Toyota Camry

Park a white, four-cylinder 2010 Toyota Camry LE in your garage next to a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS or a Porsche Cayman S and don’t be surprised if the neighbors start wondering if you’re bipolar.Maybe the Camry is your wife’s car. Or your grandmother’s.But with close to half a million sold annually in the United States, Camrys are daily transportation for just about every type of buyer: The young, the old, and the somewhere in between, not to mention the automotive enthusiast, the vehicular ambivalent and the casual car fan.No other car on offer in North America has such mass appeal as the Camry, and with a revised 2010 model just now making its way to showrooms, we decided it was time to take an in-depth look at the most mainstream of Main Street America Camrys.It’s hard to drive a city block without encountering at least one Camry, the best selling sedan in America. Toyota’s solution for middle America, the Camry came out of nowhere in the early 1990s to unseat Ford and General Motors’ offerings by serving up a healthy dose of the refinement and reliability that was lacking in contemporary domestic offerings.Now halfway through its seventh generation, the Camry has been custom-tailored for the North American market. A mild update for 2010 gives it a new base powertrain and a light refresh outside. Camry slots into the most competitive segment in America: The midsize sedan arena. While the rivals are numerous, only a handful of cars really compete for market share. Hailing from the Motor City, the heavily revised 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan pose a serious threat as they continue to gain market share. But don’t discount cross-town rival General Motors’ Chevrolet Malibu , which impressed us earlier this year with its performance and its fuel efficiency. For 2010, the Camry gains a new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. Putting out 169 horsepower in base LE and upscale XLE trim levels, it adds another 10 ponies for the vaguely sport-oriented SE trim. A six-speed automatic brings things into the second decade of the 21st century, although the ever-important highway fuel economy rating of 32 mpg trails the 34 mpg rating of a similarly equipped Fusion.Outside, Camry gained a mid-cycle refresh that will really only go noticed by current owners. Wallflowers will delight in the Camry’s rather anonymous looks. Inevitably, with around 425,000 sold last year, the Camry isn’t the kind of car that induce double-takes and stares of admiration from the public. Our test car’s LE trim level represents the volume Camry model, which makes it all the more ubiquitous.Simple and mostly cohesive, the Camry’s shape is hardly inoffensive. Toyota continues to play it safe with the 2010 model. Look closely and you’ll find that the grille is a little different and the tail lamps have been updated, but that’s it. Our tester was dressed up a little, but not much, by a set of optional 16-inch alloy wheels. Over the years, the Camry has gone from crisply-toned minimalist to a jellybean shape that’s a little too bulbous for our tastes. We’d like to see Toyota get a little more daring with the next-generation model. Hot Fusion sales have indicated that a polarizing design element, like the Gillette-style three-bar chrome grille, don’t keep buyers out of showrooms.

Toyota Land Cruiser

Few trucks or SUVs are as well-known around the globe as the Toyota Land Cruiser. For decades, this vehicle's rugged and durable nature has allowed it to be used in the world's most extreme environments. Early Land Cruisers were designed mainly for utilitarian use, but models since the 1980s have become much more suited for the general consumer.The history of the Toyota Land Cruiser dates back to the early 1950s. At that time, Toyota was interested in building a four-wheel-drive vehicle similar to the U.S. military's Jeep, for use by Japan's police services. The result was the four-cylinder BJ20 and the six-cylinder FJ20. Soon after, Toyota gave this original "20 Series" vehicle the Land Cruiser name.Though Toyota introduced the FJ20 to the U.S. market in 1958, it is that vehicle's replacement -- the FJ40 Land Cruiser that debuted a few years later -- that most people recognize as being the classic Land Cruiser. This FJ40 and its four-door SUV variant, the 55 Series, were well known for their rugged and durable nature and recently served as inspiration for Toyota's introduction of the retro-themed FJ Cruiser SUV.Modern Toyota Land Cruisers still maintain their forebears' focus on off-road ability but are now much more upscale, comfortable and accommodating. This is particularly true of the current, fifth-generation Land Cruiser, which is packed to the gills with luxurious features yet retains the off-road prowess buyers have come to expect.We're guessing most Land Cruiser buyers won't mind, since this SUV still offers superior off-road capability while raising the level of luxury to new heights. The Cruiser's decadent interior comes standard with leather upholstery, a four-zone climate control system, a 14-speaker audio system, three rows of seating for up to eight people and parking sensors all around. Only one trim level is available, so if you want more than that, you'll have to resort to the options list. Notable add-ons include a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a navigation system and wood trim.As ever, the Toyota Land Cruiser is a large SUV on a traditional body-on-frame design, though it's admirably difficult to discern this from the cabin's coddling confines. Motivation comes exclusively from a 5.7-liter V8 that churns out 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, rectifying the relative power shortage that plagued the new Cruiser's predecessor and more than offsetting the SUV's hefty weightA six-speed automatic channels this output to all four wheels via the Land Cruiser's full-time 4WD system with selectable low-range gearing. "Crawl Control" further enhances the drivetrain's capability by maintaining a fixed ultra-slow velocity for hard-core trail-busting. A Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) is available, enabling the front and rear antiroll bars to stiffen or relax automatically as conditions change; the theoretical payoff is both flatter cornering and superior wheel articulation for off-road applications. The only sour note here is that ground clearance and approach, departure and break-over angles have been reduced slightly from the last Land Cruiser.

Toyota Matrix

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) today for the 2010 high mileage Corolla compact sedan and Matrix crossover utility vehicle, which now include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) as standard equipment.
There is no price increase for the 2010 Corolla. Corolla's base MSRP will range from $15,350 for the standard sedan with a five-speed transmission to $20,050 for the sporty XRS with a five-speed automatic transmission.
Matrix carries a base MSRP that will range from $16,550 for the standard sedan with a five-speed transmission to $21,960 for the sporty XRS with a five-speed automatic transmission. The new Matrix MSRP represents an overall increase of $201 or 1.1 percent.
The new prices will take effect when the 2010 Corolla and Matrix arrive in dealer showrooms beginning in late February. MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $720. DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.
Both models bring a fun-to-drive experience with impressive fuel economy. The Corolla's 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), featured on Standard, LE and XLE models, has estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway. The Corolla XRS' 2.4-liter DOHC engine with VVT-i has estimated EPA ratings of 22/30.
The Matrix Standard is also powered by the 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with dual VVT-i and has EPA mpg estimates of 26/32 for the manual transmission, while the four-speed automatic has ratings of 25/31. The 2.4-liter engine, also shared with the Matrix S and XRS, has EPA mpg estimates of 21/28 for manual, 21/29 for the five-speed automatic and 20/26 for the AWD.

Toyota Supra

The Toyota Supra was a sports car/grand tourer produced by Toyota Motor Company from 1979 to 2002. The styling of the Toyota Supra was derived from the Toyota Celica, but it was both longer and wider. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra (in its third generation, MKIII) became its own model and was no longer based on the Celica. In turn, Toyota also stopped using the prefix Celica and began just calling the car Supra. Due to the similarity and past of the Toyota Celica's name, it is frequently mistaken for the Toyota Supra, and vice versa.The Supra also traces much of its roots back to the Toyota 2000GT with the main instance being its engine. The first three generations were offered with a direct descendant to the 2000GT's M engine. All four generations of Supra produced have an inline 6-cylinder engine. Interior aspects were also similar.Along with this name and car Toyota also included its own logo for the Supra. It is derived from the original Celica logo, being blue instead of orange. This logo was used until January 1986, when the MKIII Supra was introduced. The new logo was similar in size, with orange writing on a red background, but without the dragon design. That logo, in turn, was on Supras until 1991 when Toyota switched to its current oval company logo.In 1999, Toyota ceased sales of the Supra in the United States and in 2002 Toyota officially stopped production of the Supra in Japan.As an iconic sports car, the Supra has appeared in numerous video games, movies, music videos and TV shows. Some of the most notable appearances include the Gran Turismo and Need for Speed series of video games and the 2001 film, The Fast and the Furious.The first generation Supra was based largely upon the Toyota Celica liftback, but was longer by 129.5mm (5.1in). The doors and rear section were shared with the Celica but the front panels were elongated to accommodate the Inline-6 instead of the stock Celica's 4-cylinder engine. Toyota's original plan for the Supra at this time was to make it a competitor to the very popular Datsun (now Nissan) Z-carIn 1978 Toyota began production of the Mark I Supra in Japan, as the Toyota Celica XX. The year it debuted in the United States and Japan was in 1979. The USA Mark I (chassis code MA46) was originally equipped with a 110hp (82kW) 2.6L (2563cc, 156cuin) 12-valve SOHC inline-6 engine (4M-E). Simultaneously in 1979, the Japanese Mark I (chassis code MA45) was offered with a 110hp (82kW) 2.0 L 12-valve SOHC inline-6 engine (M-EU). Both were the first Toyota engines equipped with electronic fuel injection.Drivetrain options for the Mark I were either a 5-speed manual (W50) or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission (A40D). Both transmissions featured an overdrive gear. The top gear in the 5-speed was its overdrive gear whereas the automatic transmission featured an overdrive gear that would engage at speeds over 35mph (56km/h). The drivetrain for the Supra retained the T series solid rear axle configuration of the Celica in the Japanese MA45 version and a larger F series (and optional Limited Slip Differential) in the MA46 and MA47. The car also came standard with 4-wheel disc brakes and featured a four-link rear suspension with coil springs, lateral track bar, and stabilizer bar. The front suspension consisted of MacPherson struts and a stabilizer bar.

Toyota Avensis Verso

Practical and roomy - that's what the Toyota Avensis Verso is. The Toyota Avensis Verso is a very nice sized MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) for its class. This is large when compared with a number of its competitors. It is in room and practicality that the Toyota Avensis Verso takes the lead. High levels of comfort and safety make this almost untouchable. The Avensis Verso is capable of carrying seven passengers in pure comfort. The elegant exterior looks surprisingly roomy and, once inside, you can see for yourself that the Toyota Avensis Verso lives up to its spacious smooth looks. The amount of passenger space, even for the tallest occupants, is outstanding. The very supportive cloth seats, adjustable steering column, air conditioning, adjustable driver's seat, intermittent windscreen wipes, power windows, locks and steering, audio system and CD player, and a split folding third row seat make this vehicle a joy to own. For those prospective buyers who like things a little more luxurious, then the Ultima provides ultimate luxury. But both models boast climate control, power windows (front & rear), power steering, a six speaker MP3 compatible CD player, cruise control, power mirrors, central locking & keyless entry, driver & front passenger SRS airbags, front seat side curtain and front seat side impact airbags (Ultima only), ABS with BA (Brake Assist) & EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), the Toyota designed Safe-T-Cell, and a three year/100,000km warranty (whichever comes first). One of the main endeavours that the Avensis design team wanted to achieve was maximum packaging, efficiency and interior space. There are 18 different seating and load carrying configurations. I think they succeeded. The Toyota Avensis Verso's engine is well suited to the vehicle. The 2.4 litre petrol engine is an in-line dual overhead cam 4-cylinder motor that is sprightly in its action. With 118 kW, you are always equipped with grunty acceleration when you need it. I like the smooth refined delivery of power. It suits the purpose of the vehicle right down to a tee - and that purpose is to carry large groups of people quietly and smoothly. The engine is excellent for a large family who needs to perform transport duty for the local footy team. The relaxed on-road performance is complemented by the exceptional four-speed automatic gearbox that changes up and down the gears unhindered and unnoticed. The Toyota Avensis Verso has the power to climb steep hills or comfortably cruise down the highway at speed. The driver will enjoy the way the car handles well for this MPV type vehicle, and the way the brakes are powerful and effective

Toyota Sequoia

The second-generation Toyota Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle enters its third model year with a new standard 4.6-liter V8 that is more powerful and more efficient than the 4.7-liter V8 it replaces. In addition, all 2010 Sequoia models add driver and front passenger knee airbags, a Cold Kit with heated side mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer, and daytime running lights to their safety roster, along with numerous new amenities and user-technology features. Many more popular optional features are now standard equipment on all models, making Sequoia nearly mono spec, adding considerable extra customer value and simplified vehicle ordering for 2010.The Sequoia is available in SR5, Limited and Platinum grades. In select areas, the Sequoia features as standard E85 Flex Fuel capability on 4x4 5.7-liter V8 models.Among the added standard features on the SR5 grade are a towing package, an eight-way power driver's seat, fog lamps, running boards, power tilt/slide moonroof, a roof rack and rear spoiler and a leather steering wheel with audio and climate controls. The SR5's standard audio system gains integrated satellite radio and Bluetooth(R), and all models add USB iPod connectivity.The Sequoia Limited likewise adds value for 2010, gaining a standard power rear door with a sliding window (previously standard only on Platinum), 20-inch alloy wheels, power tilt/slide moonroof, roof rack, rear spoiler and a backup camera with a 3.5-inch display built into the rear view mirror.At the top of the Sequoia line, the Platinum grade gains laser cruise control, which can help maintain a set distance from vehicles ahead. A standard rear seat DVD entertainment system combines a seven-inch LCD screen with a separate rear seat audio system, including dual wireless headphones. Luxury detailing is enhanced with newly standard wood-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. Both the Platinum and Limited grades get new chrome-accented vent register knobs.Sequoia is available with a choice of two V8 engines, a new 4.6-liter and the 5.7-liter unit it debuted with. Both engines run on recommended regular-grade fuel. The standard engine for the 2010 Sequoia SR5 is the new 310 horsepower 4.6-liter i-Force V8, which replaces the previous 276-hp 4.7-liter V8. The new 32-valve DOHC engine features aluminum alloy cylinder heads with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), which controls valve timing and overlap on both the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power, fuel efficiency and emissions. Peak torque is also up, now 327 lb.-ft. at 3,400 rpm vs. 314 lb.-ft. at 3,400 rpm for the 4.7-liter engine.The new 4.6-liter V8 is teamed to a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, compared to a five-speed automatic with the previous 4.7, benefitting both performance and fuel economy. Highway fuel economy estimates improved, now with and EPA rating of 19 mpg (2WD) vs. 17 mpg with the previous 4.7-liter V8.

Toyota Tarago

Who says people movers can't have any appeal? The third-generation Toyota Tarago delivers excellent comfort, abundant space and practicality and - despite its image - drives much like a (good) conventional car.Lots of vehicles on the Australian market come with the 'people mover' tag - everything from Ford Falcon wagons with an extra row of seats, to the small car-based Kia Carens. But when it comes to sheer spaciousness and flexibility, the current Tarago competes only with Chrysler's Voyager ($49,900-67,400), the Kia Carnival ($32,990-39,000), Mitsubishi Starwagon GLX ($48,600) and Mazda MPV ($49,990).Toyota offers the Tarago in three equipment levels - the tested $51,300 GLi, the GLX at $57,550 and the $64,100 Ultima... no, these are not cheap vehicles.The tested GLi offers seating for eight and appointments such as remote central locking, 6-speaker radio/cassette, rear air conditioning vents and power front windows. Anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) are extra cost options.Despite being more expensive than its opposition (well, all but the top-line Chrysler Voyager anyway), the Tarago range is clearly dominating the Australian large people mover niche - and after driving the vehicle, that's no surprise...The double overhead cam engine is a competent, modern design. With a capacity of 2.4 litres and featuring VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence), the 16-valve 2AZ-FE all-alloy four develops 115kW at 5600 rpm and 221Nm at 4000 rpm. However, with the exception of the completely gutless (85kW) Mitsubishi Starwagon, the Tarago is out-gunned in the power and torque departments by all its oppositionThat it can still scrape by is thanks to the strong spread of torque afforded by VVT-i - a system which infinitely adjusts intake valve timing over a 50-degree range. Variable valve timing gives good driveability and allows the Tarago to keep up with traffic flow without stress - but fill the cabin with people and attempt to climb a hill, and the lack of power is evident..Another advantage of VVT-I is that it enhances fuel consumption. We averaged around between 11-12.5 litres per 100km during our test, which included a mix of heavy traffic, suburban roads and open highways. In contrast, the official AS2877 figures suggest 10.0 and 6.6 litres per 100km in the city and on the highway respectively. The engine's relatively low 9.6:1 compression ratio and knock sensing system allows the use of cheap 91-octane normal unleaded fuel.