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Review: 2012 Toyota RAV4

November 9, 2012 by

The Toyota RAV4 has been a mainstay of the ‘cute ute’ market since its American debut in 1996. Yet, The Garage never got any seat time with the RAV, and it was high time to correct that. Now in its third generation, the RAV4 has certainly matured from cute ute status to a full-fledged crossover.

Our RAV4 tester was the Sport model, I loved the 18″ alloys, and there is not an offensive line on the RAV4, but this is an old design in need of new life. A new RAV4 is in the works, and hopefully Toyota has a more contemporary design to offer.

The cabin of the RAV4 was roomy, airy and reasonably comfortable, but I was hardly impressed with the design flair, or lack thereof. Controls and gauges were straightforward and intuitive, but this is strictly a no-frills interior. Functional and ergonomically correct, yes, but uninspiring as well. I appreciated the RAV4′s wide, flat cargo space which made for easy cargo carrying. To sum, the RAV4 gets points for practicality and ease of use, just don’t expect much in design or flair.

You can order up a RAV4 four ways-front or all wheel drive, four or six cylinders. Base RAV4′s come with a 2.5L four rated at 179hp, mated to an ancient 4-speed automatic. The RAV4 you want is the 3.5L V-6, rated at 269hp, paired to a five-speed automatic. Perfectly smooth, and packing all the punch you would expect from a crossover, the RAV4 proved to be the perfect companion for our annual family trip to the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts.

The RAV4 comes in base, Sport, and Limited trim. Our test car was the Sport, with a base price of $27,880USD. Our test car added a power moonroof, and a ho-hum appearance package that added little spice to what was an OK but bland package. Out the door, our RAV4 was $29,497. That’s a heck of a bill for a crossover lacking leather, heated seats, navigation, and satellite radio. Though I cannot fault the RAV4 for any true fault, my opinion is this car is simply too overpriced for it’s segment.

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Filed Under: Featured Stories, In The Garage, New car reviews, RAV4, Reviews, Toyota, toyota rav4

Review: 2012 Toyota Prius V

May 7, 2012 by

The Toyota Prius is the undisputed king of all hybrids, with no competitor able to come even close. With its number one status cemented, a loyal following of faithful buyers, there is huge equity in the Prius name, so it almost comes as a surprise Toyota has waited this long to cash in and expand the Prius family. That expansion has now seen its day, and The Garage was able sample the first addition to the family, the Prius V, the V standing for versatility.

Whether you consider the Prius V a mini-minivan or a wagon is irrelevant. At first appearance the V is just as it looks-a Prius, but bigger in every dimension. The instant recognition of the car being a Prius was key, and Toyota has succeeded in creating a car with added utility but unmistakably a Prius. With a shape that puts aerodynamics and utility as top priorities, the Prius V comes off as appliance-like, with little character or emotion. Part of this is likely due to the fact the Prius has been around, and sold so well its appearance is not as science fiction as it was years ago.

Inside, Prius owners will feel instantly at home. I am not a fan of the centrally mounted instrument panel. Other controls are easy to find and use, so in spite of its unusual appearance at first, the Prius is easy to use. While the two-tone interior offered some contrast, the overall feel of the cabin felt drab and uninteresting. The graining on the plastic steering wheel did not feel right to me, and I disliked touching the most critical part of the interior I keep my hands on. It felt like the automotive equivalent to a cubicle in the movie ‘Office Space’. That said, the Prius V delivers on its promise. The cabin is large, with plenty of room for all. Storage, from a two-tier glove box, generous center console storage and other nooks should more than satisfy the Prius V buyer. Up front, the adequate but flat front seats are familiar Prius fare, but the rear seat offers legroom on par with a limo, thanks to a sliding and reclining rear seat.

The drivetrain is standard Prius fare, with no alterations made for the Prius V, which means a gas hybrid system getting the bulk of its motivation from a 1.8L four, with total gas/electric output equaling 134hp, paired to a CVT. Before getting behind the wheel, I feared how a larger, heavier Prius would get itself around, as the standard Prius is no scorcher. My conclusion is the cars are very close. Fuel economy does take a hit from the standard Prius, but EPA figures of 44/40 MPG city/highway are impressive, and these figures keep the Prius V true to its mission. Is it fun to drive? No. The Prius V driver’s fun is in the fuel economy, as it always has been.

The Prius V is available in three trim levels, One, Three, and Five. Our test car was a Level Three, and will likely be the most popular Prius V. Standard equipment includes a 6.1″ touch screen display, Navigation, back-up camera, six-speaker audio with XM Radio, Entune multi-media interface, power driver’s seat, and automatic climate control. With a sole option of carpeted floor mats, our test car rings in at $28,150USD, including destination.

The Prius V was a logical step for Toyota, and should serve it well. As young families of Prius owners grow, or baby boomers simply want more, um, versatility, the Prius V should meet their needs and keep them in the family instead of abandoning the Prius and getting a crossover. Speaking of crossovers, it is worth mentioning the Prius V offers cargo capacity on par or exceeding contemporary CUV’s, with the hybrid trade-off a high load floor. In sum, the success of the Prius V will be keeping the Prius and hybrid faithful graduating to the V as opposed to buying a crossover than it will be in converting the traditional minivan/crossover buyer.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, New car reviews, New cars, prius, Prius V, Reviews, Toyota, Toyota Prius V, toyota-prius

Canadian pricing announced for Scion FR-S

April 4, 2012 by

One of the most anticipated new model launches in what seems like decades is the coupe created as a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru. Here in North America, the Toyota version will fall under the Scion umbrella, with the moniker FR-S. There have been few secrets about this car since its original reveal close to two years ago. During the final stages of development, we began hearing about tuner parts that were already being developed and then seeing videos of the car in action. As the car became available in Japan, we even got a glimpse of an inept journo behind the wheel of one. Toyota promised an affordable package, so the only real question has been: How affordable?

A few weeks back, we reported that U.S. pricing had been set to begin at a super reasonable $24,200. Here in Canada we hoped that pricing would be equally affordable. We were not to be disappointed. The “base” model, with a six speed manual (is there any other way to order it?) will come to market for $25,990. Opt for the paddle shift auto box and the price of entry increases slightly to $27,170.

Let’s see now, a rear wheel drive, manual transmission coupe with 200 horsepower and a standard equipment limited slip differential, all together for under 26 grand. Potential buyers had best put in their orders soon, as they aren’t going to build enough of these to keep them in the showrooms!

Head past the jump for the official press release and watch a video from DSport Magazine as they drive some early models.

Scion FR-S starts at Canadian MSRP $25,990
Toronto – April 2, 2012 – Scion’s high performance compact rear-wheel drive sports car will be available for sale this spring at a remarkably affordable Canadian manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $25,990. When equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission that features paddle shifters and rev-match technology the MSRP is $27,170.

“Scion’s goal was to achieve “Pure Balance” by designing a lightweight sports car with a low centre of gravity that also includes the world’s only boxer engine that uses Toyota’s D-4S direct and port injection system,” said Larry Hutchinson, Director of Scion in Canada. Add to this, the FR-S delivers exceptional performance and handling and a high level of style, and we’ve created a car that is fun to drive and offers a true sports car driving experience.”

Pure Balance

The FR-S, which stands for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive, Sport; is Scion’s definition of an authentic rear-wheel-drive sports car with exceptionally balanced performance and handling, compelling style, flexible utility and surprising fuel efficiency.

The FR-S is a true “scion,” born into a lengthy history of Toyota performance cars and motorsports. During planning and development, it was most inspired by the AE86 generation of the Corolla, better known as the Hachi-Roku, meaning “8-6” in Japanese. The AE86 was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive coupe that was lightweight and well balanced, making it a solid choice for driving enthusiasts.

Inspired by the AE86, the FR-S is designed around the core goal of achieving “Pure Balance.” The balance begins with the strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and flat shape allow it to be mounted mid-ship and extremely low, giving the car a dynamically favourable front-to-rear weight ratio of 53:47 and a low centre of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.

The FR-S’s 2.0-litre, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru. The partnership begins by combining Subaru’s newly developed, horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s cutting edge D-4S injection system that incorporates both direct and port injection. The D-4S system, partnered with a high 12.5:1 compression ratio, results in an impressive 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts with a short-throw; while the automatic features aggressive up shifts and sporty rev-matched down shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Power is transferred to the pavement via a standard Torsen® limited-slip differential.
The idea of “Pure Balance” is further realized by the FR-S lightweight design and compact size. The combination allows the car to be quick and nimble into and out of corners, with dynamic manoeuvrability and confident handling. The coupe’s weight is kept to a minimum by utilizing a lightweight aluminum hood, a solid roof, and by featuring a trunk design instead of a hatchback.

The FR-S low weight is matched with a dynamically tuned suspension setup consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone system in the rear. Lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels and ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four corners.

Powerful Exterior Design

The fierce exterior of the FR-S is a solid reflection of its inner power. The profile, inspired by the Toyota 2000GT, reveals a hood and roof-line that is remarkably sleek and low, giving it an aerodynamic shape that channels air cleanly over to the top. The low stance continues to exaggerate the coupe’s menacing face, which is made up of sharp lines, a wide mouth and angular headlights that house the projector-beam halogen lamps. The aggressive front fenders protrude upward and boast the iconic ‘86’ piston emblem, which highlights the car’s AE86 heritage as well as its unique new boxer engine. The rear fascia sits low and wide, with aerodynamic lower treatments that surround the sporty dual exhaust system. LEDs illuminate the edgy taillights, while centre-mounted backup lights finish the muscular design.

The FR-S will be available in seven colours including Raven, Asphalt, Hot Lava, Argento, Ultramarine, Firestorm and Whiteout.

Performance-focused Interior

The FR-S’s interior includes a 4 person seating configuration that is designed with both form and function in mind. The front seats feature deep bolsters and are mounted extremely low and are comfortable yet assertive, while the rear seat folds down flat, creating flexible space. The large centre-mounted tachometer is the focus of the three-gauge cluster and features a programmable shift-indicator, informing the driver of the engine’s vitals. Speed is monitored by both digital and analog gauges. The FR-S features a sporty leather-trimmed steering wheel that has both tilt and telescopic adjustment.

The FR-S will come standard with an eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/USB/MP3 160-watt maximum output Pioneer™ audio system and an Auxiliary Input Jack. Standard features also include Bluetooth® connectivity that allows both hands-free phone connection as well as streaming audio capability.

Sports Car Performance with Excellent Safety Features

FR-S comes standard with six airbags, including dual-stage advanced driver- and front-passenger airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags and side-curtain airbags.

Like all Scions, FR-S features the Star Safety System that includes Traction Control (TRAC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist (BA), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).

News Source: Toyota Canada
Video Source: Dsport Magazine via Youtube

Filed Under: Coupe, Featured Stories, New cars, scion, scion canada, Scion FR-S, Toyota, toyota canada, toyota ft-86, Video

Max Orido tests Lexus V8 powered FT-86 drift car

April 2, 2012 by

The long anticipated Toyo-Baru twins aren’t even in showrooms here in North America and already the home market racers have cars in hand and are performing some wild ass conversions. Check this clip of long time Japanese racer turned drifter, Max Orido, in a Toyota FT-86 that has already had an engine transplant. That’s right, Orido’s guys have shoehorned a Lexus V8 into the diminutive coupe.

Hit the jump to see the car in action. Be sure to crank it up loud!

And then in car…

Filed Under: drift car, drifter, drifting, Featured Stories, lexus, max orido, Toyota, toyota ft-86, Video

First Drive: 2012 Toyota Prius C

March 22, 2012 by

As is often the case for Canadian new model launches, our first taste of the 2012 Toyota Prius C came this week, a full month after the US media launch. Unlike some other manufacturers though, when Toyota Canada invites the press out to an event, they put considerable thought into the location of the event, relative to the product they are showing. This week’s Prius C event brought us to Seattle, Washington.

As the birthplace of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Starbucks and the home of Microsoft, Seattle could be considered one of the hippest cities in North America not to mention being green in a few senses. The historic downtown area from Pike Place to Seattle’s infamous red light district provided a perfect combination of old world sights and steep hills to put the C for City moniker to the test. From there, we headed out to the lovely countryside around Lake Washington, where we got to see how the C handled a wind swept causeway and some twisty country roads.

As the newest edition to the Prius family of vehicles, the Prius C has been positioned as an entry level city car, with enough space for a practical single or young couple. There is a lot of techno babble that can be incorporated into the review of any hybrid vehicle, but I suspect that potential buyers of the Prius C really aren’t that interested in the dirty bits. The want to know that the car fits their daily needs and budget. As youthful but environment conscious drivers, they still want to have a bit of fun behind the wheel. We’ve seen that the Prius and Prius V can fulfill the green and practicality needs, but fun to drive and budget friendly don’t necessarily come to mind with the C’s older siblings.

Toyota has been building the Prius for a full decade. Most technology becomes more affordable with the advancement of time, and Toyota’s Hybrid Drive System is no exception. When it first came on the market, Prius had a starting price that was as much as ten grand more than similarly equipped more traditional cars. With the drive tech becoming more affordable, Toyota has been able to launch the baby Prius at a price that is surprisingly close to its non-hybrid competitors. Here in Canada, the base Prius C is rings in at $20,950 and includes all manner of goodies that were once considered luxury bits. Pump up the jam for the Technology Package, which includes satellite radio, navi, push button start, smart entry and 15″ alloy wheels and the price of entry bumps by $2,210. The premium package switches up to 16″ alloys, heated pleather seats, fog lamps and a power sun roof, adding up to $25,340.

With four doors, the Prius C provides comfy seating for 4, although it can be a tad cozy for big boys like myself and my drive partner Big Willy. On paper the C carries 5, though fitting 3 in the back seat might be a challenge if they are over 10 years old. That back seat however has a 60/40 split and folds down to create a very generous cargo area. Two people could comfortably carry enough gear to go camping for a week.

One would expect a smaller Prius to perform well at the pumps, and the C does not disappoint. With a combined city & highway fuel economy rating of 3.7 l/100 km, Prius C is rather miserly. To help buyers make themselves feel good about their purchase, Toyota has created a neat techno feature that tells drivers how much money they have saved while driving. Just punch in the current gas price and the combined fuel economy rating of another model you had considered and the car will tell you how much money you saved during each drive. It might be a bit gimmicky, but it aims to help boost one’s confidence in having made the right purchase. The thing is, Prius C drivers won’t need to be reminded that they made a good choice, as they might just fall in love every time they drive the little bug.

Where most hybrids fall flat on their face is in the lack of excitement in the driving experience. Even the big brother Prius tends to feel a bit heavy and sluggish around town. A nice drive, but certainly not fun. Toyota’s engineers looked to improve that aspect when they penned their newest addition to the family and the good news is that they succeeded. Regular readers know that I’m a sucker for a small, lightweight hatch, with around 100 horsepower that likes to be tossed around. While the C isn’t exactly lightweight, weighing in at 2,500 lb, it feels like it could easily be 3 or 400 pounds lighter. Nimble off the line, the Prius C accelerates strongly to highway speeds. The seat of my pants say it does the zero to sixty run in about 8 or 9 seconds, which is beyond respectable for a 99 horsepower hybrid with a pair of fat guys on board. In the twisty bits, the C is downright tossable. A mild touch of understeer on corner entry can easily be transitioned to gentle oversteer with a quick throttle lift largely in thanks to the low center of gravity and short wheel base. Vehicle dynamics aside, the Prius C handles well enough that 2 serious driving enthusiasts had a great time driving the car, so much so that we both commented that this was a car we would be happy to own. That says a lot!

Just like hybrids aren’t for everyone, a stripped down, $21,000 sub-compact hatch is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. For those that want to drive a green car, that gets great fuel mileage, is super practical and most of all fun to drive, the 2012 Toyota Prius C is the best bargain on the market.

Filed Under: 2012 toyota prius c, Featured Stories, green, hatchback, hybrid, New car reviews, prius, prius c, seattle, sub compact, Toyota, toyota canada, toyota prius c, toyota-prius
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