Review: Toyota ZVW40.I Prius v (2012-14) Overview Released in May 2012, the Toyota ZVW40 Series I (ZVW40.I) Prius v was a seven-seat hybrid wagon. Manufactured in Japan, the Prius v (‘v’ for versatility) was powered by a 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor which drew power from lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, power was […]
Author: Stephen Tomlinson
Review: Toyota XA20 RAV4 (2000-05)
Review: Toyota XA20.I RAV4 (2000-03) Overview Released in July 2000, the Toyota XA20 Series I (CA20.I) RAV4 was a four-wheel drive SUV. Manufactured in Japan, the RAV4 was available in three- or five-door bodies and powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine; transmission options consisted of a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual. The XA20.I RAV4 […]
Review: Toyota XW30 Prius (2009-15)
Review: Toyota XW30.I Prius (2009-12) Overview Released in July 2009, the Toyota XW30 Series I (XW30.I) Prius was a five-door hybrid liftback. Manufactured in Japan, the XW30 Prius was powered by Toyota’s 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and a permanent magnet AC electric motor which drew power from nickel-metal hydride batteries. Power was directed […]
Review: Toyota XW50 Prius (2016-on)
Review: Toyota XW50.I Prius (2016-19) Overview Released in Australia in February 2016, the Toyota XW50 Prius was a five-door hatchback with a hybrid powertrain. Manufactured in Japan, the front-wheel drive XW50 Prius was powered by a 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine that was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 2ZR-FXE engine The 1798 cc 2ZR-FXE […]
Review: Toyota XW10 Prius (2001-03)
Overview Released in October 2001, the Toyota XW10 Prius was a small hybrid-powered sedan. Manufactured in Japan, the Toyota Prius was powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine and a permanent magnet AC electric motor which drew power from a 274-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. Power was directed via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) […]
Review: Toyota XW20 Prius (2003-09)
Review: Toyota XW20.I Prius (2003-05) Overview Released in October 2003, the Toyota XW20 Series I (XW20.I) Prius was a hybrid-powered liftback. Manufactured in Japan, the XW20 Prius was powered by a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine and permanent magnet AC electric motor drawing power from a 500 volt nickel-metal hydride battery. Drive was directed […]
Review: Toyota ZZW30 MR2 (2000-05)
Review: Toyota ZZW30.I MR2 (2000-02) Overview Released in October 2000, the Toyota ZZW30 Series I (ZZW30.I) MR2 was a two-seat, mid-engined convertible. Manufactured in Sagamihara, Japan, the rear-wheel drive Toyota MR2 was powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (Toyota’s 1ZZ-FE) that was mated to five-speed semi-automatic (or sequential manual) transmission which had a fully […]
Review: Toyota EL54 Paseo (1995-99)
Overview Released in December 1995, the Toyota EL54 Paseo was a compact, two-plus-two coupe. Manufactured in Toyama, Japan, the front-wheel drive Paseo was powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. 5E-FE engine The 1.5-litre 5E-FE four-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, an […]
Review: Toyota 150-Series LandCruiser Prado (2009-on)
Review: Toyota 150-I LandCruiser Prado (2009-13) Overview Released in November 2009, the Toyota 150-Series Mk.I (150-I) LandCruiser Prado was a four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Japan, the Toyota LandCruiser Prado was available in three or five door models – the latter available with five or seven seats – and powered by either a 3.0-litre four-cylinder […]
Review: Toyota SW20 MR2 (1990-99)
Review: Toyota SW20.I MR2 (1990-94) Overview Released in March 1990, the Toyota SW20 Series I (SW20.I) MR2 was a mid-engined, two-door coupe with a targa roof. In Australia, the rear-wheel drive MR2 was powered by a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Although hardtop, convertible and turbocharged models were available […]