Karl on Cars
Toyota
March 17, 2009
One of my friends is ready to buy a new car. As you might imagine, when you're in my position and a friend or family member is ramping up for a car purchase the phone often rings (or, as in this case, the "New Email" folder goes bold).
My friend currently owns a 2005 Acura TL, which he purchased because of its combination of luxury, technology and quality. He's a successful lawyer, and financially capable of buying a much more expensive car, but he puts a lot of value on...well, value. When he asked me about the TL four years ago, and told me what his priorities were, I said, "The TL will absolutely serve your needs." He bought it and has had no regrets. But his driving habits rack up the miles quickly, and after four years his TL is pretty worn out.
So he's ready for a new car, and the just-redesigned 2009 Acura TL would be the obvious choice. After all, it still offers all the luxury, technology and quality of the previous version. However, in my friend's words, it is "quite ugly."
His girlfriend drives a 2006 Lexus RX, which he really likes except for one characteristic -- he HATES how the navigation system goes dead once the car is in motion. So he asked me in his email, "You're the car expert. Can you tell me if the new 2010 Lexus RX navigation system can be used while in motion or is it a completely useless upgrade like it has been to this point?" To which I replied, "Lexus=Toyota, and Toyota=nanny-ism. In other words, NO USING NAV WHILE DRIVING!"
This made him very unhappy and put him in a state where I can't reprint his next reply. It also made him write a no-nonsense letter to Lexus; a letter that generated a very corporate response. Follow the jump to read it.
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- Karl Brauer March 17, 2009, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Acura, Car Audio and Technology, Honda, Lexus, Safety Systems, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota, Traffic Safety
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- Toyota Honda Lexus Acura Navigation System Nanny
January 13, 2009
Auto shows are supposed to be filled with fantasy cars. After all, for decades the glitzy show cars at these flashy gatherings were referred to as "dream cars," so expecting nothing but down-to-earth reality vehicles to appear on the show floor would be unrealistic (and, honestly, boring).
But at this year's Detroit Auto Show I found myself increasingly annoyed by the unending parade of pure fiction being shown off. This aggrevation came not as much from the show cars' embodiment as metallic vaporware as it did from the messages surrounding them. Basically, the automakers were claiming these vehicles would be available in the next 12-24 months when, of course, they probably won't represent viable transportation for upwards of 12-24 years.
By now you've probably identified which cars I'm referring to -- electric cars.
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- Karl Brauer January 13, 2009, 12:06 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Dodge, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, MINI, Talk Back Tuesday, Tesla, Toyota
- Technorati Tags:
- Detroit Auto Show Electric Vehicles Fantasy Reality
October 21, 2008
Remember when buying an Acura or Audi or BMW or Lexus or any other premium brand meant you got a premium car? The idea was pretty simple: If you wanted a premium car ownership experience you had to pay a premium price and purchase a premium vehicle.
As I drove the new 2009 Volkswagen CC recently it occurred to me the only thing separating this car from its Audi brethren was the emblem on the grille. Interior materials, performance, high-tech features, heck even exterior styling and "presence" were all up to Audi standards.
So was the price, of course, with a VR6 4Motion model starting at $40,000 (though $27,000 will get you into a base 2.0T car, which is still quite nice and a much better value).
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- Karl Brauer October 21, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Acura, Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota, Volkswagen
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- Talk Back Tuesday Do Luxury Brands Make Sense
September 22, 2008
I just drove a 2009 Toyota Venza, but I can't say much about it because there's a press embargo until November 3rd.
I can, however, reiterate what Toyota has said about the Venza. First, it's for "active boomers" -- so all you passive boomers stay away! It rides on the same platform as the Camry, which is the same platform as the Avalon and Highlander, too.
If you're asking, "Doesn't the Highlander already fill Toyota's crossover slot?" you're not alone. Yet Toyota reps feel the Venza's shorter roof and more wagon-like proportions will appeal to folks not needing the full crossover treatment.
BTW, please don't call it a wagon. Toyota's first term for the Venza was "crossover sedan," but that worked about as well as GM's former "crossover sport van" term they came up with a few years ago to try and spruce up their minivans' image (didn't work).
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- Karl Brauer September 22, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Toyota
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- Toyota Venza Crossover
September 11, 2008
I don't exactly see this turning Toyota Tundra sales around, but for those unique individuals who like their full-size trucks with at least 500 horsepower, Toyota has answered with the Tundra TRD.
Our test truck featured not only the supercharged ($5,875) 5.7-liter V8 (with 504 horsepower/550 lb-ft of torque), but also the TRD cold-air intake ($475), TRD brakes ($2,795), TRD exhaust system ($1,030) and the TRD rear sway bar kit ($259). It also had 22-inch TRD wheels with Toyo Proxes tires ($4,699). And because these are all Toyota-authorized parts they come with warranty protection.
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- Karl Brauer September 11, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Toyota
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- Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged
July 30, 2008
In case you haven't noticed, fuel prices have dropped recently. Some would call the latest price drops a drop in the bucket (why do I have trouble getting excited over gas costing "only" $4.33 a gallon in Los Angeles?), but a price reduction of 5 percent over the past two weeks is better than the constant gas price hikes we've seen since early spring.
However, as with most things, there are two sides to this reduction in coin. Specifically, as the price of fuel drops so does the advantage of hybrid powertrains over traditional gasoline versions.
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- Karl Brauer July 30, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Lexus, Toyota
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- Fuel Prices, Hybrid Vehicle
June 13, 2008
A Toyota Prius on PCH is like a news headline about gas prices -- I've become numb from the frequency level of both, to the point of not noticing anymore.
Regardless, I did my part to further the status of "Prius Coast Highway" by driving a 2008 model home recently. The Prius is an interesting prospect. A thrill ride? Certainly not. But there's nothing wrong with this car.
Does that sound like faint praise? Well consider the Caliber, Smart or even Toyota's own Yaris. Can I use the "nothing wrong with this car" line on them? No! In fact there are plenty of economy cars with one or more issues to keep them off my consideration list.
The Prius, by contrast, is relatively fast, stable, confident, comfortable, roomy, luxurious (especially if you pop for the various options) and cargo capable. When I try to think of a reason not to buy it, I come up blank.
Then I look at the near 50 mpg I got on my commute, which equates to about one gallon of gas each way for me, and the Prius' proposition is hard to deny. Finally, with $4-a-gallon gas, it only takes a few years to pay for the car's higher price versus a comparable, non-hybrid compact car.
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- Karl Brauer June 13, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
June 9, 2008
By now the domestics have been fully tarred and feathered in the mainstream press for basing their business plan around large trucks and SUVs. For two decades they drank in the heavy body-on-frame profits while putting minimal investment into high quality
small cars. I won't beat that dead horse any further.
Toyota, on the other hand, has maintained a pretty wide product portfolio for the past decade. I've said several times Toyota deserves credit for keeping a full arsenal at the ready. Gas selling for cheap? Step up to one of our many V8-powered large SUVs or luxury cars. Gas prices up? Headlines screaming about man's destruction of fragile Mother Earth? Try our Echo/Yaris or Corolla or mpg-leading Prius.
Yes, I'm aware of the irony that within a year of Toyota launching a truly full-size truck (complete with a brand new, over-budget assembly plant in Texas) gas has hit record highs and big trucks are officially "out" in the average consumer's mind. Something tells me the big "T" will survive this bit of bad timing.
But the most interesting case study of all comes not from the truck-dependent domestics or Tundra-and-Prius-peddling Toyota, but from steadfast Honda. Like the Tortoise and the Hare fable, Honda has plugged along for the last 50 years in this country with a consistent attitude. "We'll make fuel-efficient, value-priced, highly dependable vehicles with a strong emphasis on leading-edge engineering."
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- Karl Brauer June 9, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Acura, Automotive News, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Toyota
June 5, 2008
When I drove the V8 version of the Pontiac G8 a few months ago I was less than thrilled with it. In a nutshell, the protracted looks, bizarre ergonmics and adequate ride/handling balance didn't impress me. Some people were touting it as an inexpensive BMW 5 Series. I wasn't buying then and I'm not buying now. It takes more than cylinder count and drivetrain layout to match BMW's driving dynamics.
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- Karl Brauer June 5, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Honda, Pontiac, Toyota
June 4, 2008
The results of our second Consumer Comparison Test are in. This time around we pitted leading economy sedans against one another and let six real-world consumers do the evaluating. While we arranged the track and the excercises we didn't tell them our opinion of the vehicles.
The three contenders were the Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla. The Honda and Mazda were 2008 models but the Toyota was the all-new 2009 model. The vehicles cost within $500 of each other and were nearly identically equipped. And, most importantly, no vehicle manufacturer had any part in the comparison. Other so-called "editor for a day" tests, performed by various and sundry automotive publications, can't make that final claim...
The results were most interesting.
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- Karl Brauer June 4, 2008, 6:00 AM
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- Comparison Test, Toyota
May 22, 2008
I told you it was coming last week, now it's live and the final results are in.
The most interesting aspect of this test is that it accurately captured the miles-per-gallon results for distinctly different driving conditions. Most tests just lump all mpg figures together and say, "We got XX mpg in mixed driving." What exactly does "mixed" mean? For our fuel test we broke the results up and recorded fuel costs and gas useage for each segment of the driving loop. This makes it easy to see which of the competitors did well in each driving condition.
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- Karl Brauer May 22, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Smart Car, Toyota, Volkswagen
May 15, 2008
I spent most of yesterday at Willow Springs Raceway as part of our second Edmunds Consumer Comparison Test: Economy Cars.
If you saw my earlier post you already know that we wanted to pit the leading (by both sales and editorial opinion) economy sedans against each other, but beyond picking the entrants and organizing the test session we would offer no guidance on which car we like the best.
Six consumers performed each of the evaluations on the economy sedans. The excercises including a city driving loop, a highway loop, acceleration, braking and handling tests, plus a static evaluation where they could test cargo capacity, examine interior features and generally go over each car with a fine tooth comb.
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- Karl Brauer May 15, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Honda, Mazda, Toyota
May 8, 2008
If put to a real-world test, which of these cars would get the best fuel mileage? That's the question we intended to answer with our test of a 2008 Ford Focus, 2005 (certified used) Volkswagen Jetta TDI, 2008 Toyota Prius and 2008 Smart Fourtwo.
So we ran each of them through an identical test loop of close to 1,000 miles. The loop included everything from highway travel and constant speeds to stop-and-go driving in one of the most congested towns on the planet (not L.A.) to medium speeds on deserted two-lanes. When you put a diesel (Jetta) up against a hybrid (Prius) up against a traditional economy car (Focus) up against a...a -- well, whatever the Smart car is -- what do you get in terms of fuel mileage and fuel costs?
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- Karl Brauer May 8, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Smart Car, Toyota, Volkswagen
April 11, 2008
I already reported that Toyota sales are down so far this year, something the automaker rarely has to report. But the bigger news, reported by Automotive News, may be that Toyota's sales have been on a sales slide for four straight months. That's the first time in 13 years that Toyota's sales have slid for four consecutive months. Ouch. And is it the big trucks/SUVs that are pulling down Toyota's sales? Nope. Those vehicles are off 5.3 percent, but Toyota's cars are off 5.9 percent. Double ouch!
Don't write them off just yet. Remember, most of the industry is down this year, and in terms of market share Toyota is still on the rise. They are at 16 percent so far in 2008, versus 15.6 percent for the same period last year.
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- Karl Brauer April 11, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota
April 10, 2008
Inside Line just published an excellent test
comparing a Crossover vs. a Minivan vs. an SUV. When you think about it, these vehicles really just represent a history of the family vehicle (though we left the wagon out). When minivans first arrived they were seen as super functional (and super cool) alternatives to the stodgy old station wagon that could carry the family around. Then came the SUV, which was seen as a way to carry the family around while looking like a rugged outdoorsman. Then came the crossover, which was seen as a way to carry the family around while looking like a rugged outdoorsman without having the ride/handling characteristics that felt
like a rugged outdoorsman's vehicle.
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- Karl Brauer April 10, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Driving, GMC, Honda, Toyota
February 25, 2008
"Why doesn't Ford bring back the Zephyr?"
I can't believe anyone ever actually said this, but lo and behold that paragon of 1970s Mercury style and performance did return in 2006 -- as a Lincoln. Actually, the Zephyr was originally a 1930s-era Lincoln before it was a '70s Mercury, but how many people know (or care) about that? Should Ford have revived this nameplate? I guess its staying power (Lincoln changed that model's name to MKZ after one year) is answer enough.
I was recently thinking about dead nameplates that should not come back after someone brought up Edsel in conversation. I'm assuming Ford will never revive that nameplate, and I don't expect to see the words "Aztek," "Chevette" or "Volare" on a future model, either. But then again, who would have predicted the rise of "Aspen" from the automotive underworld. Which brings up today's burning question:
What dead vehicle nameplates do you most fear the return of? In my opinion there are two reasons for a nameplate to never come back: (A) it's associated with a horrendous vehicle (Aztek) or (B) it was a horrendous name itself, regardless of the vehicle it was affixed to (Probe).
Here are my Top 5:
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- Karl Brauer February 25, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota
February 20, 2008
If you saw our Consumer Comparison Test last December you know how well it worked out in terms of getting real-world feedback from real-world buyers. We pitted the all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord against the new-for-2007 Toyota Camry. Our six consumer test drivers split on their first choices, with three picking the Malibu and three picking the Accord as their favorite models.
With the positive feedback that test generated we're now pondering a follow-up comparison, but we're not yet locked in on which segment to feature.
Considering the "real-world" nature of this content it makes sense to ask you guys from some direction here. So here goes: What segment/vehicles would you like to see featured in a consumer-scored comparison test? Here are some of the ideas we've come up with:
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- Karl Brauer February 20, 2008, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota
December 21, 2007
The fact that Toyota's 2008 Sequoia feels HUGE from behind the wheel shouldn't really surprise me. After all, it rides on the same platform used for the all-new Tundra pick-up, and that truck ain't exactly diminutive. Hop up, into the Sequoia's driver's seat and look around the cabin. Unlike the previous Tundra, which was often described as a 7/8th scale full-size truck, the new Tundra and Sequoia feel more like 9/8ths scale vehicles. It's like those medieval churches in Eastern Europe -- walk through the 18-foot entry-ways, gaze up at the 40-foot arched ceilings, and you start thinking "Was this structure made for a larger breed of humans? Did people used to be bigger?"
The Sequoia's roominess might sound great, but reach for the radio tuning knob and you quickly realize size matters -- and sometimes bigger isn't better. That knob, and the other buttons on the far side of the central display screen are difficult to reach, even for our six-foot-plus staffers. Thankfully the Sequoia can be had with both audio and climate controls on the steering wheel. So once you get your radio stations plugged into the memory presets you, hopefully, won't be needing those controls very often (or maybe you can bring a passenger along to operate them).
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- Karl Brauer December 21, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Toyota
December 11, 2007
If you've been watching either the Straightline blog or the Strategies blog you've already heard about our Consumer Comparison Test pitting the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry against each other. Feel free to predict the finishing order of this comparison test (that's what they're doing over at Straightline) but this post will be focusing on a different aspect of the event.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is HUGE. It's not huge because it involved letting consumers drive three competing models and provide feedback. We've seen that in various "buff books" ad campaigns for a couple years now, not to mention recent television commercials and radio spots. No, what makes this huge is the fact that no manufacturer was involved in the testing process.
Every previous "consumer" test I've seen has always been backed by a specific manufacturer. The buff book campaigns I just mentioned involved the Cadillac CTS and Jaguar X-Type -- with associated ad pages and tiny "advertisement" text on those pages (Ugh! -- I felt dirty just quickly thumbing past them). The recent television/radio ads we've likely all seen or heard involves Ford's "Swap My Ride" effort to show that the Fusion and Edge are "better" than the Camry and Highlander. Any guess as to which vehicles fared well in those tests?
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- Karl Brauer December 11, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Honda, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
December 5, 2007
How would you describe the Toyota Prius? Do you consider it a mainstream vehicle, or a niche product with a fanatical (and hardly mainstream) following? What if I told you that the Toyota Prius -- by itself -- outsold entire automotive brands (that's all models added together) in the month of November. You'd probably say, "I'm sure the Prius did outsell some entire brands in November, brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Porsche and maybe even Jaguar, Land Rover and Hummer too."
Actually, it outsold all those brands...added together. But the Prius outsold some other brands last month, too. Brands you've probably heard of...
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- Karl Brauer December 5, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
November 26, 2007
In the evolution of the family car, Toyota's all-new 2008 Highlander probably represents the current state of the segment better than any other single model. Not as SUV-like as Honda's Pilot, not as sporty/crossover-like as Mazda's new CX-9, and not as big and "trucky" as the new GM Lambdas or Ford's Edge (those last models drive much better than any truck, but they are still "truckier" than the Japanese versions). I suppose it's not surprising that Toyota should represent the "average" or "middle ground" of the segment better than anyone else -- it's their specialty, and the sales figures prove it.
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- Karl Brauer November 26, 2007, 7:00 AM
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- Toyota
November 13, 2007
Superb story from The Economist
explaining the current challenges faced by Toyota, and how they may affect the brand's march toward world domination. Toyota was clearly on track to be the world's No. 1 automaker this year, but a (modestly) resurging GM (at least in sales) combined with a series of quality/reliability slips for Toyota has made this a bonafide horse race.
It's interesting to read about Toyota's struggle to rapidly increase production capacity while trying to maintain quality control. I give the company credit for doing as well as it has over the past 20 years, but it appears they've finally crossed some sort of "Quality vs. Quantity" line that even their stringent corporate philosophy can't overcome.
However, the most intriguing aspect of the article is the one we've already talked about on this blog: How can Toyota be the hero of environmentalists as it continues to roll out bigger, stronger and thirstier models? Obviously it can't, and the backlash (like most green backlashes these days) has grown from a low-frequency mumur to a high-pitched screech.
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- Karl Brauer November 13, 2007, 7:00 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
October 23, 2007
Last week Consumer Reports stated it would no longer place new or redesigned Toyota models on the publication's "recommended" list until it has at least a year's worth of reliability ratings on said models. Previously Toyota's all-new vehicles got a "pass" on earning the "recommended" rating because of the brand's formerly
stellar reliability reputation. You can read more of the details here
.
Then, yesterday, a group of "greenies" met outside Santa Monica Toyota to protest the company's stance on California's efforts to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 1493. This is the bill that would allow California to regulate vehicle fuel mileage by deeming carbon dioxide a "pollutant" (BTW, I'm hoping you didn't just gasp at that bit of news, because if you did you're also polluting our atmosphere). While I may not agree with these folks' stance on the top threat to our planet, I can't deny the fact that Toyota is making plenty of money off Tundra, Sequoia and V8 Lexus sales. Bottom line: the greenies and I appear to agree that Toyota's "green" reputation may be somewhat overblown.
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- Karl Brauer October 23, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
October 16, 2007
What makes a great car great?
That's a topic that's been debated for over a century -- probably from the moment the first car was created. And it would be easy to get caught up in a multitude of features and traits when discussing the topic. But I've come to realize there are basically two overriding characteristics of a great car.
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- Karl Brauer October 16, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
September 25, 2007
So you're Toyota. You're on the brink of passing GM as the world's largest automaker, and you're already well past them in terms of revenue, reputation and net worth. So now what? To quote Alan Rickman from the movie Die Hard, "When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain he wept, for there were no more world's to conquer." How should Toyota focus its vast resources in the 21st Century?
And I need more than, "I think they should bring back the Corona, man!" I need specifics. Do they go after the hydrogen thing or try to make the most of the internal combustion engine? With CO2 being declared a "pollutant" by the Chicken Littles it would seem fuel mileage is more important than ever, but Toyota just released their biggest truck ever and they are about to launch the biggest SUV in their history (the redesigned 2008 Sequoia). Multiple sports cars are in the works, as is a high-performance IS and a super-high-mileage Prius (likely with plug-in provisions).
Maybe they are on the right track and shouldn't change a thing? What say you? Here's my thinking:
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- Karl Brauer September 25, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Future Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
September 6, 2007
I have a scary proclamation to make, but that's never stopped me before:
Cars are losing their "fun-to-drive" factor.
There -- I said it, and I feel better. Actually I feel better in having finally faced an undeniable fact, but worse that this is a fact of today's automotive reality. Yet after recent stints in the latest Dodge Viper and BMW 5 Series (to name just two) I can't deny the trend.
Sure, the Viper is still quick, loud, brash and bold -- but it ISN'T more fun to drive than before. In fact it's less. The steering response is too slow, the shift action is too clunky (yes, even for a "raw, manly car" like the Viper), and the driving position is not only uncomfortable but uncooperative when driving fast, which is supposedly the whole point of the car. And while the 5 Series is still luxurious, refined and stable around corners, it's also less entertaining on a twisty road than it used to be (I blame active steering primarily).
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- Karl Brauer September 6, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Cadillac, Dodge, Driving, Porsche, Toyota
August 28, 2007
Just took a gander at Automotive News' future product plan for Japanese carmakers. Not too surprisingly, the coming years hold hybrids and crossovers from the Land of the Rising Sun (actually, many of them will come from right here in North America). Each automaker has a few interesting items in the pipeline.
Acura: No official confirmation of a V8 in Acura's future, which I continue to view as the division's greatest failing. The next RL is due in 2011, so they better make up their mind. But we do know a V10 engine will power the NSX replacement. I like that they have a full-tilt exotic in the works, but one vehicle does not a division make (as was proven with the last
NSX).
Honda: Honda will continue to push hybrids, with a smaller-than-Civic model. No more Accord hybrids, but the Odyssey will be Honda's first V6 diesel-powered vehicle in the U.S. in 2010 (also the year CR-V goes diesel with a 4 cyl.). I'm personally looking forward to the Remix, the spiritual successor to the CRX. And between the Pilot and CR-V? Yup, another crossover is coming.
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- Karl Brauer August 28, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Acura, Future Vehicles, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Scion, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota
July 17, 2007
We just posted a story on the next Toyota Prius at AutoObserver.com. It's an interesting look at what Toyota is planning for perhaps the most influential car in the company's recent history. You can read the full details in the story, but the main points are as follows:
1. Toyota will be launching the "first" next Prius in 2009; it will be slightly larger than the current model
2. The "second" new Prius will be much larger than the current car, similar in design to the Hybrid X concept, and launch in 2010
3. The "third" new Prius will be smaller than the current model, similar in size to the Corolla, and launch in 2011.
It's also worth noting that the new models are going to use nickel-metal hydride batteries, not lithium-ion.
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- Karl Brauer July 17, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
June 28, 2007
Since everyone seemed to love (or hate) the Saturn Aura Hybrid comments from yesterday here's more hybrid blog fodder. I just ran two identical driving loops in the 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. These loops were about 66 percent through the Santa Monica Mountains and 33 percent along PCH. We use this area because it offers relatively traffic-free driving (at least during mid-day) and a good mix of driving situations. Truth be told it's not the best loop for hybrid vehicles because it offers almost no stop-and-go driving and the average speed on this loop was about 46 mph (well above the speeds where an internal combustion engine can really be "helped" by the electric motor). That said, the route is easily controlled by the driver because of the lack of traffic, meaning I could essentially pick my speed and driving style versus having it dictated to me by other drivers and/or "road conditions." I actually didn't change my driving style much, but I did tend to leave a larger gap in front of me so I could coast down hills to recapture energy and/or have momentum when the road went from downhill to uphill (which is quite often on this loop). So how did they do?
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- Karl Brauer June 28, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Nissan, Toyota
June 27, 2007
I finally got some seat time in Saturn's Aura Hybrid (yes, our test car was the exact same color as our long-term Aura). This hybrid is defined as a "weak hybrid" because it can't motivate itself on pure electricity. The engine always has to be running whenever the car is moving. It's basically similar to GM's full-size truck "hybrid" system, meaning it can shut off when stopped and provide a bit of boost when accelerating.
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- Karl Brauer June 27, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Nissan, Saturn, Toyota
June 5, 2007
If you've been following automotive sales figures
for the past few months you already know two things: it's tough to be an automaker right now, and it's brutal to be an SUV-dependent company these days. While April sales figures were enough to frighten even the most optimistic auto execs, the May figures offer some hope -- if you've got cars and crossovers in the lineup. GM, Toyota, Chrysler and Nissan posted sales gains, while Ford and Honda slipped. However, the true picture comes not from total sales but from what is selling. For instance, here's an interesting piece of data I heard directly from Toyota's top executives yesterday -- the Prius was the ninth best-selling vehicle in May. Not ninth best selling car, but best selling vehicle
. That means even when placed against the large trucks (F150, Silverado, Ram, etc.) and the midsize sedans (Camry, Accord, Altima, etc.), not to mention all the less expensive economy cars (Civic, Corolla, Focus, etc.) it was still a top-ten seller
. First time it's ever done that, BTW. Anecdotally, I can attest to not being able to swing a Ford GT's rear end around PCH on my commute without hitting a Prius (not that I would ever do that, of course).
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- Karl Brauer June 5, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
May 11, 2007
I'm driving a 2007 Toyota Sienna XLE all-wheel drive right now for a road test. The engine received a displacement bump from 3.3 to 3.5 liters this year, and the horsepower went up by 50, to a total of 266. As you might expect, it's pretty quick and would give the Odyssey a good run in a drag race (though I don't expect this to be a regular occurance between owners). The Odyssey and Sienna remain the only real picks in this category...
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- Karl Brauer May 11, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Honda, Toyota
April 27, 2007
By now you've all heard that -- at least in terms of first quarter sales for 2007 --Toyota is the world's number one automaker. What I find most interesting is that Toyota slipped past the General in worldwide auto sales just as GM is having its best year in decades as far as product is concerned. Saturn and Cadillac are flush with promising new cars, the Lambda and GMT900 platforms have officially attained that most sought after of Karl Brauer titles ("Kick Ass"), and while I can't reveal specifics about our 2007 Consumers' Most Wanted awards -- yet -- I can tell you that GM won more categories than ever before in the awards' five-year history.
At the same time, Toyota's Tundra has not sold up to expectations, the Prius has been jumping on and off the incentive wagon, and Toyota's interior quality and recall activity are not where they were five years ago (i.e...
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- Karl Brauer April 27, 2007, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Domestic Manufacturers Problems/Challenges, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota, Vehicle Awards
March 16, 2007
The rumors started a few weeks before the Tundra went on sale last month:
"Psst. Hey, Toyota is going to launch their brand new Tundra with incentives!"
It seemed ludicrous to think the most successful automaker on the planet, and one historically loathe to incentives, would be offering them on a brand new product even before the dust could settle on showroom models.
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- Karl Brauer March 16, 2007, 7:09 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota
March 8, 2007
Stories about plug-in hybrids have been circulating for a couple years, but things seem to be amping up recently (sorry). You can likely credit rising gas prices and Chevrolet's recent unveiling of the Volt concept car, but regardless of the cause the effect has been a rapid increase in both a knowledge of, and an interest in, plug-in hybrids. We published a story last week about them, and The San Francisco Chronicle did one on Sunday. The upshot of both reports boils down to this -- plenty of people are ready to try them, but no automaker or private company has the ability to supply them, at least not on a large scale...
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- Karl Brauer March 8, 2007, 7:06 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Fuel Efficiency, Future Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
March 2, 2007
Most of you already know about the updated EPA testing process for all 2008 and newer models. We posted a story
a few weeks ago that provides the details of what is changing, but the bottom line is that EPA numbers will be dropping to more accurately reflect real-world driving behavior. That's all well and good for 2008 and later models, but how would your 2005 -- or 1995, or 1985 -- model do under the new testing procedures? Well, now you can find out...
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- Karl Brauer March 2, 2007, 7:03 AM
- Categories:
- Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
February 9, 2007
Toyota just announced an incentive plan for the formerly-in-demand Prius. This comes a few days after reports of California offering no further HOV (carpool) lane stickers for hybrid vehicles, and a few months before new EPA testing procedures go into effect that will slash the mileage figures on all hybrids. The Prius' current rating of 60 mpg in city driving is expected to drop to the mid-40s under the new testing regimen. Toyota's James Farley, VP of North American marketing, just announced at the Chicago Auto Show that Prius capacity will be vastly increased for the 2008 model year -- but if gas prices keep dropping, and benefits like carpool lane access and tax incentives keep slipping away, will the Prius become Toyota's version of the Jeep Commander (i.e...
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- Karl Brauer February 9, 2007, 7:03 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
January 8, 2007
The new Accord Coupe concept looks good, but I would have painted it a different color. It shares too many design cues with the recently revealed Nissan Altima coupe, and with them both painted the exact same shade... Well, let's just say that a quick walk between the Honda and Nissan stands feels like deja vu all over again.
I do like the design, however, as the current Accord always looked a little flabby to me...
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- Karl Brauer January 8, 2007, 12:05 PM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Honda, Toyota
December 19, 2006
As you may have heard, the EPA will begin utilizing new fuel mileage test procedures for all 2008 and later models
. The new procedures are designed to provide a more accurate picture of what a vehicle actually
gets in terms of miles-per-gallon in the real world. In recent years the EPA had updated its simulated driving loop (with higher freeway speeds and more aggressive acceleration) to ensure an accurate measure of a vehicle's emissions level, but they continued using the 1984 fuel mileage loop (with freeway speeds held at 55, less aggressive low-speed driving, air conditioning turned off, etc.) for mileage ratings.
Now that they are incorporating the updated procedures you can expect those EPA mileage figures to take a substantial hit. Hybrids are expected to take the largest hit from the new procedures, with freeway mileage dropping by 20 percent and city driving losing 30 percent (largely because the new, more aggressive driving conditions will negate the "pure electric" mode that greatly improves their city ratings with the current system)...
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- Karl Brauer December 19, 2006, 9:50 AM
- Categories:
- Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota
December 14, 2006
We're down to three car and three truck finalists for the 2007 North American Car and Truck of the Year award. On the car side we have the Honda Fit, Saturn Aura and Toyota Camry. On the Truck side it's the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Edge or Mazda CX-7. I (along with 49 other NACTOY jury members) will be voting on these final six over the next couple weeks, and the winners will be announced on January 7th at the Detroit Auto Show...
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- Karl Brauer December 14, 2006, 8:18 AM
- Categories:
- Auto Shows, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Saturn, Toyota, Vehicle Awards
November 28, 2006
In case you missed it, the Toyota Camry has been named Motor Trend's Car of the Year for 2007
. As yet another award in the growing list of automotive awards I sometimes wonder just how much weight the average consumer gives a specific winning title. After the recent, um...discussion over Edmunds' 2007 Most Wanted winners
(where the new Toyota tundra took Most Significant Vehicle of the Year) I reiterated the point that our awards should serve as nothing more than an additional factor to consider when shopping for a vehicle. In other words, I've never fooled myself into thinking that a consumer's vehicle choice would be completely decided by looking at our award list...
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- Karl Brauer November 28, 2006, 8:36 AM
- Categories:
- Talk Back Tuesday, Toyota, Vehicle Awards
August 28, 2006
I took our brand new (654 miles) 2007 Toyota Camry long-term car home for the weekend. Ours is a LE V6 with the upgrded JBL audio system (8 speakers, six-disc in-dash CD and Bluetooth) , stability control and sunroof. The price checks in around $26,000, and while that would have seemed plenty for a midsize family sedan a few years ago, in today's world it's quite reasonable. If you read my First Drive
on this car you already know the V6 is a sweetheart in terms of power and refinement (if not passion), and the overall driving dynamics are, well, very Camry-like...
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- Karl Brauer August 28, 2006, 8:14 AM
- Categories:
- Toyota
August 22, 2006
Here's a 21st Century term that few Americans saw coming in 1999 -- "Hybrid." Honda gets credit for selling the first hybrid in the U.S. (Insight in 2000), but Toyota gets credit for selling the first hybrid production vehicle (Prius -- in Japan -- in 1997). Now we have over 10 hybrid models (13 if you include the GM full-size trucks...which I don't
) and several more are on the way (LS600, Altima, Fusion, etc.). They've already passed diesels in terms of the variety of models offering hybrid powertrains, so they must be the way to go, right? Well, maybe not...
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- Karl Brauer August 22, 2006, 8:42 AM
- Categories:
- Ford, Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
August 21, 2006
When I saw the final production version of the FJ Cruiser last fall it was the first vehicle since the Mini Cooper that made me think, "Hmm, maybe the wife should have a new daily driver." Just like with the Mini, the FJ showed no particularly family friendly traits, but it was so cool looking (with off-road capabilities to back up the looks) that I tried to think of an excuse to get one. I even mentioned it to a Toyota contact, and he told me straight up, "The FJ isn't really meant for soccer moms. It's meant for real off-road enthusiasts." To which I remember saying, "Uh-huh, just like a Hummer H2, right? Never see soccer moms driving those." Well, I spent the weekend with our long-term FJ and two things were made clear:
1...
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- Karl Brauer August 21, 2006, 8:16 AM
- Categories:
- Toyota
June 22, 2006
Having just driven our brand-spankin'-new RAV4, and our new R500, in the past few days I am acutely aware of new-car smell. And not just new-car smell as a general concept but the variations in new-car smell based on both brand and interior materials.
Now, the tricky thing about your sense of smell is that it can become highly associated with thoughts, memories and emotions. So the question becomes -- Do my feelings about certain new car smells reflect my feelings about the cars themselves, or can I successfully separate my feelings about a car and my feelings about a car's smell? I'd like to think that even "stinky" cars can score well with me from a purely automotive sense, and I'd hope that just because a given car smells good it doesn't make me give the car undue credit in terms of design, functionality and value. With those concepts laid before you I offer the following opinions of how various new cars smell:
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- Karl Brauer June 22, 2006, 8:26 AM
- Categories:
- BMW, Cadillac, Ford, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota
June 21, 2006
Another new long-termer just arrived -- our 2006 Toyota RAV4. We got the two-wheel drive, V6 version in Limited trim with the third-row seat. It's by no means perfect, as the thrid row is pretty much toddler only, and the second row seats could provide better leg support (higher seating would fix this). However, that 3.5-liter V6 is just an epiphany in terms of torque and refinement, and the handling/ride quality are superb...
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- Karl Brauer June 21, 2006, 12:19 PM
- Categories:
- Toyota
June 8, 2006
As someone who grew up driving 1960's muscle cars that wanted 100-plus octane -- in the 1980s when "premium" was optimistically rated at 95 octane -- I'm acutely aware of the need to pay extra for "the good stuff." But those old beasts I drove were built in a different era, when the good stuff cost all of 34 cents (instead of regular gas, which cost 29 cents). Nowadays the difference between regular and premium fuel can be an easy 25 cents per gallon, making a 20-gallon fill up cost an extra five bucks for cars requiring premium. When I filled up our long-term FJ Cruiser this morning I checked under the fuel door to confirm that "regular" was okay. But regular isn't okay -- the FJ needs premium. This is a hard core off-road vehicle that touts a low MSRP...
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- Karl Brauer June 8, 2006, 11:11 AM
- Categories:
- Toyota
June 5, 2006
I
have been known to criticize cars that many people think are "good." It's not uncommon for a reader to see my opinion of a vehicle and say, "don't bash car XYZ, it's a 'good' car." But as many of you already know, "good" isn't good enough in today's super-competitive market. This is doubly true if, as an automaker, you are in the unenviable position of trying to reverse your dropping market share and/or change consumer perception of your product. Those guys need to be doing it better, cleaner and more effectively than the competition, and they certainly can't be producing "also rans" in terms of marketplace competitiveness. However, I'm willing to admit that while a Chevy Cobalt, Ford Five-Hundred or Chrysler Town & Country doesn't get my "gotta have" blood pumping, they are fully functional vehicles that will serve most buyers with minimal fuss.
BUT -- what about cars that aren't even "good" or "fine" but are downright "bad?" The truth is, those models are becoming fewer and further between each year...but they do exist. And, as your personal guide through the automotive world, I'm even willing to call these vehicles out by name.
Yes, I'm risking the wrath of all these cars' current owners, but I'm also ensuring that, if anyone who reads my blog subsequently buys one of these models, they do it with full knowledge of these vehicles being on my personal "Don't Buy!" list. Let the games (and hate mail) commence!
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- Karl Brauer June 5, 2006, 1:18 PM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, Toyota
May 4, 2006
The Sky looks pretty cool, and the new GM SUVs are important to the brand. The Caliber makes a statement about Chrysler's view of the economy sedan market, and the Mustang GT500 will threaten the Corvette's title as "King of the Performance Bargains." The new Camry will sell over 400,000 units, and the redesigned Altima looks to have addressed its Achilles' Heel (cheap interior). And there's no denying the early reports of Honda's Fit being a major player in the sub-compact class.
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- Karl Brauer May 4, 2006, 1:06 PM
- Categories:
- Toyota
May 1, 2006
If you've been in our Forums
section you probably already know about this, but there are some troubling transmission tales coming from 2007 Toyota Camry owners. It seems the car can go into a series of lurches and jolts that occurs when 2nd and/or 6th gear stop functioning. The problem appears related to V6 models only, and Toyota has already released a statement regarding the problem. The automaker is also communicating with owners about how to resolve the issue. You can read more about it in this discussion
, including some direct responses from Toyota Motor Sales USA.
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- Karl Brauer May 1, 2006, 3:56 PM
- Categories:
- Toyota
It appears Toyota may finally have some competition in the hybrid marketplace. BMW, DCX and GM have released the first technical information on their hybrid technology alliance -- and it sounds pretty cool. They call their system a "two-mode" system because it has two planetary gear sets that can take advantage of the electric power at different speeds. Unlike the "one-mode" system that Toyota uses in the Prius and other vehicles, the proposed BMW/DCX/GM system can utilize the alternate gear set, as well as a continuously variable transmission, to propel a car via the electric motor at highway speeds...
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- Karl Brauer May 1, 2006, 2:42 PM
- Categories:
- Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
February 27, 2006
You want an example of how expectations can change an impression? When I attended the Toyota Camry launch last November I had to listen to two hours of product presentation about how the car was "finally passionate and inspired and desirable." Toyota really wanted to make the journalists believe it was no longer a vanilla sedan. Then I drove it, and it was still a vanilla sedan. Probably the best vanilla sedan on the market, and one that the target buyer will love, but having to adjust my expectations -- totally constructed by Toyota during the presentation -- to the reality of what the new Camry actually was almost wrecked my first impression of the car.
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- Karl Brauer February 27, 2006, 11:46 PM
- Categories:
- Lexus, Toyota
February 23, 2006
I drove our long-term Tacoma
home last night, and my opinion mirrors that of many editors on staff -- this thing is HUGE! I don't really see that as a negative because it's hard to complain about having "too much" hauling space in a pickup. I just hope potential customers don't let the "compact" designation mislead them. Even compared to other "compact" trucks in our fleet, like the Nissan Frontier
and Honda Ridgeline
, the Tacoma feels noticably larger. After driving it last night I had to check the specs, and sure enough the Tacoma is longer then and wider than the Frontier (it's actually three inches narrower than the Ridgeline, but still 15 inches longer than the Honda).
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- Karl Brauer February 23, 2006, 12:11 PM
- Categories:
- Toyota
February 20, 2006
Our next comparison test should prove popular, as it will pit two of the best selling cars in America against two promising upstarts. We gathered a 2006 version of the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata and put them up against the all-new 2007 Toyota Camry for a good ol' fashioned family sedan throw-down. With the Hyundai winning our last family sedan shootout
against the Camry and Accord, and the Fusion showing well during our recent full test
, this one is too close to call before every scoresheet is tallied. Expect the results to be published soon...
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- Karl Brauer February 20, 2006, 10:05 PM
- Categories:
- Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota
January 17, 2006
As you might guess we have a fair number of contacts at both the manufacturer and dealer levels. We got an interesting call from one of our Toyota dealer contacts the other day. Apparently, they are having trouble moving Highlander Hybrids. Yes, a hybrid model that isn't selling! Our contact claimed the dealership is willing to let them go at invoice or below, though I'd want to confirm with someone higher up at that Toyota store before I stated it as fact. But we've dealt with this individual for several years and they've always been very reliable and up front with their information. This is particularly baffling because the dealer in question is located right here in Southern California -- also known as Hybrid Haven.
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- Karl Brauer January 17, 2006, 10:01 PM
- Categories:
- Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
January 16, 2006
In the Forums, there's quite a discussion about the FJ Cruiser
. Lots of speculation about the vehicle's pricing and how capable it will be off road and how well it will stack up against cars like the Jeep Wrangler, Hummer H3 and Nissan Xterra. Well, I've driven all four of these vehicles, and the FJ's pricing has been released, so I will go ahead and set the record straight right here:
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- Karl Brauer January 16, 2006, 6:03 PM
- Categories:
- Toyota
December 20, 2005
Our Hybrid Comparison Test
posted yesterday with all the details on why the Prius beat the Civic Hybrid. It was actually a virtual tie in final percentage score, but with both better acceleration and better mileage it's clear Toyota has the technology race won here. But the Civic is the undisputable king of handling dynamics, and most of the editors liked the Civic's interior and exterior design better. They're both effective showcases for each company's efforts in terms of maximizing fuel economy...
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- Karl Brauer December 20, 2005, 1:19 PM
- Categories:
- Honda, Toyota
December 12, 2005
My latest editorial column is up.
In this one I explain why I hate the new S-Class and love the new FJ Cruiser. Basically, if a car looks like it is trying too hard, it probably is. Why Mercedes used the current 7 Series (with a little Chevy HHR thrown in) as their design inspiration is truly beyond me...
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- Karl Brauer December 12, 2005, 6:01 PM
- Categories:
- Mercedes-Benz, Toyota
November 15, 2005
Drove it today, but I can't talk about it until December 26th (at which point we'll have a full test to post on our site). However, I can say that my earlier prediction is now a statement of fact --
In six months, the FJ Cruiser will be the hottest SUV on the market.
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- Karl Brauer November 15, 2005, 7:02 PM
- Categories:
- Toyota
November 10, 2005
I can't say much about this car because the embargo is Noevember 28. But I drove it home and back last night, and we'll have a full test up on November 28.
I'll limit my comments to three letters: WOW!
I can also say why I didn't like the previous RAV4 -- it was too small to be a very useful "utility" vehicle, and it felt sort of tinny. But I did like how nimble the previous version was in terms of driving dynamics...
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- Karl Brauer November 10, 2005, 12:05 PM
- Categories:
- Toyota
November 8, 2005
Next week I will be driving both of these vehicles, and I'm really looking forward to it. The Camry has been duking it out with the Accord as the best-selling car in American ever since the Taurus went belly-up over a decade ago, so obviously it's a crucial vehicle for Toyota. But I'm even more fascinated by the FJ. Just as the new Mini Cooper and latest Mustang successfully capture the spirit of the original models that inspired them, the FJ looks very cool and, assuming Toyota nailed the execution, it could easily be the hottest SUV on the market six months from now...
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- Karl Brauer November 8, 2005, 4:17 PM
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- Toyota
This is a pretty easy one to call. After driving the Civic Hybrid home last night (approx. 50 miles) and driving both the Prius and the Civic at the test track today (plus the many hundreds of miles I've put on our long-term Prius), I can sum up their strengths/weaknesses in a few sentences.
The Prius is noticeably quicker than the Civic Hyrbid, and its hatchback design makes for far greater cargo capacity...
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- Karl Brauer November 8, 2005, 3:51 PM
- Categories:
- Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
November 7, 2005
We're doing a comparison test between these two vehicles, and I'll be driving both tomorrow at our test facility for basic performance numbers (0-60 and 1/4-mile acceleration, braking, slalom, etc.)
Honda says the 50/50 mpg ratings on the new Civic Hybrid are closer to reality than the Prius' 60/51. We've only driven it about 25 miles, but during that drive (in L.A. traffic) the Civic was indeed getting around 48 mpg. Our long-term Prius has been averaging around 44 mpg...
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- Karl Brauer November 7, 2005, 6:41 PM
- Categories:
- Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, Toyota
