12 Mar
Blog

2021 Toyota Venza Review: A More Refined RAV4

2021 Toyota Venza rating front

2021 Toyota Venza Review: Stargazer

"The Toyota Venza returns as an upscale hybrid SUV with some unique features."

  • Efficient hybrid powertrain

  • Great trick roof

  • Surprisingly stylish

  • Upmarket for a Toyota

  • Frustrating touch-sensitive buttons

  • On the smaller side

In case you haven't noticed, comeback season is just around the corner. The Ford Bronco, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Chevrolet Blazer, Hummer, Toyota Supra, and Jeep Grand Cherokee have all been dusted and revived. Old names resort to nostalgia and help automakers introduce more modern machines. On the Toyota Venza 2021, the nameplate is given a completely new slate, exactly what the model needed after the failure of the first-generation model.

We doubt many people turned down Toyota's decision to cancel the Venza when it was discontinued in 2015, but the two-row midsize SUV landscape hasn't changed too much in six years. Most of the same competitors exist, and few have done anything to raise the bar. In this regard, the 2021 Venza is a curiosity. Its all-hybrid powertrain positions it as one of the few electrified options, while the stylish design and available Star Gaze roof are a clear indication of how Toyota positions it as a cut above its other SUVs. These characteristics also help the Venza stand out in the class of the Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe.

The Venza is slightly more expensive, starting at $ 33,645 for the base LE fairing, though every model comes standard with all-wheel drive. Our test car was first-class Limited equipment with a few optional extras like a head-up display, Toyota's Star Gaze panoramic roof, and rain-sensitive windshield wipers priced at $ 43,100.

Design and interior

It is more difficult to make a vehicle look good than it sounds. Typically, fewer design elements and sleek lines are preferred – two things Toyota designers have turned away from in order to get vehicles with a more dramatic style. Toyota used a bit of caution with the Venza and it really works. The EV-like grille, the chrome part in the front that connects the headlights, the tall rear fenders and the thin taillights that are connected to a horizontal light give the new Venza a design that dwarfs the old model.

Double-row midsize SUVs are all about styling. Without the third row, automakers have some leeway to create more stylish designs. Some options, like the Hyundai Santa Fe, go a little too far to be unique, while others like the Honda Passport play things a little too safely. Toyota managed to hit a sweet spot with the curved design, but the design comes at the expense of the interior.

The Venza can be classified as a mid-size SUV, but it offers less interior space than the smaller Toyota RAV4 Hybrid on which it is based. That's not to say the Venza's interior space is cramped, it's just smaller than almost any other option in the class. The most obvious disadvantage is the lack of loading capacity. With the rear seats, the Venza offers just 28.7 cubic feet of cargo space. That number opens up to 54.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. That's less than most other midsize SUVs, which total around 70 cubic feet, and less than the RAV4 (69.8 cubic feet of cargo space).

The electrochromic glass roof can switch from matt to transparent at the push of a button.

Another problem we've encountered with other Toyotas is how noisy the interior can get. The four-cylinder engine sounds lively, especially when starting, and transfers a lot of vibration into the cabin. There is a noticeable amount of wind noise on the freeway that seems inappropriate for an upscale vehicle.

While the Venza doesn't offer a Lexus-like experience, the higher the trim ladder you climb, the higher it gets. The transition to the XLE cladding opens the door to stylish two-tone interiors, although synthetic leather upholstery is the most beautiful seat material and wood grain style cladding available. The SUV's true glory is the available Star Gaze panoramic roof, which is only available as an option for the Limited fairing. The electrochromic glass roof can be changed from matt to transparent at the push of a button, so that you can enjoy the entire panorama roof to the full. It's also a feature to brag about as it was previously reserved for ultra-luxury cars.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The material quality in our test car with limited equipment was impressive for an SUV of this class. Instead of hard plastic throughout the cabin like you find on many other Toyotas, there are soft-touch materials on almost every part you interact with. The design of the center console, faux wood trim, and faux leather upholstery all look fantastic, while the color palette, which in our tester was a mix of shades of gray, looked tasteful.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The SUV's infotainment system mirrors those found on other Toyota models, unless you opt for the longest-range Venza. The standard infotainment system includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen, four USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, an integrated WiFi hotspot, six audio speakers, a wireless smartphone charger and Bluetooth. A JBL audio system with nine speakers and a 12.3-inch touchscreen are the few options available.

Joel Patel / Digital Trends

The touch screen is a typical Toyota product with the latest Entune system. Both touchscreens have outdated graphics and a tricky layout. In addition to its size, the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen has physical buttons. Both the HVAC and infotainment systems can be controlled using capacitive touch buttons, which are frustrating at best. The larger touchscreen offers a split-screen feature with a nifty feature that lets you choose which side of the screen is split, either right or left. This makes it easier for the driver or front passenger to interact.

The standard safety functions come from the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 Suite. The package includes traffic sign recognition, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane departure warning. The few optional safety functions include parking sensors, a head-up display and a parking camera with surround view.

Although the Venza is equipped with all sorts of safety features, we should point out that the quality of the cameras is not spectacular. The camera has a fisheye lens that distorts the image so much that the 360-degree view is no longer as helpful. Fortunately, the Venza is available with a video rearview mirror that allows the driver to see what's behind the vehicle unobstructed.

Experience at the wheel

Under the hood, the Venza uses the same hybrid powertrain as the RAV4 Hybrid, which consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors. All-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission are also included. It is the only available powertrain that makes the Venza one of the few hybrid vehicles in the mid-range segment and one of the few hybrid-only vehicles on the market.

Toyota claims the Venza has a total power of 219 hp. That might not sound like a lot, especially since the Murano, Blazer, Passport, and Edge are all available with six-cylinder engines. Ultimately, however, the lack of power doesn't affect the Venza's appeal.

In the real world, the Venza offers a lot of performance for everyday use. The hybrid powertrain fills gaps in which a four-cylinder engine alone makes you want more, making the mid-size SUV feel a lot livelier than its performance allows. The transition from gasoline to electricity is smooth, and the spaceship-like sound of running the Venza on electricity makes you feel like you are in the future. If you plan to drive around town a lot, there is an “EV mode” which ensures that the Venza runs on electricity only to save fuel or to get around in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

The Venza moves away from its stylish exterior design and is designed more for comfort than agility. A soft chassis leads to more relaxed cornering than other medium-sized SUVs. However, this results in a comfortable ride over all road conditions. There is a "Sports" mode, but it doesn't make much sense in this application. Instead, we put it in "Eco" mode and left it there for most of the week.

If you need an SUV to tow cargo, you'd better look elsewhere as the Venza isn't towable at all.

Fuel economy and safety

The Venza's drivetrain may make some drivers want more power, but it makes up for it in terms of fuel economy. You get premium fuel economy values ​​of 39 mpg (40 mpg city, 37 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive. While that's not as good as the RAV4 Hybrid (40 mpg combined), it is far better than any other two-row midsize SUV, and better than any other midsize hybrid SUV. The all-new Kia Sorento Hybrid comes closest with a combined rating of 37 mpg.

The Road Safety Insurance Institute (IIHS) has named the Toyota Top Safety Pick in 2021. This is the organization's second highest rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the SUV with a total of five stars.

In the real world, the Venza offers a lot of performance for everyday use.

Toyota covers the Venza with a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles on the powertrain. These are average for mainstream brands, though Kia and Hyundai lead the segment with a five-year base warranty of 60,000 miles and a ten-year warranty of 100,000 miles for the powertrain.

Like other Toyota hybrids, the Venza offers a 10-year warranty on 150,000 miles of battery and an eight-year warranty of 100,000 miles on components that make up the hybrid system.

How DT would configure this car

Priced at over $ 40,000, our Venza Limited test vehicle showed off all of the things that help the SUV stand out in the packed class. While it is possible to get into a cheaper Venza, you'll have to opt for the expensive Limited fairing to get the fantastic Star Gaze roof. We think it's one of the most sophisticated technologies out there and it's worth having.

So we're sticking with the Limited and spending the extra $ 1,400 on the Star Gaze roof. This gives you a stylish, well-equipped SUV with a feature that the entire neighborhood will be the envy of.

Our opinion

Few SUVs cause waves these days. While the 2021 Toyota Venza doesn't take the SUV class to a new level or rethink anything about booting vehicles, it has a unique feature and design to make it a distinctive choice.

The Chevrolet Blazer offers a sportier design borrowed from the Chevrolet Camaro sports car. It has a more spacious cabin, a more powerful V6 engine and sportier handling than the Venza. The Toyota Hybrid is far more efficient and has more technical features.

If you're off-road and want something that can haul up to 5,000 pounds, check out the Honda Passport. It has a ground clearance of 8.1 inches, an intelligent traction management system for different terrain and weather conditions and a powerful V6 engine. The pass cannot compete with the Venza in terms of fuel economy, interior design or technical features.

The new Hyundai Santa Fe is another two-row midsize SUV offered with a hybrid powertrain. While it may not be as efficient as the Venza or as well equipped in terms of safety features, it has a more spacious interior, even more technology, a more powerful drivetrain and a broader warranty.

Should you get one

Yes. A far better SUV than its predecessor, the Venza is enough to make you feel unique in a packed segment.

Editor's recommendations




23 Jan
Blog

2021 Toyota Sienna Review: It’s the Prius Of Minivans

2021 Toyota Siena rating front three quarters

2021 Toyota Sienna Platinum Review: The Prius of Minivans

"With a standard hybrid drive train and an intelligent interior design, the redesigned Toyota Sienna 2021 is the perfect family haulier."

  • Hybrid powertrain

  • Functional "bridge" console

  • Many devices available

  • Ride quality

  • Overwhelming infotainment

  • Gets expensive with options

Minivans were once a popular choice for families, but have largely been replaced by three-row SUVs. While some automakers upgraded their minivans to win back buyers, Toyota did nothing. Now it makes up for lost time.

The Toyota Sienna 2021 replaces a model that went on sale about a decade ago and offers a major overhaul with an extroverted design and new gadgets like a built-in vacuum cleaner and 120-volt power outlet and a standard hybrid powertrain. This should help the Sienna stand out from the SUV competition as well as fresher minivans like Chrysler Pacifica / Voyager, Honda Odyssey and Kia Sedona.

Prices for the 2021 Toyota Sienna start at $ 35,635 for a front-wheel drive LE model, or $ 2,950 more than the 2020 model. This is in part because Toyota has cut the L trim level that was previously below the LE . Our test car was a four-wheel, platinum, all-wheel drive model with extras like leather seats, electric sliding doors and tailgate, and 20-inch wheels – all for a base price of $ 51,635.

Design and interior

Generally, when Toyota designers try to make a car look exciting, they pile up on as many stylistic elements as possible. Toyota's designers went to great lengths to make the 2021 Sienna look exciting. Given that many car buyers view minivans as chilly, it's hard to blame these designers for giving the Sienna the taillights of a Supra sports car and a massive grille that resembles the mouth of a baleen whale. Despite these diverse elements, the exterior design is remarkably coherent, at least by recent Toyota standards.

It's also a great contrast to the more conventional minivans from Chrysler, Honda, and Kia. The Toyota is pretty close to these competitors in the interior, but has significantly less headroom in the third row. This is still a cavernous vehicle, however, and as with all minivans, the Sienna has a lower entry height and lift height than most SUVs.

As with all three-row vehicles, cargo space is limited with the third row, but the Sienna's 33.5 cubic feet are better than the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica and are right behind the class-leading Kia Sedona. Fold the seats down, however, and the Sienna tells a different story: with 75.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded down and 101 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down, it lags behind the competition. Toyota also doesn't offer a power-folding third row like Chrysler does, but electric sliding doors and an electric tailgate are available.

Toyota's designers went to great lengths to make the 2021 Sienna look exciting.

The Sienna looks more impressive the closer you get to the front. The lower level LE and XLE models come standard in an eight-seat configuration with a second-row bench seat. Higher equipment variants are given captain's chairs in the second row, which reduces the total number of seats to seven. A "Super Long Slide" option allows these chairs to slide back and forth up to 25 inches, and Limited and Platinum models get fold-out airplane-style ottomans. These features make driving in the second row more comfortable, but they have also been available on the Kia Sedona since the 2015 model year.

Up front, the Sienna gets a stylish dashboard with an integrated touchscreen and, as Toyota calls it, the "bridge", a raised center console that holds the gear lever, and a couple of cup holders. Underneath there is a rubberized storage corner that is big enough for a handbag. It's an unusual setup for a minivan, but a good one. The raised console offers two levels of storage, bringing the things you actually need to reach for – the gear stick and cup holders – closer to your handle.

The materials in our Platinum test car were impressive. The leather upholstery felt appropriately chic; rubberized, non-slip material has been strategically placed; and even the plastic paneling Toyota used instead of wood looked good. However, designers could have chosen back the color palette, which includes shades of browns, beiges, and grays that have managed to look boring and clash with one another.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

While the exterior and interior design offered some unexpected details, the Sienna's infotainment system is largely the same as on other newer Toyota models.

The standard setup includes a 9.0-inch touchscreen, seven USB ports, an integrated WiFi hotspot and compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa. A JBL audio system with 12 speakers, a navigation system and an entertainment system in the rear seats are optionally available. The latter contains a single 11.6-inch monitor that, unlike the dual monitors available from Chrysler, can be folded down from the ceiling.

The touchscreen was typical of Toyota, which meant it was easy to use (thanks in part to keyboard shortcuts and a volume control) but with boring graphics. The designers also included plenty of spots for the driver to place their phone, including slots in the "Bridge" console cupholders and a dashboard shelf (which can be fitted with a wireless charging pad), but none of them actually work. The slots that allow a phone to sit upright don't fit into larger phones, while phones can slide around on the dashboard.

The touchscreen was typical of Toyota, which meant it was easy to use, but with boring graphics.

Devices are a hallmark of modern minivans. So Toyota gave the 2021 Sienna a built-in vacuum cleaner, a 1,500-watt inverter (which sends power to a 120-volt socket in the cargo area), a small refrigerator, and a rear-seat intercom (that borrowed from the previous generation model has been). However, the refrigerator and vacuum cleaner are not available at startup due to a supplier issue. Honda and Chrysler have also offered built-in vacuums for years.

The standard driver assistance technology under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 banner includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning and automatic lane centering of Toyota's lane following assistant.

Since the Sienna is a pretty large vehicle, talking about cameras is also important. Our test car had the optional 360 degree camera system that had good camera angles but a low resolution display. The Sienna is also the latest Toyota model to receive a video rearview mirror that can be switched from a conventional mirror to a video display with the push of a button. This allows the driver to see what is directly behind the car without obstacles such as roof pillars and passenger heads. It was especially useful in the Sienna with its small rear window.

Experience at the wheel

One of the biggest changes to the Sienna for 2021 is under the hood. Toyota replaced the old 3.5-liter V6 engine with a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This is the only powertrain available, making the Sienna one of the few new cars exclusively available as a hybrid. However, you have a choice between front or all-wheel drive.

Toyota specifies a total system output of 245 hp. That's 51 horsepower less than the 2020 Nonhybrid model and less than the Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey or Kia Sedona nonhybrid, all of which use fairly large V6 engines. However, it doesn't seem to matter.

If you're worried about underperformance, keep in mind that the Sienna has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds – just like an Odyssey or Sedona. The Pacifica is designed to pull more, but only by 100 pounds. The Sienna also has the same towing capacity as the similarly sized Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which proves you don't always need an SUV to tow.

The Sienna's gasoline consumption knocks the competition away.

Granted, we would have liked a bit more power for overtaking highways where the Sienna felt appropriate but not thrilled. However, this was the only problem with the powertrain. The hybrid system made the Sienna feel like an oversized Toyota Prius – which is good. The interaction of the gasoline engine and the electric motor may seem a little strange to drivers who are used to non-hybrid cars, but tuning the powertrain ultimately promotes smooth and economical driving.

Unlike the Prius, Toyota didn't bother to make the Sienna sporty. That means you only get a comfortable ride, which is probably what most potential minivan buyers are looking for anyway. We noticed a slight shudder over bumps and the steering didn't feel as tight and precise as that of the Chrysler Pacifica.

Fuel economy and safety

The Sienna also emulates the Prius where it counts – mileage. The minivan is rated at 36 mpg combined (36 mpg city, 36 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive and 35 mpg combined (35 mpg city, 36 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive. That knocks out the competition. Chrysler, Honda, and Kia are stuck together below 25 mpg.

Chrysler also offers a plug-in hybrid version of the Pacifica – the Pacifica Hybrid – with a range of 32 miles fully electric. However, in hybrid mode, the Pacifica Hybrid can only manage 30 mpg together and is not available with all-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sienna 2021 was recognized by the Road Safety Insurance Institute (IIHS) as a “Top Safety Pick +” – the organization's highest safety rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not published any crash test ratings for the new model.

Toyota offers a three-year base warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles on the powertrain. That's pretty standard for a mainstream car brand, but Kia offers a five-year base 60,000 mile warranty and a 10-year drivetrain warranty of 100,000 miles for the Sedona.

As with other Toyota hybrids, the Sienna comes with a 10-year guarantee on 150,000 miles of battery and an eight-year guarantee of 100,000 miles on other hybrid system components.

How DT would configure this car

Priced at over $ 50,000, our Sienna Platinum test car demonstrated that a minivan can be really luxurious – if you're willing to pay luxury car prices. However, it is possible to bring that price down by losing some of these extras.

We would go a few rungs down the trim ladder to the XSE trim step. It has the same hybrid drive and driver assistance technology as the Platinum (and all other Sienna equipment variants) as well as the seats in the second row "Super Long Slide", the navigation system, the automatic four-zone air conditioning and the heated front seats.

Then we add the XSE Plus package ($ 1,000), which includes cell phone charging and the inverter at 1,500 watts ($ 300). All-wheel drive costs $ 760 on the Sienna XSE and is well worth considering if you live in a snowy climate.

Our opinion

The Toyota Sienna 2021 isn't redefining the minivan, but this overdue redesign brings Toyota up to date with the competition.

The Honda Odyssey offers a bit more passenger space and more cargo space with the seats folded down in the second and third rows, but does not offer the sliding second row car or the optional all-wheel drive of the Toyota. It also can't compete with the hybrid Sienna's fuel economy.

The Chrysler Pacifica is available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and “Stow’ n Go ”folding seats. However, these features are not available together, and you also cannot purchase a four-wheel drive Pacifica Hybrid. The Chrysler is also a bit nicer to drive than the Toyota, but has a much worse reputation for reliability. For price-conscious buyers, the Chrysler Voyager is a dissatisfied Pacifica with a much lower base price than the Sienna.

The Kia Sedona is starting to show its age but is still competitive on the interior and is backed by Kia's extended warranty.

Regardless of the brand, minivans remain a great alternative to SUVs for large families. What they lack in sturdy style, they practically make up for it. The Sienna has more passengers than the Toyota Highlander. The lower ride height, the sliding doors and the larger tailgate opening make it easier to load and unload people and objects.

Should you get one

Yes. The Sienna is a great family car.

Editor's recommendations




13 Aug
Blog

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD Review

2020 Toyota Highlander

2020 Toyota Highlander Platinum AWD Review: Cool Tech

"The 2020 Toyota Highlander is your average performer on a crowded stage."

  • Well integrated touch screen

  • Comfortable ride

  • Lack of interior space

  • Poor quality interior

  • Badly tuned transmission

When you have a lot of people or things to move around, a minivan is the perfect tool. Minivans are chilly, however, which is why there are vehicles like the 2020 Toyota Highlander.

With three rows of seats and a rugged SUV look, the Highlander is the perfect choice for parents who wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan. That's a huge part of the buying audience. In addition to old competitors like the Honda Pilot and the Ford Explorer, the reworked 2020 Highlander faces newer competition in the form of the Subaru Ascent, Volkswagen Atlas and the Hyundai Palisade / Kia Telluride twins.

The 2020 Highlander was a base price of $ 35,720, but that only buys a base front-wheel drive LE model. The price goes up quickly with options. Our test car was a fully loaded Platinum model with all the bells and whistles and four-wheel drive priced at $ 50,663.

2020 Toyota Highlander Profile

Design and interior

With its sinister front end, the Highlander wants to convey truck-like toughness. Under the skin, however, it is based on the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform as ordinary cars like the Camry and Corolla, as well as the smaller RAV4. This is a widely used strategy in the auto industry as most buyers want the looks and high driving position of a truck, but not the bad road manners.

In terms of design, the interior of the Highlander is pretty low-key. Apart from a floating case for the infotainment touchscreen, the design is completely unoriginal. The interior was boring to look at, but at least functional. The outside view was good, and small touches like a phone rest and well-placed USB ports made a big difference. The Highlander is equipped as standard with four USB ports and two 120-volt sockets in the first and second rows. Qi cell phone charging is available. However, you cannot get USB ports on the third line. The front seats (upholstered leather with heating and ventilation in our Platinum test car) were very comfortable even after hours of driving.

The Highlander falls short where it really matters: interior.

It was harder to excuse the quality of the interior. The thin plastic trim and rubbery dashboard trim didn't feel appropriate for a vehicle at the base price of the Highlander of $ 35,720, let alone a vehicle that cost $ 15,000 more. Most of the Highlander's competitors have the same problem (the Hyundai Palisade is a notable exception), but it seemed particularly bad in the Toyota.

The Highlander also fails where it really matters: in the interior. At 27.7 inches, third-row legroom is the worst in this segment, and the overall space is so cramped that even young children are likely to find it uncomfortable. The front row legroom and headroom are also on the back of the pack. The cargo space is a little below average and is way behind the Chevrolet Traverse and the Volkswagen Atlas. As with all vehicles of this size, you will need to fold down the third row seats to gain ample cargo space.

2020 Toyota Highlander touch screen

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The 2020 Highlander comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility, Waze and an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot. Platinum models like our test car have a 12.3-inch touchscreen. A head-up display is also available.

Toyota bucked the trend by opting for a landscape rather than a portrait for the big screen. It looks better than the awkwardly integrated 10.1-inch portrait screen in the Ford Explorer without sacrificing functionality. The screen is easier to reach for both the driver and front passenger, and a three-column split setup makes logical use of the huge strip of pixels. It's a shame Toyota decided to fill that huge screen with simple, outdated graphics.

The Highlander comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane following assistant, automatic high beam and traffic sign recognition. Optional functions include blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic warning, autonomous emergency braking in the opposite direction and a 360-degree camera system.

With a three-column split setup, the large pixel strip of the screen is used logically.

The addition of standard driver aids is pretty good for a vehicle in this price range, but the performance has been below par. The adaptive cruise control left a large gap to the vehicle in front so that other vehicles could switch on suddenly. The system also responded slowly when the car in front accelerated, although this could be partly due to the poorly tuned transmission.

The lane following assistant, which uses steering inputs to keep the car centered on its lane, only worked on arrow-straight stretches of road. It couldn't follow even the smoothest of freeway curves, allowing the Highlander to drift off its lane as if driven by the inattentive human that such technology should surpass.

One thing Toyota did right was integrating the camera and system. An overhead view is automatically displayed on the infotainment screen when you shift into reverse. It can be activated at other times at the push of a button. A simple setup like this makes parking a lot easier, but not every automaker seems to have figured that out.

2020 Toyota Highlander interior

Experience at the wheel

For the 2020 model year, Toyota offers two powertrain options: gasoline or hybrid. Toyota dropped the four-cylinder base engine from the previous generation Highlander, so now a 3.5-liter V6 is chosen as standard. It puts out 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Power is just ahead of the Hyundai Palisade / Kia Telluride twins, but the Ford Explorer can produce 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft with a 2.3-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Honda Pilot and the Subaru Ascent have less power but more torque. The V6 Highlander is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is average for the segment, although the Nissan Pathfinder outperforms with a towing power of 6,000 pounds.

The hybrid option combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system for a combined output of 243 hp. As with other Toyota hybrid crossovers, all-wheel drive is achieved via a second electric motor for the rear axle with no mechanical connection to the front wheels. The Ford Explorer is the only other vehicle in this segment that offers a hybrid powertrain.

The V6 engine was disappointed with a chunky gearbox.

Our test car had the V6 engine which turned out to be very powerful for everyday driving. In fact, it sounded pretty good, even though the Toyota Avalon TRD sedan didn't have the power exhaust system. However, the engine was disappointed by a chunky gearbox. The eight-speed automatic shifted roughly and responded slowly to requests for more power, like Scotty when he reported to the Enterprise after taking a sleeping pill.

The Highlander has front-wheel drive as standard, but our test car had the optional all-wheel drive system with torque vector. Torque vectoring changes the distribution of power between the wheels on each axle to improve cornering. The system made a noticeable difference and made the Highlander much more agile than a vehicle of this size would normally.

The Highlander is not a Supra, however. Aside from the torque transmission, even the slightest hint of aggression in corners is answered with the scolding screeching of the tires. The Highlander is much happier on freeways, where it offers a comfortable ride and sweeping views of the road. This is the case with most other vehicles in this segment, although the Subaru Ascent and Honda Pilot offer a bit more excitement on winding roads.

2020 Toyota Highlander rear

Fuel economy and safety

Platinum models, including our test car, are rated at 24 mpg (21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive and 23 mpg (20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive. These numbers are slightly above average for this segment. The Highlander Hybrid achieves up to 36 MPG in combination with front-wheel drive, much better than the Ford Explorer Hybrid with a maximum of 28 MPG.

The Highlander received the "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS), with the highest rating "Top Safety Pick +" being missed due to poorly rated headlights in the lower trim levels. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet rated the 2020 Highlander.

Toyota offers a 36,000 mile base three year warranty and a 60,000 mile five year powertrain warranty, plus free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles. The warranty period is average for a mainstream brand, but the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride are warranted for 10 years and 100,000 miles on the powertrain.

Predicting the future reliability of a new vehicle like the 2020 Highlander is difficult, but overall Toyota has an excellent reputation for reliability. Earlier generations of Highlanders have proven to be quite sturdy, which is why they are popular with taxi and Uber drivers.

How DT would configure this car

If you want the most technology in a 2020 Toyota Highlander, you have to go for the highest platinum trim level. It has the largest 12.3-inch touchscreen as well as a head-up display, a digital rear-view mirror and a 360-degree camera system as standard. It also gets niceties like a panoramic sunroof, improved leather upholstery, and 20-inch wheels.

This test drive didn't include the hybrid model, but if you're buying a Highlander it might be worth a look. The hybrid has a premium of around $ 2,000 over the V6 Highlander, but has significantly better mileage and eliminates the rough-shifting transmission used in V6 models. The hybrid option is also one of the few things that really sets the Highlander apart from the competition.

2020 Toyota Highlander third row

Our opinion

The Highlander has been the number one choice for many families since the first generation was introduced in 2001, but the fourth generation model for 2020 rests on its laurels. Buyers can still expect reliability and a minimum of practicality, but the competition offers more.

Interior space and functionality are crucial for a vehicle like this. The third row of the Highlander is too narrow for everyday use and the space in the other two rows is behind most of the pack. The interior has some nice details, like a well-integrated touchscreen, but the materials are below average. Nothing about the interior or packaging is remarkable or innovative.

It is similar with the driving experience. The Highlander is perfectly fine to drive, but it doesn't attract any attention. Buyers probably don't expect sports car performance, but at least the Honda Pilot and Subaru Ascent won't put the driver to sleep. The Hyundai Palisade offers greater sophistication overall, while the Ford Explorer has some off-road capabilities.

Then there is the sliding door elephant in the room. Whether or not you think the Highlander is cooler than a minivan, it's undoubtedly less practical. Toyota's own Sienna can accommodate the same number of people with a larger overall passenger and cargo volume. The sliding doors of a minivan and the lower ride height also make it easier to load and unload people and objects. The Sienna is even getting a standard 33-mpg hybrid powertrain for the 2021 model year.

Should you get one

No. The Highlander is a competent family freight forwarder, but with so many other options, why should he settle for just competent?

Editor's recommendations




01 Jul
Blog

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Review: Fast and Frugal

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Review: A New Normal

"The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime makes the future seem normal."

  • It's fast

  • Shatter the myth of the gas-guzzling SUV

  • Competitive in the cargo space

  • Intuitive infotainment system

  • Refined driving quality

With the Hybrid-Prius and the Plug-in-Hybrid-Prius Prime, Toyota wrapped green technology in an extroverted design and used design to trumpet its success. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime takes a different approach.

The Prime looks like an ordinary RAV4, Toyota's bestseller. Like the Prius Prime, the RAV4 Prime is a plug-in hybrid with better mileage than the current RAV4 hybrid model. However, the Prime is not only the most economical RAV4. It is also the most powerful and fastest accelerating RAV4.

The RAV4 Prime is available in two configurations. The SE starts at $ 39,195, while XSE models like our test car start at $ 42,500. That means the base SE is around $ 2,000 more than the most expensive RAV4 hybrid. However, due to the size of the battery, Toyota expects the Prime to qualify for a tax credit of $ 7,500 to compensate for this difference.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Design and interior

In contrast to the Prius Prime, whose design differs significantly from the standard Prius, the RAV4 Prime looks like any other RAV4. Black exterior trim, another grille, model-specific wheels and badges are the only hallmarks of the Prime. The RAV4 itself looks like a rugged off-roader, but has the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform as cars like the Corolla and Camry.

The interior is practically unchanged, which is not a bad thing. Chunky buttons and strategically placed rubber grips give the interior a sturdy feel while improving usability. The free-standing infotainment touchscreen is easy to reach from the driver's seat, but somewhat difficult for the passengers in the front seats. The front seats were fairly comfortable, but the lower cushions of the rear seats were flat and unsupportive.

Chunky buttons and strategically placed rubber grips give the interior a sturdy feel while improving usability.

While Toyota pinned the design down, the quality of the interior material remained. The Prime is the flagship of the RAV4 series, but the interior didn't seem to be an improvement over cheaper models. The faux leather seats looked like they had been taken out of a taxi, and trim parts seemed to have been sourced from Rubbermaid.

Toyota claims that the battery mounted under the floor has no effect on the interior. However, this is not a segment-leading interior, since the RAV4 already lagged behind most of the competitors. The RAV4 Prime offers more rear headroom than the plug-in hybrids Ford Escape and Mitsubishi Outlander, but the Escape offers more rear legroom thanks to a sliding seat in the second row. The Toyota also offers more cargo space than the Ford and Mitsubishi. The RAV4 and the Outlander also have 120 volt outlets in their holds, around power tools, camping gear or whatever you want to connect on the go.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The basic RAV4 Prime SE has an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as an integrated WLAN hotspot. The XSE trim level has a 9.0-inch touchscreen – the largest available in a RAV4. An optional premium package for the XSE adds a head-up display. This is the only way to use this function on a RAV4.

The infotainment system is easy to use, also thanks to the protection of analog controls for the most important functions. The digital instrument cluster display is known to anyone who has driven another Toyota hybrid. It packs a lot of information in a relatively small space, but is easy to acclimatize. Overall, the infotainment experience offers nothing special, but does its job in a simple way.

The infotainment system is easy to use, also thanks to the protection of analog controls for the most important functions.

The RAV4 Prime comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes: Autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist recognition), traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and lane tracking assistant that offers small steering inputs to keep the speed centered on the car .

The standard package of driver aids is comparable to other popular brands, although the lane tracking assistant should not be confused with the more aggressive steering assistance functions of Ford, Nissan and Subaru. The Toyota version is more of an improved lane keeping assistant than a real steering aid.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Experience driving

The RAV4 Prime tries to outperform in two very different disciplines: performance and efficiency. An updated version of the RAV4 hybrid powertrain is used to achieve impressive numbers.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine delivers the same 176 hp as before, but with the additional grunt of two electric motors, the overall system performance increases to 302 hp. That is 83 hp more than the RAV4 Hybrid and much more than the plug-in hybrids Ford Escape or Mitsubishi Outlander. The Escape is also only equipped with front-wheel drive, while the two Japanese vehicles have all-wheel drive.

The Toyota, according to Toyota, a number previously reserved for sports cars, can travel between zero and 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds. This makes the RAV4 Prime the fastest four-door Toyota currently sold in the United States (only the Supra sports car is faster).

The four-wheel drive hybrid system is similar to other Toyota vehicles. The rear wheels are driven by a special electric motor without a mechanical connection to the front wheels. As with the RAV4 Hybrid, this rear engine is also used for torque transmission to steer performance from side to side to improve road handling and increase traction on slippery surfaces. A "trail" driving mode also helps with the latter.

The RAV4 Prime is the fastest four-door Toyota currently sold in the United States.

On the go, the RAV4 Prime felt as fast as the numbers suggest. It was not just the extra power, but also the way that power was delivered. The Prime felt like an electric car and instantly delivered a surge of torque on every stroke of the right pedal. This steady, urgent acceleration took place regardless of the state of charge of the battery. A slight buzz was the only indication that the gasoline engine was on.

Like the Mitsubishi Outlander, the RAV4 Prime also has paddle shifters that can be used to adjust regenerative braking to slow the car down without using the brake pedal and recovering some energy. However, the effect didn't feel as dramatic in the Toyota as in the Mitsubishi, and you'll have to upgrade from the SE to the XSE to get these paddles.

Toyota also tried to make the Prime more refined than other RAV4 models by getting thicker laminated glass, more soundproofing, and a different suspension set-up. The Prime felt significantly quieter and more comfortable than other RAV4 variants, but maybe Toyota should have gone in the opposite direction with a sportier chassis. As it is, the chassis cannot use this 302 horsepower.

2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime

Fuel consumption, range and safety

The RAV4 Prime proves that electricity does not have to come at the expense of efficiency. Toyota cites 42 miles of electric range with an efficiency of 94 MPGe. This is more electrical range than a first-generation Chevrolet Volt with identical efficiency. When it debuted in 2010, the Volt was a purpose-built vehicle that is considered a “moon shot” by General Motors. Therefore, it is remarkable to see similar numbers in an ordinary crossover. The RAV4 Prime also offers almost twice the electric range of the Toyota Prius Prime, albeit with much less efficiency.

The Prime beats the Ford Escape and the Mitsubishi Outlander in electric range, although the Ford is more efficient with 100 MPGe. Toyota had no fuel consumption values ​​for gasoline available at the time of release, but according to the car's on-board computer, we had an average of 42.5 mpg.

With the standard 3.3-kilowatt on-board charger, a full charge takes 12 hours at a 120-volt household socket or 4.5 hours at a 240-volt charging station at level 2. A 6.6- available in the XSE version kW charger shortens the charging time of level 2 to 2.5 hours. This is as good as it gets as Toyota doesn't offer DC fast charging on the RAV4 Prime (it's standard on the Mitsubishi Outlander).

Safety ratings for the Prime are not yet available, but the standard RAV4 received the "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Road Safety Insurance Institute (IIHS), with the highest rating being missed due to poor headlights. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the standard RAV4 with five stars.

Toyota offers a three-year basic warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles for the powertrain, as well as free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles. The Prime battery has its own 10-year 150,000-mile warranty, and other hybrid system components have an eight-year 100,000-mile warranty. Overall, the RAV4 has a good reputation for reliability because many hybrid models can easily handle a taxis service.

How DT would configure this car

The technically friendliest incarnation of the RAV4 Prime is the XSE with the optional premium package. The XSE has some technical functions that the basic SE equipment variant does not offer, including a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen and charging the Qi mobile phone. The premium package ($ 3,765) includes a head-up display, a more powerful 6.6 kW on-board charger, a socket for the cargo area, a video rear view mirror, a 360-degree camera system and a parking assistant with automatic Front and rear braking.

The Prime itself is the best RAV4. Just as the RAV4 Hybrid outperforms the petrol model in terms of performance and sophistication as well as mileage, the Prime offers the CV of this crossover more power and even more efficiency. If you have the extra money, the Prime turns the RAV4 from a pretty good car into a world hit.

Our opinion

The Toyota RAV4 Prime 2021 proves that the future doesn't have to be unusual. This plug-in hybrid breaks new ground by being normal. Instead of just trying to make a statement, the Prime is bringing green technology into a car that people are already buying. With 302 hp, the RAV4 Prime shows that the future doesn't have to be boring.

The RAV4 Prime is also the class of its (admittedly small) competitive field. It outperforms the Mitsubishi Outlander in terms of cargo space, performance and efficiency, while offering more technical functions. The Ford Escape plug-in hybrid lags behind the RAV4 Prime in terms of electrical range, but offers greater efficiency. The Ford is also below the Toyota and starts at just under $ 35,000. However, the Escape itself isn't our preferred little crossover, and the plug-in hybrid doesn't have all-wheel drive.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and the Kia Niro PHEV are not only suitable for SUVs, but also cannot keep up with the triple threat of performance, electrical range and cargo space from Toyota. The Kia is also not available with all-wheel drive.

Should you get one?

Yes. The RAV4 Prime is a true all-rounder.

Editor's recommendations




30 May
Blog

2020 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium Review: Return of the King

2020 Toyota Supra Review

2020 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium

"Toyota's reborn flagship sports car was worth it."

  • Punchy acceleration

  • BMW infotainment system

  • Excellent cabin ergonomics

  • Overall refinement

Toyota is known for the everyday life of Camry and RAV4 and does not have many nameplates that cause excitement. That is why the return of the Supra is such a big deal. For Toyota, the Supra is what the Ford Mustang is, a legendary performance car with a passionate fan base. Like the Mustang, the Supra became a movie star thanks to the Fast & Furious franchise.

In contrast to previous Supra, the fifth generation 2020 model was developed with external help. It may have a Toyota badge on the hood, but there's actually a BMW Z4 under the 2020 Supra. The two cars were developed together, which gave Toyota a new Supra at a fraction of the cost of self-development. It also means that you can find German DNA on practically every inch of this supposedly Japanese sports car.

A similar strategy spawned the Toyota 86, which partners with the Subaru BRZ. We liked the 86, so can Toyota use the same magic with another partner? To find out, we spent a week with a Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium 2020 ("GR" stands for "Gazoo Racing", the Toyota division responsible for fine-tuning the car).

2020 Toyota Supra rear three quartersStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The Supra has a base price of $ 50,920, but the premium model offers features like Apple CarPlay wireless, an improved audio system, and a larger touchscreen. Together with an optional driver assistance package, the price of our test car rose to $ 56,615.

Design and interior

Inside and outside, this car is like no previous Supra. Instead of being based on previous models, the exterior design of the 2020 Supra is based on the 2014 Toyota FT-1 concept. The implementation of concept cars in production vehicles is always difficult, since concepts are generally not designed for crash tests or the ergonomics of the interior . While a significant amount of the FT-1 made it to Supra production, some compromises were made. The frontend in particular looks a bit bloated compared to the FT-1, which is probably a concession to the European safety standards for pedestrians.

Apart from the Toyota logo on the steering wheel, the interior is only BMW. The gear lever and the rotating infotainment controller come directly from the German automaker's catalog, and the touchscreen is located on the top of the dashboard and is not embedded in it like any other Toyota. The BMW DNA of the car is also shown in small details. To open the hood, you have to pull the lever twice and press a button on the gear lever to make it work. Even the doorbells have the same clear BMW sound.

The Supra has one of the best driving positions of all current sports cars.

It is not a bad thing. BMW knows a lot about the great interior, and the Supra is no exception. It has one of the best driving positions of all current sports cars. It is easy to feel comfortable, the low dashboard offers an excellent view outwards and all controls are easily accessible from the driver's seat.

However, if you expect luxury, let yourself be disappointed. This may be a BMW interior, but it's an entry-level version, especially compared to the Supra's BMW Z4 sibling.

The 2020 Supra is only available as a two-door, two-seat coupé. In contrast to the "Fast and Furious" -era Supra, there is no removable roof panel. The interior roughly corresponds to that of the convertible Z4 only, although the BMW offers a little more headroom. However, the Toyota offers 10.2 cubic feet of cargo space for the 9.9 of the Z4. The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the Porsche 718 Cayman have 12.6 cubic feet and 14.9 cubic feet of space, though divided between the front and rear trunks.

2020 Toyota Supra interior

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The Supra has the same iDrive infotainment system as current BMW models with identical graphics, menu arrangement and control dial. The standard touchscreen is 6.5 inches in size, and an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster is also standard. Premium models receive an 8.8-inch touchscreen as well as a head-up display and charging the mobile phone.

Since the Supra uses a BMW infotainment system, it receives wireless Apple CarPlay – the only Toyota model with this function. However, base models do not get CarPlay at all and Android Auto is not available. BMW plans to add wireless Android car to 2021 models, but it's unclear whether the Supra will get it too.

The infotainment experience shows that it is no shame to borrow from the best.

As with the entire interior design, the infotainment experience shows that there is no shame in borrowing from the best. The iDrive system worked just as well in the Supra as in other BMW models, with intuitive menus and a control dial that was much easier to use than the cumbersome touchpad from the Lexus luxury department at Toyota. The only blemishes were a screen that washed out in direct sunlight and an audio system that sounded more impressive on paper than it did in real life. (Premium models receive a JBL system with 12 speakers and 500 watts.)

The driver's standard aids include autonomous emergency braking, a forward collision warning, a lane departure warning with steering assistant and an automatic high beam. The optional driver assistance package offers adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, a rear traffic alarm and parking sensors.

2020 Toyota Supra infotainment controller

Experience driving

Open the hood of the Toyota Supra 2020 and the logic of the BMW partnership becomes clear. The German automaker knows how to build a great driver car, yes, but more importantly, BMW was able to equip Toyota with an inline six-cylinder engine. An inline six was the calling card of the last Supra, but Toyota no longer has one in its lineup. Instead of spending the money to develop a new engine on just one model, Toyota borrowed BMWs.

2020 Toyota Supra logoStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The 3.0-liter turbo engine is shared with the Z4 and numerous other BMW models, as is the eight-speed automatic transmission (if you want a manual transmission, get an 86). Our 2020 test car made 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, but 2021 models get a boost to 382 horsepower and 368 pounds per foot. Toyota will add a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine to the range for 2021. All Supra models are equipped with rear-wheel drive to ensure the best possible handling.

Toyota says the 2020 Supra 3.0 can go from zero to 60 miles an hour in 4.1 seconds. That's about as fast as a Porsche 718 Cayman S (the basic Cayman is 0.1 seconds slower, but 0.1 seconds faster with the optional Sport Chrono Package). According to a Motor Week test, it's also 1.0 seconds faster than a 1993 Toyota Supra Turbo, if you're wondering how the modern Supra compares to its movie star predecessor. According to estimates by both manufacturers, the more powerful 2021 Supra 3.0 reaches zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and thus corresponds to the six-cylinder BMW Z4.

What differentiates the Supra from other sports cars is its maturity.

The Supra felt quick, but that wasn't the biggest impression. What differentiates the Supra from other sports cars is its maturity. It was comfortable and quiet enough for a long road trip and agile enough to make the back roads fun. The Supra offers a better balance between comfort and sportiness than its Z4 sibling, which feels more like a traditional luxury car than a real sports car.

Toyota has also achieved this with its own tuning. While some other automakers offer a confusing set of driving modes and expect customers to find out what works best, Toyota stuck with just two modes: normal and sport.

2020 Toyota Supra engineStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

While the engineers nailed down some details, they missed others. Toyota could have spent a little more time tweaking the steering, which has the same feedback as a worn arcade game. While the Supra is admirably refined, this also makes for a less appealing driving experience. The car only really comes to life when you reach extra-legal speeds. The Supra was also not designed to drive with the windows down, a compromise that would likely result in higher aerodynamic efficiency. Lower the windows at more than the speed of the parking lot and the buffeting noises become unbearable.

Fuel consumption and security

The 2020 Supra has a total output of 26 mpg (24 mpg city, 31 mpg highway), which is identical to the Toyota BMW Z4 sibling and slightly better than a Porsche Cayman S. Over a week's drive, we have an average of 24 mpg in the car's on-board computer.

Since the Supra is a new vehicle, crash test assessments from the Road Safety Insurance Institute (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are not yet available, and predicting future reliability is difficult. However, expect the Supra to resemble a BMW rather than a Toyota in this area, as all of the main components come from the German company. This means that reliability may not be in line with Toyota's reputation.

Toyota offers a three-year comprehensive warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles for the powertrain, which are average for a new car.

How DT would configure this car

Toyota keeps things simple with just two trim levels: Base and Premium. You want to choose the latter if you want the most technology. The premium model comes standard with a larger 8.8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and a head-up display. On the driver's side, the optional driver assistance package, which offers adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear traffic warning and parking sensors for $ 1,195, is required to use all functions.

Earlier generations of the Supra have been well served by the aftermarket, and we assume that this will be the case with the new model. Parts may take some time to launch, but numerous upgrades should be available in due course. Papadakis Racing has already brought the BMW engine of the Supra to 1,000 hp, which shows that the engine has great tuning potential.

Our opinion

The wait for the Toyota Supra 2020 was worth it. It is a well-designed sports car that combines driving pleasure with everyday usability and sophistication. Some fans may not like Toyota's use of a BMW platform, but they probably haven't driven the new Supra. From the infotainment system to the engine, the BMW bits make this car so good.

However, this goodness comes at a price. The base price of the Supra of $ 50,920 undercuts the Porsche Cayman and the Chevy Corvette. However, if you activate the check boxes for optional technical functions, this gap is largely closed. The Corvette starts at $ 59,995 – just $ 3,380 more than our test car – and offers a different level of performance. If you're not connected to the idea of ​​a two-seater, you can also have a pretty Ford Mustang for the same price as a basic Supra.

For much less money than the Supra, two sports cars – the Nissan 370Z and the Toyota 86 – offer more personality. With available gearboxes and more visceral driving experiences, they leave the Supra out in sensations. However, no one can keep up with the Supra in terms of performance or technology, and the Supra is the only one of the three we'd like to take on a road trip.

Should you get one?

Yes. The Supra is a great sports car that you can drive every day.

Editor's recommendations




05 May
Blog

2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition Review: Defining Cheap Thrills

2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition

2020 Toyota 86 Hakone Edition review: Favorable thrill

"With a lightweight, agile chassis, Toyota's small sports car is more fun for your money."

  • Stronger than the competition

  • Nimble handling

  • Comfortable cockpit

  • Decently practical

  • Lack of driver assistant technology

  • Unpleasant exhaust note

The term "sports car" has become synonymous with "expensive". What was once a source of cheap thrills in the 1940s and 1950s is now a status symbol. A Porsche 911 can hit six-digit numbers with options, and a Chevrolet Corvette is considered a bargain at nearly $ 60,000.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Affordable sports cars still exist if you know where to look. On paper, the 2020 Toyota 86 (pronounced "eight-six") offers everything you need for driving pleasure: an agile chassis, an eager engine, an available manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. The small Toyota (and its sibling Subaru BRZ) offers the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which has dominated this space for over two decades, the much-needed competition.

Is the 86 as tasty as the ingredients suggest? To find out, we grabbed the leather-covered keychain for a Toyota 86 Hakone Edition 2020. Named after a famous Japanese street, it is characterized by green color, bronze wheels and light brown seats. The Hakone Edition costs $ 30,825, compared to $ 28,015 for the Base 86.

Design and interior

The Toyota 86 is a car with many names. It was developed together with Subaru, which, as already mentioned, sells its own version called BRZ. The Toyota version was launched in the United States for the 2013 model year as the Scion FR-S under the now-defunct youth brand of the Japanese car manufacturer. When Scion was canceled, the FR-S turned 86. However, the car has not changed significantly over the years. The new Hakone Edition for 2020 only receives cosmetic changes.

2020 Toyota 86 Hakone EditionStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The name "86" refers to the 1986 AE86-Toyota Corolla, but the two cars are very different. The AE86 was a tuner-friendly version of the ubiquitous small car from Toyota that later became famous in the manga and anime "Initial D". The 86, however, is a pure sports car. However, the two Toyotas have one thing in common: the rear-wheel drive, which offers superior handling. The 86 also uses a Subaru boxer engine, which lowers the car's center of gravity and further improves cornering ability.

The view to the outside is excellent, so you can easily place the car on the road and don't have to grit your teeth when parking in parallel.

In size and price, the 86 most closely matches the Mazda MX-5 Miata and its sibling, the Fiat 124 Spider. While the Mazda and Fiat are two-seater convertibles, the Toyota is a coupe with a fixed roof and two tiny rear seats. These seats aren't really suitable for people, but they do offer a useful amount of cargo space.

Toyota doesn't leave any trunk space for the 86, but Subaru quotes 6.9 cubic feet for the identical BRZ – more if you fold down the rear seats. That's not a lot, but it's more than in a Miata or 124 Spider. The Mazda and Fiat offer slightly more headroom and a few inches more legroom. However, if you're not as compact as you are, all of these cars fit closely.

2020 Toyota 86 Hakone EditionStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The interior 86 is simple but functional. The seats have thick cushions, but are still comfortable enough for everyday use. The steering wheel has the perfect diameter and thickness, and the upright dashboard makes the cockpit look a little more spacious. The view to the outside is excellent, so you can easily place the car on the road and don't have to grit your teeth when parking in parallel. Materials are nothing special, but you can expect that at this price.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The simplicity of the 86 is reminiscent of classic sports cars, but also the lack of technology. The car comes standard with a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – but that's about it. The center console offers just enough space for a smartphone. To connect, however, a USB cable must be looped around the shift lever.

Stephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

Even the rear view camera prescribed by the federal government has a low-tech version. Images appear on a tiny section of the rearview mirror, not on the main screen or over the entire length of the mirror, as some automakers have done.

With the Subaru BRZ from Toyota you get a little bit more. To justify a slightly higher purchase price, Subaru offers built-in navigation and some other audio options, including Pandora and SiriusXM.

This is a car that you can have fun in without risking jail time.

The 86 also does not receive the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package with driver aids, which is standard on most of the automaker's models. That means buyers miss features like adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is also not available with adaptive cruise control, but autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and traffic sign recognition are available. The Fiat 124 Spider receives blind spot monitoring and a rear traffic alarm as part of an optional package, but none of the other drivers help their Mazda siblings.

Experience behind the wheel

The 86 was not designed as a technology leader. It's designed to provide the best possible driving experience for the price, and it delivers.

Like a well-made cheeseburger, Toyota (and its partner Subaru) didn't try to make the 86er chic – they focused on making a handful of basic ingredients as good as possible. The 86 is powered by a Subaru 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that uses Toyota's D-4S fuel injection system, which switches between direct injection and port injection to maximize efficiency. The engine features Subaru's signature boxer configuration, which allows it to sit deeper in the chassis. This lowers the overall center of gravity of the vehicle and improves handling.

The Boxer-Four delivers 205 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque in cars with the six-speed manual and 200 horsepower and 151 pound-feet. with the six-speed automatic. That's more than the Mazda MX-5 Miata or Fiat 124 Spider, although the 86 can't keep up with the Fiat's melodious exhaust note. The engine is also well suited for sports cars and has an eager, easy-going character.

Stephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The trim proportions of the 86, the relatively low curb weight (Toyota specified a weight of 2,799 pounds for our Hakone Edition test car) and the rear-wheel drive make the most of this engine. Many performance cars try to mask the poundage with an extra dash of power, which means that most of the fun takes place at extra-fast speeds. The agile and communicative chassis of the 86 turns every curve into an event – regardless of speed. This is a car that you can have fun in without risking jail time.

The 86 isn't perfect – it's easy to accidentally shift to fifth gear if you want third, and a Miata is a bit sharper overall – but it's pretty close. You also pay for this epic handling with driving quality that makes commuting on the highway painful. The suspension doesn't help reduce the effects of bumps, and the cabin is noisy. If you want more sophistication, you have to switch to a Toyota Supra.

Fuel consumption and security

Another advantage of a light car with a small engine is the good mileage. The 86 is combined with 24 mpg (21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway) with the manual gearbox and 27 mpg combined (24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway) with the automatic. Over a week's drive, we achieved an average value of 24.2 mpg (according to the car's on-board computer) even with a fairly heavy gas pedal.

Real results that match government ratings are always encouraging, but the 86 can't compete with a 29 MPG Miata (26 MPG City, 34 MPG Highway) or a 30 MPG (26 MPG City, 35 MPG Highway) manual 124 Spider keep up). The Mazda has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine like the Toyota, while the Fiat has a smaller 1.4-liter four-cylinder with a turbocharger.

An advantage of a light car with a small engine is good mileage.

The 86 received the top rating of “good” in four out of five crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and was rated as “acceptable” in the front test on the driver side with “small overlap”. The Toyota has not received an overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Toyota offers a three-year basic warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles for the powertrain. The automaker has a pretty good reputation for reliability. Subaru engines also have a good reputation, although head seals with high mileage are known to fail. Replacement should be considered later in the life of the car.

How DT would configure this car

Hakone Edition models like our test car have a unique style and are probably a good choice for future collectibles. Our ideal 86er would, however, be a basic model that is equipped with the optional TRD handling package, which is not available in the Hakone Edition.

TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, the performance department of the Japanese automaker. If you choose this option, you will have to do without the chic green color of the Hakone Edition and the 17-inch bronze wheels. However, they are equipped with Sachs dampers, Brembo brakes and 18-inch wheels with stickier Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The package costs $ 2,320. In addition to the base price of $ 28,015, it would still be a little cheaper than a Hakone Edition – but with even better handling.

The 86 also has great support for the aftermarket. If you don't like something about this car, there is likely to be a spare part to change it. We would start with a new exhaust system. The storage system makes a lot of noise, but most of this noise is not good.

Our opinion

Few cars perform their intended function as well as the Toyota 86. A Mazda MX-5 Miata is a bit better to drive, but the average driver won't notice. The 86 makes up for that with a pinch of practicality – and how often will you really take off the top of the Mazda? The Fiat 124 Spider has a nice sound, a retro design and a more comfortable driving experience, but is not as sharp as the Toyota.

However, Toyota paid a price for its unique focus. For similar money, you can buy cars that aren't as pure as the 86, but have a wider range of talents. The Nissan 370Z has a 3.7-liter V6 with 332 hp, while compact sports cars like the Honda Civic Si and the Volkswagen Golf GTI are suitable for everyday use. A Ford Mustang EcoBoost offers more space, performance and technology, but also feels more like an ordinary car than a real sports car.

Should you get one?

Yes. The 86 defines cheap thrills.

Editor's recommendations




18 Apr
Blog

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD Review: Are We Having Fun yet?

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD rating: Big on space, short on hustle and bustle

"The 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD is a full-size entertaining sedan, but not a good value."

  • Powerful engine

  • Composite chassis

  • Spacious interior

  • Overwhelming technology

  • Inconspicuous interior materials

  • Performance increases don't go far enough

  • Bad value

It is hard to imagine that a car currently in production has a less exciting image than the Toyota Avalon. The largest sedan from Toyota is traditionally geared towards an older population group and attaches importance to comfort and space compared to sportiness and technology. Why does this new Avalon have a TRD emblem on the trunk? After all, TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development.

The Toyota Avalon TRD 2020 is an attempt to break out of a clumsy stereotype. Toyota hasn't changed anything under the hood of this sedan, but it did give the Avalon TRD stiffer suspension, bigger front brakes and other performance improvements, and a sportier design inside and out.

These upgrades are not cheap. Prices for the TRD model start at $ 43,330. That's $ 6,500 more than a basic Avalon XLE and puts the TRD at the top of the trim hierarchy. Given the limited performance improvements, the TRD had to work hard to justify its price and meet its bill as an exciting Avalon.

Design and interior

The current generation Avalon, launched for the 2019 model year, already had a rather extrovert design as part of Toyota's ongoing effort to make it more distinctive. The massive grille takes the Avalon XSE model, and the TRD adds a body kit with a new front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and tailgate spoiler. The TRD also gets model-specific 18-inch wheels. Overall, the car looks like it was designed by an Uber driver who watched too many Fast and Furious films. But unlike previous Avalons, it stands out.

We are used to seeing traditional wood and leather in Avalon interiors. So it was surprising to open the driver's door and find seats with suede inserts and red stitching, red seat belts, and aluminum pedal covers. This is the kind of thing you'd normally expect in a Honda Civic Type R, not a big sedan. That's not a bad thing as these boy racer elements give the Avalon TRD the sporty feel that Toyota wanted.

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD2020 Toyota Avalon TRD

It's just a shame that the materials look so cheap. Although this car cost over $ 40,000, it didn't have real leather seats and other materials weren't a significant step up from cheaper Toyota models.

When you buy an Avalon, you really pay for the space. The interior volume is a big step up from the medium-sized Toyota Camry and is cheap compared to other large sedans like the Dodge Charger, the Kia Cadenza and the Nissan Maxima. The Avalon has more rear legroom than the competition, although the Cadenza and Maxima have a little more space in the front. At 16.0 cubic feet, the trunk space is average for a large sedan, but the Kia Stinger hatchback offers 23.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

Technology, infotainment and driver assistance

The Avalon is Toyota's flagship, but that doesn't happen technically. This car has a decent array of technical features, but Toyota could have gone further.

While some Toyota vehicles received both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the 2020 model year, the Avalon is only available with CarPlay (along with Amazon Alexa connectivity). The standard 9.0-inch infotainment screen is easy to reach from the driver's seat and is supported by strategically placed analog controls. However, the integration into the dashboard is cumbersome.

2020 Toyota Avalon TRDStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The 7.0-inch screen, which is clamped between the analog speedometer and the tachometer, provides important information such as fuel consumption. However, the setup seems a bit dated, as other automakers offer fully digital instrument clusters. The TRD model is charged with Qi mobile phones as standard, but does not have the head-up display that is available in the Touring and Limited equipment variants.

The Avalon has the same standard Toyota Safety Sense-P bundle of driver aids as most of the automaker's models. These include autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning with steering assistant, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beam, blind spot monitoring and rear traffic warning.

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD

Experience behind the wheel

The TRD model has the same 3.5-liter V6, the eight-speed automatic transmission and the same front-wheel drive as the basic Avalon. Engine power remains unchanged at 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. That roughly corresponds to the closest rival of the Avalon TRD, the Nissan Maxima. Like the TRD, the Maxima is a light, sporty large sedan with front-wheel drive and a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 300 hp and 261 lb.-ft. accomplishes. The Maxima's continuously variable transmission (CVT) has nothing to do with the fast-switching eight-speed automatic transmission of the Avalon.

However, broaden your horizons and it is possible to get more horsepower per dollar. For around $ 6,000 less than the TRD, you can buy a Dodge Charger R / T with a 5.7-liter V8 that delivers 370 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. accomplishes. The Kia Stinger GT is also a little cheaper than the Avalon TRD. It packs a 3.3-liter V6 with two turbochargers with 365 HP and 376 lb.-ft. The Dodge and Kia are both fitted with rear-wheel drive, and Kia offers all-wheel drive at an additional cost.

However, the Avalon still has a lot of power for a car of its size, and the cat-back exhaust system of the TRD model gives the V6 a nice growl. Toyota also threw more resources into the car's chassis.

The relatively small increases in performance work on the go, but only up to a point.

Most TRD upgrades relate to handling. Toyota added thicker underbody struts to increase torsional rigidity, TRD-specific shock absorbers, new stabilizers, and new springs that lower the car by 0.6 inches. According to Toyota, the stabilizers and springs increase the roll stiffness at the front by 44 percent and at the rear by 67 percent to prevent the car from fluttering around corners. The TRD also has larger front brakes than a standard Avalon.

Stephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

These relatively small changes work on the road, but only up to a point. The Avalon TRD feels much more relaxed on a winding road than such a big car. The brakes are fantastic too. But like a person with social fear at a party, you feel like the Avalon would rather do something different.

While the suspension keeps the body swaying at bay, the TRD doesn't feel as agile as a Nissan Maxima built with a similar template. This is probably due to the Avalon's longer wheelbase, which is great for space in the rear seats, but not for carving in corners. The front tires of the Toyota were also slightly overwhelmed by multitasking. Steering, braking, and channeling 301 horsepower is a big question as to why performance sedans typically have rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Drive the Avalon back and forth with a Kia Stinger and you'll see why.

Fuel consumption and security

The TRD treatment has no influence on the fuel consumption values. This version of the Avalon has the same 25 mpg (22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway) as most other trim levels. Toyota also offers a hybrid powertrain up to 44 mpg, which however cannot be combined with the TRD upgrades. According to the car's on-board computer, we reached an average of 24.8 mpg over a week's drive.

The 2020 Avalon received the highest Top Safety Pick + rating from the Road Safety Insurance Institute (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Toyota offers a three-year warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles for the powertrain. The Avalon and other Toyota models enjoy an excellent reputation for reliability.

How DT would configure this car

Since the TRD is a specific equipment variant in the Avalon series, not many configuration decisions need to be made beyond the color. We thought the white color of our test car caused the black grille, the wheels and the body kit to burst well.

But is the TRD the best Avalon you can buy? It's worth noting that the Limited trim level offers more features (including leather seats and a 360-degree camera system) for about the same price. The Limited is also available with the hybrid powertrain. This combination shows the strengths of the Avalon better than the sporty TRD.

Our opinion

The Toyota Avalon TRD 2020 is a good idea with poor execution. It's possible to turn a large sedan into a high-performance car – just look at the BMW M5 – but Toyota hasn't gone far enough with the Avalon TRD. The TRD upgrades make the Avalon better to drive (and look at), but they don't transform it.

If you want four doors, lots of space, and a little fun, other cars offer more for the money. For the base price of the Avalon TRD, you could have the most expensive Nissan Maxima. The Nissan is not without its flaws, but it is a better implementation of the idea that Toyota was aiming for. The Maxima has less interior than the Avalon, but its interior also feels more upscale. While the Maxima is equipped with a slow-reacting CVT, it feels more comfortable on winding roads.

Similar money could also buy a Kia Stinger GT with more power and better handling than the Toyota or a Dodge Charger R / T, a real muscle car with a Hemi V8 under the hood. The Avalon TRD is cool and different, but so are these cars. They also have more substance to support their style.

The Toyota Avalon is simply not designed for aggressive driving, and no changes can fix that. If you want a really beautiful Avalon, the XLE model is the way to go. If you are looking for a large sedan that looks more aggressive and moves faster, you should buy another car.

Should you get one?

No, the price-performance ratio is bad.

Editor's recommendations




08 Mar
Blog

2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review: It’s Great, But Buy The LE

Toyota Camry Hybrid

2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review: It's great, but get the LE

"The Toyota Camry Hybrid remains a reliable choice among hybrid sedans."

  • Outstanding reliability and security

  • An improved entune system is an improvement

  • The latest redesign still looks good

  • The basic equipment offers many great functions

  • With higher equipment, the fuel consumption is lower

  • The XLE can get quite expensive

  • Trunk is small for a medium sized sedan

The Toyota Camry Hybrid has been around for more than a decade, unlike the Corolla, which received a hybrid version for the first time in 2020. The Camry, however, benefited from regular updates from Toyota through its characteristic and reliable hybrid system. It also benefited from a major redesign in 2018 that gave it a sportier look and cutting-edge technology.

I drove the Camry Hybrid XLE, the highest configuration. The MSRP starts at $ 32,730, and some extras have been added to my test car, including the driver assistance package, adaptive headlights, a sunroof, and the navigation package that also updated the audio system. All in, including the target fee, my lender Camry was priced at $ 39,766.

A Camry hybrid without a bell or whistle starts at just over $ 28,000 for the base LE fairing. There's also a Hybrid SE that starts at $ 30,130 and adds a few luxurious details like faux leather upholstery and shift paddles.

Since I've driven the fanciest Camry Hybrid, it's only fair to compare it to the fanciest versions of its closest competition: the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. The Accord Hybrid's upper fairing is similar to that of the Camry Hybrid XLE (with the extras in my loaner) and starts at $ 36,245. The Ioniq Hybrid starts at $ 31,200, several thousand dollars lower.

The competition also comes from the house. The Toyota Prius is synonymous with hybrid technology, and its top spec also has a starting price north of $ 32,000.

design

Toyota's design is often designed as boring, boring, and for the masses, rather than having style. The redesign of the Camry in 2018, however, churned up the company's design language with a sportier look for the four-door mid-size sedan. The front end is more aggressive and the lines along the body stretch towards the rear of the car.

Toyota Camry Hybrid exteriorToyota

The inside of the XLE is clean and tidy. The middle touchscreen of the updated infotainment system does not hover uncomfortably over the dashboard like the screen in the Camry. This trim also has tiger eye wood paneling that enhances the feeling of luxury.

Spaciousness and comfort are close to most mid-size sedans. The batteries are arranged so that they do not penetrate the seat or trunk, but the trunk is slightly smaller than that of the Accord and much smaller than that of the Ioniq. The Prius has less passenger space, but if you have to carry large or awkwardly shaped items, its hatchback is a big plus over the Camry's trunk.

technology

My lender Camry's updated Entune infotainment system had razor-sharp graphics on a screen that could be split up to display several types of information, such as: B. the next round in the navigation area and the current title in the satellite radio. The touch inputs were simple, with physical buttons on either side of the screen. My Camry's improved infotainment included a bird's-eye view camera, which I appreciated when parking in parallel.

Toyota Camry Hybrid interiorKristen Hall-Geisler / Digital Trends

Setting up my phone for the Entune system was a breeze. I was able to pair my phone in less than 10 seconds. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all Camry hybrids, a major advance over previous model years where Android Auto was missing.

The driver receives a screen between the analog displays. This ad is full of information, though I'm sure it can be customized if you take the time to figure out how. If I own the car, I bring a cup of coffee to the driver's seat and spend some time in the driveway with the electronic instruction manual to set everything up as I like it. However, not everyone will be so patient.

Toyota Camry Hybrid instrument displayKristen Hall-Geisler / Digital Trends

The flood of information on this 7-inch TFT screen was overwhelming but useful, and the steering wheel controls made it easy to scroll through different types of information. I was able to check the fuel consumption of my trip, the route I was listening to, and the status of my driver assistance functions such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. My lender also had a 10-inch heads-up display (HUD) that was massive and visible in every light. I relied on the HUD for basics like speed, more than the 7 inch screen.

When you upgrade to expensive panels and add packages, you need to choose which high-tech features you like best. The top panel of the Accord Hybrid contains many functions of my Camry Hybrid XLE with additional packages. However, the Accord also has a WiFi hotspot, while the Camry can connect to Alexa. If you care about screen size, look elsewhere. The upper fairing of the Ioniq Hybrid has a 10.25-inch screen and the Prius Limited has an 11.6-inch screen.

Fuel consumption

Toyota made a fascinating choice for the Camry hybrid system. The basic LE cladding has lithium-ion batteries that are light and efficient. It combines 52 mpg.

But this is not the car that I drove. I had the XLE, which like the medium-weight SE has heavier and less efficient nickel-metal hydride batteries. It is an older technology that has served the Toyota hybrid system well for years, and it is less expensive. Unfortunately, this means that the fanciest Camry Hybrid has the lowest fuel consumption: an estimated 44 mpg city / 47 mpg highway / 46 mpg combined.

Toyota Camry HybridToyota

This is much better than a conventional gas-only sedan, but not particularly good for a hybrid. The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid achieves a total of 55 mpg and the Prius XLE a total of 52 mpg. If you want to buy the Camry and save money, choose the cheaper and more efficient basic Camry.

The EPA estimates are also optimistic. They are a great way to compare apples to apples, but I personally find that my mileage rarely lives up to the EPA sticker. During my time, I only drove the Camry Hybrid XLE on roads and made no special efforts to reduce fuel consumption. I've seen just under 40 mpg, which is frankly better than I expected.

Regardless of which equipment package you drive, the Camry Hybrid delivers a total of 208 hp. The transmission was smooth and quiet, and the acceleration is punchy. It was not a problem to get into the traffic flow or carry out a quick pass.

safety

Every Toyota is equipped as standard with a version of its Safety Sense Suite with technical functions for driver assistance. The Camry Hybrid has Safety Sense P, which includes a forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, a lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control. If you want more, the driver assistance package offers a bird's-eye view camera, rear traffic alarm and the head-up display.

The insurance institute for road safety has awarded the 2020 Camry the Top Safety Pick +, its highest recommendation.

Safety Sense is as easy to use as any other system on the market. The controls are on the steering wheel and are easy to reach without a glance once you know where they are. By switching the middle display to show the safety technology, the tracking distance between you and the car in front of you and your lane keeping status become clear.

The insurance institute for road safety has awarded the 2020 Camry the Top Safety Pick +, its highest recommendation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Camry Hybrid five out of five stars in all of its crash tests.

The predicted reliability values ​​are above average for the Camry Hybrid, although there is currently a recall with a coolant leak. Toyota offers a typical warranty for the Camry Hybrid with 3 years / 36,000 miles for a comprehensive warranty and 5 years / 60,000 miles for the drivetrain. All hybrid components are guaranteed for 8 years / 100,000 miles.

How DT would configure the Toyota Camry Hybrid 2020

While it was great to have all the bells and whistles in the Camry Hybrid XLE, the better fuel economy in the LE is attractive. I would go for this model and add the package that includes the sunroof, blind spot monitoring, and updated 8-inch touchscreen and entune system for around $ 2,700.

Wrap up

The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid has been around for years. The technology is proven and reliable, and improvements over the years have kept the design and technology up to date. It is still a good choice for hybrid sedan buyers.

There are only a few disadvantages of a car that has so many features even in its basic configuration. But paying for the top panel of this test car didn't seem to work. The base Camry hybrid already contains a lot, and you can add most goodies at a reasonable price. In addition, the basic model is more efficient.

Should you get one?

Yes, if you want a reliable, efficient limousine at a reasonable price. Just rethink the suspension for the top fairing.

Editor's recommendations




29 Feb
Blog

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Affordable Hybrid For The Masses

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid review ry 4th

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Affordable hybrid for the masses

"The Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 is an excellent choice for frugal buyers."

  • Affordable prices

  • A lot of drive safety technology

  • Dynamic cruise control works well

  • Attractive styling

  • Modest trunk

  • Entune infotainment needs work

If you've been waiting for the hybrid version of Toyota's most popular and cheapest sedan to come to US dealers, this is your year. The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan is here and it's about $ 23,000 to launch.

Corolla is not a new kid on the block. It made its debut in the late 1960s with more than 46 million copies sold worldwide. Many other Toyotas received hybrid treatment before the Corolla, including the RAV4, Highlander and even the Camry, Corolla's bigger sibling.

The Corolla Hybrid is affordable, but not the cheapest hybrid. The 2020 Honda Insight and 2020 Hyundai Ioniq are a few hundred dollars cheaper.

I tested the Corolla Hybrid in rainy January weather in the Pacific Northwest. It is an ideal time to test the driver assistance functions of the car (without deliberately endangering myself or the car).

design

Toyota has revised its range in recent years and this year it was Corolla's turn. Toyota decided that the car might as well be designed for a hybrid powertrain as well as the usual gasoline-only engine. This speaks for the success of Toyota’s hybrid technology, which has slowly but surely crept in from the Prius into other Toyota vehicles.

While some cars can continue to drive without a visit to the design team, the Corolla is popular and the Toyota design team visits it often. The last complete redesign took place in 2014 with an update in 2017. In between, Toyota has published special editions. The equipment variants and functions are revised considerably each year to keep up with the new trends.

The 2020 Corolla Hybrid features a simplified version of the new Toyota Camry front with a large grille and a sloping bonnet. It may not be the most exciting design, but given the price, it's nothing to make fun of.

2020 Toyota Corolla back seatRiley Young / Digital Trends

You can find more cargo space in the trunk of the Honda Insight or in the hatchback Hyundai Ioniq. If you are just trying to choose between the hybrid and the non-hybrid Corolla sedan, you will be happy to know that the hybrid system does not penetrate the trunk. But trucks are still among the smallest in its segment.

Seating is typical of a small car. The front seats are fine for most people, and the rear seats are tight for adults. The batteries are located under the rear seat, so that the seat for the rear passengers is not affected more than usual in a car of this size.

technology

The Corolla Hybrid has an 8-inch touchscreen that is mounted high in the center console for maximum visibility. This is a common design for Toyota interiors, and although it's functional, I've always found it strange. It looks like it should fold down when you're not using it, but it doesn't work. The strange design of the screen makes the interior look old-fashioned than it is.

The driver has a large 7-inch digital display that you can customize to display the information you want. You can choose to display, for example, the odometer or the outside temperature. I have set it to show current fuel consumption and fuel consumption as I would like to see how my driving affects my average mileage in real time. After all, this is a hybrid.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

Unfortunately for Toyota, the Entune infotainment system lags behind Corolla's competitors. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay, but not with Android Auto. There is a USB port that is common for every vehicle in 2020, but is in an inconvenient place on the right side of the center console.

The basic system of the Hyundai Ioniq is easier to use and offers both Android and Apple compatibility. There is also an upgrade with a larger screen and wireless charging. The Honda Insight's basic infotainment system is sparse and resembles what you'll find in the Corolla. But like the Ioniq, Honda offers an improved system with a larger screen and a WiFi hotspot.

For those who work their Prime membership for everything that's worth it, Corolla's Entune system is compatible with Amazon Alexa. This is still an unusual feature in any car, let alone one that sells for less than $ 25,000.

fuel consumption

If you're considering the Corolla Hybrid, you're probably in for fuel economy. You will not be disappointed. The hybrid is rated by the EPA at a combined speed of 52 mpg, with city and highway averages in the late 1950s. The Corolla only with gas is designed for a combined output of approx. 33 mpg, depending on which model it is.

That's great compared to most cars, but pretty typical of a modern hybrid sedan. The Honda Insight publishes almost identical numbers with a total of 52 mpg. The Hyundai Ioniq surpasses both with a combined 58 mpg.

2020 Toyota Corolla HybridRiley Young / Digital Trends

There is an EV mode with which the car can only use battery power at very low speeds and very short distances. At first I found this disappointing because any acceleration would leave EV mode to get going. Then I found an application: sneaking around in traffic. I could use EV mode while waiting for a light to change or an accident to go out.

I drove the Corolla a little over a hundred miles over a week. This was mostly the case on roads and local highways, so I never set it to 65 mph. I was also not careful with my acceleration, which I found peppy enough in the city. On rainy days I made a few short trips to the grocery store about a mile away, which is terrible for everyone's gasoline consumption.

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid front seatsRiley Young / Digital Trends

At the end of my test drive, the middle display showed me that my real fuel consumption was in the mid-1940s. That number is low, but my miles were completely stop-and-go. If you can set the adaptive cruise control for longer distances than me, your mileage may be closer to the EPA numbers.

safety

The Corolla features Toyota's Safety Sense Suite with driver assistance functions and a full list of safety technologies. I have used all but two functions. automatic high beam as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection. I was in town so high beam was not necessary and no one stepped in front of my car or drove.

My toughest test was on a rainy night on a street with dubious markings and irregular traffic patterns. The lane keeping assistant was able to find the middle dotted lane with reflectors, but it was difficult for him to find the correct lane marking that had broken down in places. The Corolla's steering assistant gently suggested that I hug the middle lane marker more than I would like.

I had also set dynamic cruise control on this trip and it worked well. This system will bring you to the limit and if it detects that the car has moved in front of you, you will be asked to press a button or restart the accelerator. It follows traffic as it should. It was able to adapt quickly when another car entered my lane, and it correctly displayed the speed limit sign.

The dynamic speed control was able to adapt quickly when another car entered my lane.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Association rated the Corolla Hybrid five out of five stars, with perfect results in front and side crash tests and four out of five stars in the rollover test. The insurance institute for road traffic safety has awarded Corolla a top safety ax because it received the top grade “good” in every test.

The Honda Insight was recognized as a Top Safety Pick + for its excellent crash test ratings and headlight lighting. The Hyundai Ioniq has not yet been tested by the NHTSA, but received top marks in all IIHS tests.

The Corolla Hybrid has a comprehensive 3 year / 36,000 miles warranty and 5 years / 60,000 miles warranty on the powertrain. Hybrid components are guaranteed for 8 years / 100,000 miles.

Price and availability

The base MRSP of the Toyota Corolla is $ 22,950. Our tested price was $ 24,303. The extra money went only to a body protection package and carpet mats. Since I tested the car in bad weather in January, these were smart additions from Toyota.

How DT would configure this car

The Corolla Hybrid comes in just one version, the LE, and is only available as a sedan. There are no options or packages for this car. When you visit Toyota.com and build a Corolla to your specifications, you can choose the interior and exterior colors and add accessories such as floor mats and crossbars on the roof. That's it.

You can at least choose the color, and although the test car was in Celestite, a gray-blue shade, blue print is definitely the way to go.

Wrap up

The Corolla has long been an affordable car for the masses. Now it's an affordable hybrid for the masses.

The Corolla Hybrid doesn't offer much luxury. Some of the upper panels of the gasoline-powered Corolla are prettier than this, and there are no options like leather upholstery or heated seats to refine the hybrid. This Corolla is a hybrid for people on a budget, whose first priority is a safe, reliable car and whose second priority is fuel consumption.

Still, the Corolla's Drive Assist technology is solid for the price. It wasn't perfect, but it worked well even in harsh conditions. I just wish the Toyota Entune system would be better and offer Android auto support.

Should you buy the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid?

Yes. If you are looking for a reliable, low-cost limousine from a manufacturer with a decades-long hybrid record, the 2020 Corolla Hybrid is the right choice for you. Just don't expect a fantastic infotainment experience.

Editor's recommendations




27 Feb
Blog

Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid AWD First Drive: Come For AWD, Stay For Comfort

Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid XSE

The RAV4 XSE Hybrid AWD from Toyota is a shockingly efficient SUV for all seasons

"Nobody can complain about the practicality of the Toyota RAV4, especially with hybrid technology and all-wheel drive."

  • Spacious, comfortable interior

  • Attractive style

  • Reliable AWD system

  • Excellent fuel consumption

  • So-so interior technology

  • Not really suitable for offroading

Women buy 54% of cars in the United States and, unlike men, do not decide which car or model to buy based on the model or brand. Women are usually more practical and take care of the interior or the cargo space the most.

That is true in my case. As a journalist and filmmaker, I have to have a second closet in my car and enough space to bring my lighting and camera equipment. And I need space for my two babies – my dog ​​Bruno and my cat Roberta. I really want everything.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid All-Wheel Drive (AWD) meets all of the above requirements at an affordable price. You can keep your vacation budget by understanding your financial needs, your family, and your lifestyle expectations.

As a thrill seeker, I decided to analyze this SUV on a trip where Florida alligators set the rules. Everglades National Park. The muddy park became the perfect place to experiment with the RAV4's all-wheel drive system as I thought about how it could fit into my everyday life.

AWD and off-road performance

The RAV4 Hybrid AWD is the best-selling SUV in America. While most people buy it with a 4-cylinder engine, the hybrid version offers many advantages. Thanks to the combination of a gasoline engine at the front and an electric motor at the rear, it not only delivers better mileage, but also more power than others (219 compared to the 4-cylinder 203).

The petrol engine drives the front wheels, while a 54 hp engine only drives the rear. They work together on an electronic on-demand all-wheel drive system that allows the car to decide how to supply electricity.

Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid XSELara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

Such an advanced system has practical advantages under tricky conditions. The off-road experience begins by activating the trail mode, which makes the vehicle more aggressive and ready to overcome the obstacles ahead.

Although the RAV4 has no mechanical limited slip differential, it has an electronic lock. A computerized operation in which the rear electric motor is activated to give the wheels more power by turning faster and pushing the vehicle thanks to the traction it generates.

If you only use EV mode with activated trail mode, you can drive through steep gravel hills. With the automatic all-wheel drive, the computer can analyze where the torque is needed. In this case, thanks to the electric motor, up to 80% can drive to the rear wheel.

The Hybrid AWD drivetrain impressed me. In fact, Digital Trends rates the Toyota RAV4 as one of the best hybrid family SUVs available today.

The driving experience

The RAV4 AWD, which is based on a platform shared with the Camry on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), is not designed for extreme off-roading. This is probably not a surprise.

Still, his off-road skills are not pointless. Many RAV4 buyers choose the small SUV from Toyota over a Corolla or Camry because the RAV4 performs excellently under adverse conditions. The all-wheel drive system of the RAV4 is intended to strengthen driver confidence and is successful.

Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid XSELara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

If you hope to be off the beaten path, make no mistake. The RAV4 Hybrid AWD currently lacks ground clearance, tire capability and suspension for serious crawling.

The RAV4 Hybrid XSE is 8.1 inches above the ground. That's enough to handle most winter storms, but not enough to keep it away from jagged rocks on a path. The RAV4 is clearly best suited for people living in the city, as it no longer has to adapt to certain situations such as flooding or snowfall in the city.

When you're ready to spend a little more money, Toyota offers the Adventure model with a 8.6-inch ground clearance. However, you cannot buy the Adventure model with the hybrid powertrain. It will still have AWD, but it will work differently than the model I drove.

However, among its main competitors, the RAV4 is the one that stands out. The Honda CR-V is a well-known rival 7.1 inches from the ground, while the Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Rogue are at least 7.9 and 7.4 inches, respectively. The only model that fits the adventure model is the Buick Envision, which is 8.6 inches above the ground. Other competitors like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage have a ground clearance of 6.4.

Tires are also crucial in off-road conditions. The RAV4 Hybrid XSE has 18-inch all-season bikes that are covered with the Dunlop Grandtrek P20. These tires, like the rest of the RAV4 Hybrid XSE, can process some snow, but are not ideal for conditions with strong weather. In my off-road experience, the RAV4 had difficulties on an inclined gravel road – especially with the rear wheels.

Lara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

The rear independent suspension ensures better traction. Because of its electric motor in the rear, it supports the car on steep hills. The articulation is not bad, but lockers (an unusual feature) or descent control (which is more common) are missing.

When driving the RAV4 Hybrid XSE on an inclined gravel road, the rear wheels simply pull. In order to get out of this situation, I had to back up and accelerate several times. The RAV4 Hybrid XSE was better on flat roads, and although its distance is minimal, the few inches it can claim compared to a Camry are appreciated.

Design and style

I brought my sister with me to learn more about the comfort and cabin of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE. She is a busy woman and mother who works as an inventory analyst between 9 and 5. It was a feast for the eyes to drive with someone whose priorities are completely different from mine, and in between operations we put the SUV through its paces.

We agreed that the RAV4 also looks sporty in a hybrid look for a small SUV. We found that the RAV4 Hybrid is suitable for a young family like my sister's or for outdoor-loving singles who want a stylish but economical ride.

The RAV4 has really conquered our hearts with its bold front grille, accompanied by LED headlights and fog lights. Our tester also had a black body package with LED taillights, spoilers, double exhaust and a panoramic sunroof to improve the view of the street.

Some of these features, such as the sunroof, are optional, but the LED lights and double exhaust tips are standard. Steel wheels are the only low-cost exterior feature of the basic RAV4 LE, and all hybrid models are upgraded to alloy wheels.

Interior and comfort

Powered by a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder gearbox (CVT). The Toyota RAV4 is a quiet ride. You can speak or hear your favorite songs from the engine without much background noise. However, my sister Isabel has a 4 year old in the house and mentioned that she would prefer the RAV4 hybrid to make more noise.

The RAV4 is a great size for city life as it is not too big. My test model also had a large rear view camera with an overhead and 360 degree panoramic view, which made parallel parking in a narrow street much easier.

Lara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

Toyota offers one of the best entune infotainment on the market. A multimedia navigation system that provides satellite-based information on traffic, weather, sports results, stocks and many other functions. For $ 1,620, you get an 8-inch touchscreen with buttons and buttons, app integration like Apple CarPlay, and my sister's favorite, Wi-Fi connectivity.

Let's now compare RAV4's infotainment system with its long-standing rival: the Honda CR-V.

Hondalink's system is called Hondalink, but it's still not noticeable. The CR-V has a 7-inch display, only a volume control and no Wi-Fi connection. The appearance of the graphic display falls behind the Toyota Entune system, which has a striking 8-inch touchscreen display.

However, Entune is far from perfect. Android owners will not be enthusiastic about RAV4, as Toyota's infotainment only allows Apple CarPlay. This offers the CR-V an advantage as Hondalink supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The cabin technology of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not up to date, but the RAV4 does have a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 features. This includes braking before a collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alarm, automatic high beam and radar cruise control. Competitors like the CR-V from Honda and the Escape from Ford are on par with the Toyota system, but options like the Chevy Equinox and the Nissan Rogue retain all of their safety features for step-up models.

Should you buy it

As daughters of a car parts seller, my sister and I agreed on the total price, fuel consumption and the resale potential of the RAV4 XSE. For $ 38,294, you can enjoy the comfortable leather seats, a digital and analog instrument cluster, a wireless Qi charging pad, and USB chargers at the front and back.

The second row offers enough leg and head room for tall adults and has ventilation slots, but no air conditioning. The car also features an electric tailgate and a total loading capacity of 69.8 cubic feet once the rear seats have been folded down. That's at the top of the segment, although the Honda CR-V is slightly better at 75.8 cubic feet.

When comparing fuel consumption between hybrid and gas, the hybrid powertrain is worth the additional $ 1,400. The gas model gives you 25 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined. The hybrid achieves excellent 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg together. You can easily make up for the costs of the hybrid upgrade over a period of five years.

The Toyota RAV4 is a practical car, family-oriented and suitable for anyone who needs a lot of space in a medium-sized vehicle. It's not the most exciting choice, but I can hardly fault the practicality of the RAV4.

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