Toyota

Toyota Overview:

One of the world's largest automakers, Toyota continues to add fuel efficient models and update its existing lineup in 2013. New for this model year are the efficient Prius Plug-In and the full-size Avalon Hybrid. The Avalon has also been completely redesigned.

The diminutive Yaris subcompact was redesigned last year and now only comes as a hatchback. Air conditioning and auxiliary/USB jacks are standard. The compact Corolla soldiers on, while its wagon cousin, the Matrix, continues to offer extra cargo room and is unchanged. 

Las year, the Camry got a complete overhaul and the midsize sedan continues to top the sales charts. It got sharper exterior styling highlighted by more prominent bumpers and sharply angled taillights, and an updated interior with a tiered dashboard. Gas mileage also improved, and ten airbags now come standard. Tagging along on this redesign was the Camry Hybrid, which now features 41 combined mpg.

Need more space? The full-size Avalon has been completely redesigned, with modern, aggressive styling that renders it anonymous no more. It also gets improved fuel economy and more standard features. The Avalon Hybrid also debuts for 2013, adding even more fuel savings to the mix.

Toyota has been adding more and more members to the Prius family and now has four members: the Prius, Prius v, Prius c, and the aformentioned Prius Plug-In. There is now a Prius for everyone - the Prius v adds on cargo and passenger room which makes it more ideal for families while the Prius c is a more minimalist solution for those looking for a commuter car or an urban specialist. The Prius plug-in can operate on electricity alone for a short range, so many small journeys will require no gas at all.

Speaking of families, the Sienna minivan seats up to eight passengers and is filled with family friendly amenities.

Toyota’s lineup is also well populated with various crossovers and SUVs. The smallest is the flexible RAV4 which lets you choose between four-cylinder and V-6 power and is also the only compact crossover/SUV on the market with an optional third-row. Next year, the RAV4 will get a complete makeover. Toyota’s uniquely styled wagon/crossover, the Venza, combines practicality with a sleek futuristic appearance.

The midsize Highlander and the eco-friendly Highlander Hybrid seat up to seven-passengers and keep the exterior/interior upgrades they got last year. The Highlander Hybrid comes with standard all-wheel drive and excellent fuel economy for a car of its size (28 combined mpg).

Toyota also offers a trio of very capable off-road SUVs. The 4Runner seats up to seven passengers (the third-row is optional) and a pair of available four-wheel drive systems that make the 4Runner at home even in rugged terrain. There is also the FJ Cruiser which stands out with its white roof, hidden rear doors, and excellent ground clearance. Step up to the full-size Land Cruiser and its standard V-8, which combines ruggedness with a luxurious interior that will keep you comfortable no matter what is going on outside. Rounding things out is the full-size Sequoia, the largest SUV Toyota makes, which adds trailer-sway control as standard equipment.

A pair of durable pickup trucks complete Toyota’s lineup in the form of the midsize Tacoma and the full-size Tundra. The Tacoma is very versatile; a variety of cab and bed configurations along with several different available packages mean that whether you’re looking for a truck that’s more capable off-road or better suited for work applications, the Tacoma has you covered.

The Tundra full-size pickup features big styling and a ton of cargo space and towing capacity which helps it to stack up well against the competition.