Toyota - 2009 New Car and Truck Line-Up
Toyota has introduced new vehicles and new features for its existing vehicles in its 2009 car and truck line up. Toyota also remains the leader of all automotive manufacturers in the reliability of its 2009 vehicles. In addition, the safety results of Toyota's 2009 cars and trucks are an improvement over the 2008 results.
Toyota's major product changes for the 2009 model year are for the Corolla, Matrix, Venza, and Yaris. The tenth generation of the Corolla is all-new for 2009. The standard models of the Standard, LE, XLE, and S grades, all have a 132 horsepower 1.8 liter engine. The XRS model has a 2.4 liter 158 horsepower engine. The Toyota Matrix, which is a shared platform with the Pontiac Vibe, has also been redesigned for 2009. The Base and S models have a 1.8 L engine, and the S model also offers an all-wheel-drive option to customers. Finally, the XRS model features the same 2.4 liter engine as the Corolla.
The Toyota Venza, on the other hand, is an all new offering for 2009 which is based off of the Camry's chassis. The Venza is a mid-size crossover SUV, despite Toyota's classification of it as a car. Customers can choose between a 182 horsepower 2.7 liter four cylinder engine and a 268 horsepower 3.5 liter V6. Front wheel drive and all wheel drive are available for both engines. Toyota has also brought the 5-door model Yaris to the US in 2009.
The Toyota 4Runner has a new "Trail Edition" package for 2009, and the FJ Cruiser received a safety upgrade in the new model. The FJ Cruiser now has standard roll-sensing side airbags and active front-seat headrests. The RAV4 has upgraded exterior styling and a new 2.5 liter engine that has better fuel economy than the old 2.4 liter engine. Finally, the Toyota Sequoia and Tundra now have E85 flex-fuel versions of their V8.
Toyota continues to have excellent reliability results with its 2009 line up. According to a recent Consumer Reports' study, the Toyota Scion has the best predicted reliability for all new 2009 cars. Overall, Toyota was only slightly beat out by Honda for the brand results in the Consumer Reports' study. All Toyota models scored average or better in reliability in 2009.
In terms of safety, Toyota has made significant improvements in 2009. Toyota had more models this year on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's 2009 Top Safety Picks list than in 2008. One of the best performers is the Toyota Tundra, which was the first full-size truck that was ever selected for the list.
In summary, the major changes for Toyota in 2009 are for the Corolla, Marix, Venza, and Yaris models. The Toyota Venza and 5-door Yaris are new offerings in North America for the manufacturer. Reliability continues to be a strength for Toyota in its 2009 line up. And finally, Toyota has improved some of its safety features for 2009 and now has more models in the Insurance Institutes for Highway Safety's 2009 Top Safety Picks list.
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