Launched about a year ago was the new fourth generation Toyota Prius which had first use of Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform which in the case of the Prius lowered the ride height, gave a more engaging drive and improved the interior quality, writes David Miles. It also introduced to the Prius brand a more acceptable exterior body style now similar to subsequent other new Toyota models … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Camry Excel 4-Door 2.5 Hybrid
Increasing demand for hybrid vehicles has prompted Toyota to return the Camry mid-sized four-door saloon back into its UK line-up after an absence of 15 years. This is the all new eighth generation Camry, it went on sale first in 1982 but the seventh generation versions were not sold in the UK. Although Toyota class the new Camry as a mid-sized saloon at 4,885mm in length and with very … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Corolla Touring SE 1.8 Hybrid
The enduring and enterprising Toyota Corolla is a firm favourite with British car buyers and it’s easy to understand why after a week with the 1.8 Sports Excel estate hybrid, writes Robin Roberts. This spring , the 12th generation Corolla replaced the oddly-named, smaller and less attractive Auris series of models and it brought with it the latest self-charging hybrid technology which … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Corolla Excel 2.0 Hybrid estate
In March this year the Corolla name returned to the Toyota line-up of passenger cars 14 years after the Auris name replaced it, writes David Miles. Like the Auris range it replaced, the 12th generation five-door Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports estate petrol and hybrid models are being built in the UK at Toyota’s Burnaston factory in Derbyshire for European markets. In addition there is a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Land Cruiser SWB LCV
In recent weeks I have watched a variety of documentaries from the wildest and most remote places on earth and while the presenters change with each programme there seems to be a satisfying, reassuring continuity as they are all conveyed in a Toyota Land Cruiser, writes Robin Roberts. Its reputation to get you anywhere, and with precious presenters that also means getting them back, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota RAV4 Icon Tech 4×2
Hybrids powertrains are the in-thing at the moment, but that’s not a surprise to Toyota who started development nearly 50 years ago and were among the first to put one on sale 25 years ago. Alongside hybrid technology, Toyota were working on the world’s modern first compact SUV and showed us the RAV4 in the mid 1990s. Come up to date and we have the two sectors merged in the RAV4 Hybrid series … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid
Toyota's experience in hybrid technology has given them an edge with their distinctive C-HR SUV, writes David Miles. It's a compact five door with 1.2T petrol, or 1.8 petrol electric hybrid, powertrains and the latter underpins the Prius hybrid, and the C-HR uses the Global Architecture platform of the Prius. Unlike the blandly styled Prius the C-HR (Coupe High Rider) is a very different … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Auris GB25 Hybrid
To celebrate their 25th anniversary TMUK has produced the special edition Auris Hybrid GB25 five door hatchback priced at £24,045. Prices for the 39 British built Auris hatchback and estate model derivatives start at £16,655 and rise to £26,905. The engine range consists of 1.33-litre 99hp petrol, a turbo 1.2 116hp petrol, the 1.4 D4-D 90hp turbodiesel, the 1.6 D4-D 112hp … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota C-HR 1.2T Dynamic auto
Few test cars turn heads like the Toyota C-HR. It’s dramatic styling hints at something special and it is, for most parts. The latest Toyota offering in the compact SUV sector where it was solely represented with the RAV4 could not be more different to its stablemate. There is a good 11 model lineup in the C-HR (Coupe High Rider) range utilising three trim levels, front or all wheel drive … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 2WD
The RAV4 mid-sized SUV was first introduced in 1994 and billed by Toyota as the first compact 4WD SUV. Since then there has been a continual supply of new and updated models and the latest major change is the introduction of petrol electric Hybrid two and four wheel drive versions. With the Hybrid’s 2.5-litre VVT-i variable valve timing petrol engine plus an electric motor for the 2WD … [Read more...]
