2012 Toyota Prius Review

2012 Toyota Prius Review - The Prius hybrid inspires a cult-like devotion from its drivers, evidenced by the muted reaction from owners after Toyota recalled the Prius in March 2010 for a potential problem with uneven braking. The reaction was similar when media frenzy developed a few weeks later after a San Diego man claimed his 2008 Prius sped out of control on California’s Interstate 8. As cooler heads prevailed, the consensus was that “unintended acceleration” was driver error, not a defect.

Back in the waning years of the previous millennium, the Toyota Prius was born, becoming the first Toyota hybrid. Since then, of course, many other Toyota and Lexus hybrids have hit the roads, as have many from nearly every other automaker. But it’s the Prius—thanks to distinct (if unsexy) styling and industry-leading fuel economy—that remains the unofficial greenmobile for Toyota and the world.

Naturally, then, the Prius is set to become the first Toyota to make the next big leap in fuel efficiency for 2012 by going plug-in with the new Prius PHV, or “plug-in hybrid vehicle.” And since 2012 is a long way off—in our impatient minds, at least—we jumped at the chance to drive one of the 150 powder-blue preproduction Prius PHVs bound for the U.S. in 2010. All are part of Toyota’s Prius PHV pilot program that places these vehicles with various utilities and government agencies to gather data on vehicle performance.

2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid

2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid - The Toyota Yaris HSD is actually relatively good-looking and features a smart exterior design. There’s relatively short overhangs on the front and rear, providing maximum interior room, while certain elements of the body contour have been created to benefit wind flow. A hybrid version of the Toyota Yaris compact car is in the works, but the new hybrid won’t hit the market until around 2012.

Toyota has revealed images and details of the Toyota Yaris HSD Concept unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The car is claimed to be the world’s first B-segment hybrid car and promises to offer class-leading fuel economy and emissions figures when the production model hits the showrooms.

The Toyota Yaris HSD features Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system which allows the Yaris to be driven in full-electric mode. In this mode the car emits zero tailpipe emissions and uses zero fuel. The system also provides the Toyota model with reduced maintenance costs as there is no alternator, starter motor or any drive belts.

Just last week, Japanese media sources reported that Toyota will begin building a hybrid version of the Yaris next spring in France, mostly for the European market. The company has been hinting at a Prius Junior (or Scion iQ hybrid) for a couple of years—and has been downsizing its hybrids for European and Asian markets. With global economies of scale, a peewee Toyota hybrid could be very competitive on cost and could offer stellar fuel economy just in time for a potential return of $4 gas.

2012 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

2012 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid - Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has been selling the Highlander Hybrid mid-size SUV for several years. But where’s the crossover hybrid? Since 2004, the company has allowed Ford to have top-mpg bragging rights for SUVs with its 32-mpg Escape Hybrid. Toyota has committed to an all-electric version of the RAV4—developed in partnership with Tesla—by around 2012. A conventional hybrid version, with mileage in the mid- to high-30s, makes good sense. Perhaps it will be branded with a Prius badge.

UK’s Autocar website reported yesterday that Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motors Sales, confirmed development of a hybrid gas-electric version of the company’s RAV4 crossover SUV. Lentz added that Toyota’s 1.8-liter hybrid system will become the company’s “core powertrain.”

The RAV4 Hybrid is due in spring 2012, but only the five-door model will get the hybrid option.

HybridCars.com reported last April that the RAV4 Hybrid was in the works. The Toyota Highlander has an EPA rating of 27 in the city and 25 on the highway. As a smaller vehicle, the RAV4 Hybrid could exceed 30 miles per gallon—possibly becoming the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market. Currently, the Ford Escape Hybrid, 34 highway / 31 city, has that distinction. Hybrid fans have been hoping for a gas-electric RAV4 for several years.

2012 Toyota Sienna Hybrid

2012 Toyota Sienna Hybrid - The 2012 Toyota Sienna is the best minivan for you if Toyota never lost your trust and you’re ready to explore the broadest array of model choices in any minivan lineup.

The 2012 Toyota Sienna represents the sophomore season for an all-new Sienna design introduced for model-year 2011. That was the first fully redesigned Sienna in more than seven years. It brought fresh styling, more interior room, new safety features, and class-exclusive La-Z-Boy-style second-row seats. The 2012 Sienna isn’t likely to see any significant alterations and will remain the only minivan available with a four-cylinder engine and the only one to offer all-wheel drive. Also note that the 2011 Sienna was the first Toyota with an electronic override to disengage the throttle when the brake pedal is pressed.  

Should you wait for the 2012 Toyota Sienna or buy a 2011 Toyota Sienna? Little reason to wait because what you see with the 2011 Sienna is very likely what you’d get with a 2012. And shopping for a 2011 allows you to take advantage of unprecedented incentives and discounts still in place as Toyota fights to recapture customer loyalty after 2010’s unintended-acceleration debacle. Toyota may not be so generous by time the 2012 Sienna rolls out.

Akio Toyoda took control of Toyota as President. He almost immediately claimed to drop his predecessor’s 2002 plan to have 15% of world market share — up from 11% in 2002 — and said that Toyota would change its priorities to focus on high-quality, affordable cars. Toyota’s current global capacity is ten million vehicles per year, but the company said it plans to drop its capacity (though it has not). Akio Toyoda said that rapid growth had strained Toyota’s resources and resulted in overcapacity. On the other hand, when Toyota sales slowed, he immediately restored rapid growth by slapping large rebates onto Toyota hoods, so it's hard to know how seriously to take these statements.