Nother CarGuy

Toyota has unveiled the new 300 series Land Cruiser and says it had two development objectives for the new SUV. The first was to “inherit and evolve” its spirit of “reliability, durability, and off-road performance” while the second was to create a ride experience capable of tackling any type of road. But before you get too hyped about it, let us tell you that there are no current plans to offer the new 2022 Land Cruiser in the U.S., though they will probably get a similar Lexus LX version. Toyota says that it wanted to keep the vehicle’s body-on-frame structure because it “is the foundation that protects the Land Cruiser’s essence.” In order to pursue its mission of making the SUV capable of tackling any road without tiring the driver, though, it has adopted the new GA-F platform for the vehicle, which is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). That has meant a lighter chassis that is also more rigid and a vehicle whose center of gravity has been moved closer to the ground...

When Subaru unveiled their second-gen BRZ last November, we thought Toyota’s version, the GR 86, would be close behind. Apparently, we’d have to wait five months, but in the meantime Toyota has been working hard to make the jointly-developed sports car feel more like their own. Now, the GR 86 makes its world debut as the third vehicle in Toyota’s GR lineup, coming after the GR Supra sports coupe and GR Yaris hot hatch. As with the first generation of the two sports coupes, Toyota and Subaru worked together on the new GR 86 and BRZ, with the two models having a nearly identical appearance, sans some minor details. In Toyota’s case, that meant first and foremost outfitting the GR 86 with the “Functional Matrix” grille similar to the one found on the GR Yaris, while the headlight LED signature is also slightly different compared to the BRZ. That’s not to say it’s not a prettier and more muscular design than before, with a lowered stance and curvier hips along with some other tweaks such a...

The Toyota Venza is back after an absence of nearly five years. Essentially a renamed Harrier, the 2021 Venza will go on sale in the United States this summer and be offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. Speaking of the latter, the model is equipped with a new hybrid system that features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, three electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack that resides beneath the rear seats. It enables the crossover to have a combined output of 219 hp (163 kW / 222 PS) and a combined fuel economy rating of approximately 40 mpg. The crossover also comes standard with Toyota’s electric on-demand all-wheel drive system. It features a rear-mounted electric motor that can provide additional traction when needed. Toyota says the system works “seamlessly and transparently,” and can vary torque distribution depending on conditions. Toyota didn’t say much about the Venza’s exterior, but it’s almost identical to the Japanese Harrier.  As a result, the ...

Toyota has lifted the veils off the all-new 2021 Sienna minivan, the fourth-generation of the popular nameplate. Designed, engineered and assembled in the United States, the 2021 Toyota Sienna adopts a bolder design that’s inline with the brand’s latest models, comes with a standard hybrid powertrain and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, and offers available all-wheel drive. Based on the TNGA-K platform, the fourth-gen Sienna features a more daring design that Toyota says is influenced by SUVs and Japan’s Shinkansen ‘bullet train’. The minivan sports strong and robust proportions thanks to the shoulder-themed body design, muscular wheel flares and boldly sculpted surfaces. The front end features high-set headlights that interact with the small upper grille via chrome trim and the bold lower grille via the creases at their center. At the back, the 2021 Toyota Sienna sports LED taillights with an integrated black canard that’s said to improve aerodynamic performance, as well as ...

Toyota has finally released the first photos and information on its Yaris-based SUV, appropriately named the Yaris Cross. Offering more room, an increased ground clearance and the option of all-wheel drive, the Toyota Yaris Cross will become the third member of the Yaris family when it launches in Europe in mid-2021. Joining the regular Yaris subcompact hatch and the GR Yaris hot hatch, the Yaris Cross is larger than both. While the wheelbase is the same at 2,560 mm (100.8 in), the crossover is 240 mm (9.4 in) longer at 4,180 mm (164.5 in). The Yaris Cross is also 20 mm (0.8 in) wider and 90 mm (3.5 in) taller than the Yaris. Despite that, it’s still small enough to avoid stepping on the Toyota C-HR‘s toes. Compared to the larger crossover, it appears less controversial from a styling standpoint, adopting a more conventional look. Some could say it looks like a mini-me Toyota RAV4, with the similar front end, generous plastic body cladding, flared wheel arches and overall S...

The all-new Toyota GR Supra was only introduced for the 2020 model year but the Japanese automaker has gone ahead and made big updates for 2021. No doubt, the big news for the 2021 Toyota GR Supra is the introduction of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, the nameplate’s first-ever four-pot. As expected, it’s also sourced from BMW and it delivers 255 HP at 5,000-6,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. Bridging the gap between the Toyota 86 and the Supra 3.0, the 2021 GR Supra 2.0 base model is far from a slouch. Hooked to the same eight-speed auto as the six-cylinder model, the Supra 2.0 is projected to do 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.0 seconds and reach an electronically limited top track speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). This will make it Toyota’s second quickest vehicle in the lineup behind the Supra 3.0. Besides a lower price point, the four-cylinder Supra will also offer improved fuel economy, though no mileage figures have been released ...

The Toyota Highlander lineup is expanding as the three-row crossover is gaining an all-new and sportier XSE variant for 2021. Following in the footsteps of the Camry XSE, the Highlander features an aggressive front fascia with a revised grille and larger lower air intake. The model also has tinted lighting units and a metallic spoiler. The sporty styling touches continue further back as the crossover is equipped with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels that feature black accents. Buyers will also find new side skirts, blacked out window trim and black mirror caps. Rounding out the highlights are black roof rails and a chromed dual exhaust system. Interior changes are limited but include ambient lighting, faux carbon fiber trim and black Softex seats with fabric inserts. Customers can also opt for a two-tone interior featuring black and red leather as well as red contrast stitching. The improvements aren’t just skin deep as Highlander XSE features a sportier suspension with ...

Toyota have really outdone themselves with the new GR Yaris, a subcompact hot hatch with state-of-the-art engineering and power levels that broke cover at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon. Positioned against the Ford Fiesta ST, Renault Clio RS and Volkswagen Polo GTI in terms of size, the Japanese supermini is way more powerful and adds something its rivals lack: an all-wheel drive system. How was this possible? By combining the front end of the GA-B platform that debuted in the new-gen Yaris with the rear of the GA-C architecture. This allows the implementation of the all-wheel drive system, as well as a new suspension design, with double wishbone set-up, front strut system and rear torsion beam. Stopping power comes from the 356 mm (14 in) ventilated front discs with four-piston calipers and 297 mm (11.7 in) ventilated rear discs with two-pot calipers. Powering the GR Yaris is the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder that produces 261 PS (257 hp / 192 kW) and 360 Nm (266 lb-ft)...

Toyota has officially unveiled its all-new Yaris subcompact hatch in both Japanese and European specifications. The fourth-generation Yaris is the first application of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) in the segment, with the new modular platform being code-named the GA-B. It enables significant improvements for the small hatchback in all areas, including styling, practicality, mechanical, technology and safety, and also helps reduce the car’s weight by up to 50 kg (110 lbs). The all-new Yaris features a much more emotional design than its predecessor, with more dramatic proportions thanks to it being shorter, wider and lower. Bucking the trend of most new cars, the 2020 Yaris loses 5 mm (0.2 in) in length and 40 mm (1.6 in) in height. However, it adds millimeters where it counts, namely the wheelbase (+50 mm / 2 in) and width (+50 mm / 2 in). This results in a roomier interior (the seats are mounted lower so headroom is not affected) and is a prerequisite for impr...