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In review: 2016 Toyota Prius C

It's not the most modern hybrid out there, but if price is a major factor, the Prius C delivers the goods at a low buy-in. Find out more in my review at the National Post.

Are you in the market for a work vehicle?

If you think the car market is competitive, you've never checked out the work vehicle segment. Automakers have been updating or adding vans and trucks to meet the market, and there are a considerable number of choices out there. I rounded up the 2016 models in a story for HPAC (Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning) magazine.

Now here's a job: Importing mud ...

That's Mike Sweers, who's the chief engineer for Toyota's trucks. You might think that just involves designing the curves and making sure it can tow, but there's more to it: part of Mike's job requires him to import dirt from around the world. That even included truckloads of mud from Alberta to help him solve a problem. Find out more in my story at the Toronto Star.

What's Atkinson all about?

You've probably heard the term Atkinson engine, which uses special valve timing to improve efficiency. That comes at the expense of power, and so most Atkinson engines are in hybrids, where the electric motor makes up the difference. Toyota now combines it with conventional operation in the Tacoma pickup truck's engine. Find out how it works in my story at Autofocus.

In review: 2016 Toyota Yaris Sedan

It's the best car Toyota never made: the new Yaris Sedan is actually a Mazda2 under the skin. And it's very impressive. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

Ever heard of a "companion" car?

Most mainstream automakers try to fill as many niches as possible, whether to hit a price range, or just to have something that the competitors have as well. So many of them introduce "companion" cars or product lines. From LaSalle to Lexus, you can see my compilation over at Autofocus.

Going off-road? This could be your truck

Toyota has revamped its Tacoma for 2016, with a new V6 and new transmissions. But the big deal is the TRD Off-Road trim, which adds some features that make this one of the most capable off-roaders of any size. Find out more in my review at Metro.

First Drive: 2016 Toyota Tacoma

Toyota's smaller pickup is redesigned for 2016, including a tech-heavy new V6 engine, new transmissions, and an off-road package that's nothing short of incredible. Find out more - including the good and the could-be-better - in my story over at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2015 Toyota 4Runner

There aren't many body-on-frame SUVs left anymore, but among those left, Toyota's 4Runner is popular and very capable, if thirsty. Find out more in my review at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2015 Toyota 4Runner

There aren't very many of these body-on-frame SUVs left, primarily because they're heavy and tend to be thirsty, but the Toyota 4Runner remains as one of them. Find out more about it in my review at Metro.

In review: 2015 Toyota Yaris

It's had a facelift for more of a standout look, and while the mechanicals haven't changed, this can still be a fun little car to pilot. Find out more in my review over at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2015 Toyota Yaris

The Yaris gets a styling update for 2015, although the mechanical bits don't change. They still do the job, though, and it's a fun little thing to pilot. Read more in my review over at Metro.

Like pickup trucks? Check this out!

From its ancestor in 1896 to the luxo-limo versions of today, the pickup truck has a fascinating history. Come over to Autofocus and check out my highlights (and low spots) of those days gone by.

Another look at the Toyota Camry Hybrid

Here's another review of the 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid, this time over at Autofocus.

In review: 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Camry undergoes some major styling changes for 2015, including its hybrid version. It not only looks better, but it drives better as well. Find out more in my review over at Metro.

In review: 2015 Toyota Camry

When Toyota introduced the new 2015 Camry at the New York Auto Show, the company said the car wouldn't be available in beige - a reference not just to a color but to the fact that many people found it boring.

It's now restyled and retuned, and y'know, it's a damn good ride. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2015 Toyota Yaris

A new face and interior update the Yaris, which has always been a pretty good little car for the cash. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2014 Toyota RAV4

All models are now four-cylinder, the interior's vastly better, and the spare tire's under the cargo floor. Find out more about the Toyota RAV4 in my review over at Metro.

In review: 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser - Get it before it's gone!

The FJ Cruiser was never meant to be - it was a show concept that went into production - but it turned out to be quite the success. It's bowing out now at the end of the 2014 model year, so if you want one, you better hurry. Find out more in my review in the Toronto Star.

What's involved in "refreshing" a car?

Manufacturers generally bring out a new model, and then "refresh" it after a couple of years ... but it's a far bigger job than you might think. Find out more in my Driving Force column in Metro.

Which pickup truck should you buy?

That depends on a number of factors - what you're towing or hauling, what features you want, and what cab configuration works best for you. Read more in my story over at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser

It's the FJ Cruiser's last year, and it's going out in style, with a cool (but pricey) Trail Teams Edition. I found some mud and got it dirty - find out more over at Autofocus.

Video review: 2014 Toyota RAV4

 

In review: 2014 Toyota RAV4

It's a model that's matured considerably since that first tinny model, and the interior is extremely well-done, but it's still a pretty noisy vehicle. Find out more in my review at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2014 Toyota Tacoma

It's a popular truck, and I like its size, but it really could use a makeover - especially those seats! Find out more in my Toronto Star review.

In review: 2014 Toyota Tacoma

It's one of the few compact/midsize trucks you can get right now, but while the Tacoma handles most tasks quite well, it could use an update - especially that seating position! Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2014 Toyota Camry

A redesigned Camry will be emerging for 2015, but in the meantime, I took out the V6-powered 2014 version for a spin. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2014 Toyota RAV4

Originally a tinny, rough little thing, the RAV4 has matured into a decent little cute-ute. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

The new Toyota Camry: What goes into a redesign?

The Toyota Camry is being overhauled for 2015 - not a complete makeover, but an extensive refresh. So what goes into it? There's a lot more than just some new sheet metal - find out more in my story in the Toronto Star.

In review: 2014 Toyota Prius C

For some reason, I have an odd little fondness for Toyota's smallest hybrid, far more so than anything I feel for its larger Prius hatchback sibling. But it's still a love-hate relationship, and if you're looking at it, go into the test-drive with your eyes open. Find out more in my review over at Autofocus.

In review: 2014 Toyota Prius

Although the Honda Insight was the first hybrid to go on sale in North America in 2000, the Prius was the world's first mass-produced hybrid when it was offered in Japan in 1997. It's come a long way, but has it come enough, especially when it faces so much competition today? Find out in my review over at Autofocus.ca.

In review: 2014 Toyota Highlander

The popular Highlander is all-new for 2014, and I was hoping that would include the seats - I found them very uncomfortable on the last-generation model when I drove one to Kentucky. Find out how that went in my review over at Autofocus.ca.

AutoConnect: The future is here!

If you're going to the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, don't miss the AutoConnect display, which shows off some of the latest safety and connectivity features. Check it out in my photo gallery over at Autofocus.ca.

In review: 2014 Toyota Corolla

Is a hybrid always the best way to save money? The answer is "not necessarily." Find out why in my review of the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla over at the Toronto Star.

In review: 2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Toyota's Highlander is a popular choice with many people, especially since it comes with three rows of seats. For those who prefer gasoline-electric, there's also a hybrid version. It's nice enough, but it's pricey, and I didn't get the mileage I figured I'd get. Read more over at Sympatico Autos.

Toyota Prius Plug-In: How it works

It looks like a regular Prius, and it runs as a hybrid just as the regular one does, but you can also plug it in and travel part of your route entirely on a household charge. Read all about it in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.

Super stuff on safety ...

It's to the automakers' credit that they can get people to buy safety features, even though these buyers may not actually know what they are, or how they work. There's a new website called Brain On Board, which explains many of them, along with myth-busting some common misconceptions. Check it out here!

Automakers that gambled ... and won

Porsche's Cayenne, hybrid-electric vehicles, Ford buying Lincoln during tough economic times ... there have been some pretty big gambles in the auto industry over the years.

Not all of them worked out, but I came up with a list of those that did: cars that were great or sold huge numbers, those that affected the market, and in some cases, such as the Cayenne, cars that saved their companies from potential failure. Read all about it at Sympatico Autos by clicking here.

2013 Toyota Avalon: Perfect for a long-distance drive

The Toyota Avalon is one of those low-key cars that many people think isn't even around anymore. But it is, and there's a new version for 2013 that's even better than the model it replaces - and that one was a lovely car to drive. Read all about it at Sympatico Autos by clicking here.

A look at the Toyota Prius Plug-In

Toyota spent its first hybrid years convincing people you didn't have to plug in the Prius; now, it has to explain that yes, you can. I drove the Prius Plug-In, an extended-range model that runs on battery only from a stored charge and then reverts to hybrid mode when that runs out. Read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.

Plugging in a Prius ...

I spent a week with the new Toyota Prius Plug-In, which as its name suggests can be plugged into a wall. The car will run on that stored charge and then, once it depletes, return to normal hybrid operation. Read all about it in my review at Autofocus.

A look at Toyota's Prius C

I've never been terribly found of the Toyota Prius, but I must admit that its little brother, the Prius C, was more fun than I thought it would be. Read all about it in my Toronto Star review by clicking here.

The Atkinson cycle: Old technology on modern cars

You've probably heard of the Atkinson cycle, a common feature on engines in hybrid vehicles, but do you know what it is? Find out in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Toyota Sienna

Few people will ever long for a minivan, but for hauling crowds, nothing beats them. I drove the redesigned Toyota Sienna from Ontario to Pennsylvania and came away very impressed. You can read all about it in Autos.ca by clicking here.

In review: 2011 Scion xB - "The Toaster"

 I'm not the target audience, but overall, I liked the Scion xB anyway - the car that's better known as "The Toaster" to its fans. Read all about it at Autos.ca by clicking here.

NHTSA vs Toyota: Faster than a speeding bullet!

In the news today: the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, plans to seek the maximum penalty of $16.375 million against Toyota for its sticky accelerator pedals. The government agency claims that the automaker didn't send notification of the safety defect on time; such notices must be sent within five business days.

NHTSA is saying that Toyota knew about the problems as early as September 29, 2009, and if that's true, then there should be stiff penalties: you can't keep quiet about safety recalls.

But what I found unusual is that NHTSA launched its investigation into the scope and timeliness of the recalls on February 16, 2010. And on April 5, 2010, having received 70,000 pages of documents from Toyota, NHTSA has decided to demand the penalty.

Counting weekends and holidays, that's 49 days. When in your life did you ever see a government agency move that fast?

On top of it, NHTSA is saying that September 29 is the day that Toyota sent recall repair procedures to 31 European countries and to Canada. Except that Toyota Canada says it received no such communication on that date.

I've heard a lot of rumblings about conspiracy theories -- that the U.S. government, having a substantial stake in two domestic automakers, wouldn't mind levelling or even tilting the playing field a little. And for the most part, I've treated such conspiracy theories as wishful thinking from the tinfoil-hat crowd.

Still, after just a month and a half of investigation, and NHTSA's statement that it's still looking through the 70,000 pages of documents, and an accusation that the Canadian arm says is incorrect ... well, if Toyota is guilty of the charges, it needs to have that and more levied against it. But it sure does seem like the U.S. government is accelerating more rapidly than I think I've ever seen before.

 

Runaway cars: Not just Toyota's problem, it seems

There's an interesting report out today by Edmunds.com on the issue of unintended acceleration -- the problem Toyota is famously facing right now. The company looked at NHTSA data for the "Big Six" -- Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan and Toyota -- and found that every one has consumer complaints filed against them for unintended acceleration.

Toyota has the dubious distinction of leading the pack, though -- Edmunds says the number of complaints filed against it exceed the rest of the Big Six combined.

And while you might be tempted to say that it's because of the media exposure, it seems that there's more to it than that. Edmunds analyzed complaints filed before and after September 30, 2009 - since Toyota announced its safety advisory regarding potential floor mat interference on September 29, 2009. Looking at 2005 to 2010 models, Edmunds found 601 complaints filed after the advisory went out and the media scuffle began. But in nearly five years prior to the advisory, Toyota had 532 complaints.

Toyota's rate of complaints was the highest, at 4.81 per 100,000 vehicles sold. Ford was second at 3.12, followed by Chrysler at 1.72, Honda at 1.46, Nissan at 1.07, and GM at 0.81.

What's going on here? I expected the numbers to jump when the media got hold of the story, especially since some of it bordered on the ridiculous (people sobbing on camera in front of vehicles not connected to any of the recalls, and the Toronto Star running a photo of a woman who now carries a rosary in her car after it jumped a curb) and all manner of Nervous Nellies and Lawsuit Larrys came out of the closet. But the numbers didn't change all that drastically from the years when no one made a fuss about it, and now it seems that Toyota isn't alone.

Maybe cost-cutting has gone too far. After all, we've got expensive systems like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control and TPMS mandated or about to be mandated on every vehicle; we've got power accessories and fancy stereos pretty much across the board; and people still want their cars to cost $15,000. You don't get something -- or in this case, everything -- for nothing, and maybe that's the root of the problem.

The lawsuits: It was just a matter of time

So the sharks are circling: a pair of New York law firms have started a class action suit against Toyota for the recalls on its vehicles. They're trying to cover everyone in the U.S. who owns a vehicle affected by the recall (which doesn't necessarily mean it's affected by the primary problem of the sticking accelerator pedal, of course).

The lawsuit contends that the owners of these vehicles lost the use of them, and also sustained, among other things, economic losses and severe emotional distress.

The mind just ... well, it boggles.

Why, yes, I knew that ...

I make a habit out of reading the owner's manual of every car I test-drive. It's mostly to learn about the car, and partly to assemble my annual "Auto Funnies" column -- 2007 is here, and 2008 is over here.

These manuals are intended to inform people who don't know anything about their cars. So I could only shake my head when I read this in the Toyota Prius' manual:

Your vehicle must use only unleaded gasoline.Select octane rating 88 (Research Octane Number 92). Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane rating lower than 88 may result in engine knocking. At minimum, the gasoline you use should meet the specifications of ASTM D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB3.5-M93 in Canada.

Why, yes, thank you, that's much clearer!

This is an Aston Martin?

This is an Aston Martin. Well, it might be soon, if all goes according to plan.

The car shown here is actually the Toyota iQ, a subcompact the company sells in Japan and Europe. But Aston Martin -- and this is not a joke -- has produced a concept vehicle from it, which it calls the Cygnet.

According to the company, should the project go ahead, Aston Martin will sell a luxury version of this little machine, "akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht," according to the CEO.

If ever you needed proof that the auto world's been turned on its head, I don't think you can do any better than this.