Toyota

2023 Toyota Sequoia: vast upgrades for plush, powerful SUV

After five years of only slight changes, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia will debut this summer as a new generation of the large SUV with interior upgrades, technology improvements and a more powerful powertrain. The Sequoia will be offered in two-wheel drive or the available part-time four-wheel-drive system on SR5, Limited, Platinum and Capstone grades. The TRD Pro will be offered only in four-wheel drive. The part-time four-wheel-drive system relies on a transfer case, controlled via a lever on the center console to select between two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive high or four-wheel-drive low. One powertrain will be offered, the same i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain in the Toyota Tundra. It will include 437 horsepower and 583-pound feet of torque. The towing capacity has been

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#217, RVs, Tesla, Hyundai Santa Cruz, World Car of the Year

New RVs. A massive Tesla recall. Hyundai‘s new hip pickup. The World Car of the Year nominations. It’s all covered — and more — this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia don’t have a guest on Episode No. 117, which gives us the ideal opportunity to catch up with the never-ending and always-changing automotive landscape. We start with the continuing still-new exploits of Bruce and his wife’s adventures in their 29-foot Keystone RV and its towing vehicle a new Ford F-250 pickup truck. Bruce details learning the nuances of backing the RV into a camping site and his quickly advancing skill set as a first-time RV owner. Depending upon perspective, Elon Musk is the

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2022 Toyota GR86: It’s back, it’s flawed, it’s fun

If the criteria for purchasing a new car is driving fun but without supreme acceleration, carrying cargo or children, environmental concerns, the latest technology, comfort or a quiet, serene ride, buy a 2022 Toyota GR86. Its seemingly sole purpose is pure joy. The GR86 scoots around in city driving with ease and it deftly maneuvers along country roads because that’s what it does best. For all practical purposes, the pleasure can be shared with no more than one passenger. With a re-shaped exterior, the GR86 is handsome and attracts plenty of attention. It’s the debut of the car’s second generation and arrives after the vehicle took a one-year hiatus. 2022 Toyota GR86: driving pleasure, small package Little is embellished. Like

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Goodbye, farewell to Ford F-150 (diesel), Toyota Land Cruiser

They’re just cars and trucks, simply transportation from some, nearly family members for others. And every year, plenty of vehicles bid farewell. Via poor sales, it’s out with the old, in with the new. And usually, there’s extenuating circumstances. The Ford Bronco returned in 2021 after a 25-year absence. For RVers, some of the departing vehicles have been reliable companions, some short-term, others icons. For 2021 goodbyes that includes the Ford F-150 (diesel) and Toyota Land Cruiser. Ford didn’t have much success with the diesel version of the popular pickup truck. According to Car and Driver, the manufacturer notes the diesel option fell out of favor with customers who prefer EcoBoost V-6 gas option. The departure of the Land Cruiser

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Toyota no longer king of the green car industry

It’s hard to believe that Toyota, the automaker behind the hugely successful hybrid-electric Prius, is no longer viewed as the green car industry leader. According to Danny Magill, an analyst at the London-based think tank InfluenceMap, Toyota has gone from a leading position to an “industry laggard” in clean-car policy as other automakers push ahead with ambitious electric vehicle (EV) plans. InfluenceMap gives Toyota a “D-” grade—the worst among automakers—saying it exerts policy influence to undermine public climate goals. While companies like Tesla have produced fully electric cars now part of the EV rage, Toyota, focusing on gas-electric hybrids and futuristic fuel cell vehicles, has started to lose market share. Toyota Prius: Losing Its Green Car Crown Records show the

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2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: country’s best new car value?

Car buyers often maintain their brand and style preferences for decades. It’s among the reasons hybrid and all-electric vehicle sales have increased slowly. As an example, the Toyota Prius is now 21 years old. As the first mass-produced hybrid in the United States, it once dominated the country’s alternative fuel vehicle annual sales. But that still represented less than four percent of all auto sales. 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Offer Great Value The Prius’ popularity has waned, but Toyota still maintains its dominance in the hybrid segment. The Toyota RAV4 now reigns with 28 percent of the market share. Key Takeaways 53 mpg city, 52 mpg highway on regular gas: A 1.8-liter four-cylinder paired with two electric motors and a

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Toyota shifts gears, pulls Summer Olympics TV ads in Japan

Financial commitments from television networks, international sponsors and other revenue sources were the biggest hurdle against those calling for the cancellation of the Summer Olympics because of the coronavirus. Now one of the biggest sponsors, Toyota, has decided to withdraw all of its Olympics-related television commercials during the Summer Games — in Japan. Japanese media out reports the decision was made because the car manufacturer fears association already-turbulent Summer Games. The automaker believes aligning its brand with an event the vast majority of the Japanese public is against, could be detrimental to the carmaker’s reputation. Toyota Says No To Summer Olympics Ads in Japan According to media reports, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda and other senior executives will not be attending

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2021 Toyota RAV4 expands SUV lead with EV boost

For several years, the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V have paced the keen competition at the front of the small, versatile sport utility vehicle pack. Toyota has further expanded its current lead with the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE. A plug-in hybrid option of the standard five-passenger, the Toyota RAV4 Prime is a small SUV offered in SE and XSE trims. Its 4-cylinder engine combines with a more powerful lithium-ion battery pack and three motors to produce 302 horsepower. Key Takeaways 302-hp plug-in hybrid is the quickest RAV4 ever: The Prime pairs a 2.5-liter four with three motors and a larger lithium-ion battery to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. 42-mile all-electric range is genuinely usable: Too many

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Toyota Tacoma legacy: No. 1 million set for Mecum Auctions

Well into its mid-20s, it’s time for a Toyota Tacoma celebration. One truck fan may get the biggest gift — the one-millionth unit of the iconic small pickup truck. It was assembled Oct. 4, 2019, in San Antonio, Texas, and has been driven only 158 miles. The truck, which may reach a value of $100,000, will be for sale during Mecum Auctions‘ three-day presence at Monterey Auto Week, Aug. 12-14. A 1995 Toyota Tacoma cost between $17,000 and $19,000 new. Carrying lot #R285, the Army Green TRD Pro model will come with a letter from Toyota verifying its production number. That should help to solidify its value, as will the fact that this thing is nearly factory fresh. Toyota Tacoma:

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Energy Observer, Toyota team for global catamaran ride, #181

Dr. Katia Nicolet, a marine biologist, is part of two, five-person crews rotating on board the Energy Observer. The self-sufficient, 100-foot catamaran is the first round-the-world, hydrogen-powered sea vessel. It’s a working lab designed to showcase zero-emission technologies and demonstrate that clean energies can be accessible to everyone. As part of its six-year odyssey, the Energy Observer arrived in early May on Pier 9 in San Francisco about two weeks after entering the United States in Long Beach, California. Nicolet, who has been involved with the project for about a year, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. After joining several other guests for Nicolet’s extensive tour of the vessel, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia

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#179, California hydrogen highway growing, still unheralded

Three mainstream automobile manufacturers, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, sell and lease hydrogen vehicles. The Clarity (Honda) and Mirai (Toyota) are sedans; the Nexo (Hyundai) is a sport utility vehicle. Combined, the three vehicles compromise a small fraction of the automotive industry and are overwhelmingly in California. Ben Xiong, the Communications Specialist at California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) in West Sacramento, California, discusses the hydrogen vehicle industry on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia report on the progress of the hydrogen car and truck industry, the public’s perception of hydrogen fuel and the availability of hydrogen refueling stations. “My main passion, really, is reacting with people via public website and social media about

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Toyota seeks to revive Yaris interest with Cross SUV

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Following other manufacturers, Toyota is looking to revive interest in the declining Yaris brand by launching an SUV model of one of its best-known models. The Toyota Yaris Cross is a small SUV that looks way more stylish than any other Yaris to date. They’ve usually been as exciting as a new pair of socks. The Urban Cruiser, Toyota‘s last foray into the small SUV market, was discontinued in 2012 after only three years on the market. But the manufacturer has repeatedly demonstrated its automotive foresight. As with other Toyota vehicles, the Yaris Cross comes with the manufacturer’s flagship hybrid drivetrain that allows for both fuel and electric operation. Toyota Says No Yaris Cross in U.S. The small

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2021 Toyota Tacoma: enduring pickup gets edgy

By James Raia It’s been nearly 27 years since the Toyota Tacoma debuted in the United States, and it’s among the most enduring pickup trucks available. For 2021, the versatile daily driver and work truck has a new optional look. Joining six other Toyota cars, vans and trucks, the Tacoma is available in a Nightshade Edition. It’s an edgy look that features a lot of black — alloy wheels, front lower grille, rear spoiler, outside mirrors, door handles, side rocker panels and shark-fin antenna. There’s a single exhaust with dual black diffusers and black Toyota emblem and badges. Available in two-and four-wheel-drive variants with a spacious Double Cab body style, the new Tacoma features a 3.5-liter V6 with 278-horsepower. It

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2022 TRUCK PREVIEW: All new Toyota Tundra

With a more aggressive-looking front bumper and cutaways underneath the headlights, the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is expected to follow the path of the modern-looking Toyota TRD Pro models. The Tundra has had minor upgrades for years. But the 2022 edition will be all-new with a bigger payload, larger towing capacities and different interior and exterior looks. The new mid-size truck is expected to feature the manufacturer’s latest truck chassis, which will include high-strength steel and other lighter-weight materials. Current 1,730-pound payload and 10,200-pound towing figures will be improved upon. 2022 Toyota Tundra: No More V8 According to internet reports, Toyota will discontinue the Tundra’s V8 with a V6-only powertrain. Less powerful new Tundra models will feature naturally aspirated 3.5-liter,

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2020 Toyota Highlander improved, rivals abound

The 2020 Toyota Highlander celebrates the mid-sized crossover sport utility vehicle’s 20th birthday. The occasion also marks the family hauler’s continuing spree of prime sales years. Beginning in 2017, the Highlander has had three straight years surpassing 200,000 units sold globally. A fourth consecutive year of 200K sales will likely occur when yearly tallies are calculated in January. It won’t be surprising since the 2020 model was redesigned with worthy updates. The Highlander is now a further family favorite. A three-row crossover with seating up to eight, the 2020 Highlander is available in five trim levels: L, LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum. All models feature a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is

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2021 Toyota Supra: looks great, rough road ahead

Two decades after its original production ceased, a new old sports car re-emerged 18 months ago. Few consumers noticed the Toyota Supra. Less than 3,000 of the 2020 fifth-generation offering, a collaboration between the Japanese automaker and BMW, sold. The revised 2021 edition offers promise for a new wave of buyers interested in the luxury sports car first unveiled in 1978. A full year of sales will more than double the estimated 3,000 purchases from the vehicle’s initial six months back on the market in 2019. It’s encouraging considering the final year of the Supra’s initial tenure in the United States in 1999 resulted in only 24 sales. Toyota Supra gets second chance The Supra was all the rage in

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