Toyota updates Camry and Camry Hybrid for 2010

Toyota has used the 2009 Detroit Auto Show to display its facelifted Camry sedan, which for the 2010 model year has been given a new look both inside and out and has received an upgraded 2.5L four-cylinder as the base engine. The new engine is equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and produces 169hp for Camry, LE and XLE grades. For sportier SE, the engine gets additional tuning and delivers 179hp – 21hp more than the previous four-cylinder engine. Customers can select either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with sequential shift. 2010 Toyota Camry facelift

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Toyota reveals iQ-based FT-EV Concept

Toyota has announced that it will display its new FT-EV concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, while also confirming that it will launch an urban commuter 'battery-electric vehicle' (BEV) by 2012. The world's largest carmaker also revealed that it will start consumer trials of a fleet of 150 plug-in hybrids towards the end of this year and launch as many as ten new petrol-electric hybrid vehicles next year. This announcement, coupled with its compressed natural gas powered Camry Hybrid concept display at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, signal Toyota's intention to broaden the scope of its advanced alternative-fuel vehicle development. The all-electric FT-EV concept shares its platform with the iQ urban commuter vehicle, and can drive up to 50 miles on a single charge. Although BEVs and new smaller vehicles like the iQ will be a key component of Toyota's sustainable mobility strategy, the conventional gas-electric hybrid, like the all new third-generation Prius, also set for this month's Detroit event, is considered Toyota's long-term core powertrain technology. 2009 Toyota FT-EV concept

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Report: Toyota founder’s grandson to replace CEO by June

Following Toyota's shock announcement recently that the company is expecting to post a ¥150 billion ($1.7 billion) loss for the year ending March 2009, comes a new report that claims current CEO Katsuaki Watanabe may be replaced by June of this year. The news comes from Japan's Nikkei daily, which reports that current vice president Akio Toyoda will move into the top spot. Toyoda is the 52 year-old grandson of Toyota's founder Kiichiro Toyoda, and if given the top spot he would be the first member of the family in 14 years to become the company's president.

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Toyota and Lexus announce plans for new telematics system

Toyota has announced that it will launch a new telematics systems later this year for select Toyota and Lexus models, similar to the current service offered by General Motors' OnStar system. Named 'Safety Connect' for Toyota, and Lexus Enform for the carmaker's luxury division, the new system will help to improve the safety of Toyota and Lexus vehicles as well offer new convenience features. Starting with Safety Connect, the new telematics offerings include Automatic Collision Notification (ACN), designed to contact emergency services in the event of either an airbag deployment or a severe rear-end collision, Stolen Vehicle Location (SVL), which provides vehicle tracking in case a vehicle is stolen, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), which connects users to a 24-hour emergency hotline, and finally 24-hours Roadside Assistance. Toyota Safety Connect and Lexus Enform

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Toyota halting Japanese production for 11 days

The global downturn in car sales is a familiar topic these days, and even the production juggernaut of Toyota is facing unseen declines in demand for its products. To help realign output with that demand, the company has planned to shut down all 12 of its Japanese plants for a total of 11 days in February and March. Toyota's move in Japan echoes similar cutbacks already made by the carmaker in the U.S. as the company struggles to find the right balance of production. A report by the AP reveals that the issue of slow sales isn't just limited to SUVs and pickups.

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Review: 2009 Toyota Venza

If I didn't know better, I'd bet carmakers choose model names via a Google simulation. A computer identifies search words that can be punted to page four within days of launch. In this case, it's only a matter of a week or so before lornezovenza.com and Jac Venza slip into double digit obscurity. At the same time, I suppose Toyota settled on "Venza" because it sounds vaguely Italian-- perfect for a car built in Georgetown Kentucky on a Camry platform. In truth, I don't know what it is: the word, the car, the point. All I know is after spending time in the new Toyota Venza I've become a cautious and reluctant fan.

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Comparison Test/Review: Fourth Place: 2009 Toyota Camry

During his first inaugural speech, given at the height of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously said, "Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." Once again, Americans find themselves living through days of economic infamy. Uncertain times and erratic energy costs have cured fearing suburbanites of their predilection for gargantuan SUVs. It's time for practical pragmatism; inexpensive family haulers that dine lightly on 85 octane and stay firmly bolted together for years to come. To fully understand this segment, I tested and compared a quartet of economy sedans. First up: the Toyota Camry.

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Review: Toyota Innova

What the heck's an Innova? While the Toyota website and Wikipedia give no hint to what the word actually means, I suspect it was supposed to evoke the feeling of being innovative, exciting, something new and vogue. Well, so was the Oldsmobile Achieva. And just like the Achieva, no amount of marketing and media shots of active couples rampaging around the country side will convince me the Toyota Innova is anything more than a marketing focus group's bastard child. Then I found out that the platform and mechanical bits are donated from Toyota's legendary Hilux pickup truck. Now we might be on to something.

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2008 Toyota Hilux Review

After hearing all the stories, legends, and Top Gear specials on the fabled Toyota Hilux, I couldn't wait to get my hands on one. While I was in Afghanistan, I heard that a Hilux dragged itself and four American soldiers over forty miles to safety while only able to drive its front wheels when its rear drive shaft was blown off. Another ran for over 100 miles with no oil and a leaking head gasket after being shot by an AK-47 in the mountainous highlands. Talk about a letdown. Driving the Hilux sucks.

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2009 Toyota Matrix S AWD vs. 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i 5-Door

At some point in our recent automotive history, all wheel-drive (AWD) replaced front wheel-drive as the paranoid consumer's drivetrain of choice. The safety advantages of high quality snow tires (as needed) and a low center of gravity (in all cases) got lost in translation. Ready to capitalize on the AWD's popularity: the economy-oriented Toyota Matrix and the Subaru Impreza. Both diminutive scramblers aren't nearly as cheap or efficient as their front-wheel-drive cousins, and they won't off-road, tow a boat or carry seven passengers. Still, both cars offer a [potential] extra safety margin and [potentially] better handling. So if you had to choose one...

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2008 Toyota Prius Review

To my eyes, the Toyota Prius looks like an Area 51 reject: an ungainly sci fi fantasy devoid of charm or beauty. To its admirers' eyes, the Prius is the latter day equivalent of a Model T or a VW Bug: an automobile whose virtues-- and virtuousness-- transcend the normal dictates of style. And THEN there's the debate about propulsion, premiums and politics. It's hard to think of another car that's been this polarizing-- for both manufacturer (Maximum Bob) and the end user (a.k.a. car buyer). And yet, just as sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, sometimes a car is just a car. Ah, but is the Prius a good car?

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2008 Toyota Sienna LE Review

When I drove a Buick Terraza around Berkeley last fall, I was overwhelmed by the sense of occasion that came with it. The car had so much ghetto cachet I almost fell in love with it. It reinforced all of the car enthusiast prejudices I harbored about minivans (i.e., they suck). And for that, I thanked it. The Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, proved to be a bigger challenge. Each time I wanted to hate some aspect of the minivan, I found myself pleasantly surprised. I don't think I'm giving anything away saying right from the outset that the world's most boring carmaker has made the best example of the world's most boring type of car.

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2008 Toyota Sequoia [Platinum] Review

Professor W. Edwards Deming taught post-War Japan statistical process control. Toyota management applied Deming's lessons with characteristic discipline, refining the Yale grad's famous "14 points" to create their lean manufacturing system. Through it all, ToMoCo had one over-riding goal: to mimic and surpass the world's greatest automakers. Driving the new Toyota Sequoia back-to-back against its archetypal competition-- the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition-- proves the old adage: be careful what you wish for.

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2009 Toyota Corolla Review

Every forty seconds, another new Corolla rolls off a dealer's lot. Statistically speaking, it's piloted by a middle aged woman without a college degree. She could be your house cleaner, mother or receptionist. For forty years, the Corolla has satisfied her with its predictable blend of reliable, economical and durable transportation. These days, old is out, youthful is in. Toyota's PR professed and ambitious goal for their tenth generation Corolla: "to connect, more than ever, with younger buyers on every level" (Toyota's italics/underlines). So, has the new Corolla hooked up?

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2009 Toyota Matrix Review

Do you know how many Matrices Toyota sold in the United States last year? That's not a rhetorical question; I have no idea. Toyota rolls the number into Corolla sales. No surprise there. The Matrix shares its underpinnings with the Corolla-- and the Pontiac Vibe (same car, different wrapper). Even if the Matrix accounts for a fraction of Corolla sales, a fraction of a lot is a lot. And so, just as Toyota is bringing out the new Corolla, they're unleashing the sequel to the Matrix. Let's call it The Matrix: Rebloated.

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Toyota Land Cruiser Review

In the movie "Out of Africa," Denys Finch-Hatton's 1923 International Harvester stalls on an open savannah amidst a herd of seriously cranky water buffalo. After a few nervous minutes tinkering with the engine, Denys tells Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) to manually crank the engine. It explodes to life, and they continue their illicit journey into cinematic history. Substitute a Canon DSLR for Blixen's .416 Rigby, and in my mind, I'm there. As for the Harvester… what about an all-new 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser?

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Toyota Corolla S Review

I like to believe that the general population's insensitivity to the joys of automotive design, engineering and performance is a simple matter of missed opportunity. If the average driver had suckled on Hot Wheels' sweet metallic tang from toddler-hood, if a mechanically-minded mentor had gently and gradually revealed the wondrous secrets of the automotive arts during their teenage years, if they'd been shown how to harness horsepower with skill and respect as adult drivers, they'd share my passion for cars with genuine soul. Meanwhile, Toyota sells millions of Corollas and no one complains. Why would they?

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Toyota Highlander Sport Review

Sir Isaac Newton had a ninth law: all vehicles must gain mass with each passing generation. I know, I know: safety regulations, usable third row, American tastes, yada yada yada. And it's true that the new, bigger Toyota Highlander exacts no fuel efficiency penalty for its extra height, width, length and weight. Even so, has the new Highlander lost something, as Toyota moves further and further away from cheap and cheerful towards pricey and ponderous?

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Toyota 4Runner Review

In 2002, I embarked on a week-long trek across the High Uinta Mountains. On our first day out, I aggravated an old knee injury. So we borrowed a six-year-old all wheel-drive 4Runner and resumed our backcountry adventure by wheel. The 4Runner was ideal: rugged, reliable, capable and comfortable. Of course, Toyota didn't get to be the world's largest automobile manufacturer by leaving well enough alone…

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Toyota Aygo Review

What does ten thousand US dollars buy an automobilist these days? How about ceramic brakes for your Porsche 911 and a bit of pocket change. Or a more-or-less acceptable used car. If you want a new set of wheels, ten large buys you a generic-Asian small car with wooden-feeling controls, a depressing interior, lousy ride, asthmatic engine and poor dynamics. No image, no resale, no fun. You might as well take the bus. Alternatively, if you live in Europe, you could buy a Toyota Aygo. But should you?

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