial cost and upkeep, and they're more reasonable daily drivers. This particular Tacoma, however, sports a ton of options and costs nearly $8000 more than a base crew-cab Tacoma. I must admit, though, that its most costly option, a TRD off-road package, makes this Toyota a more desirable truck to me, as it's equipped with lots of four-wheelin'-friendly additions, such as a locking rear differential, skid plates, tow hooks, and an off-road-spec suspension. It's no Ford Raptor, but I'm sure this Toyota could get the job done on most trails that aren't super hard-core.

One option that was particularly annoying were the $399 running boards, which are only a few inches below the truck's floorboards and seem to work best as pantleg scuffers and shin scrapers. The $119 bed mat, however, was so nice and clean that I plopped my infant daughter in the back for a quick photo opportunity.

Also, the Tacoma's decent-size back seats made it easy for me to safely plug her into her baby seat during transit. The Toyota's interior was generally functional, plain, yet attractive. Unfortunately, I found the driver's seat to be too flat, too firm, and simply not very comfortable. Luckily, the ride wasn't terribly harsh for a pickup.