Walk On Trends

I write articles about the 2010 cars from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, now it’s time to write articles about the Japaneses manufacturers, and I start with the biggest cars manufacturers, and this is Toyota.

Toyota Motor Corporation is a multinational corporation headquartered in Japan, and the world’s largest automaker. Toyota employs approximately 320,808 people worldwide.

The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937 as a spinoff from his father’s company Toyota Industries to create automobiles. Three years earlier, in 1934, while still a department of Toyota Industries, it created its first product, the Type A engine, and, in 1936, its first passenger car, the Toyota AA. Toyota also owns and operates Lexus and Scion brands and has a majority shareholding stake in Daihatsu and Hino Motors, and minority shareholdings in Fuji Heavy Industries, Isuzu Motors, Yamaha Motors, and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation.

2010 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota is introducing a redesigned 4Runner whose only concession to the changing times is the deletion of a V-8 engine from the options list.

The 2010 4Runner is designed with outdoor enthusiasts and family adventures in mind. Now in its fifth generation, the 4Runner is far more rugged than the Camry-based Highlander crossover and more versatile than the two-door FJ Cruiser. Toyota offers the 4Runner in three distinct models, each aimed at buyers with different lifestyle priorities.

• For those who want maximum economy, there’s the SR5. It comes with a four-cylinder engine that gets 23 mpg on the highway and is available in either two- or four-wheel drive, with minimal frills.
• For those who want a touch of luxury, there is the Limited model, which offers amenities like leather seating, full-time four-wheel drive, a 15-speaker audio system, 20-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and color-keyed exterior styling with chrome accents.
• Finally, the Trail Edition is for the true outdoor recreationalist. It combines a part-time four-wheel-drive system with advanced electronic enhancements that allow the user to dial in off-road driving control based on the nature of the terrain. It’s aimed at buyers who want something as capable as the FJ Cruiser but with four doors and more cargo room.

A wide range of two-wheel-drive and part-time and full-time four-wheel-drive powertrain options are available, with the 4Runner Limited topping the off-road range with full-time four-wheel drive, a locking center differential and a three-mode console-mounted switch. To help increase off-road grip, all 4×4 models get a standard A-TRAC force distribution system, ensuring any one wheels with grip gets the power. A Crawl Control system is also standard on Trail grade models, which helps keep vehicle speed low for navigating particularly tricky or steep terrain.

Luxury features will not all vanish, though, with keyless start, 20-inch wheels, nav with satellite traffic info, and Bluetooth and USB connectivity making the order sheet.

2010 Toyota Avalon

The Avalon comes in two different models – the Avalon XL and the Avalon XLS with elegant design and impressive comfort. While each of these cars is unique, both offer a number of features that make them head of their class. All models are equipped with a front wheel drive and are powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 engine that is rated at 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque. All Avalon models are equipped with a six speed automatic transmission.

The Avalon XL model is equipped with 17 inch tires, xenon HID headlights, and black cowhide seats, also the Avalon XLS model is equipped with seats made of lighter color hide and wood grain interior trim.

Toyota Avalon Specifications

Engine

• 3.0L displacement double overhead cam (DOHC)
• V6 cylinder configuration gas engine
• 24 valves variable valve timing
• 210 hp @ 5800 rpm 220 ft-lbs. @ 4400 rpm
• premium unleaded fuel

DriveTrain

• 4-speed automatic transmission front wheel drive

Suspension

• four-wheel independent suspension front and rear stabilizer bar

Instrumentation

• tachometer clock
• display external temperature low fuel level warning

Exterior Features

Tires and Rims

• steel rims 15 x 6 in. rims
• P205/65HR15 tires all season tires
• fullsize spare tire steel spare wheel
• full wheel covers
• variable intermittent wipers rear defogger

Exterior Features

• chrome grille

Safety Features and Ratings

• ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes 4-wheel ABS
• front side-mounted airbags front seatbelt pretensioners
• rear door child safety locks child seat anchors
• emergency interior trunk release rear center 3-point belt
• 2 front headrests 2 rear headrests
• daytime running lights

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front Seats

• 5 person total seating capacity bucket front seats
• cloth upholstery height adjustable driver seat

Rear Seats

• bench rear seat folding with storage and pass-thru

Power Features

• power door locks power windows
• 1 one-touch power windows power mirrors

Convenience

• cruise control power steering
• tilt-adjustable steering wheel cruise controls on steering wheel
• front and rear cupholders remote trunk release
• front door pockets front 12v power outlet(s)
• front console with storage retained accessory power

Comfort

• air conditioning interior air filtration
• front reading lights dual illuminating vanity mirrors
• trunk light

2010 Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry receives a number of updates for 2010, chief among them a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder base engine that replaces the previous 2.4-liter unit. This midsize car lineup includes Base, LE, SE, and top-line XLE models. A gas/electric Hybrid model that offers a standard equipment level similar to the LE is also available.

The Camry features which have been added for 2010: a standard electronic stability system, six-speed automatic transmission and optional USB input for controlling, as well as playing, iPods through the stereo.

For the first time on a Camry, they team with a six-speed automatic transmission to help improve fuel economy; a six-speed manual is standard. The SE uses a more powerful engine than base, LE and XLE models; it makes 179 horsepower instead of 169 hp. The SE makes 21 more horsepower than the 2009 SE without hurting gas mileage.

2010 Toyota Corolla

The new improved 2010 Toyota Corolla enjoy nice looks, great value, and a reputation for dependability. The Corolla provides impressive fuel economy with the volume-selling base 1.8-liter engine, and its ride is more compliant than the typical compact sedan’s. Its controls are also intuitive, though most cars these days can claim the same.

The 2010 Corolla is a front-wheel drive sedan available in five trims. Redesigned for the 2009 model year, it added a 2.4-liter engine option and standard anti-lock brakes. Base model comes with 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 132 horsepower.

The 2010 Toyota Corolla small economy sedan is available in five trim levels — base, LE, S, XLE and XRS. Base Corollas come standard with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power mirrors and an MP3/WMA-capable CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack. The LE gains power windows and locks, along with body-color exterior mirrors. If you select the Corolla S, the LE’s equipment upgrades become extra-cost options, but you get 16-inch steel wheels, underbody spoilers, foglights, sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an extra pair of stereo speakers.

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser

If you want to go for a power-packed and innovative sport utility vehicle, you have to go for the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The new model receives V6 engine enhancements resulting in 19 more horsepower and improved gas mileage, as well as suspension tweaks.

The standard features of the Toyota FJ Cruiser Base include 4.0L V-6 259HP engine, 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17″ steel wheels, ABS and driveline traction control, four-wheel drive, and a stability control.

Adopted from the Toyota truck lineup is the 4.0-liter V6 engine produces 239 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque delivered to the two or four-wheel drive FJ with either a five-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive or a six-speed manual.

The 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser is also loaded with standard safety features including full-length side-curtain airbags, overhead airbags, the Toyota VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) system, active head restraints, rear backing camera and a rearview mirror that dims itself for eye-pleasing comfort.

An off-road traction-control system is available on 4WD models. Optional equipment includes a rearview camera and rear-obstacle detection.

2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

With 2010 model, the Land Cruiser never has been more powerful: A 235-horsepower V-8 engine and a new 5-speed transmission power the available 18-inch wheels.

The Prado is marginally bigger than its predecessor with an extra 80mm in length and 10mm in width, while a lower overall ride height of 15mm contributes to an improved drag coefficient of 0.35 – down from 0.37.

At the front, a new vertical grille echoes its predecessor, flanked on either side by cylindrical high-beams and projector low-beams with a three-dimensional profile of the clearance and turn signal lamps.

The door mirrors feature integrated LED indicators while the same technology is repeated in the read tail lamp clusters together with a body-coloured rear spoiler housing the rear wiper.

2010 Land Cruiser Prado standard safety features include:

• Driver and front passenger dual-stage air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
• 3-point Auto/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) seatbelts in all outboard and second-row center seating positions (driver’s belt is ELR only); 2-point lap belt in center position of third-row seat
• Energy-absorbing soft upper interior trim
• Adjustable front- and second-row outboard seatbelt anchors
• Driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters
• Driver and front passenger seatbelt warning with buzzer
• Full-time 4WD system with locking center differential
• 4-wheel TRAC Traction Control

Standard 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado features include:

• A powerful Land Cruiser 235-hp V8 that provides 320 lb.-ft. of torque, allowing you to tow up to 6,500 lbs. (2010)
• 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist modulate braking force under adverse conditions.
• A chassis that is not pickup-derived, but a 9-cross-member ladder frame that provides torsional rigidity during off-road travel.
• A new double-wishbone independent front suspension with torsion bar springs that provides superb offroad drivability.
• Front and rear frame-mounted towing hooks.
• 9.8 inches of minimum running ground clearance.
• New Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) and 4-wheel TRAC Traction Control system that works in conjunction with the 4-wheel drive and ABS to provide maximum offroad traction.
• A transmission oil cooler for more dependable towing.
• Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering provides turning ease.
• 5-speed automatic transmission

2010 Toyota Prius

The 2010 Toyota Prius is redesigned with freshened styling, more power, higher EPA fuel-economy figures, and a host of newly standard and optional features. The engine grew from 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters—giving a boost in horsepower from 110 to 160, and thereby reducing zero-to-60 time by a full second. In addition, the body is about four inches longer and about an inch wider.

Inside, the Prius has lost some of the ergonomic quirks that bothered drivers in the old version, and gained both storage and passenger space. A heavily advertised option, there are even roof-mounted solar panels available for an added cost, though they only serve to power a ventilation fan that cools the car when parked.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. The V model has LED headlights, fog lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels vs the 15s on other models. Newly available features include an adjustable-height driver seat, heated front seats, telescopic steering column, and, later in the year, Toyota’s Safety Connect assistance system. Also newly offered are some high-end features usually found only on vehicles sold by Toyota’s Lexus division, including adaptive cruise control, Lane Keep Assist with lane-departure warning, and Intelligent Parking Assist that provides hands-free parallel parking.

2010 Toyota RAV 4

The 2010 Toyota RAV4 is a sports utility vehicle which seats between five and seven passengers, and is available in three models, Base, Sport and Limited. Each is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive with a locking center differential. RAV4 seats five, but an optional 3rd-row bench on Base and Limited increases capacity to seven.

The Sport now has a spoiler above its tailgate glass and is available with an Appearance Package that, among other things, eliminates the outside-mount spare tire in favor of run-flat rubber. Without the package, RAV4 wears its spare tire affixed to a rear cargo door that swings open to the side rather than lifts from the bottom.

All three models are powered by a four cylinder 2.4 Liter engine that is rated at 166 horsepower and 165 pound feet of torque. This engine is equipped with a four speed automatic transmission.

2010 Toyota Sequoia

As the largest SUV in the Toyota lineup, the full-size Sequoia is designed to accommodate families who need three real rows of seating, a fair amount of off-road capability and the ability to tow a boat or other trailer.

For 2010, the Sequoia gets a new base 4.6-liter V-8 engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Other enhancements include standard driver and passenger knee airbags, Bluetooth and a USB port for MP3 players.

The 5.7-liter V-8 remains the powertrain of choice for most trim levels (it’s standard on Limited and Platinum Sequoias) — and a flex-fuel version is available. Both V-8s are now mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

It has new headlights and side mirrors that can be retracted. The vehicle has been equipped with independent suspension in both the front and the back. This gives the passengers an unmatched ride, stability and that they will feel more refreshed when after long drives.

The standard features of the Toyota Sequoia, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st, 2nd and 3rd row overhead airbag, driver and passenger knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, automatic, 20″ alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and a stability control.

2010 Toyota Tundra

For 2010, the Tundra adds an important new engine and a bare-bones Work Truck package. Otherwise, this is the same pickup Toyota introduced for model-year 2007.

Enter the newest Tundra engine, the 4.6-liter V-8. It delivers more horsepower and more torque than the prior 4.7 V-8, and it has a six-speed transmission behind it to help the 2010 Tundra get much better mileage. Performance-wise, it’s clear that the 4.6 V-8 is no 5.7, but nothing is, and it’s certainly a much more advanced engine than the older 4.7 V-8. According to Toyota, the 4.6 will deliver the best combination of power and fuel economy among any standard V-8 in the full-size pickup segment.

New standard equipment includes knee airbags for the driver and front passenger and a power rear window for DoubleCab models; a rear-view-mirror backup camera, power folding towing mirrors, and two new stereos join the options list. A new base-model Work Truck includes vinyl seats, rubber floors, black exterior trim, and fewer comfort and convenience features.

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