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2008
TOYOTA SUV and WAGON NEW MODEL GUIDE
 Toyota's
2008 wagons and minivans include both
truck-based and car-based vehicles in
eight separate models. Toyota's largest
truck-based SUV is the Sequoia. The mid-size
class Toyota's available thia year include
the full-size Land Cruiser wagon and the
mid-size 4Runner. Toyota's car-based wagons
include the mid-size Highlander or gas-electric
Highlander Hybrid, the compact-size RAV4
and the Sienna minivan. Also available
is the the retro-styled FJ Cruiser, a
rugged off-road SUV that runs on both
dirt and pavement.
 Sequoia
The super-size Sequoia SUV features vast
cabin space organized with three rows
of seating for up to eight passengers
and rear-accessable cargo bay with liftgate.
Toyota's largest wagon shows up with a
new generational design for 2008, riding
on the chassis of the larger and stronger
Tundra. For power, the Sequoia
offers Tundra's 4.7-liter V8 plant with
VVT-i (variable valve timing with intelligence)
or a massive 5.7-liter aluminum V8, which
links to a heavy-duty six-speed automatic
transmission. Either conventional rear
two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive
(4WD) traction works for Sequoia model.
 Land
Cruiser
Toyota's full-size SUV also gets a generational
upgrade for 2008, with a big boost in
power and a handy electro-hydraulic suspension
system. The Land Cruiser's engine comes
from the Tundra pickup. It's a big 5.7-liter
V8 with huge power and torque numbers.
The plant ties to a new six-speed automatic
transmission and uses full-time 4WD traction.
A cushy passenger compartment accommodates
seven passengers on three tiers of seats
with multiple zones for climate controls
and high-tech electronics including an
optional dash-mounted navigation system.
 4Runner
Toyota's mid-size 4Runner SUV is a truck-tough
vehicle. The available powertrains include
a standard V6 or optional V8. The top
4Runner totes Toyota's 4.7-liter, i-Force
V8 for 260 horsepower and a full-time
4WD system. The base 4.0-liter V6 in 4Runner
makes 236 horsepower. Both 2WD and 4WD
versions of 4Runner are available. On
all 2008 models, curtain-style air bags
are standard as are active front headrests.
In the 4Runner cabin, choices include
a bench seat for the third row and a navigation
system with reverse-view camera.
 FJ
Cruiser
Toyota's retro-styled SUV pays homage
to the legendary Land Cruiser FJ40 of
the 60s. This modern version is a rugged
off-road vehicle, typically stocking 4WD
traction, under-chassis skid plates and
a forceful V6. A 4.0-liter six-pack hits
239 horsepower and connects to a six-speed
manual or five-speed automatic. The FJ
Cruiser carries sophisticated electronic
controls like active traction (A-TRAC)
and vehicle skid control (VSC).
Curtain-style air bags are standard on
all 2008 FJ models, and a new off-road
package brings Bilstein shock, a rear
differential lock and 16-inch alloy wheels
with rugged trail tires.
 Highlander
The Highlander offers the luxurious ride
quality and plush comforts of a refined
front-wheel-drive (FWD) Toyota passenger
sedan. For 2008, the mid-size crossover
utility vehicle (CUV) measures four inches
longer and three wider after adding an
expanded unibody structure and more cabin
space. The Highlander's seat configuration
is flexible with its three rows and back
bay for cargo space. The model's new powertrain
is a 3.5-liter, V6 rated at 270 horsepower
and connected to a five-speed electronic
automatic. Both FWD and electronic all-wheel-drive
(AWD) traction systems are available for
the Highlander's three trims — Base,
Sport and Limited.
 Highlander
Hybrid
Toyota's seven-passenger hybrid SUV scoots
like a V8 vehicle, while burning fuel
like a four-cylinder compact. The Highlander
Hybrid employs Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive
(HSD) powertrain, which combines a gas-sipping
3.3-liter, V6 engine with two high-torque
electric motors — one to turn the
front wheels and another working accessories
and recharging batteries. Output for the
engine combination reaches 270 horsepower.
The HSD controls all the energy produced
by these plants and applies it through
an electronically controlled continuously
variable transmission (ECVT). For optional
AWD, a third electric motor drives rear
wheels as the HSD varies torque front
and rear.
 Rav4
The compact-class Rav4 CUV from Toyota
shows three trim grades and offers both
a four-cylinder or V6 engine. The trims
include the base RAV4, the tautly-tuned
Sport and premium Limited — each
of which can be outfitted with the four-pack
or V6, and 2WD or 4WD traction. The RAV4's
refined cabin, with four passenger doors
and flexible seating for up to seven inside,
allows cargo space access through its
rear swing gate on the back bay. There
are lots of air bags aboard the Rav4,
including standard seat-mounted side air
bags up front and curtain-style air bags
on two rows.
 Sienna
Toyota's 2008 Sienna minivan uses a 3.5-liter
V6 engine with VVT-i to produce 268 horsepower.
The model comes the CE, LE, XLE and Limited
trims. Each Sienna trim features FWD traction,
though the LE, XLE and Limited do offer
optional AWD as well. In the Sienna's
cabin, a third-row bench seat runs standard,
while seating for the second row can come
in either buckets or a bench. The minivan's
third-row seat splits in unequal sections,
with each side folding into a deep well,
fashioning a flat floor.
For
more information on Toyota
SUVs and wagons.
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