A sporty wagon with a little more oomph than expected, the Toyota Caldina is a family-friendly vehicle.

[SPECS]

Engine: 1.5, 1.8, or 2.0 litre engine for petrol; 2.0 or 2.2 litre engine for diesel

Fuel Consumption: 5.4-10 litres per 100km (depending on engine option) with a 60 litre tank

Curb Weight: 1240-1490kg (depending on engine option)

4 speed automatic or 5 speed manual transmission options

The Good

The Caldina was a rather sporty little wagon for the fifteen years that Toyota kept it in production. Each of its three generations seemed to do quite well and it became a popular and reliable vehicle for small families. The second and third generations sought to improve the Caldina from how it was in the preceding generation. The second, specifically, made modifications to the Caldina’s structure and added safety features that were lacking in the first generation. Availability of options were further increased with the third generation, and existing features were given a good polish and update.

Most drivers and passengers of the Caldina say that it’s comfortable for what they need. Taller drivers find that it offers more than enough leg room—a feature that is sometimes compromised in other vehicles, family-oriented or otherwise. It offers seating for five, plus cargo space for luggage and whatever else a family needs to get around in their day-to-day.

Most Caldina owners kept their cars well maintained, so most used ones are in fairly good condition considering that the model was discontinued almost a decade ago. The design was given new life with Scion, who has included many of its features and basic form in their current models. The Caldina actually went above and beyond the expectations for most wagon-style vehicles, offering a lot more power than what is traditionally found with a wagon.

The Bad

The Caldina first entered into production in the early 1990s, so there are a lot of issues that drivers will encounter that are strictly due to age. The first generation Caldinas, for example, were nothing to write home about and are prone to a lot of problems. The manifold on first generation Caldinas have been known to warp, especially in GT-T model Caldinas. Some of the parts that are universal to all generations of the Caldina seem to have a shorter lifespan than others, with many drivers reporting repeated replacements to the same part during ownership.

Mechanic work for Caldinas can be pricey, not just because of the frequency that repairs need to be done. By the time that production stopped in 2007, the availability of replacement parts for the Caldina were already being limited. Toyota still offers replacement parts for the Caldina, but they are often ridiculously expensive and can take time for owners to get. Buying parts from a third-party does work on occasion and they do tend to be a much cheaper option, but it can be especially difficult to find reliable working parts for the Caldina.

A major complaint with the Caldina is that it lacks the proper amount of space for it to be truly comfortable for as many people as it claims it can carry. If all five seats are filled then it’s a bit of a tight fit, even without luggage. The leg room may accommodate taller passengers, but it lacks in general headroom. Anything but a smooth road may make adult passengers a little nervous and worried about smacking their heads on the car’s roof.

The Caldina’s engine is also loud—and I’m not talking about you can hear it in the background. It’s noisy when it’s simply idling and an outright roar when accelerating. Again, this is probably due to age and some Caldina’s are not as bad as others, but it should be taken into consideration.

What Others Are Saying

“The engine is peppy and it really goes when you flow the accelerator living up to my expectation in terms of power.”

–My Car Forum

“But if in the previous generations of the Toyota Caldina violates [sic] some unfinished form, then the development of the current generation model (the third one) was planned to be done with it.”

-SBT Global Car Exporter

The Toyota Aristo is a mid-sized luxury car that is commonly referred to as a Lexus GS. This car is made for style, excellent handling, and speed while remaining a useable and reliable vehicle to get you where you need to go. If you are looking for a classy car that will also be functional for daily use, the Aristo is the vehicle you need.

Aristo Specs\

Wheelbase: 2,779 mm (109.4 in)

Length: 4,950 mm (194.9 in)

Width: 1,796 mm (70.7 in)

Height : 1,400–1,420 mm (55.1–55.9 in)

Transmission : 4-speed automatic

Engine: 3.0 L, Petrol

The Good

The Aristo has high quality interior made from excellent materials. There is no need to worry about having cheesy looking interfaces. This vehicle is also extremely reliable, lasting for a long time as well as being agile and equip to responding easily making it simple and relaxing to handle. It seats up to five people which means the family can fit in it if need be as well as making a great car for just the driver. There is no need to worry that the larger body will make it go slower however. With a 241-horsepower four-cylinder engine this car goes decently fast for a midsized luxury car. Not only is it fast but its mileage is not bad either coming to 22 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. This car is stylish, comfortable, fits a lot of people, provides you with speed, and gives you decent gas mileage. Compared to many other vehicles, the Aristo holds up with an amazing amount of pros.

The Bad

The bad thing about the Aristo is that, while all its tech may seem interesting, it is an extremely cumbersome interface. For those looking to maximize their space, the Aristo may not be right for you. Not only is the tech interface cumbersome, but it is also noted to be extremely distracting with an in your face kind of design. For those easily distracted, having a tech interface like this may do more damage than good.  If your interface preferences are picky, you will want to research the Aristo to make sure it fits into your criteria as it may not work for you.

What Others Say

With its nimble handling, a premium and spacious cabin, excellent safety and reliability ratings, and a range of potent engine options, the Lexus GS (Aristo) is a well-rounded choice for your next – or your first – luxury midsize car. –US News Rankings and Reviews

Boasting a refined interior, plenty of high-tech features and class-competitive performance, the GS (Aristo) can go toe to toe with the historically strong competitors from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. –Edmunds

When stacked up against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series or Cadillac CTS, the GS (Aristo) proves a worthy competitor, offering similar levels of performance and technology plus superior long-term reliability and resale figures. –Kelly Blue Book

For those who demand even more luxury, Lexus (Aristo) delivers. –Car Guru

A tough little SUV, the Toyota Cami sure knows how to take a beating and keep on rolling.

[SPECS]

Engine: 1.3i 16V 4WD Turbo; 1.3i 16V P4WD; 1.3i 16V P 2WD

Fuel Consumption: 7.14L per 100km, average tank is 46L

Curb Weight: 1040-1050kg, maximum weight ranges 1315-1325kg

Transmission options: 4-speed automatic or 5 speed manual

The Good

First released in 1999 as one of two offshoots of the Daihatsu Terios—the other being the similarly designed Terios Kid—the Cami was designed to be a mini version of some of Toyota’s larger SUVs through a partnership between the two companies. It’s smaller in most respects—its engine, body size, and style follows the compact format that Daihatsu favors with its vehicle. However, it boasts a lot of Toyota’s trademark safety and efficiency measures and actually has a rather positive safety rating that factored into the Cami’s popularity.

Primarily marketed as a family vehicle, the Cami has been known to pack a bit of a punch in terms of engine strength. Due to a lot of positive reviews about the Cami’s ability to handle itself outside of city roadways, a lot of drivers tested its off-road abilities for themselves. For the most part, the Cami proved itself more than capable of handling tougher driving conditions. As a result, Toyota released a limited sports edition of the Cami in 2001 that had amped up its rough terrain maneuverability. It didn’t do as well, sales-wise, as its standard issue counterpart but the act proved that Toyota was listening to its customers. Those aspects were retained in the Cami’s successor, the Toyota Rush, which was presented as a second generation member of Daihatsu Terios and Toyota’s lineup.

While the Cami was discontinued in 2005 and there are no new vehicles being released under the Cami model, used ones that are still available are still as reliable as they were when they first rolled off the lot. Their dependability and efficiency have continued to make it a popular option for drivers looking at mini SUVs. With regular maintenance, even the older Cami model years are able to keep going strong.

The Bad

The Cami does boast some comforts, but they haven’t stood the test of time as well as the rest of the vehicle has. When the Cami was first introduced, it was loaded with all the top notch bells and whistles of the time that Toyota could cram into it. A central locking system, full stereo, electric control over the windows and mirrors, and a fairly snazzy navigations system were some of the built-in features that were available in brand new Camis. However, they pale in comparison to the standard features found in current Toyota vehicles. Mainly, those features lack the quality and compatibility of their present counterparts.

Toyota and advertisers made a lot of claims about the comfortable ride that the Cami offered drivers and their passengers. Most drivers agree that those claims are accurate…to a point. Drivers who were used to smaller vehicles tended to be a bit more positive about the comfort level of the Cami’s cabin, but they often agreed with other drivers that it was not best for long rides. Even with its proficiency with off-roading, the Cami is highly definitely a bumpy ride for anyone not in the driver’s seat.

Due to the limited market that the Cami operated in when it was an active model—isolated to dealers only within Japan during its six year run—owners may find problems with repair work. The model was exported to other countries under a multitude of different names in addition to the Cami name, with associated, but minor, changes being made for each release. The variations have resulted in some owners having difficulty finding parts and knowledgeable mechanics when they need repairs or maintenance. Changes in location also shined a light on some flaws that were not as noticeable in Japan. Russian drivers and owners, for example, found that the Cami’s terrain mobility was significantly disappointing when it came to soft terrain, like snow and sand. It may be able to handle mountains without breaking a sweat, but the Cami can be dragged to a halt by six inches of snow on a paved street.

What Others Are Saying

“Both Daihatsu Terios and Toyota Cami were specially designed for the comfort and safety of the people travelling. They ensured no difficulty when it came to long journey or the distance travelled. The comfort of the people and the peace of mind to the driver when he is at the steering wheel was the prime concern when planning to produce such car.”

–CarDealPage

“The fun-loving Toyota Cami boasts, first of all, that famous Toyota dependability and so much more! The Cami is a four-wheel drive, designed to get you out of sticky situations.”

-SBT Global Car Exporter

Specs:

• JDM Engine Option 1: 0 L 1TR-FE I4 Petrol
• JDM Engine Option 2: 7 L 2TR-FE I4 Petrol
• JDM Engine Option 3: 0 L 1GR-FE V6 Petrol
• JDM Engine Option 4: 2.4 to 3.0 L GD or KD-FTV I4-T Diesel
• Fuel Consumption: 3 L /100 km
• Curb Weight: 1.750 kg
• Size: L 5,335 mm x W 1,855 mm x H 1,820 mm

The Good

The Toyota Hilux has reached its eight generation in 2015, now being assembled in Thailand and Argentina. This, along with a few other models, is one of the manufacturer’s most known models. Its popularity had exploded when the British car show “Top Gear” put an old Toyota Hilux to its limits, as they tried to destroy it in a more comical, British style, but in reality the car actually survived most of the abuse. Then again, the Hilux’s popularity exploded again when the Top Gear team took it to the North Pole in a race against a dog sled.

Truth be told, the Hilux didn’t need any extra commercials. It is one of the toughest and most reliable pickup trucks in the world. Its build quality and engines are legendary, while the suspension can take a lot of abuse.

The 2015 model comes in a lot of versions, but we are going to recommend just the one that we consider best. To be fair to everybody, we are going to select one diesel engine and one petrol engine.

The winner for the petrol engine is going to be the 4.0L V6 and not because it’s the biggest engine, but because it’s the only engine that in our opinion can handle what the Hilux was built for. The diesel engine of choice is the 3.0l 1KD-FTV Turbo. Regarding the cabin, it really must be the 4-door model, alongside four-wheel-drive and honestly, for the transmission, it really doesn’t matter, the automatic version is actually good for going off road.

The looks of the 2015 model are decent. It’s not very pretty, but is far better looking than the older models. The options list for the interior trim isn’t pretty large, but good looks and options aren’t some of this car’s pluses. Toyota Hilux is the car that you want by your side when going on the African Safari. It’s the car that can tackle the Australian outback with ease and, believe us, this means something!

The Bad

We are really disappointed that Toyota offers only one decent petrol and diesel engine for the Hilux. We couldn’t believe that the lowest power is 102hp for the diesel and 139hp for the petrol. If you are deciding on buying a Hilux, please consider the top of the range engines. We tried the middle petrol engine and if felt incredibly slow and very down on power, it didn’t feel like a Hilux should feel.

 Conclusion

The Hilux is every truck lover’s dream. It should be the absolute standard for well-built and reliable tough machines. Personally, we would fancy going on a 2 weeks to one-month off road adventure with the truck’s latest generation model!

What others say

www.autoexpress.co.uk: “Car-like cabin design, comfortable ride for a pick-up, more practical than old Hilux.”

www.carmagazine.co.uk: “Its build quality and off-road ability is second to none, and combined with a 3.5t towing capacity, the eighth-generation Hilux is still – despite fierce competition – one of the best proper pickups on the market.”

Comfortable and well-equipped with a long warranty, the Toyota Avensis is a mix between the hatchback and saloon models.

Toyota Avensis Specs

• Engine: 1.8-Litre Petrol / 1.6 or 2.0-Litre Diesel
• Fuel Consumption: 62.8mpg
• Curb Weight: 1,480kg
• 4,710mm L x 1,480mm H

The Good

Like most Toyota cars, the Avensis is keenly priced and covered with a five-year/100,000 mile warranty that is alluring to those looking for a long-term vehicle. While it is not as spacious as the Skoda Superb or the Ford Mondeo, it is comfortable for the passengers as well as the driver. The boot is also spacious at 509-litres, but it is styled much like the saloon in that there is no handy hatchback. The range is also simple for the consumer to understand because the Avensis only had four trim levels and there are only three engines for the consumer, which makes choosing much easier. The Avensis was designed for longer trips with its softer suspension to give the driver a smooth and comfortable ride on the highway. Though the 2.0-litre engine may not be as quick as others, it seems to be the best choice for the Avensis, as it offers the most flexibility from the low rpm. The driver’s seat and steering have plenty of space for movement and though the earlier models do not have it, most active models are also equipped with an adjustable lumbar support. The visibility in these cars is also good, as the view to the rear is much clearer than that of the Avensis’ rivals.

The Bad

While the suspension is built for long trips, larger bumps, expansion joints, and sharp ridges are generally spread throughout the cab, which risks unsettling the car.  Bends can also make drivers wary, as the Avensis will lean in a little with the precise enough steering that yields little in the way of feedback. While the gearbox can be pleasant to use, it can also feel awkward to move around. Diesel engines are also a concern because they are behind the refinement of those found in cars such as Skoda Superb and can sound gruff when they are idling or at a higher rpm. These engines may also cause vibrations through the pedals and steering wheels, but they tend to settle down more while on cruise. The noise can also become loud when the Avensis is run over rougher surfaces and there may be some wind noise. Petrol may seem like the cheaper option to buy but it is used up faster and unfortunately, it is the only option for those who are looking to have a gearbox. While the 1.6-litres can offer better emissions, it tends to be underpowered for a car that is the size of the Avensis, which makes it a difficult choice for the modern consumer. Inside, the Avensis is made of hard plastic where passengers interact regularly, including the handbrake switch that feels cheap and not as well hidden as with other cars of its type. There are areas of soft plastic, but overall the cabin tends to look dated, including the infotainment system, which makes it slow and dark while switching between screens.
What Others Say

“The facelift in 2012 seems to have worked for Toyota’s Avensis. Tragically dull, but not without merit.”

– Top Gear

“While the 1.6-litres can offer better emissions, it tends to be underpowered for a car that is the size of the Avensis.”

– What Car

“Toyota has thankfully vanquished the previous Avensis generation’s dowdy, cheap-looking styling in favor of a far sleeker look that’s not that different from that of our new Camry.”

– Car and Driver

“The Toyota Avensis is a comfortable, safe and reliable long-distance motorway cruiser, but it’s some way off the best saloon cars on the market.”

–  Car Buyer

“Quiet, refined and comfortable – that describes the Avensis. It’s certainly not a thrilling drive.”

– Auto Express

High-end in style and features without a high-end price tag, the Toyota Blade is a prime example of affordable luxury.

[SPECS]

Engine: 2.4 litre 2AZ-FE

Fuel Consumption: 6.3 litre per 100km (best reported), with 60L tank capacity

Curb Weight: 1390kg

Front and All Wheel Drive options, Continuous Variable Transmission

The Good

The Toyota Blade finds its fanbase amongst lovers of the Corolla and Camry. It shares a similar design, both in terms of its mechanics and visual specs. The Blade was originally designed as a high-end version of the Toyota Auris, which follows the same design basics as the Corolla and Camry. Later editions of the Blade and Auris were actually released in European markets as a replacement for the Corolla when it was pulled from Europe. Its success in all of its available markets and the feedback from owners suggests that designers were able to combine the favorite elements of the Corolla and Camry into the shiny packaging of the Blade.

The main goal of designers was to provide a high-end vehicle with all the fixings at an affordable price. In terms of visual appeal, it has a sleek compact design that often is responsible for drawing the attention of potential buyers. The hatchback style of the Blade is there to provide a sporty element, with the hope that it may appeal to customers who lead busy and active lives. It also aims to appeal to small families that want to have a reliable and friendly vehicle without compromising on style.

Features-wise, the Blade does not skimp in terms of availability. It is versatile in terms of compatibility, which makes it easy to adapt features from other models for the Blade. It was discontinued in mid-2012, but most of Toyota’s offered features are still compatible. Most of the ones that were made strictly for the Blade are top of the line and focus on luxury. Functionally, it continues that luxury and is often seen as a very smooth and quiet for occupants.

Updated versions of the Blade, like the Blade Master and Blade Master G, worked on bringing mechanical aspects such as the brakes and suspension up to the same level that Toyota’s competitors were offering. The suspension, which was a bit lacking when compared to other similar Toyota models, was updated, and the brakes were expanded. Basically, Toyota’s engineers and designers pulled a full overhaul for the Blade’s later versions to amp the quality up even further.

The Bad

The biggest issue with the Blade is that it has too much competition in Toyota’s similar models. Its flashiness has actually worked against it at times, as some have cited concern that it may draw unwanted attention that will result in theft. As a result, most Toyota dealers find that their sales for the Blade when it was still being produced were small compared to sales for Corolla and Camry models.

Another issue with the visual design that occasionally acts against it? The sporty aspect of the Blade’s design cuts into the sleek design that Toyota was aiming for, with many people remarking that it looks too bulky for its intended design. It’s an opinion that is largely divided based on whether buyers went for the Blade for its style or for its ability.

The Blade’s interior features a floating console, which is almost too physically thick for it to be functional. Accessories and features that are near the console, like storage space, are difficult to access and are basically rendered useless. It looks nice and adds to the flash of the Blade, but for all intents and purposes it’s rather unnecessary for the functionality of the design. The standard view on the console, specifically, is that Toyota attempted to copy a design feature from Volvo and then failed miserably.

As beautifully as the Blade has been known to handle—another similarity it shares with Camry specifically—it has a very high center of gravity. More often than not, this has a HUGE effect on the Blade’s handling and turning capabilities under certain situations. Before the mechanic updates with the Master and Master G models, the Blade’s suspension was seen as too soft for it to reach the high speeds that most luxury cars are able to hit. Toyota’s push to label the Blade as an inexpensive luxury vehicle put a lot of expectations on it, almost too many, and the end result was some very disappointed customers.

What Others Are Saying

“By equipping the compact body with a 2.4-liter engine, the Blade exhibits dynamic performance with power to spare, and the newly designed suspension provides superior cruising performance.”

–TopSpeed

“Everything is considered to perfection whether it is price, specs or even when the overall review is considered. This makes it a true gold inside out.”

-SBT Global Car Exporter

“For what it’s worth, we think the Blade is sharp (pun intended) and that its style and premium equipment make an attractive package.”

–AutoBlog

Car specs:

– JDM Engine Option 1: 1,2 L or 1,3 I4 Petrol

– JDM Engine Option 2:  1,4 L or 1,6 I4 D-4D Diesel

– Curb Weight:  1,240–1,370 kg (2,733.7–3,020.3 lb)

– Size : L 4,275 mm x W 1760 mm x H 1,475 mm

The good:

The name „Auris“ comes form Latin and it means gold. And it was definitely a good choice, as the Auris is Toyota’s best selling car in Europe. It’s a compact hatchback that was introduced back in 2006, the second generation competing with the Volkswagen Golf. the Opel Astra and the Ford Focus. In Japan, however, it’s considered a medium size car that is generally very good for out of the city road trips.

It comes with loads of engine options and to be frank, they are all good, but some are better than others. It comes with three options: petrol, diesel and hybrid. There are also some fully electric models, but they’re not yet released.

When it comes to petrol, we recommend the 1.2 L 116 bhp inline 4 cylinder engine. It may not be the most powerful, but it’s not very much way off the top of the line version, not to mention you meet regulations tax almost everywhere around the world.

For the diesel version on the other side, you don’t have really too much to choose from. Both 1.4 and 1.6 engines are good, but we would go for the 1.6 as, overall, it’s a better performer.

This, of course, being a Toyota, it comes with a CVT transmission and we were expecting the automatic version to be bad. Unfortunately, our ‘hopes’ were confirmed. We don’t know what is up with Toyota, but sooner or later they will have to find a way to fix the clunkiness of their automatic gearbox.

The interior of the latest Auris model seems boring, but you do get a lot of options in the standard version, not to mention that the build quality never disappoints.

It’s fairly cheap to run, while mileage on the engine models we mentioned earlier is pretty good as well. For the petrol version you get around 6.5 L / 100 km, while the diesel can go as low as 4 L / 100 km, depending on your driving style.

Ride quality is about the same as the first generation with the first gen being a little better.

The price of the last generation Auris starts at around $18,000, with fairly good options and in most countries you will get them with a 5 year warranty. This has to be the car’s best strong point against its rivals.

The bad:

The clunky CVT automatic transmission is always a disappointment. The full reality is that it is about 15% better than a regular transmission, but that really isn’t enough.

The hybrid system doesn’t seem to be all that good. A base hybrid model starts at around $23,000 and the fuel consumption drop isn’t all that great. So if you want an economical version, stick with the diesel.

The interior of the car is extremely boring and uninspired. It’s outclassed by the German rivals and sadly, not even in the exterior department it doesn’t score better.

Conclusion:

The Auris is a car for the person who just wants a good, reliable Japanese car that can get him from A to B without any worries.

What others say:

Top Gear – „Refresh for Toyota’s family hatch promises much but once again fails to deliver. Looks good,though“

AutoExpress – „If you’re after a car for straightforward A to B transport, the Toyota Auris could be for you. It’s practical, dependable, comfortable and cheap to run.”

According to the car makers below is a list of hybrid cars, their fuel consumption at 10・15 mode (km per liter) and the price of the vehicle.

Found this rare car on the way home from one of the Japan car auctions.

It is a BMW 600 made in 1950s.

Door opens up the front!

It seems about 35,000 of these 4 seater BMW 600 were sold due to apparent competition to the VW beetle.  It had a top speed of 100 kms/hr!  I’d be fearful driving down the autobahn in a BMW 600!