Autoblog

Toyota recalls slew of models for possible airbag calibration defect

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota is recalling sixteen models from the 2009 to 2013 model years over a potential issue with passenger seat airbag calibration. In spite of the large number of different Toyotas covered by the recall, just 3,235 units are included. These were vehicles installed with accessories like leather seat covers and headrest DVD systems by Southeast Toyota Distributors, and during the modifications the passenger seat occupant sensor system might not have been calibration tested. If the sensors aren't set up properly, the passenger airbag might not work as it should.

Affected models include: Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius V, Rav4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and Venza. Scroll down for the relevant model years for each.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the recall will begin this month. Southeast Toyota will inform owners, at which time they can take their Toyotas to dealers for testing and repair. The complete bulletin from the NHTSA with more information is below.

Continue reading Toyota recalls slew of models for possible airbag calibration defect

Toyota recalls slew of models for possible airbag calibration defect originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Four Wheeler crowns Ultimate Factory 4x4... who wins?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Ford, Jeep, Nissan, Toyota, Off-Road, Ram

Nearly every automaker doing business in the SUV or pickup truck segments offers a package designed to improve the off-road capabilities of its wares. But, of course, not all such factory kits are created equal. How, then, to separate the wheat from the chaff? Gather each of them up and put them through their paces, naturally.

The folks from Four Wheeler and PickupTrucks.com joined forces to run just such a comparison test, with the winner named the Ultimate Factory 4x4. A total of seven vehicles showed up to the fight: the 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2012 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X and Xterra PRO-4X, 2012 Ram Power Wagon, and 2012 Toyota 4Runner Trail and Tacoma TRD T|X Baja Series.

With the contestants in place, the whole crew put each vehicle through a battery of tests that included skidpad and acceleration measurements, a hillclimb, a rocky stairstep course and a rock garden. Considering the nature of the beasts, on-road ride and comfort were not part of the routine.

So, which four-wheeler ended up on top? Click here to read the results, and don't act like you're surprised by the victor.

Four Wheeler crowns Ultimate Factory 4x4... who wins? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota 4Runner still drives after being crushed by tree [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Videos, Toyota, Off-Road

Disaster can strike just about anywhere, but the likelihood - and severity - often increases the further you are from civilization. That's what one couple in Washington State found out when they went camping with their Toyota 4Runner along the Barlow Pass in the northern Cascade mountains.

When a storm approached they sought shelter, but fortunately didn't hide inside their Toyota. A hundred-foot-tall hickory tree fell on it, crushing the back portion of the SUV. With emergency and park services apparently refusing to help, it took them a while to get a few friends out their with chainsaws to cut the tree away from the Toyota. But once they did, they were astonished to find the truck not only started, but drove them back into town where they were able to call for a tow.

Of course, the truck was virtually irreparable, but the very fact that it got them to safety after being crushed by a giant tree has the owners looking at another 4Runner - and with good reason. Are we surprised by the Toyota's fortitude? After that now-legendary Top Gear Hilux abusefest, nothing surprises us.

Scroll down to watch a video of the crumpled Toyota in action, then follow the link to the forum for more images.

Continue reading Toyota 4Runner still drives after being crushed by tree [w/video]

Toyota 4Runner still drives after being crushed by tree [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus GX to go unibody, gain turbo power?

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:14:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Lexus, Toyota, Rumormill, Design/Style, Luxury

Add another one to the endangered list. The number of traditional body-on-frame SUVs has been dwindling as manufacturers replace them with crossovers, which is the direction the Lexus GX 460 is heading. According to Ward's Auto, the GX will likely be supplanted by a unibody, three-row crossover at the end of its current lifecycle.

Toyota introduced the current Lexus GX in 2010, at the same time it also redesigned the 4Runner, on which the Lexus model is based. If the GX is shifted to a unibody platform, that could mean that Toyota would do similarly with the 4Runner, or the two vehicles could diverge and the GX could assume the underpinnings of another model.

This is mere speculation, but Toyota could shift the GX to the Highlander platform that is currently shared with the Lexus RX. Since the RX is not available in a three-row model, the move would allow the GX to retain its third row as a differentiator without upsetting the successful formula of the RX, Lexus' best-seller.

Regardless of what Toyota decides to do with the GX and 4Runner, Ward's says the company is also investigating the use of turbocharged four-cylinder engines in Lexus products. Since Toyota already has one of the best engines in the world in its direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 that sits under the hood of most Lexus models, we wouldn't expect the brand to introduce a turbo four any time soon, at least not in its volume products.

Lexus GX to go unibody, gain turbo power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2012 18:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xplore plots a course of adventure for the Toyota 4Runner

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Toyota, Off-Road

It's no secret that our friends at Xplore want you to see the country. The company is dedicated to building rambling rides that will let you venture to our nation's most scenic parks. The newest creation rolling out of the Xplore garage is a trip-ready Toyota 4Runner that's packed with the usual assortment of off-road goodies we've come to expect.

Like all Xplore vehicles, the 4Runner can be equipped in stages. Three stages are available, and they range from an upgraded interior and a few external bolt ons to the expedition-grade 4Runner shown above. The full monty comes with a slew of ARB items such as a winch and front brush guard, as well as a set of Method aluminum wheels, upgraded suspension components and extra beefy BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain tires.

The 4Runner joins the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota FJ Cruiser in the Xplore lineup. Each time a vehicle is sold, Xplore hands over a portion of the cash to the National Parks Foundation. Besides the keys to the car, you will also enjoy a one-year pass to visit the our National Parks and a subscription to the Xplore Lifestyle Journal, which basically provides you with excuses to go use your new vehicle as much as possible. See all the details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Xplore plots a course of adventure for the Toyota 4Runner

Xplore plots a course of adventure for the Toyota 4Runner originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports calls out six cars it says are worse than their predecessors

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen

Six cars that CR says are worse than their predecessors - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's nothing like being told you aren't as good as you used to be. "You've changed, man. You've really changed."

In its annual automotive issue, Consumer Reports awards scores to each new car available on the market, and though you'd think that a new model would score higher than the one it replaces, that isn't always the case. In fact, CR points out six 2011 model year vehicles that received substantially lower scores under its methodology than their predecessors.

At the top of CR's list is the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta - a car that has come in for a raft of criticism from the media since its redesign launched in mid-2010 (criticism that has been summarily ignored if the Jetta's rising sales figures are anything to go by). Rounding off the rest of the list are the Honda Odyssey, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Sienna, Mercedes-Benz E350 and BMW X5.

Consumer Reports does raise an important point, though: Earning a lower score doesn't automatically mean the car should be written off completely. In its story, CR states:

Some models, such as the Honda Odyssey, Mercedes-Benz E350, and Toyota Sienna, are still very good vehicles that we recommend. But they don't quite measure up to the standards set by their previous generation models. Others, such as the current BMW X5, Toyota 4Runner, and Volkswagen Jetta sedan, are clear disappointments.

Clear disappointments? Ouch. Head over to Consumer Reports for the full story.

Gallery: 2011 Consumer Reports Disappointments

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports calls out six cars it says are worse than their predecessors originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota recalls 2.17 million more vehicles over possible pedal entrapment

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Lexus, Toyota

Toyota has announced that it's voluntarily recalling approximately 2.17 million vehicles due to possible pedal entrapment issues. In case you've forgotten about Toyota's massive recall from last year, this new issue affects 2.17 million more vehicles where the driver's side floor mat can become a potential hazard. Uh oh.

In October of 2009, Toyota recalled nearly five million vehicles because of possible issues with the floor mats. In January of 2010, the automaker recalled an additional 2.3 million due to an issue with sticking accelerator pedals.

This latest rash of recalls pertains to:

2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner (603,000 units)
2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid (397,000 units)
2006-2010 Toyota RAV4 (761,000 units)
2008-2011 Lexus LX 570 (17,000 units)
2006-2007 Lexus GS 300 and 350 all-wheel-drive models (20,000 units)
2004-2007 Lexus RX 330, 350 and 400h (372,000 units)

Toyota will be sending out notices to vehicle owners by first-class mail, and dealerships will fix the issue with no cost to the owner. As of this writing, Toyota states that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this new set of recalls. The automaker's official press release is available after the jump.

[Sources: Toyota, AOL Autos]

Continue reading Toyota recalls 2.17 million more vehicles over possible pedal entrapment

Toyota recalls 2.17 million more vehicles over possible pedal entrapment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #211: Cadillac cancels SRX Turbo, TribecaLander, Fiat doubling down on Chrysler, new 911

Dan Roth — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Cadillac, Chrysler, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, Fiat

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #211 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris Shunk, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Chris Paukert. We start with the Autoblog Garage and then cover the death of the Cadillac SRX Turbo, rumors of the next generation Subaru Tribeca and Toyota Highlander sharing a platform, Fiat possibly increasing its stake in Chrysler and a quick mention of the changes coming for the Porsche 911 before we respond to your questions and emails. It's a tidy one hour and eighteen minutes this week, thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #211: Cadillac cancels SRX Turbo, TribecaLander, Fiat doubling down on Chrysler, new 911

In the Autoblog Garage:

2011 Toyota 4Runner
2011 Cadillac SRX Turbo
2011 Subaru Forester X
2011 Nissan Juke S FWD

News Topics:

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:18:26

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
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Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #211: Cadillac cancels SRX Turbo, TribecaLander, Fiat doubling down on Chrysler, new 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee bests Toyota 4Runner in latest Consumer Reports testing

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Jeep, Toyota

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2010 Toyota 4Runner - Click above for high-res image galleries

Consumer Reports, bastions of a straightforward, no-frills automotive testing regime focused on the consumer, compares in its December 2010 issue the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 2010 Toyota 4Runner, both of which were completely redesigned within the last several months. Interestingly - and despite the fact that the Jeep has not yet had enough time to set a reliability score - the testers at CR have seen enough from the Grand Cherokee to vault it over its rival from Toyota, which scored too low to recommend.

The magazine praises the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee for its comfortable on-road ride and quiet interior while heaping discontent on the 4Runner in the exact same categories. When it comes to prowess off the beaten path, Toyota's body-on-frame 'ute regains some ground, though CR is quick to point out that the Jeep handles the rough stuff equally well when equipped with the right options, such as low-range gearing and the available Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system with its height-adjustable suspension.

Also drawing ire from CR's testers is the Toyota 4Runner's interior with "leather seats [that] look like vinyl," "cheap-looking plastics." The 4Runner was also lacking some notable features one would expect at its $37,425 asking price. Want to read more from CR regarding its comparison of two classic sport utility vehicles? Click past the break, or wait for the full report in the December 2010 issue.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman and Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Jeep Grand Cherokee bests Toyota 4Runner in latest Consumer Reports testing

Jeep Grand Cherokee bests Toyota 4Runner in latest Consumer Reports testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota already set to cancel four-cylinder 4Runner

Chris Shunk — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Toyota

2010 Toyota 4Runner - Click above for high-res image gallery

Cars and trucks here in the U.S. are being invaded by more efficient four-cylinder engines. Both the 2011 Buick Regal and Hyundai Sonata, for example, feature four-pot-only lineups. Even the 4,800-pound Toyota 4Runner has an entry-level 2.7-liter four. Well, at least the off-road-ready Toyota did offer a four-banger for one model year.

Motor Trend is reporting that Toyota will discontinue the four-cylinder model from the 2011 4Runner lineup due to an anemic take rate of less than 10 percent. That's pretty amazing given the fact that the V6 option costs nearly $4,000 more than the four-cylinder model, but the power and fuel economy stats tell the whole story. The downsized engine option only provides 157-horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. That's down a whopping 113 ponies and 100 lb-ft compared to the optional 4.0-liter V6, while combined fuel economy is within one mile-per-gallon of the more powerful engine.

If taking away 1.3-liters and 113-horsepower only nets you a fuel economy gain of one measly mpg, we can't blame customers for overwhelmingly opting for the far more powerful V6. And we really enjoyed our time with a 4.0-liter equipped 4Runner, too, so we're thinking the extra money is well-spent.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Photos by Chris Shunk / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: Toyota already set to cancel four-cylinder 4Runner originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota fixed faulty steering arms for over a decade before recall

Zach Bowman — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, SUV, Truck, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

As investigations into how Toyota handled faulty steering relay rods in the company's pickup trucks and SUVs continue, critics suggest that it's quickly becoming clear that the company has mishandled repair and recall efforts. According to a USA Today article, Toyota had repaired vehicles with the defect for over 11 years in the U.S. before deciding to initiate a recall in Japan, and a recall for the 977,000 affected American vehicles didn't occur until one year later.

To compound the issue, not all owners were contacted about the recall once it went into effect, leaving plenty of potentialy defective vehicles in the hands of the public. Some owners were even made to pay for the repair out of their own pockets without reimbursement from the automaker, especially after the vehicle was out of warranty. In some cases, Toyota made what it calls goodwill repairs for free.

The investigation into the defective steering relay rods comes after the federal government fined Toyota the maximum allowable $16.4 million earlier this year for failing to notify the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration of unintended acceleration issues in a timely manner. The automaker is currently the plaintiff in a class action lawsuit in California concerning the faulty steering relay rods.

[Source: USA Today]

Report: Toyota fixed faulty steering arms for over a decade before recall originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Toyota 4Runner faithfully sticks to the formula it helped create

Chris Shunk — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Toyota, New Car Reviews, Off-Road

2010 Toyota 4Runner - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has made some serious money over the past couple of decades by making safe, reliable vehicles. There have been a few models, like the Supra and Celica, that have appealed to the enthusiast, but the rest of America hasn't really seemed to care. New Toyota chief Akio Toyoda has promised to change that paradigm, however, pledging to inject new vehicles with much-needed soul. But do we have to wait a few years for Toyota's designers and engineers to come up with something new and exciting? Maybe not.

While the enthusiast-inspired products like the FT-86 coupe are still a ways off, off-roading types have a new Toyota to test drive: the 2010 4Runner. We've long known that the 4Runner has been perfectly capable of wrestling with a bit of mud, as it helped define America's sport-utility genre along with the original Jeep Cherokee way back in 1984. But this new model is at once bigger, more capable and more luxurious - and its styling has been designed to stand out in an admittedly thinning crowd of proper SUVs. We spent a week with a Magnetic Grey Metallic 4WD SR5 to see if Toyota has been right to stand by its mid-size mainstay while the rest of the automaking world has been busy turning its body-on-frame gas-guzzlers into pump-friendly softroaders.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota 4Runner

Continue reading Review: 2010 Toyota 4Runner faithfully sticks to the formula it helped create

Review: 2010 Toyota 4Runner faithfully sticks to the formula it helped create originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why the Lexus GX may be rollover-prone (and the 4Runner isn't)

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Lexus, Toyota

The latest blow to the formerly sterling reputation of Toyota came this week when Consumer Reports gave the new Lexus GX460 a "Do Not Buy" rating. It's not often that CR gives its worst rating to a vehicle and it's never happened to a Toyota or Lexus product before. In light of recent recall woes, Toyota is taking this news very seriously and has stopped selling the Lexus GX while it investigates the issue.

The reason for the dire rating is what CR considers a major safety risk with the new GX. During the publication's handling tests, the CR drivers experienced significant oversteer (the back end of the vehicle sliding sideways) before the electronic stability control intervened and brought the SUV back under control.

Cornering oversteer is something automakers try to avoid, except on high-performance sports cars. On SUVs with a high center of gravity, this is an especially serious problem because if the vehicle hits a curb, shoulder or other impediment while sliding it's more prone to roll over. During a previous test with the Toyota 4Runner, which shares its basic platform with the Lexus GX, CR didn't experience the same problem. Follow the jump as we examine some possible explanations for the disparity between these two SUVs.

Continue reading Why the Lexus GX may be rollover-prone (and the 4Runner isn't)

Why the Lexus GX may be rollover-prone (and the 4Runner isn't) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports puts Lexus GX on "Do Not Buy" list due to rollover fears

Zach Bowman — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury

2010 Lexus GX460 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Consumer Reports has officially given the Lexus GX the automotive equivalent of a black eye. The publication has deemed the high-riding luxury SUV a "safety risk" for its likelihood to go shiny side down during emergency maneuvers, and as such, has put it on the publication's infamous "Do Not Buy" list. During testing, the Consumer Reports crew found that the traction control on the GX would allow the vehicle to slide nearly completely sideways before getting everything in line.

Interestingly enough, while Consumer Reports tested the nearly-identical Toyota 4Runner, that SUV wasn't found to suffer the same problem with the traction control. Is it possible that all of the luxury goodies you'll find aboard the Lexus add enough pounds to overwhelm the vehicle's stability control, or that the Lexus has significantly different programming? It's possible.

So far, Toyota hasn't said much other than that it's concerned with the Consumer Reports findings. Considering that the Japanese manufacturer has had more than its fair share of bad publicity recently, being blacklisted by CR is just another log on the fire.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX460

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Consumer Reports puts Lexus GX on "Do Not Buy" list due to rollover fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IIHS releases latest round of safety scores for Infiniti M, Lexus HS and Toyota 4Runner

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Safety, Infiniti, Lexus, Toyota, Luxury, Off-Road

First the Oscars and now this! The envelope please! The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a bevy of scores for the Infiniti M, Lexus HS 250h and Toyota 4Runner and it was nothing but "Good" all around. The Infiniti and Toyota were tested for frontal offset and side impacts, with their "Good" score maintaining the scores of their predecessors. The Lexus scored a first-time Good" in the frontal offset test. You can get all the details on the most recent round of crash-testing here and scan the IIHS archives to see how the competition stacks up.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Infiniti M56

[Source: IIHS]

IIHS releases latest round of safety scores for Infiniti M, Lexus HS and Toyota 4Runner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Baja 1000 - and Hummer vs. Toyota - has been decided

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Hummer, Toyota

The 672.85-mile-long Baja 1000 race is over, and 328 starters were boiled down to just a handful of winners in various classes. The premier events were taken by Andy and Scott McMillin in the trophy truck category, in a modded Chevrolet Silverado. Andy won the race three years ago as a year ago as Robby Gordon's co-driver, but this year beat the NASCAR pilot by three places. The motorcycle category went to the three-way team of Kendall Norman, Timmy Weigand, and Quinn Cody, who crossed the line about 45 minutes before the McMillin's did.

Behind them, two legends of the race practically had the Stock Mini class to themselves: 20-time winner Rod Hall, along with Emily Miller, and Mike Winkel in a Hummer H3 took on Robert Ditner, Joe Nolan, Kez Ziesemer, and three-time winner Ivan Stewart in a 2010 Toyota 4Runner. Of three starters in the class, these two vehicles were the only ones to finish, and the issue came down to the last few miles: Hall's Hummer suffered a long repair stop at mile 40 and he only passed Stewart's 4Runner for first place just thirty miles from the finish.

While Stewart settles for second - and Hall gets his record-setting 21st class win - it's a triumph for the truck and drivers to have finished the race at all. Congratulations to all involved

[Source: SCORE]

The Baja 1000 - and Hummer vs. Toyota - has been decided originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota blends social media and trail search tool in 4Runner marketing blitz

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:06:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota, Off-Road

Said the executive creative director of the 2010 Toyota 4Runner media campaign: "This is the last authentic SUV. All the rest have gone suburbia." By "authentic" he means dirt, surf, wilds, and maybe bears, and to show you how to get there, Toyota has rolled out the Toyota Trail Tracker.

A social media tool and soon-to-be mobile app, the trail tracker allows you to find and upload info on trails across the United States. And it isn't just for wild, rocky hellholes either (that's the 4Runner on the Rubicon Trail above) -- you can upload and find scenic drives and fire roads that lead to great surfing spots.

If you want the world to know what you did when you got there -- or how you manged to get out -- you can post photos and video to the site, as well as upload GPS data. The Trail tracker website is live now, with about 29 trails nationwide at the time of this writing. It's intriguing that one of the vehicles that led SUVs out of the wilds and into suburbia is now playing the Pied Piper to lure folks back into the woods. At least now maybe we'll get to see what it's really got.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota 4Runner Trail

[Source: Marketing Daily]

Toyota blends social media and trail search tool in 4Runner marketing blitz originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trial By Fire: Toyota to run nearly stock 2010 4Runner in SCORE Baja 1000

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, SUV, Toyota, Off-Road

2010 4Runner for the Baja 1000 -- Click above for high-res image

Toyota is taking a nearly stock 2010 4Runner to the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in about ten days, and the immortal Ivan "Ironman" Stewart will be piloting. Toyota hasn't said what changes to the production truck will be made, but the class rules dictate that runners stay pretty close to factory specs, while allowing more serious mods to the suspension and whatever is needed inside for a safety cage.

In addition to the loss of the rear gate and the swapped-out wheels, we imagine a thorough shock overhaul and a minor engine tune. We'll look for more in-depth info on the car as the race gets closer, but for now we'd like to let Toyota know that they need to add this package -- minus the cage and spare -- to the 4Runner's showroom offerings. You can read about the truck in the presser after the jump, and click above for a high-res image or check out the stock '10 4Runner in our gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota 4Runner Limited

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Trial By Fire: Toyota to run nearly stock 2010 4Runner in SCORE Baja 1000

Trial By Fire: Toyota to run nearly stock 2010 4Runner in SCORE Baja 1000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OC 2009: 2010 Toyota 4Runner makes auto show debut in Anaheim

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Off-Road

2010 Toyota 4Runner - Click above for high-res image gallery

Looks like Anaheim was the next stop on the wagontrain from the Texas State Fair this year, at least for a couple of 2010 trucks we had been waiting to see in person. At the 2009 OC Auto Show in Anaheim, we saw not just the 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup, but also the 2010 Toyota 4Runner. This wider and longer 4Runner offers a third row of seats inside and an optional 2.7-liter 4-cylinder underhood. Of course, you can always stick with the 4.0-liter V6, which pumps out a healthy 270 hp. We're not sure how many true SUV buyers are left given current economic condition and ongoing environmental debate, but the few who are out should probably keep this new 4Runner or their short list.

Gallery: OC 2009: 2010 Toyota 4Runner

OC 2009: 2010 Toyota 4Runner makes auto show debut in Anaheim originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #147

Dan Roth — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Toyota, Rumormill

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #147 of the Autoblog Podcast is ready for your consumption. Chris calls in to Sam and Dan, and the trio bites into a few timely topics. BMW's move to put its turbo 4.4 liter V8 into the M5 is our first subject of conversation, before moving on to more powertrain news with the rumors that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata will be a four-cylinder-only affair. Audi's fuel mileage achievement with its A3 TDI is up next, before we go all power crazy and touch on Rhys Millen's mid-engined Genesis Coupe. Wrapping it up, we head to truckville, thinking about what it would mean for Chrysler to make Ram its own nameplate, ponder the new Toyota 4Runner, and finally chat about the new Ford SuperDuty before moving on to some of your excellent questions.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with our survey and in iTunes, as always, drop us a line at Podcast at Autoblog dot com. See you again next week, and if you start to miss your Weblogs Inc. podcasts, there's our friends at Engadget and Joystiq to help get you through the pain.

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #147

Autoblog Podcast #147 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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