While the Japanese automaker wasn't first in sales after the first six months of the year, it will certainly finish on top when counting the number of model introductions.
When I was younger, my passion for everything revolving around the automotive industry didn't include Toyota in its sights. That is simply because I perceived the Japanese automaker as that dependable brand that makes flawlessly reliable vehicles for my grandparents.
Back then, all I wanted were fiery sports cars and rugged SUVs. Well, as it turns out, my perception was equal to that of many other people. Luckily, Toyota understood that before it was too late and gradually started to evolve into a company that had something for everyone, including younger people.
Logically, since we are dealing with a multinational conglomerate, the road was long and arduous. But today, finally, you can buy stuff that reflects your personality from Toyota, rather than the fact that you don't want to waste money on repairs (because you will) or that you are just cashing in on your retirement check.
Sure, it took them long enough, but at least there are plenty of options if you live in America. And there's been a tidal wave of novelties this year, frankly, from the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid to the always expanding Nightshade family and from superstars like the 2024 Grand Highlander to the all-new N400 Tacoma mid-size pickup truck and the 2024 Land Cruiser.
Of course, some of them are not yet on the market – the N400 Taco is probably coming to nationwide dealers before the end of the year, and the J250-based sibling to the posher Lexus GX 550 will arrive early next year if everything goes according to plan. But there are other notable options to choose from, don't worry.
For example, one could still feel like it's 1994 and shell out at least $30k on a 2024 Toyota RAV4 – the best-selling compact crossover SUV is always a wise choice. Still, it's a little too bland for my taste, even if the Japanese automaker introduced more options for the Woodland Edition. Instead, if you're a bit younger (at heart, at least), you could easily snatch one of the novelties from the Nightshade family.
The dark and menacing touches apply to a variety of Corolla models – and now the Corolla Cross has also joined the fray. Even better, the 2024 Toyota Highlander also adds the Nightshade option to the grade roster, among other things. Wait, maybe that's not exclusive enough for your garage.
No worries, if you watched the automotive news coming from the State Fair of Texas, you'll know that Toyota introduced there its 2024 Tundra 1794 Limited Edition, the model's nickname being inspired by a cattle ranch established in the year, you guessed, 1794. Anyway, this full-size pickup truck may not be as good as the refreshed 2024 Ford F-150, but you're still getting an excellent package.
The Saddleback Leather Company, for example, provides the material for the interior upholstery, and there are also lots of posh accents combined with enhanced off-road capability thanks to a 1.1-inch lift kit and shock absorbers from Fox. That's a good option for off-road adventures or towing your favorite trailer, but it can also turn into a nice hybrid-powered collectible for Toyota enthusiasts because it will be produced in just 1,500 examples.
Frankly, if I wanted a big Toyota and money was no issue, this Tundra would easily make it on my shortlist. However, it wouldn't sit at the top of the roster. Instead, if I really wanted to stand out in a crowd because I was too impatient to wait for the 2024 Land Cruiser's arrival or too afraid to be an early adopter (hey, Toyotas are cooler now, but they're also way less reliable than a couple of decades ago), I would buy an old-school 2024 Toyota 4Runner.
Yes, the fifth generation of Tacoma's SUV sibling with seating for up to seven is still around. It was recently updated to 2024 model year standards with a new Terra exterior color for TRD Pro, additional safety features, and an Underground shade available for all grades. Yep, and not much else other than standard Toyota Safety Sense on all trims, along with Blind Spot Monitor + Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
However, this 14-year-old truck is a great choice for adventurers – the N280 iteration has been around for such a long time that engineers have had plenty of time to iron out any faults. Plus, it can seat two more people than its rivaling Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco foes if you want to. And now there's also a new TRD Sport grade to go against the wishes of trail enthusiasts – the model gets various comfort and on-road enhancements, including the Cross-Linked Relative Absorber System (X-REAS) suspension for better handling. So, while it sounds a bit counterintuitive, I can now recommend the 4Runner to both adventure seekers and folks who just want a reliable SUV for daily activities.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News