Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged Toyota
North American International Auto Show 2012
Jan 16th
It’s practically a tradition that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is accompanied by the worst weather of the season. The second week in January in Detroit is rarely a pleasant place, but this year’s show was preceded by unseasonably warm and sunny weather. All thoughts of global warming aside, it seemed to indicate a subtle change in the climate of the automotive industry as well. No-shows included Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Jaguar/Land Rover, but all of the major industry players were present.
Several years of economic hardship (and more than a few casualties) have left the auto industry cautious; the wild abandon that characterized auto shows past is long gone. In its place, there’s a pragmatic realism–but for 2012, that realistic outlook is also optimistic. In addition to the upcoming products that are useful refinements of existing vehicles, Detroit also saw the debut of some honest-to-goodness concept cars, showing that the industry may have scaled back on the wildest flights of fancy, but it hasn’t forgotten how to dream. More >
2012 Toyota Corolla
Jan 10th
“Beige” is fast becoming automotive-enthusiast shorthand for “dull and uninteresting appliance, so some might think it fitting that the 2012 Toyota Corolla that arrived in my driveway was painted Sandy Beach Metallic. You’ve probably already guessed that’s a fancy name for a metallic beige color.
The Corolla makes no apologies for being a driving appliance, though, and it doesn’t need to. The sturdy, reliable Corolla is the Maytag of automotive appliances not matter what color it is, with a well-deserved reputation for drama-free ownership. For 2012, the Corolla is largely unchanged after its 2011 refreshing. Toyota’s added a few features to the standard-equipment list and improved the sound systems, and left everything else be.
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2011 Toyota Prius v
Sep 17th
Odds are you’re either skeptical or very interested. Like the MINI (only nerdier) Toyta’s Prius is expanding to become a full line of distinctive vehicles, and that family begins, naturally, with a larger, cargo-friendly version. The Prius v is, at heart, a Prius station wagon.
The Prius comprised 53% of the United States hybrid market last year, according to Toyota. It outsells every other U.S. hybrid combined, in other words. And with gas prices still creeping ever upward, the market for fuel-efficient vehicles continues to grow. The “v” stands for “versatility” according to Toyota, though the five-door hatchback Prius would seem to be plenty versatile enough. There’s always a need for more cargo space, though, so the Prius v is longer and wider than the original. It doesn’t look it at a glance, but the Prius v is large enough to compete with cars like the Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape Hybrid. It’s also considerably more efficient than any non-hybrid SUV or crossover. More >