Toyota Yaris

The Yaris is Toyota's replacement for the goofy Echo. But the Yaris is a much better basic transportation option than the Echo ever was. The Yaris actually looks somewhat stylish even though it is still a pudgy little car, but it offers perky performance and an interior that looks great, but is devoid of soft-touch materials. It comes in sedan and hatchback form, with a very weak 1.3-litre mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto. For 2008, the sedan will also have an optional 1.5-litre with manual or auto, bundled with a body kit. Because the hatchback and sedan were designed separately, there are minor differences in the interior trim and the exterior styling, but each is similarly equipped with such standard items as power steering, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, front and rear cupholders, two airbags, radio cassette player, 14-inch steel wheels, and ABS brakes. The suspension is independent in front and torsion beam in the rear. Options include a CD player with MP3 capability, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, 15-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.

Lexus LS 460

Lexus now has an all-new flagship luxury sedan that beats the best in the business, with features that include the world's first eight-speed automatic transmission, an air conditioning system that checks your body temperature to maintain the proper cabin temperature, and a system that automatically parks the car in a garage with the press of a button. This fourth-generation LS is powered by a new 4.6-litre V8 engine without direct injection, but mated to the new eight-speed automatic. Features include a completely redesigned multi-link suspension, a variable-ratio power-steering system, and an updated Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system. The cabin has all the customary Lexus luxury touches, including seats covered in one of four leathers to coordinate with three woodgrain trims. A power reclining seat equipped with power leg rests and massage is available for the right rear, along with a folding table. The LS also offers a nine-inch rear monitor mounted in the headliner along with a new 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with an onboard hard drive that holds 4000 songs. It is available in regular-length and stretched-wheelbase versions.

Lexus ES 350

The Lexus ES is all-new for 2007. With a new 3.5-litre engine, mated to a six-speed automatic, the Lexus ES 350 became a more powerful ride. Still, the Lexus ES 350 is a luxury sedan that wows with smoothness and quietness rather than handling and speed. This so-called entry-level luxury car is based on the Toyota Camry chassis, with upgraded body, equipment and interior. The front-wheel drive ES 350 does come with an impressive set of standard features that the Toyota Camry can only dream about. The Lexus ES 350 comes as one model, but the buyer can opt for a huge range of equipment. Available features include park assist, a power rear sunshade, ventilated front seats, a wood and leather trim package, and DVD navigation with backup camera. Optional equipment includes a navigation system, a 14-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system, Bluetooth wireless capability for cellphones, a panoramic glass roof, and radar-adaptive cruise control. Safety features that come standard on the ES 350 include dual front airbags, a knee airbag, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, ABS brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, also known as EBD, and a tyre-pressure monitor system.

Lexus RX 350

The RX 350 rides like a car, and very easy to drive, with a luxurious interior. All this makes it popular with the upscale set, rather than its non-existent off-road ability. The RX is based on a unibody car platform rather than a heavy-duty truck frame. Redesigned for the 2004 model year, the RX gained a new 3.5-litre V6 engine for 2007, with very few other changes. The V6 in this all-wheel drive wagon is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The list of standard luxuries include automatic climate control, premium audio, cruise control, traction and stability control, automatic headlamps, ten-way power for both front seats, a power rear liftgate, parking sensors, Bluetooth phone system and 18-inch aluminium wheels. Cloth upholstery comes standard, as do high-intensity discharge headlamps. Options include leather upholstery, reverse parking camera and a one-touch moonroof. The sports package includes some sort of body add-ons and other nonsense. Safety features include dual frontal airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, ABS brakes and a stability system.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

The Prado has become a popular choice among people who want a true off-roader but never go off-road. The Prado also shares a bade with the legendary Land Cruiser which makes it more attractive. The latest Land Cruiser Prado is a refined animal, taking advantage of technical and engineering advances that offer reasonably smooth performance on the road and reasonably capable off-roading ability. One look at it reveals rock-solid build quality so obviously missing from competitors from American manufacturers. The Prado is offered with a 2.7-litre four-cylinder, a 4.0-litre V6 and a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel. The petrol engines get Toyota's more modern manual and automatic gearboxes, while the weak diesel gets only a manual. The cabin is spacious and roomy with abundant headroom and legroom. Features of the interior include dual-zone air-conditioning and a CD/cassette audio system with either 4 or 6 speakers, depending on model. The Prado comes with dual front airbags and ABS as standard, with seating for either five or eight people.

Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson is a player in the rare breed of tiny 4WD vehicles that offer little off-road capability, but drive rather well on the road. It comes with either a weak 2.0-litre 4-cylinder or, surprisingly, a 2.7-litre V6, with a range of manual or automatic transmissions depending on model. It also comes in either a blasphemous front-wheel-drive version or a more realistic four-wheel-drive version with full-time 4WD. Standard features include power steering, power windows, power outside mirrors, central door locking, roof rack, cloth seats, front fog lamps, rear wiper with washer, AM/FM radio and cassette player with 4 speakers and a range of storage spaces, while riding on 16-inch alloy wheels. Optional features include dual airbags, sunroof, probably faux leather upholstery, two-tone paint job, body-colour outside mirrors, AM/FM CD and cassette player with 4 speakers and tweeters, dual mufflers and a whole lot of cuteness for an affordable amount of cash.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe is Hyundai's best 4WD to date, and is destined to become the brand's bread and butter model. Hyundai went all out on the redesign of this compact 4WD that borders on becoming a midsize. Standard features include a 2.7-litre V6 with automatic, dual mufflers, underbody skid plate, single airbag, power steering, two-tone exterior paint job, roof rack with crossbar, fake wood trim, power windows, central door locking, keyless entry with burglar alarm, electric outside mirrors, front fog lamps, radio cassette player with CD and MP3 capability and 4 speakers, ABS with EBD, 18-inch wheels and finally, front and rear manual a/c with vents in all seating rows. The top model gets Electronic Stability Program, dual airbags, leather steering wheel, leather seats, cruise control, power front seats, rear spoiler with brake light, power sunroof, trip computer, centre console with cool box, auto-dimming centre rearview mirror with compass, in-dash 6-CD changer with amplifier and subwoofer, and steering wheel controls for the stereo.

Hyundai Azera

The Azera is Hyundai's attempt at the high end executive car market, occupied by only a handful of models which combine luxury with a affordable price. The Azera actually offers a lot more for its price than its Japanese and American competitors however, and this 3.3-litre V6-powered automatic sedan is an impressive effort on Hyundai's part. A 2.7-litre V6 joined the range later. Standard features on the base model include just a single airbag for the driver, power steering, power windows, keyless entry, front fog lamps, radio with CD and MP3 capability and six speakers, cruise control, dual zone fully automatic air conditioning, dual exhaust system, power mirrors, trip computer, illuminated sun visors with vanity mirrors, rear centre armrest with cup holders, and alloy wheels. Options include dual airbags with side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes, Electronic Stability Program, HID Xenon headlights, power sunroof, leather upholstery, power front seats, integrated memory system for driver’s seat and mirrors, in-dash 6-CD changer with two more speakers including an Infinity subwoofer and amplifier, rear parking sensors, electric rear curtain, rain-sensing front wipers and some wood on the steering wheel.

Toyota Corolla

The Corolla is a bestseller among compact sedans in this region, relying on reliability and economy to keep it competitive. Fully redesigned for the 2008 model year, the Corolla sedan can be equipped to be a barebones commuter or a luxurious cruiser. We once compared the older version of the Corolla to an Audi, which no doubt made Audi angry. However, the base Corolla offers long-term value for money and comes standard with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, air conditioning, a radio cassette player, manual windows, dual front airbags, 15-inch steel wheels and a cloth interior. Everything else is optional depending on trim, including power windows and mirrors, ABS brakes, keyless entry, fake wood trim, parking sensors and a CD/MP3 player. The better engine is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder again with either a 5-speed manual or an outdated 4-speed automatic, with similar options. The top-spec 1.8 model can be outfitted with an automatic a/c, cruise control, 16-inch alloys, rear spoiler, side curtain airbags, leather, sunroof, Bluetooth, split-folding rear seat and even a CD changer.

iran.shiraz
Competitors:
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Mitsubishi Lancer EX

Toyota Hilux

The Hilux may be considered the best pickup in its class simply for being from Toyota. The latest Hilux has been recently redesigned, sitting on an all-new platform and not built in Japan any more. Nearly every pickup in this class has grown from a compact to a midsize, so it is no surprise that Toyota did the same. This latest generation of midsize pickups feature roomier cabins, improved ride quality and increased stability. They also boast increased refinement. They are available in the single cab and crew cab configurations. The newest crew cab models are practical alternatives to a sedan, if someone were to drive one of these every day. Midsize pickups offer better manoeuvrability than the fullsize pickup trucks that the Americans sell as 'lifestyle' vehicles, while providing serious hauling and towing utility. Engines include a 2.0-litre and a 2.7-litre petrol, and a 2.5-litre diesel unit, all with only a manual gearbox, either rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, and basics such as a radio cassette player.

Toyota Camry

Toyota Land Cruiser

After a decade, Toyota finally redesigned the Land Cruiser for the 2008 model year. The Land Cruiser five-door wagon is at the top of the heap in sales when it comes to luxury and off-road capability, but not necessarily because it is best at either. However, it really is one of only a few truly legendary off-road vehicles. The new Land Cruiser comes with the choice of a 4.0-litre V6 with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed auto, and an upgraded 4.7-litre V8 with a 5-speed auto. There is also a 4.5-litre turbodiesel V8 option, with the 6-speed automatic version getting more power than the 5-speed manual version. It can transport as many as eight or nine passengers with its variable seating configurations. Features include power windows and mirrors, cruise control, sunroof, 17-inch alloy or steel wheels, smart key, start/stop button, optional parking sensors, multi-information display, optional cooler box, three rows of seats, optional four-zone climate control, optional leather, ABS brakes, standard CD/MP3 stereo with CD changer, and Bluetooth among other items.