Autoblog

Toyota announces two recalls affecting 1M Corolla, Matrix and Lexus IS models

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Lexus, Toyota

The recall bug strikes Toyota again. The automaker has issued a voluntary recall of three models that, in total, represent more than one million units. Around 752,000 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla and Matrix models are being recalled for airbag concerns, while a windshield wiper issue is causing the recall for close to 270,000 Lexus IS sedans from the 2006-2012 model years.

Completely unrelated to the small airbag-related recall issued earlier in the week, the Corolla and Matrix recall is caused by a faulty airbag control module that could potentially short circuit, which could lead to the front airbags or seat belt pretensioners deploying. The Lexus recall is due to a wiper arm nut that wasn't tightened properly, which can cause the wipers to not work when trying to clear heavy buildup such as snow.

Scroll down for a press release that includes more information, as well as details about how owners can contact the manufacturer directly.

Continue reading Toyota announces two recalls affecting 1M Corolla, Matrix and Lexus IS models

Toyota announces two recalls affecting 1M Corolla, Matrix and Lexus IS models originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota debuts Furia concept, heralds next Corolla design

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Toyota

After playing it safe over the last several generations of the Toyota Corolla, it appears Toyota might finally be ready to make a big leap forward. Toyota has finally unveiled the 2013 Corolla Furia Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, which hints at the future design for this automaker's popular compact (the Corolla is actually the best-selling car of all time).

The Furia Concept has a striking face with narrow headlights, vertical marker lights and a massive eight-sided grill, while its short hood and raked windshield give it a more modern look like the Civic and Mazda3. The front is overly stylized, similar to what we see on the new Camry and Avalon. Based on the most recent teaser we saw for this concept, the rear of the car will be equally sporty and modern with arrow-shaped LED taillights.

Comparing the specs of the concept to the current Corolla, the Furia is only about two inches longer and wider, but it also sits lower and has a wheelbase that is almost four inches longer. Scroll down for Toyota's official press release.

Continue reading Toyota debuts Furia concept, heralds next Corolla design

Toyota debuts Furia concept, heralds next Corolla design originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota recalling 670k Prius models in US, 2.77 million vehicles worldwide [UPDATE]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota

Automotive News reports Toyota is recalling a total of 2.77 million vehicles worldwide for faulty water pumps and steering system issues. A total of 670,000 of those are 2004-2009 Prius hybrids sold in the US. Those vehicles are headed back to the dealer, where technicians will inspect the intermediate shaft in the steering column for deformed splines and replace the shaft if necessary. Around 350,000 of those same models will also be inspected for a faulty electric water pump. In some cases, the motor driving the pump could stop, causing the electric motor to overheat and stop functioning while being driven.

Toyota has not received any reports of accidents as a result of either problem, and says the inspections and replacement work should be completed in around one hour.

The recalls also affect 496,000 vehicles in Europe and a further 1.5 million in Japan. All told, the steering shaft recall covers 10 models worldwide, including the Corolla and Wish models manufactured in Japan between 2000 and 2009. Five models are affected by the water pump recall, though we're still waiting for confirmation from Toyota as to which they are. You can read the full Toyota press release below, covering the US-spec Prius issues, for more information.

UPDATE: We've heard back from Toyota about the two recall issues reported on this morning, and have a bit of clarification on the models in question, worldwide, now.

Prius is the only model affected by the water pump issue. As we indicated earlier, the faulty water pump could cause the electric motor to shut down, which then causes the ECU to shut down the gasoline engine, as well.

The other nine models affected by the steering shaft issue (which is unrelated to the water pump issue) are mostly Japanese Domestic Market vehicles: Allex, Avensis, Corolla, Corolla Feilder, Corolla Run X, Corolla Spacio, Isis, WiLL VS and Wish.

We also have a breakdown of the number of vehicles affected by both recalls, by world market. 670k in the US, 1.5 million in Japan, 15k in Canada, 496k in Europe, 3,800 in China, 35k in Oceania, 1,500 in the Middle East and a total of 12,600 in "other" regions.

Continue reading Toyota recalling 670k Prius models in US, 2.77 million vehicles worldwide [UPDATE]

Toyota recalling 670k Prius models in US, 2.77 million vehicles worldwide [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

This cat thinks the Toyota Corolla is to die for

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:03:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Toyota

Cats generally don't like car rides. Cats universally detest veterinarians. Yet to showcase the die-for-it allure of the Toyota Corolla in New Zealand (which isn't our Corolla but the European Auris), ad house Saatchi and Saatchi asked, "What lengths would a cat go to for a ride if they loved it?"

The answer is the 90-second tale of a cat who intentionally puts himself through seven feline hells to feed his need for another ride in the new hatchback. To the vet. Implausible, yes. Humorous, also yes. You can watch the ad below.

Continue reading This cat thinks the Toyota Corolla is to die for

This cat thinks the Toyota Corolla is to die for originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Is Ford's Focus really the world's best-selling car this year?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Toyota

Last week, Ford boasted that the Ford Focus was the best-selling car in the world through the first half of 2012, but Toyota fired right back claiming its compact sits in the top spot. Which automaker is correct? Well, both. Kind of.

Ford says that the Ford Focus has sold 489,616 units through June compared to 462,817 for the Toyota Corolla, and it even hired an independent firm, IHS Automotive, to calculate the sales figures. And this is where things get confusing. See, Ford sells the Focus globally under one name, but the Toyota Corolla is also sold with different body styles that carry different names... and IHS Automotive's sales figure for Toyota does not include these models. As a counterpoint to the Focus hatchback, the Corolla is also available in a five-door form carrying the Toyota Matrix and Toyota Auris names, while the Corolla Fielder is Toyota's station wagon alternative to the Ford Focus Estate. The Scion xB is sold in Australia as the Corolla Rumion.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Toyota says that its Corolla-based models accounted for 603,840 through the same six-month period Ford claims its Focus was the top seller. Breaking the numbers down even further, Toyota says that the Auris and Corolla alone have managed 524,000 sales globally which is still more than Ford's Focus sales. In the U.S., the Focus has sold 147,877 units through July while the Corolla has sold 175,366 (including the Matrix).

Like a political debate, the numbers can probably be skewed in anyone's favor, and it should be just as fun to watch as the old General Motors and Toyota "we're the biggest in the world" arguments where each automaker found some obscure brand in its portfolio to add in a few thousand extra units. Regardless of which car actually hold the current top spot, though, what is for certain is that these are the two hottest cars in the world.

Is Ford's Focus really the world's best-selling car this year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Next-gen 2014 Toyota Corolla caught testing in U.S.

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Toyota

Given the level of competition in the compact segment, these recent spy photos show that Toyota is getting serious with its next-generation Corolla. As the second-best-selling nameplate in the world, the last few Toyota Corolla redesigns have been rather minor, but based on these pictures, the new car will get much more competitive styling.

The boxy lines of the current Corolla seem to be replaced with a sportier look that includes a sloped hood and a shorter decklid borrowing design cues from new cars like the 2013 Toyota Avalon and 2012 Toyota Camry. From what we can see of the front end, the headlights have a rounded, scalloped shape similar to the new Avalon while the taillights match the L-shaped design of the Camry. The car pictured here appears to be a higher trim level, with what appear to be HID headlights, fog lights and possibly even LED taillights. Like the outside, the interior of this test mule is heavily cloaked with camouflage, but we can make out the new three-gauge instrument cluster that replaces the current car's two-gauge layout, and this upscale model includes chrome trim around the edges.

In terms of powertrain changes, an updated version of the 1.8-liter four will likely bring more power and better fuel economy, and big changes should come to the transmission. A six-speed automatic should replace the aging four-speed used in the current Corolla, and there's speculation a continuously variable transmission could be offered. Since a 40-mpg EPA highway rating has become the de facto standard in the compact sedan segment, we expect vastly improved fuel economy numbers from whatever new powertrain Toyota drops in this car.

Production of the 2014 Toyota Corolla is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2013, so we wouldn't be surprised to see this car on display at the L.A. Auto Show or Detroit Auto Show.

Next-gen 2014 Toyota Corolla caught testing in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota says next Corolla to get even bigger transformation than Avalon

Scott Burgess — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Toyota

One of America's blandest, yet best-selling cars will be less boring when its next generation arrives next year, Toyota officials promise.

Bill Fay, general manager for Toyota and Scion brands in the U.S., tells Ward's Auto that the Corolla will undergo an even more dramatic makeover than the Toyota Avalon recently underwent, which shocked us with its much svelter appearance at the New York Auto Show in April. Fay declines to get specific, but the move away from a conservative blueprint would be a marked change for Toyota's segment stalwart.

The Corolla received a modest redesign in 2007, but has been outpaced in style and feature points by most of its competition, including cars like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Hyundai Elantra, all of which are newer and richer in feature count and refinement.

Even though the Corolla has never been known as car worthy of Fifth Avenue cruises, it has remained a nearly bulletproof competitor with legendary reliability. Perhaps not coincidentally, it is still one of the top-selling vehicles in America and was the best-selling compact last year.

Toyota says next Corolla to get even bigger transformation than Avalon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota builds 200 million vehicles after 77 years in business

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Two hundred million of anything is a lot, and the point here is that Toyota has built a lot of cars. The automaker announced this week that sometime in June its 200,000,000th vehicle rolled off the assembly line.

Toyota's feat took the company 76 years and 11 months. It has been in the car business since August 1935, but it wasn't until 1972 that Toyota managed to produce its first 10 million vehicles - some 36 years that were, of course, interrupted by World War II. In the past four decades, however, Toyota has grown at a tremendous rate, with its next 190 million vehicles taking just 40 years and five months. Toyota's Corolla has been its top seller, accounting for over 39 million units worldwide.

By comparison, when General Motors celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1983, it had already built over 235 million vehicles, according to General Motors: The First 75 Years of Transportation Products by the Editors of Automobile Quarterly Magazine.

Continue reading Toyota builds 200 million vehicles after 77 years in business

Toyota builds 200 million vehicles after 77 years in business originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

These are your top 10 best-selling vehicles for 2011

Zach Bowman — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

The figures have been tallied for the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2011, and not surprisingly, the Ford F-Series pickup truck is king of the heap once again. Dealers sold a total of 584,917 F-Series units in 2011, beating out the second-place Chevrolet Silverado by 169,787 units. The Toyota Camry filled out the podium with 308,510 sales, which left the top three unaltered from their 2010 rankings. Fourth place went to the surging Nissan Altima, which jumped from its seventh place position last year. Likewise, the Ford Escape enjoyed a jolt in popularity as well. While the aging CUV took the 13th spot last year, the Ford sold 254,293 units to take fifth place in 2011.

That bumped the Honda Accord and its Crosstour variant to sixth place. Interestingly enough, the Honda duo just barely beat out the Ford Fusion by 5,000 units. Were the two Honda models to be split, the Fusion would have easily knocked the Accord further down the list. Likewise, the Toyota Corolla and Matrix teamed up to edge out the Chevrolet Cruze for ninth and tenth places, respectively. Head over to The Examiner for a full chart detailing the top 20 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. for 2011.

These are your top 10 best-selling vehicles for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Toyota shows next Avalon to dealers, rumors suggest it looks like A7, XJ

Chris Shunk — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Hatchback, Toyota, Motorcycle

When we think Toyota Avalon, phrases like 'social security', 'medicare' and 'Denny's Grand Slam' come to mind. The reason? The majority of Avalons out on the road are driven by old folks and curtain rod salesman, but a report from Automotive News suggests that this could all change in the very near future.

In its report, AN claims that the next Avalon was shown to Toyota dealers in June, and the employees loved what they saw. The large sedan will reportedly undergo a massive redesign that will morph the Avalon from a granny-glider to a curvy stud, with design comparisons already being made to the Audi A7 and the Jaguar XJ.

Sure, Toyota dealers typically spend their work days looking at the Yaris and Corolla, so their design eye could be muddied a bit. But at the very least, the next Avalon should be very different from the model we know and ignore today, and that should be a welcomed change of pace.

Speaking of the Yaris and Corolla, AN states that both models are slated for redesign. The new Yaris will arrive this fall with more aggressive styling and a bit more interior room. The Corolla will also get a heavy refresh for the 2012 model year, though the more thorough overhaul will likely come in the spring of 2014. The Corolla will reportedly evolve into more of a European-inspired design instead of following curvy competitors like the Ford Focus.

Another interesting development could come courtesy of the Sequoia SUV. AN claims that Toyota is looking into dropping the current model for the 2014 model year and using the Sequoia name as an entry trim for the iconic Land Cruiser. In total, Toyota will reportedly unleash 10 new or redesigned vehicles through the end of next year.

Toyota shows next Avalon to dealers, rumors suggest it looks like A7, XJ originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Despite being big in Canada, Toyota Matrix future unsure

Zach Bowman — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Toyota, Canada

2011 Toyota Matrix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota may not invest in a next-generation version of the company's Matrix when the 2013 Corolla arrives. According to Ward's Auto, the hatchback's sales have fallen off of a cliff, with just 14,592 deliveries last year. That's down from a height of 66,836 units in 2002. But that's just here in the typically hatch-averse United States. In Canada, the Matrix is still kicking in teeth, though the Corolla still outsells its long-roof twin by more than twice the volume.

While there's been some speculation that the upcoming compact Prius variant will supplant the Matrix in the Toyota family tree, Bob Carter, Toyota's Group Vice President and General Manager, says that the two vehicles are expected to appeal to vastly different audiences.

Still, we have to think that Toyota would be wise to invest a little coin in the aging Matrix when the Corolla gets a revamp in a few years. American buyers seem to be slowly warming to the idea of hatches and wagons, and competitors from Hyundai to Ford are all offering five-door variants. As Ward's Auto points out, 43 percent of 2012 Focus sales have been hatchbacks to date.

Despite being big in Canada, Toyota Matrix future unsure originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motor Trend crowns new compact sedan king in eight-way comparo [w/poll]

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 30 May 2011 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Toyota, Volkswagen

2012 Hyundai Elantra - Click above for high-res image gallery

With a raft of newly redesigned compact sedans hitting the streets this year, Motor Trend decided it was high time to crown a new king among the diminutive four-door masses. The editors gathered eight of the most popular models in the segment and pitted them against each other, battle royale style.

The magazine started by selecting the three best-selling Japanese compact sedans, the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Mazda3, which, combined, accounted for 700,000 sales last year amid fears fostered by a weakened economy. Those were joined by America's two best sellers, the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. Korea added the Kia Forte and the Hyundai Elantra, and the Volkswagen Jetta TDI from Germany rounded out the list.

MT tried to get the cars as closely matched as possible; all the cars were front-drive, four-cylinder automatics with alloy wheels and stability control, all stickering somewhere in the low-$20,000 range. Still, despite its efforts, there wound up being a fair amount of variance among each of the cars, which helped shape the results of the test.

In the end, the 2011 Hyundai Elantra came out on top, thanks to radical new styling, a raft of standard features and a new found sense of sophistication. The 2012 Honda Civic EX brought up the next spot in the line, followed by the 2011 Mazda3 Touring. The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI snagged fourth, followed by the 2012 Ford Focus Titanium and the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze LTZ RS. The 2011 Kia Forte EX edged out the 2011 Toyota Corolla to take seventh place.

Which one would take your top honors? Let us know in the poll, and head over to Motor Trend to read the full results.

View Poll

Motor Trend crowns new compact sedan king in eight-way comparo [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 May 2011 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NHTSA closes Corolla steering investigation with no defects found

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 23 May 2011 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

2009 Toyota Corolla XRS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has dodged a bullet after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration closed its investigation of the power steering system in the 2009-2010 Corolla without finding a defect. To say another recall is the last thing Toyota needs right now would be putting it lightly.

In fact, Toyota should be enjoying a decent boost in consumer confidence after NHTSA also said that the company's electronic throttles were not to blame for the 2009-2010 recall fiasco. Despite increased consumer confidence, Toyota still has to deal with a setback in the form of parts shortages thanks to the Japanese earthquake disaster.

NHTSA closes Corolla steering investigation with no defects found originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 May 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Corolla-based F430 replica not the worst Ferrari copy we've seen, sadly

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Toyota, Ferrari, India

Let's say you wanted to create a replica Ferrari. Your first move would undoubtedly be to acquire a Pontiac Fiero, but what if you lived in an area where Fieros are actually mythical beasts? Executive Modcar Trendz of India turned to one of the best-selling cars on the planet; the Toyota Corolla to create the one-off F430 you see here.

That's right folks, underneath this Rosso Fakeo paint job lies the beating heart of a Japanese compact car. The entire interior has been reworked so it more closely resembles the Ferrari F430 on which it's based.

What does it cost to go from gas-drinker to faux-corner-devourer? Around 10 Lakh, which translates to approximately $22,242 USD based on current conversion rates. Head over to IndianAutosBlog for a closer look at this Ferroyta Cor30.

[Source: IndianAutosBlog.com]

Corolla-based F430 replica not the worst Ferrari copy we've seen, sadly originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: More quake-related production delays for Toyota, Honda

Chris Shunk — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Japan's 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami continue to impact the nation's auto industry, as Automotive News is reporting that Toyota and Honda have again extended factory shutdown timelines. Toyota will apparently idle its 18 domestic plants through March 26, while Honda will keep factory doors closed at least until March 27. With plants shuttered, Toyota will have to make due without its hot-selling RAV4, Prius and Corolla, and Honda won't be able to import the Fit and CR-V stateside.

When Japan's largest automakers finally do start plants up again, there is a good chance production will only be temporary. Other Japanese automakers, including Mazda and Mitsubishi, are opening up plants on a temporary basis, but parts shortages ensure that the plants will quickly re-close. Many of the suppliers who feed parts to the automakers are still offline as a result of the natural disaster, so OEMs have no choice but to sit back and wait for the situation to improve.

So when will we start to notice shortages of Japanese autos here in the U.S.? Since autos from Toyota and Honda typically don't sit on dealer lots for very long, we're thinking we'll start to see this problem hit home in only a few more weeks.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

Photos copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: More quake-related production delays for Toyota, Honda originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

IIHS Obvious Conclusion of the Day: Mismatched bumpers cost thousands in repairs

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Safety, Crossover, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota

IIHS small car bumper crash tests - Click above for high-res image gallery

As you're likely aware, all cars must pass strict federal guidelines in order to be sold in America, and those regulations include specific bumper heights. What you may not know, however, is that trucks and SUVs aren't required to meet the same guidelines as passenger cars. Factor in the huge numbers of SUVs and crossovers that are sold each year and you begin to see why can cause major problems.

Perhaps the best way to illustrate this conundrum is by way of a photo gallery, which the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has so thoughtfully provided. As is the Institute's custom, it has gone ahead and crashed a small sedan head-to-head into a typical SUV from the same automaker at low speeds (10mph). The results are conclusive, and they mean big repair bills for the owner (or, naturally, their insurance company) of the smaller car. Despite the modest velocities, repair estimates ranged from $850 to a whopping $6,015.

Of the seven pairs of vehicles damaged-for-a-cause in this round of low-speed testing, the Honda Civic and CR-V performed the best, with bumpers that actually overlapped by more than two inches. By way of contrast, the Toyota Corolla and RAV4 performed the worst. Says Joe Nolan, the Institute's chief administrative officer:

The RAV4's so-called bumper is really just a stamped piece of sheet metal supporting the bumper cover. So instead of engaging a strong bumper, the striking Corolla hit the spare tire mounted on the RAV4's tailgate. The spare isn't designed to absorb crash energy, so it damaged the Corolla's hood, grille, headlights, air conditioner, and radiator support and crushed the RAV4's tailgate and rear body panels.

Ouch. For a complete visual understanding of all the carnage, be sure to check out our high-res image gallery below. And for more explanation on each pair's results - including the Ford Focus and Escape, Kia Forte and Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Sentra and Rogue - click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: IIHS Small Car Bumper Damage

[Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading IIHS Obvious Conclusion of the Day: Mismatched bumpers cost thousands in repairs

IIHS Obvious Conclusion of the Day: Mismatched bumpers cost thousands in repairs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Toyota Corolla will debut in LA with new nose

Zach Bowman — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Toyota

2011 Toyota Corolla - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has given the Corolla a quick refresh for 2011, and we can expect to get our first in-the-flesh peak at the design at the 2010 LA Auto Show later this week. Toyota says it sought help from styling studios in Turin, Italy, in shaping the small sedan's revised nose and tail section. With a new bumper cap, grille and headlights, the 2011 Corolla now wears a face that's a bit more differentiated from the much larger Camry. Out back, Toyota designers also gave the car a reworked trunk lid and rear bumper.

Next year will also bring a host of standard safety tech, including vehicle stability control and traction control. Otherwise, buyers can expect to be met with the same 132-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine as the 2010 model. While we have no qualms with the company's workhorse four-pot, we are more than a little disappointed to see that the archaic four-speed automatic will stay on for 2011 as well. At least the five-speed manual gearbox is still available. Hit the jump for a look at the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Toyota Corolla

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading 2011 Toyota Corolla will debut in LA with new nose

2011 Toyota Corolla will debut in LA with new nose originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: GM asks Chevy dealers to buy Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla for Cruze comparisons

Chris Shunk — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Honda, Toyota

2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even with the impending launch of the Volt later in the Fall, the Chevrolet Cruze may be the biggest vehicle General Motors will launch in the U.S. this year. The reason is money. The Cruze should make some of it, while the Volt and its pricey development and battery packs likely won't for a long time.

The Cruze looks pretty good to us, but we know that the new sedan will only be successful if it is properly launched and marketed. So how do you best show off a refined interior, 10 standard airbags and more hip- and shoulder-room than the top sellers in the class? Automotive News reports that The General will ask its 3,000 dealers to purchase a Toyota Corolla and a Honda Civic so Bowtie shoppers can compare and contrast the newest Chevrolet against the C-Segment stalwarts from Japan.

Since the Cruze is all-new in the U.S. market and both the Civic and Corolla are a bit long-in-the-tooth, we're thinking the Chevy will win more than its fair share of buyers, but we'd like to see Chevy stores step up to the challenge of the Mazda3, as well. Perhaps the bigger challenge, though, will be to get customers who would traditionally buy a Honda or Toyota to shop at a Chevy store in the first place. GM plans to officially launch the Cruze in late September.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze: First Drive

Photos by Zach Bowman / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: GM asks Chevy dealers to buy Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla for Cruze comparisons originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Official: Toyota recalling 1.1M Corolla and Matrix models over stalling fears *UPDATE

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota

2005-2008 Toyota Corolla/Matrix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has been in the hot seat this year for its high-volume safety recalls, has issued yet another action that covers its 2005-2008 model year Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks. Approximately 1.13 million vehicles are affected by a problem which could cause the 1ZZ-FE 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine to stall. Three accidents have been reported thus far, though Toyota hasn't confirmed that these incidents were indeed caused by this engine stalling issue.

To fix this problem, Toyota will replace the engine control modules on the recalled vehicles starting in mid-September. Owners will be notified by mail in the coming weeks and the service will be provided at no charge.

This is not the first time this year that the Corolla and Matrix have been the subject of safety issues. In early 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigated almost 750,000 2009 and 2010 model year vehicles for a potential steering issue, and Toyota provided a free fix for customers. An official recall was not issued, though, as Toyota maintains that this problem is not a safety concern.

Follow the jump to read Toyota's official press release.

*UPDATE: We mustn't forget that the Pontiac Vibe is built on the same architecture as the Corolla/Matrix, and General Motors has just issued a press release (available after the jump) stating that certain 2005-2008 model year Vibes are being recalled for this same issue.

Gallery: 2005-2008 Toyota Corolla/Matrix

[Sources: Toyota, AOL Autos, General Motors]

Continue reading Official: Toyota recalling 1.1M Corolla and Matrix models over stalling fears *UPDATE

Official: Toyota recalling 1.1M Corolla and Matrix models over stalling fears *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments