The Upcoming Toyota Cars
AVALON: New standard equipment for 2009 includes electronic stability control, emergency braking assist, active headrests (which can help reduce the chances of whiplash in a rear-end crash) for the driver and front passenger, and standard satellite-radio prewiring for the stereo.
COROLLA: The tenth-generation Toyota Corolla, introduced as a 2009 model, is already on sale. The conservative styling job is an update of the old car’s shape with cues from the smaller Yaris. The model lineup is similar to the 9th-gen Corolla, with Standard, LE, XLE and S grades, all powered by a 132 horsepower 1.8 liter engine. 2009 also sees the return of the XRS model, now with a big 2.4 liter engine that puts out 158 horsepower.
FJ CRUISER: Roll-sensing side curtain airbags, active front-seat headrests, and a cut-off switch for the electronic stability control system are among the changes seen on the 2009 FJ Cruiser, along with three new paint colors.
MATRIX: The all-new 2009 Matrix mini-wagon is also on sale now, and is available in Standard, S and XRS models. Base and S share a 1.8 liter engine; the S will offer optional all-wheel-drive. The hot-rod XRS makes its triumphant return with a 2.4 liter engine that turns out 158 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque.
VENZA: Toyota is labelling the Venza as a “crossover sedan”, but it’s more of a beefy all-wheel-drive wagon — think of it as a short Highlander or a Subaru Outback without the butch factor.
YARIS: All Yarises (Yarii?) will get antilock brakes, front-seat-mounted side airbags, and side curtain airbags as standard equipment. Toyota will introduce the 5-door Yaris — which has been on sale in Canada and other markets for a couple of years now — to the US market for 2009. Prices of this luxury car will start at $13,305, $1,000 more than the Yaris 3-door and $40 more than the Yaris sedan.
UNNAMED SPORTS COUPE: Toyota has confirmed plans to develop a rear-wheel-drive sports coupe in conjunction with Subaru. The current plan has the Subaru version going on sale in 2010, with the Toyota version following in 2011.
PRIUS: The third-generation Toyota Prius is expected in the next year or two.
