Toyota is perhaps one of the biggest names in automotive history. For 76 years, they've created racing champions, the most affordable cars in many classes, SUVs and trucks that can conquer the most hostile terrain, engineering and technological innovations that push the auto industry to new heights, and much more. In short, over the years of its existence this company has become a real titan in the automotive world, and continues to remain so to this day.
By the end of 2012, the corporation had reclaimed the crown of the largest automaker in the world, so now is the time to look back at their best creations that have made the ordinary loom makers the brightest star of the automotive universe.
We have compiled a top Toyota list, which includes 25 of their most important cars that changed the face of not only the company itself, but the entire global auto industry!
Toyota Prius (second generation, 2003-2009)
A car that advanced alternative energy sources to a degree that none of its predecessors had ever achieved. The second generation Prius became the most popular hybrid, changing the world's view of environmentally friendly cars with its success. Even though you won’t get as much driving pleasure with it as you would driving a powerful sports car, and its production produces quite a few harmful emissions into the atmosphere, making it from this point of view no better than an ordinary car, its appearance can, without exaggeration, be considered one one of the most important stages in the history of the automotive industry.
Technical stuffing
In terms of the variety of power units, the Toyota concern is no different from its foreign competitors. It also has options with both diesel and gasoline engines. But the quality of Japanese engines is significantly superior to analogues from BMW and Mercedes, which belong to the budget segment.
And the operation of the engine itself on Toyotas is much simpler than on Bavarian cars. There is enough space under their hood to carry out work to replace spare parts or carry out maintenance. Even basic diagnostics of the internal combustion engine can be performed without dismantling individual components and elements.
Toyota Hilux (seventh generation, 2005-)
The Hilux has earned a reputation for being truly reliable and practical, earning itself the nickname "The Unkillable Pick-up". This car was chosen not only by many farmers and workers around the world - the car is notorious as a constant participant in many armed conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, where even in conditions of war and an aggressive environment, the pickup truck works flawlessly.
Toyota Tundra (1999-)
A truly American car from a Japanese manufacturer. Powerful, reliable, efficient, and equally at home on and off the road, the full-size pickup truck has won numerous prestigious awards over the years.
Innovation
Despite the fact that the Japanese manufacturer does not pursue new technologies, it can always surprise its customers with something innovative. For example, even on budget Toyota models you can find head optics with automatic adaptation, capable of directing light rays to the direction the car is turning.
Also, the budget segment of Toyota models boasts an air ionizer. Well, the security system of Japanese cars, consisting of a whole set of active and passive sensors, deserves special attention. It is installed on all latest Toyota models, regardless of their class.
Toyota Origin (2000-2001)
The Japanese "retro boom" was the result of the birth of many ugly and terrible creations of the automotive industry, but there were exceptions, one of which was the Origin. The sedan, created in the likeness of the legendary Toyota Crown 1955, could not turn out bad. The car was produced in limited numbers and featured rear-hinged suicide doors, raked C-pillars and jewel-like taillights.
Details about the characteristics of Avensis and Corolla
Both cars are equipped with all-metal monocoque bodies designed for a driver and 4 adult passengers. Front engine compartment with a transverse arrangement of the power unit.
Due to the elongated body and a different layout of the passenger compartment on the Avensis, it was possible to increase the trunk volume (for example, on second-generation cars the compartment has a capacity of 520 liters, but on the E150 (produced at the same time) only 385 liters were allocated for the transportation of goods.
Both cars allow the installation of luggage bars and a trunk on the roof of the body (load weight up to 100 kg).
Car Exterior Design
Starting from the second generation, Avensis was developed in the same design studio as the Corolla. The cars were distinguished by rounded external shapes, which made it possible to reduce aerodynamic drag.
For basic equipment, rims with a diameter of 15″ with stamped discs and decorative caps were offered. On expensive modifications, cast aluminum wheels with a diameter of up to 17″ with low-profile road tires were used.
The third generation Avensis was based on a new platform and had a body similar in design to Camry sedans belonging to category D. The cars are distinguished by massive headlights.
On the E170 they used narrow lighting technology. Bumpers of a complex geometric configuration had deflectors for supplying air to radiators and brake mechanisms, and additional planes along the lower edge and sides reduced turbulence in air flows and body contamination when driving on a wet road.
Toyota design.
Interior
An instrument panel with air ducts for blowing the windshield, driver and front passenger was installed inside. Both cars were equipped with analog instrument clusters with liquid crystal displays and warning lamp units.
The steering column was manually adjustable in 2 directions (angle and reach). Steering wheels with an airbag could be equipped with button blocks to control the radio or on-board computer. The panels on the Avensis and Corolla have external differences, but the ergonomics of the driver's seat are almost identical.
The front seats were equipped with height-adjustable head restraints, reducing the risk of injury to people in the event of an impact in the rear of the body.
Between the seats there was a center console with an armrest with a lid trimmed to match the color of the seats. All passenger seats had inertia-type seat belts.
Isofix mounts for child seats were provided in the back row. A folding armrest was installed on the rear sofa. There were air ducts for supplying warm or cooled air.
Car interior.
Main Dimensions
The table shows a comparison of the dimensions of Avensis of the second and third generations (T250 and T27) and Corolla cars with E150, E170 and E210 bodies.
Starting with the E170 model, the Japanese manufacturer equalized the wheelbases of the cars, but the Avensis retained its advantage in overall body length, which allowed for a slight increase in luggage compartment capacity.
| Parameter | T250 | T27 | E150 | E170 | E210 |
| Length, mm | 4715 | 4695 | 4554 | 4639 | 4630 |
| Width, mm | 1760 | 1810 | 1760 | 1776 | 1780 |
| Height, mm | 1525 | 1480 | 1465 | 1455 | 1435 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2700 | 2700 | 2600 | 2700 | 2700 |
| Ground clearance, mm | 155 | 155 | 145 | 150 | 150 |
Chassis comparison
Features of the vehicle chassis:
- At the front, an independent suspension with MacPherson struts and lower control arms mounted on rubber hinges on a subframe is used. There are springs with variable stiffness and an anti-roll bar.
- At the rear, the Avensis used a linkage design with the components attached to the subframe, and provided with springs and a stabilizer. The Corolla used a semi-independent torsion beam with an anti-roll bar. Starting with the E210 generation, created on the modular TNGA platform, a multi-link design with a separate subframe attached to the body side members appeared.
- The braking system of cars includes ventilated disc mechanisms for the front wheels. Solid discs are installed at the rear (some Corollas used drums with automatic clearance adjustment). The hydraulic drive is divided into 2 independent circuits, an ABS unit with ESP support is standard equipment on both Avensis and Corolla.
Toyota brake system diagram.
Power block
For the Avensis T27 (third generation), 4-cylinder gasoline engines with a volume of 1.6 to 2.0 liters were offered, and the second generation T250 also used a 2.4-liter engine.
The power of the power units ranges from 100 to 163 hp. With. The design of the motors is similar to those used on the Corolla and Camry (with minor differences in mounting and characteristics).
The advantage of Avensis is diesel units (volume from 2 to 2.2 liters) with an adjustable pressurization system. The Corolla product line has not used diesel engines since the E170 generation.
Gasoline naturally aspirated engines are equipped with a variable valve timing system VVTi or Dual VVTi (depending on the year of manufacture and modification of the power plant), which provides increased power and torque both at low speeds and when the crankshaft speed increases. Despite the use of a phase regulator, the dynamic capabilities of the equipment drop after 4500-5000 rpm.
The machines use 5 or 6-speed manual transmissions with synchronizers (the number of stages depends on the engine type and production date).
Some modifications use a 4 or 5-speed hydromechanical transmission, and a continuously variable Multidrive V-belt variator is also available.
Torque is transmitted to the front wheels. All-wheel drive versions of the Corolla were produced for the Japanese domestic market until the early 2000s. (limitedly found on the Russian market).
Toyota engine.
Fuel consumption
Fuel costs for the Avensis are 0.2-0.5 liters less than for a Corolla with an engine of comparable volume (for refueling, the plant recommends using gasoline with an octane rating of at least 95; short-term use of A-92 is allowed with the risk of detonation).
The fuel supply is stored in plastic tanks located in a niche under the body floor. The capacity of the tank on Avensis is 60 liters; on the Corolla a 50-liter tank was installed.
Toyota fuel consumption.
Car equipment
Standard equipment on sedans included airbags in the steering wheel and instrument panel. On expensive modifications, elements were used in the backs of the front seats and pillars.
The front seats were adjustable in several directions. The rear sofa is equipped with a separate folding mechanism for the backrest (for transporting long loads).
The basic equipment included electric drives for windows and mirrors, central door locking and a standard alarm (optional, found on some cars).
The chairs were upholstered in thick fabric. For expensive modifications of Avensis, the manufacturer offered leather trim. Heater and manual air conditioning were standard features.
Leather interior.
Some equipment used a 1-zone climate control system. The list of additional equipment included parking sensors and protective tinting of the windows in the rear of the cabin.
In addition to halogen headlights, xenon headlights were installed. The list of available equipment depends on the year of manufacture and generation of the vehicle.
Lensed car headlights.
Toyota Crown (first generation, 1955-1962)
A legend that started a line of models that have now entered their fourteenth generation. The car did not sell very well abroad, but it was ideal for Japan and its still terrible roads. The reliable car served the Japanese for many years, both as a personal car and earned itself a reputation as an excellent “workhorse” for taxi drivers.
Toyota Sports 800 (1965-1969)
The first true sports car to come out of Toyota's workshops. The miniature car was equipped with an engine with a capacity of 45 horsepower - extremely little by today's standards, but this was enough for a light car to reach a speed of 160 km/h on the race track. Some 3,131 cars were produced between 1965 and 1969, but no more than 10% have survived to this day, the vast majority of which are located within Japan.
Toyota Highlander
Another model of the most beautiful Toyota cars is a full-fledged premium SUV.
The manufacturer offers the buyer three layout options. All of them are all-wheel drive. The transmission is equipped with an 8-speed automatic. Engine – 3.5 liters with 249 horsepower.
An excellent car for a business trip. The elegant SUV's gas mileage on the highway is 7.6 liters per 100 km.
Toyota Celica (first generation, 1970-1977)
Another legend, of which the Japanese auto giant has plenty in abundance. The unique design of the car simultaneously referred to both American muscle cars and British sports cars. The car was created for those who wanted to get maximum driving pleasure - it was powerful, fast and handled perfectly.
Ride quality, maneuverability and handling
If we talk about the cross-country ability of these vehicles, we have to pay tribute, it does not stand out so much compared to other frame SUVs. These cars should first of all be considered as city models. Of course, the ground clearance of the German and Japanese allows you to overcome even serious obstacles, however, climbing off-road on these crossovers is fraught with serious consequences. The ground clearance of the German model varies depending on the modification and is 163 – 237 mm. For the Japanese car presented in Russia, this figure is 204 mm. The whole problem with SUVs lies in the fact that they are equipped with powerful engines with high torque.
The updated Japanese full-size SUV Toyota Highlander is a great car for the city and the highway. Here the vehicle demonstrates excellent driving performance and handling. Despite its dimensions and impressive weight, the model is distinguished by excellent dynamics, and thanks to modern equipment, there is always increased comfort in the car’s interior, even despite the condition of the road surface. This SUV is equipped with an independent MacPherson spring suspension at the front and an independent spring system at the rear axle. The crossover is equipped with anti-roll bars, as well as ventilated disc brakes along the entire perimeter.
The large German SUV Volkswagen Touareg is a great car for the city and the highway. While driving a cross, you can experience true driving pleasure, regardless of the condition of the road surface. This car instantly responds to steering commands, boasts excellent dynamics, and in addition, forgives many mistakes of the motorist, as it has numerous electronic assistants and assistants in its arsenal. This car is equipped with independent spring suspension on the front and rear axles. Disc brakes and anti-roll bars are provided. It is worth noting that the German model only has ventilated brakes at the front.
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 (2007-)
Iconic Japanese SUVs dating back to 1951, making them the longest-running Toyota model series. The last generation of “two hundredths” appeared on the international automotive scene in 2007, continuing the glorious lineage of reliable and powerful cars.
Toyota RAV4
The most famous SUV of the Japanese concern began to be produced in 1994. In many CIS countries the car is very popular.
The first models were equipped with two-liter engines with 128 and 135 horsepower. Until now, two variants of comfortable cars from the world brand are on the market. The first one is all-wheel drive. The second one is front-wheel drive.
