2012 & 2013 Toyota SUV Reviews & Ratings

Toyota SUV Review

SUVs - or service utility vehicles, to give them their full name - have become increasingly popular in the last few years. They were originally aimed largely at rural dwellers that needed a rugged, all-terrain vehicle for outdoors pursuits or jobs like farming and game-keeping. Over the last ten years, they have become something of a style and wealth statement for car owners, particularly wealthy families, who stay in towns and cities. However, this trend is not without its critics, as some o... (full review continues below)

Toyota SUVs

Toyota SUV Reviews

SUVs - or service utility vehicles, to give them their full name - have become increasingly popular in the last few years. They were originally aimed largely at rural dwellers that needed a rugged, all-terrain vehicle for outdoors pursuits or jobs like farming and game-keeping. Over the last ten years, they have become something of a style and wealth statement for car owners, particularly wealthy families, who stay in towns and cities. However, this trend is not without its critics, as some of the people who now drive SUVs have no intentions of getting their gleaming vehicle anywhere near any mud!

Toyota are a well-known manufacturer of SUVs. Toyota first began producing pickup trucks in the 1970s, and the first SUVs to be sold in the USA were produced in the early 1990s. Since then, Toyota's SUVs have gone from strength to strength. Toyota SUVs have a reputation for fuel efficiency and reliability, which sets them apart from the competition.

There are four main types of SUV that Toyota is producing at present - the 4Runner, the FJ Cruiser, the Land Cruiser and the Sequoia. The 4Runner is the smallest of the Toyota SUVs, and seats 4-5. It has a 4 litre engine and prices start at $31,000. The FJ Cruiser is billed as being suitable for genuine off-road enthusiasts. It costs from around $26,000 to $28,500, and the basic model comes with a 4 litre engine and Bluetooth technology. The Sequoia is the largest Toyota SUV on the market, and can hold up to 8 passengers. It is aimed at large families, particularly those who enjoy activities like camping, and is priced from $40,000 to $60,000. The Land Cruiser is an all-purpose vehicle with excellent suspension and a 5.8 litre engine. It costs a cool $69,000, although comes with every convenience, comfort and technology you could possibly desire.

Second hand Toyotas are very popular. If you are looking for an SUV on a budget and are not too worried about having a recent model, then over 100,000 units of the Toyota Tundra were produced around a decade ago, and many are still going strong. They are priced from $1,000 upwards, depending on their mileage and condition. Another previously produced Toyota SUV is the T100. These are older than Tundras, and production of the T100 ended in 1998. However, you still may be able to find a T100 in good condition.

Although Toyota has an excellent position in today's SUV market, there is competition. Hummer are an iconic brand, produced by General Motors, that are Toyota's main rival. Jeep is another well-established brand in the SUV market, and produce models that are intended to compete with Toyota's vehicles. Land Rover and Range Rover produce luxury 4x4s that have the same purposes as Toyota's, but have a slightly different style and appeal. Of course, the SUV market has grown so much in recent years that practically every manufacturer has an SUV style vehicle produced to cash in on the trend - the choice of SUVs has never been so wide.