Toyota
Featuring models ranging from the tiny iQ city car right up to the giant Land Cruiser V8 off roader, Toyota builds a car for just about everyone. The firm has pioneered the introduction of its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology with the Prius and Auris.
Toyota Auris
The Toyota Auris isn't as popular as its rivals - the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf - but it's spacious, keenly priced, and well equipped. It's also a sensible choice for those looking for the best in customer support and build quality. That's especially true since the introduction of the Auris HSD, which uses the petrol-electric hybrid system of the Toyota Prius to deliver impressive fuel economy. All versions feature air-conditioning and lots of safety equipment as standard, although the engine range lets the side down - with the exception of the hybrid HSD, none are particularly quick or comfortable.
Toyota Avensis
The Avensis is Toyota's answer to the Ford Mondeo and it has a reputation for being a good car, but a very dull one. However, this latest model's styling is a big improvement over the model it replaces, whether you opt for the saloon or Tourer estate. The driving experience is safe and secure, and the interior won’t set pulses racing, but the Avensis features fantastically comfortable seats which are perfect for long journeys. What's more, there's a level of comfort and luxury on the move that seriously impresses. The 2.0-litre diesel offers very low emissions, too.
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Toyota Aygo
The Aygo's brilliant combination of good looks and low running costs ensure this model was a winner as soon as it was introduced in 2005, and they remain just as attractive today. Nippy performance means it's fun to drive around town, while the interior is of good quality for the price and offers a surprising amount of passenger space. A tiny boot counts against it – and there's no diesel edition.
Toyota GT 86
The Toyota GT 86 is a front-engined, rear-wheel drive sports 3dr coupe designed and built as a joint venture with Subaru. Powered by a Subaru-sourced 2.0-litre 'boxer' petrol engine, the GT 86 offers great handling and entertaining performance. Priced at around £5,000 less than the Nissan 370Z, buyers can choose from a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Toyota iQ
Toyota's tiny iQ is designed to take on the Smart ForTwo. Just like the Smart, it's very short, but while the Smart is a strict two-seater, the iQ feature a novel 3+1 seating layout, allowing three adults and a child to make a short journey in comfort. Two engines are available, a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and a 1.3-litre four-cylinder, with the former being cleaner and more suited to the car's character. The interior is well equipped and the highlight of the driving experience is the iQ's incredibly tight turning circle. It isn’t cheap though.
Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a common sight on the world's toughest roads for a reason – it's incredibly reliable and boasts seriously impressive ability off-road. The Land Cruiser features a number of sophisticated gadgets to keep you moving when the going gets tough, plus there's plenty of tech to keep you comfortable too. Most models feature seven-seats for ultimate practicality, like its rival the Land Rover Discovery. However, the Land Cruiser struggles on the road, while a sluggish four-cylinder diesel or thirsty petrol V8 are the only engine options.
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Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius has been around since 2001, but this latest third-generation car is the best to date. It uses a 1.8-litre petrol engine, electric motor and CVT automatic gearbox to get the power to the wheels. The hybrid is automatically controlled, so it's as easy to drive as a normal petrol-powered car. The system ensures that the Prius remains as efficient as possible around town, where the car can also run on electric-power alone. The Prius is based on the Avensis, and features a decently sized cabin, with large amounts of room in the front and rear, and a futuristic dashboard that's equipped with a touch-screen trip computer.
Toyota Prius +
The Toyota Prius + is a seven-seat version of the world's most famous hybrid. It offers buyers considerably more cabin space, and is the cleanest and most fuel efficient seven-seater on the market. Inside, there are three, independent, split/folding second row seats and a pair of split/folding third row seats. The styling is immediately recognisable as a Prius, featuring an extended roofline with a large sunroof.
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Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 competes in the crowded crossover market against the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti. With its upright stance and firm suspension, it offers a good mix of stability and comfort, and feels very car-like to drive. The RAV4 is built to a high standard and is spacious inside. The 2.2-litre diesel engine returns an appealing blend of performance and economy. For most buyers, the entry-level, non-4x4, XT-R diesel model makes the best choice, as it's the most economical of the bunch. The range is simple, with a choice of four options - all of which offer generous equipment levels.
Toyota Urban Cruiser
The Urban Cruiser is based on the humble Yaris, and is Toyota's rival for the Kia Soul. It features chunky, off-road-inspired styling, but in truth, the Urban Cruiser has little go-anywhere ability, despite the fact that top-spec cars with the diesel engine do come with four-wheel drive. The front-wheel drive car with the 1.33-litre petrol engine is better. On the inside, the Urban Cruiser benefits from lots of space, sliding rear seats and lots of storage. The boot is small, but the rear seats fold easily. As with all Toyotas, the Urban Cruiser is soberly designed but very well built and should prove reliable.
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Toyota Verso
The Toyota Verso is designed with the family in mind. To that end, it's very solidly built and features a spacious cabin and refined drive. Like the Renault Grand Scenic, the Verso MPV comes with seven seats as standard, and all five of the rear chairs flip and fold to create the right mix of person and luggage carrying capability. The Verso is very easy to drive, and visibility is good. The styling, both inside and out, isn’t particularly inspiring, but the quality of the finish is impressive.
Toyota Verso-S
The Verso-S is a five-seat mini MPV that's aimed at the likes of the Honda Jazz and Kia Venga. It has styling cues similar to the larger Verso and iQ supermini, while clever packaging means it maximises space within its short length.A panoramic roof provides plenty of light, which increases the feeling of space inside, but the cabin isn't as versatile as some rivals, because the rear seats don't slide back and forth.
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Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is a sensible choice for families looking for a versatile town car. Both three and five-door versions are available and both are compact, affordable and very reliable to boot. What's more, there's plenty of space inside, and the Yaris has a range of small, economical engines, including a hybrid model - the UK's cheapest hybrid-powered car. The Yaris can't match the excellent Ford Fiesta when it comes to the driving experience, but it does have useful features such as a sliding rear seat and a smooth automatic gearbox. As an all-round package, the Yaris is an excellent choice.
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