Autoblog

Current Prius, not the '08

Toyota just released pricing for most of its 2008 lineup, and along with a brief summary of model changes was information about a new, lower-cost Prius. That's right, a cheaper Prius. We had talked about the fact that consumer clamor for hybrids was waning, but we never expected to see the Prius price reduced. Reading the fine print shows what's really happening is that Toyota has introduced a new "standard" model with slightly less content to get to a lower price point. The base MSRP for the new Standard Prius starts at $20,950, while the Limited goes up about $150 to $23,220.

The recent JD Power finding that hybrid popularity is giving way to more interest in diesel powertrains seemed to have some merit as Toyota had said it would be trimming the entry price of its 2008 Camry Hybrid by about $1,000, as well. Although the Camry isn't included in this release, the cheaper Prius seems to bear out that fact. The cheaper '08 Standard Prius should be in dealerships in August. New pricing for the other '08 Toyota models was also announced, and not surprisingly, all went up, even if just a bit.

Read the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Toyota via AutoblogGreen]

PRESS RELEASSE:

Toyota Announces 2008 Model Year Prices For Eight Vehicles

July 30, 2007 – Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2008 Avalon full-size sedan, Prius gas-electric hybrid, Yaris subcompact, RAV4 compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), FJ Cruiser off-road SUV, 4Runner mid-size SUV, Tacoma pickup and Sienna. All eight models begin arriving in dealerships in late July and throughout the month of August.

Avalon, the flagship of the Toyota passenger car lineup, continues to set the standard for performance, luxury, and value in its class. For 2008, Avalon receives a new six-speed automatic transmission and a braking system upgrade for improved stopping distance, reduced fade and pedal firmness.

Exterior changes include a new aggressive design for the headlamps, front bumper and radiator grille, in-key remote keyless entry and tinted tail lamps. New 17-inch alloy wheels are offered on the Touring and XLS models. The Limited model also receives chrome door handles.

Interior changes include a new dark wood grain trim and eight-way power front passenger's seat with power lumbar support on XLS and Limited models. The Touring model features a new aluminum-style interior trim.

The 2008 Avalon also has an updated AM/FM/CD changer with nine speakers, MP3 playback capability and auxiliary audio input jack as a standard feature.

The base MSRP for the 2008 Avalon ranges from $27,075 for the XL model to $34,415 for the Limited model. The total Avalon average MSRP increases $201 or 0.6 percent.

The fuel-efficient 2008 Prius is a better value this year with an expanded lineup to include a lower-priced, new standard model. The base MSRP for Prius ranges from $20,950 for the newly introduced standard model to $23,220 for the Touring model. The total Prius average MSRP increases $150 or 0.7 percent.

The new Prius arrives in dealerships in August.

The Yaris subcompact carries over unchanged for 2008 except for the addition of a standard tire pressure monitoring system for all models. The 2008 Yaris also gains the all-new Liftback Sport model. The Yaris Liftback Sport features several exterior enhancements, including color-keyed front and rear under-bumper spoilers and side rocker panels, and is equipped with standard features such as driver and front passenger sport seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, tachometer with amber illumination, 15-inch wheels, rear window defroster, rear window wiper, AM/FM/CD player with MP3/WMA capability and auxiliary audio input jack.

The five-speed manual transmission Liftback carries a base MSRP of $11,300 and the Sedan with automatic transmission carries a base MSRP of $12,900. The Yaris Sport Liftback with five-speed manual transmission will carry a base MSRP of $12,975. All Yaris vehicles arrive in August and the total Yaris average MSRP increases $150 or 1.2 percent.

The RAV4 maintains all interior and safety enhancements for 2008. All models now feature driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and first- and second-row side-curtain airbags with roll-over sensor as standard equipment. RAV4 models carry a base MSRP that ranges from $21,100 for the base model 2WD four-cylinder to $26,670 for the 4WD Limited V6. Total RAV4 average MSRP increases $150 or 0.6 percent.

The FJ Cruiser, the most capable off-road SUV in the Toyota line-up, will feature a number of key upgrades, including an anti-theft system, an illuminated entry system, side-curtain airbags for both rows and sun visors with vanity mirrors. The FJ's base MSRP ranges from $22,545 for the 2WD automatic to $24,13

4Runner will improve its numerous standard safety features on all models with the addition of driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and first- and second-row side-curtain airbags with roll-over sensor. For 2008 the MSRP will increase $380 for SR5 and Sport Edition models and $350 for Limited models. The 4Runner MSRP ranges from $28,015 for the 2WD SR5 V6 to $38,735 for the 4WD Limited V8. The total 4Runner average MSRP increases $376 or 1.2 percent.

For 2008, the Tacoma pickup truck will receive a price increase of $100 or 0.5 percent for all models. The base MSRP ranges from $14,280 for the 2WD four-cylinder with a manual transmission to $26,115 for the Double Cab 4WD V6 automatic long bed. The total Tacoma average MSRP increases 0.5 percent.

Sienna offers new product enhancements and Extra Value Packages. New standard features include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control and rear disc brakes on all models. Also, Bluetooth® is now on all models featuring standard or available JBL audio. The Sienna MSRP ranges from $24,340 for the 2WD CE to $37,665 for the AWD Limited model. The total Sienna average MSRP increases $35 or 0.1 percent.