Toyota
Graphed: Fuel Economy Of Efficient Vehicles
As we drive the Lexus CT200h (and enjoy it for the most part), we’re reminded of some of the other fuel misers we’ve driven and responded to favorably (again, for the most part). We decided to compare a handful of these cars side by side, to get a visual understanding of how they perform.
Driven: 2012 Scion iQ
With the iQ, Scion is launching one of the few really different cars that we’ll see for 2012. Having spent time driving it on the streets of San Francisco and the highways and winding roads of Marin County, we can report that the iQ is very nearly brilliant in its concept and execution. We can also forecast that 99 percent of you will see the iQ as a curiosity or a bore, not as a real alternative to the 499 other models on the market. The remaining 1 percent, on the other hand, will find the iQ close to ideal, though it takes some mental effort to fully appreciate Scion’s philosophy.
Driven: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
At the launch of the new Jetta, we were able to go out and try the gasoline-powered versions. What we found was a car that seemed to fit the bill as far as the marketplace was concerned, but wasn’t quite ready for the enthusiast seal of approval. Still, we managed to have some fun in it, despite some concerns about acceleration.
Quick Drive: 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid
The role in the world for the Fusion Hybrid seems to be as the slightly better handling alternative to Toyota’s Prius. What one gives up to drive the Fusion versus the Prius— hatchback functionality, some fuel economy, and Toyota residual value—is made up for on a day-to-day fun basis. Sure, the Fusion may only be 10 percent more fun to drive than the Toyota, but that small amount adds up with the occasional fast corner, or spirited session when taking the long way home from work.
CarTronics: Toyota’s Entune Infotainment System
When Ford’s Microsoft-powered Sync technology debuted on 2008-model-year vehicles, it ushered in a new generation of automotive infotainment systems. With MyFord Touch, the Sync software has been given even more functionality, thanks to the combination of touch-screen controls and the aforementioned voice recognition. The problem is, Sync was already a complicated system to begin with, with too many menus and sub-menus to navigate through, not to mention a slightly recalcitrant voice-recognition system. Adding the touchscreen functionality of MyFord Touch has simply steepened the already steep learning curve.
Driven: 2012 Toyota Prius V
If you want to save yourself the time of reading our entire well-considered first drive review of the all new Prius V, let us sum it up for you right here in the opening paragraph. The only thing truly surprising about the new Prius wagon is that it has taken Toyota this long to offer it for sale.
Blog: Is Toyota A Luxury Brand?
When we think of luxury SUVs, we commonly think of Lincoln, Lexus, Infiniti, Land Rover, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and the like. After all, these are the luxury brands, and when someone mentions luxury, the core brands such as Nissan, Ford, and Toyota aren’t the first to come to mind. When we wrote up our luxury three-row SUV comparison for the latest issue of Winding Road, we stuck with the names that people associate with luxury, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be found elsewhere. This is especially true when it comes to these larger vehicles, as we find they have the space and the available options to make them super comfortable.
Driven: 2011 Chevrolet Volt
The Volt is, first and foremost, a properly enjoyable car to drive. Ignore the on-board readouts and your fuel economy, and the Volt will happily dust other cars away from the lights, thanks to the 273 pound-feet of torque generated by its electric motor. This instant-on torque gives the Volt a feeling of immediacy that might be unfamiliar to the owner of a conventional car.
Backseat Driver: 2011 Chevrolet Volt
Another new style of review we’re rolling out at Winding Road takes the focus off the driver, and gives the megaphone to our passengers. In “Backseat Driver,” we bring another person along for the ride, ask them a few basic questions, and see what kind of quick, real-world impressions we get.
New York 2011: Scion FR-S Coupe Concept
Scion has revealed its version of the rear-wheel-drive, boxer-powered sports coupe. Called the FR-S (which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport), the attractive concept is inspired by Toyota’s iconic AE86 Corolla.
Scion Teases New York-Bound Sports Car
We are rather familiar with Toyota’s long-awaited FT-86 rear-drive sports car, having seen an agonizing number of concepts. What we aren’t sure of yet, is which badge it’ll be wearing when it finally hits dealer showrooms. If Scion’s latest teaser video is any indication, don’t count on it being a Toyota.
New York Preview: Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept
Ahead of its debut in New York later this month, Lexus has indulged us with photos and details of the LF-Gh hybrid concept sedan. The concept gives us a preview of the future of Lexus design, as well as showcases the brand’s commitment to hybrid technology.
Quick Drive: 2011 Toyota Venza
The Venza is kind of a jack-of-all-trades. Its driving nature is completely inoffensive. The six-speed auto swaps cogs smoothly and somewhat quickly, and the 3.5-liter V-6 can haul this fairly large vehicle around pretty quickly. It’s plenty versatile; thanks to a large trunk and a second row that folds completely flat. It’s even got the security of all-wheel drive. So what’s wrong with it? The answer is the Mazda CX-7.
Quick Drive: 2011 Toyota Avalon
That light and numb steering means the driver needs to exert less effort to direct the vehicle. The waterbed suspension will keep him comfortable over pockmarked urban roads. And those underbolstered seats make the constant entry and exit from the drivers seat a far easier procedure. And being a fairly straightforward, V-6-powered, front-wheel-drive sedan, the Avalon likely won’t cost too much to maintain.
Status Report: Japanese Automakers Cope In Aftermath Of Earthquake
Friday’s horrific earthquake and tsunami in Japan has taken a grim toll on that country over the weekend. (Please take a moment to support efforts by the Red Cross if you’re able.) News and updates about facilities and production damage to major Japanese automakers have been understandably sketchy, for the most part. Here’s a rundown, by manufacturer, of what’s been reported on that front as of this morning.
Geneva 2011: Toyota Previews Three-Row Prius+ For European Market
At the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota has unveiled a new member of the Prius family of hybrids to be sold in Europe. The Toyota Prius+ is a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle, and is Toyota’s first non-plug-in hybrid to use lithium-ion batteries.
Driven: 2012 Toyota Prius PHV
In reality, the Prius PHV differs mechanically and dynamically only slightly from the third-generation car that it’s based on. The biggest mechanical change centers around the battery pack, with the single nickel metal hydride battery being replaced by an advanced lithium-ion batteries.
Detroit 2011: Live Photos Of The Toyota Prius C Concept
Toyota is showing the future of the Prius family today in Detroit, and the Prius C Concept is the small, more urban version of the popular hybrid. In addition to the information and images we got from Toyota, here are a few live images of the Prius C Concept at the 2011 North American International Auto Show.
Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius V Live Shots
Today, we brought you details and images of the newest addition to the Prius family, the 2012 Toyota Prius V. While we were at it, we took some of our own photos of the slightly larger, family-oriented Prius.
Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius C Concept Shows Another Direction For Hybrid Family
Today, besides introducing the newest member of the Prius family, The 2012 Prius V, Toyota showed the smaller Prius C Concept.
First Look: 2012 Toyota Prius V
Today in Detroit, Toyota debuted the next member of the Prius family of hybrid vehicles, the 2012 Prius V. According to the automaker, V stands for versatility, and the Prius V is meant for young, active families.
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