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.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
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.
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