Tundra, Corolla wagon, RAV4 PHEV and other models that should be on the radar of Toyota Australia
The Tundra may be just the model Toyota needs to combat the rise of the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado.
Toyota Australia boasts an extensive lineup of models covering almost every segment, but there are a few models available overseas that could solidify the Japanese brand's position at the top.
Will all models make sense? Well, the business case would have to be put together first, but each sale would not necessarily turn Toyota into a ton of money, since each new Toyota customer would be one customer taken from a rival competitor.
Toyota Australia has talked about the possible introduction of some of these nameplates in the past, so some of these models aren't all that far-fetched, but only time will tell if the brand gets carried through.
Aigo X
The microcar segment has dwindled to three models in Australia, so it may not make sense for Toyota to enter such a small market, literally and figuratively.
However, Kia proved with its Picanto that there are still plenty of buyers looking for a stylish sub-$20,000 hatchback that's fun to drive, with a new 6591 registration number in 2021.
The Toyota Aygo X could easily capitalize on those numbers and wrest control of the microcar segment from Kia, especially as the Japanese brand has redesigned its latest model to give it a more rugged crossover look.
Built on a shortened version of the TNGA-B platform that also underpins the Yaris and Yaris Cross, the Aygo X can handle decent steering too, with power coming from a 53kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine.
It will also fall below the Yaris, which now starts at $23,740 pre-travel, and put Toyota back in the sub-$20,000K price bracket that is proving popular with cars like the MG3.
Corolla universal
In its latest generation, the Corolla hatchback isn't exactly the most practical small car, while the sedan version suffers from styling issues, especially in the rear.
Known as the Touring Sports, the Corolla station wagon could very well be the answer, combining beautiful styling, a long roof and a large trunk.
Cherry on the cake? The Corolla station wagon is also available with the 1.8-liter petrol-electric hybrid powertrain that has proved so popular in the current generation Corolla, delivering 90kW/142Nm.
Combined with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), fuel consumption is just 4.3 liters per 100 km, and boot capacity is 691 liters compared to 217 liters for the hatchback and 470 liters for the sedan.
And while station wagons like the Ford Focus and Renault Megane have now disappeared from showrooms in Australia, Volkswagen still offers its Golf in wagon form for its eighth generation model.
RAV4 plugin
The Toyota RAV4 hybrid has proved extremely popular in Australia, but the Japanese brand has yet to launch a more advanced plug-in hybrid version.
The plug-in hybrid electric model will compete directly with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the upcoming Ford Escape PHEV and offers nearly 75 km of pure electric range.
If that sounds good, the news is even better because the RAV4 plug-in is a bit dormant, delivering 225kW to all four wheels thanks to a 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor combination.
Result? The plug-in RAV4 can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds, making it the third fastest model in the Toyota stable behind the flagship GR Supra sports car and the GR Yaris hot hatch.
It could also help buyers make the transition from petrol to electric and bridge the gap between the petrol RAV4 and the yet-to-be-released bZ4X exhaust-free engine.
Prius plugin
With the proliferation of hybrid technology across Toyota's lineup in models like the Yaris, Corolla, Camry, RAV4 and Kluger, it seems like the Japanese brand just doesn't know what to do with its once groundbreaking Prius.
Well, the answer could be a swappable transmission that could rival the Hyundai Ioniq sedan.
Combining the 1.8-liter petrol engine with an electric motor gives the Prius plug-in a total system power output of 90kW, but it's the lithium-ion battery that provides a range of up to 55km all-electric.
The sedan shape may not be as appealing as it once was, but the Prius could once again be the powertrain-enhanced flagship that Australia once had with a plug-in option.
Tundra
The Utes are without a doubt big business in Australia and they are not much bigger than the Tundra.
Built on the same platform as the LandCruiser 300 Series, the next-gen Lexus LX and the Sequoia SUV, the Tundra is a big, burly model, but the sheer size hasn't stopped cars like the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado from making headway in local showrooms.
The Tundra is also powered by a powerful 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbocharged petrol engine with hybrid technology with a total output of 326kW/790Nm, making it even more powerful than its LandCruiser diesel cousin.
Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Tundra can tow up to 5400kg, easily surpassing Australia's most popular double cab vehicles such as the Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton.
