Toyota Announces Minor Changes for 2010 Avalon, Yaris, RAV4, Highlander and Tacoma

Along with the 2010 FJ Cruiser that gains a more powerful V6 engine, Toyota has also announced minor upgrades for its 2010MY Avalon full-size sedan, Yaris subcompact hatch, Highlander mid-size SUV, RAV4 compact SUV and the Tacoma pickup truck. With the exception of the Highlander that's expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in September, the rest of the 2010 model year range will go on sale across the States in early August.

Beginning with the RAV4, the 2010 model receives minor styling enhancements that include chrome-accented interior appointments on the limited model. The MSRP remains unchanged for 2010 RAV4 with prices ranging from $21,500 for the base four-cylinder 2WD model to $27,810 for the 4WD Limited V6.

Toyota's flagship sedan, the Avalon gets rear-passenger auto up/down windows and a new exterior color, Sandy Beach Metallic. The base MSRP for the 2010 Avalon ranges from $27,945 for the XL to $35,285 for the Limited, which translates to an increase of $100, or 0.3 to 0.4 percent over the 2009 model year.

For 2010, the Yaris receives standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) that add $150 to the model's prices that range from $12,355 for the three-door model with manual transmission, to $13,915 for the four-door sedan with an automatic transmission.

The only updates for the 2010 Highlander concern an available backup monitor on the multi-informational display for the Base grade V6, and a power tilt/slide moonroof for the Base grade four-cylinder model. The MSRP for the gas and hybrid models remains unchanged except for the Highlander Sport, which gets a stainless-steel exhaust tip that increases the price by $50. The base MSRP for the 2010 Highlander ranges from $25,705 for the base four-cylinder 2WD to $41,020 for the Limited 4WD hybrid model.

As for the Tacoma pick-up truck, the 2010MY brings an enhancement to the front cup-holder functionality and, well that's about it. Prices carry over unchanged from the 2009MY ranging from $15,170 for the Regular Cab with a five-speed manual transmission to $27,075 for the V6 4x4 Double Cab Long Bed with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Buyers should note that all MSRPs mentioned above do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $750 for passenger cars and $800 for light trucks.

* Tacoma Aside, All other Vehicles Shown in the Photos are 2009MY

Toyota Recalls 134,900 Yaris in the States

Approximately 134,900 Yaris vehicles are being recalled in the U.S. over a seat belt pretensioner issue. On 2006 through 2007 model year Yaris, the Japanese automaker determined that the driver's and front passenger's seat belt pretensioner deployment could affect the sound insulating foam in the center pillar, after a collision. Toyota said that it will begin informing owners of the affected models from early February. According to Toyota, the repair will take approximately one hour, depending on the dealer's workload.

Unbelievable: China’s Great Wall Motors Patents Toyota Ractis Clone Design in Europe!

Oh the irony; China’s Great Wall Motors whose GWPeri minicar was recently banned from Europe because its appearance was ruled to be too similar to that of the Fiat Panda, has successfully managed to patent the design of the Feel Free minivan at the European Patent Office! Now, the reason that we’re surprised is that Great Wall Motor’s Feel Free minivan that was shown in pre-production form earlier this year at the Beijing Show is essentially a generic copy of the Toyota Ractis, a subcompact minivan that’s based on the Yaris minicar and sold in Japan.

Don’t believe us? Then just check the photo album after the jump. As with the GWPeri, the Chinese automaker’s design team (…) simply made a few alterations to the front and rear end styling of the Ractis and presto; the all new Feel Free (to copy) minivan. We can’t even begin to imagine how awkward the Toyota folks must feel after this development… -Continued

Great Wall Motors Feel Free Patent Designs

Toyota Ractis Minivan