Tag: Toyota

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TOYOTA CRUISER: NO SINKING FEELING . . . YET

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The Toyota LandCruiser dates back to the days when such vehicles were called wagons – none of this sports utility vehicle nonsense. Unfortunately, they behaved as though they, at worst, had wooden wheels with iron rims; at best, solid rubber tyres. One such ‘wagon’ was the LandCruiser, which made Aussie landfall in the 1950s on the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. It has not looked back. The latest LandCruiser 300 came to market two years ago, with Toyota at pains to supply the vehicle with a stack of the latest automotive… Read more

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TOYOTA KLUGER 2007 – 2021

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  CAPTION: A.   B.  C. 2018 Toyota Kluger   Toyota Kluger isn’t a serious off-road vehicle designed to conquer the great  Australian outback. Rather it’s aimed at those looking for a medium to large station  wagon to carry the family.    However, it does have a moderate off-road ability in some models. It’s probably best  that you don’t test this ability unless you’ve got some mates in ‘proper’ 4WDs in your  convoy and there’s a snatch-um strap in the boot.   Initially Toyota Kluger was driven by all four wheels,… Read more

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TOYOTA YARIS CROSS GR SPORT

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As the name suggests, the Toyota Yaris Cross is a version of the popular Yaris hatchback bulked up to provide access to the, even more popular, compact SUV category. Launched here in late-2020 Yaris Cross is available in both two-wheel drive and electric all-wheel drive variants in three grades: GX, GXL and Urban all with the choice between petrol or hybrid drivetrains. A fourth variant, and our test vehicle, the GR Sport, was added in October 2022 but only as a 2WD hybrid. STYLING Yaris Cross shares the distinctive styling… Read more

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UPGRADE COMING FOR TOYOTA LANDCRUISER WORKHORSE

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Toyota has taken the wraps off a significantly upgraded LandCruiser 70 Series utility that will be offered with a four-cylinder turbodiesel engine mated to a six- speed automatic transmission for the first time when it arrives in Australia later this year. In addition to the new powertrain, the upgraded 70 Series brings styling changes together with increases in safety technology, comfort and convenience features, and an upgraded multimedia system. The new powertrain will be available across the range that includes four body styles and three grades, and will join the… Read more

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NEW PRADO HIDES A 300 SERIES

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What came first the chicken or the egg, or in this case the Toyota Prado or Hyundai Santa Fe? Just like the Santa Fe that we previewed a few weeks ago, the all-new LandCruiser Prado has adopted a tougher, more utilitarian look. Due to arrive in Australian showrooms towards the middle of next year, it benefits from significant mechanical upgrades, enhanced performance and rugged styling changes. Since its arrival in 1996, Prado has been one of Australia’s most popular large SUVs thanks to its blend of capability, amenity and comfort…. Read more

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TOYOTA FORTUNER IS THE REAL DEAL IN 4WDS

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Toyota Fortuner is a seven-seat SUV that’s based on the HiLux pickup truck. Though not generally known to Australians the Fortuner nameplate isn’t new for Toyota. The first version, also based on the HiLux pickup of its day, has been around since 2005 where it sold as an Asia-only workhorse. Fortuner eventually came here in late-2015 and has been a consistent, if not spectacular, seller in the congested sub-$70,000 large SUV segment, although it’s more and old-style 4WD than an SUV. Three variants are available, GX, GXL and Crusade priced… Read more

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HYBRID HILUX PROMISED NEXT YEAR

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Toyota may not have kicked off the whole hybrid thing, but it has certainly made the technology its own here in Australia. The Japanese car maker now offers hybrid versions of just about all models, except that is for Australia’s best-selling car – the Hilux utility. That’s about to change with confirmation that HiLux will be offered for the first time with a 48-volt mild hybrid setup in the first half of 2024. But here’s the thing, it won’t be a petrol hybrid like the rest of them. This one… Read more

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TOYOTA GR COROLLA MORIZO

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Imagine paying $80,000 for a Corolla and finding it doesn’t have a back seat. That’s the big ask for Toyota’s leaner, meaner GR Corolla Morizo Edition, only 25 of which will be offered for sale here in Australia. Toyota says it has taken performance to a whole new level with the arrival of the strictly limited Morizo Edition, an even more focused version of the acclaimed GR Corolla. The removal of the rear seats represents just one of the many weight-saving measures applied, reducing the kerb weight of the car… Read more

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TOYOTA IRONS OUT ROGUE TUB-TOP KINKS

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Following an earlier stumble or two, the Rogue has redeemed itself. The HiLux top-dog ute has taken its rightful place as the genuine hero of Australia’s best-selling range of vehicles. My introduction to the HiLux Rogue last year was fraught, with its motorised roll-top tray cover jamming centimetres from full retraction with no amount of button pressing – even physical exertion on my part – getting it to close. Revisiting the MY21 dual-cab utility recently everything worked to order, which was welcome as the tonneau cover is the result of… Read more

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ALL-NEW LEXUS GX MAKES WORLD PREMIERE

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Although it’s been around for more than 20 years in overseas markets the Lexus GX has yet to be sold in Australia, due to a right-hand drive version being unavailable. Although Lexus Australia has yet to confirm whether the just-launched third-generation version will come here it seems likely that it will. Based on the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the GX is a seven-seat off-road vehicle that sits between the RX and LX in the Lexus SUV line-up. Styling is similar to the LandCruiser 300 Series but with a frameless version of… Read more