Yaris: The 2007 Yaris sedan debuted in the spring; it replaces the Echo. The five-door hatchback currently sold in Canada may be added to the U.S. lineup.
Prius: Changes to body styling will come as hybrid technology advances. Consumers have said they like their hybrids to be noticeably different. So even as hybrid powertrains enter mainstream vehicles, expect Toyota to keep a quirky-looking one in the stable.
The redesign is likely for the 2010 or 2011 model year. The next generation probably will have plug-in capability, as in letting you plug it in to your house's grid to recharge and allowing you to drive on full electricity for the first 40 or so miles. It also may have a rheostat so drivers can select a performance or fuel-economy mode.
Corolla: Toyota has delayed the redesign for the United States by one year until spring 2008. A Toyota official blames this on engineering resources being stretched too thin. But sources say the original design and packaging were too plain compared to the Mazda3 and the Honda Civic; it was sent back to the drawing board.
Matrix: The redesign will come at the same time as the Corolla's, meaning the 2009 model year. Toyota wants the Matrix to be a destination vehicle for Scion owners.
Camry: The redesigned Camry debuted this past spring.
Camry Solara: Underachieving sales mean Toyota will kill the coupe and convertible after the 2008 model year. There is a chance a coupe could make a comeback in 2010.
Avalon: The redesigned Avalon debuted in spring 2005; no major changes are planned.
Supra: Not going to happen – all the rumors of the two-passenger sports car's return are false.
Sienna: The current Sienna minivan was not engineered for a hybrid powertrain. That has to wait until spring 2009, when the redesigned 2010 model debuts.
RAV4: The redesigned 2007 model debuted in spring. The RAV4 grew considerably, crowding the larger Highlander.
Highlander: The redesigned 2008 Highlander will move to the new Avalon platform, which means it will move up in size closer to the Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer.
FT-SX: This large crossover, arriving in summer 2008, is intended to be more stylish than the Chrysler Pacifica. Toyota thinks this is the segment where boomer SUV buyers are headed. And since their kids are grown up, the vehicle will be offered only with five-passenger seating.
The 2009 FT-SX will be slightly taller than a Volvo XC70 and an Audi Allroad. It likely will be assembled at the Princeton, Ind., plant alongside the Sienna. The FT-SX will have the Avalon's 3.5-liter V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission.
Tacoma: No major changes are foreseen.
Tundra: The redesigned, full-sized 2007 Tundra pickup arrives in January. Expect the next Tundra to offer a choice of a 4.7-liter or a 5.7-liter V-8, although a V-6 could arrive later. Toyota U.S. executives torpedoed a more conservative Japanese design in favor of an aggressive American one.
Toyota subsidiary Hino is gearing up its U.S. manufacturing operations for what appears to be a heavy-duty version. But executives in Japan are being cautious about excessive engineering costs for variations that yield few extra sales.
FJ Cruiser: The FJ Cruiser SUV arrived in spring.
4Runner: A re-engineering is planned for 2009.
Sequoia: The redesigned 2008 Sequoia will be developed on the new Tundra platform; expect a choice of V-8 engines. But Toyota executives are worried that they miscalculated the market for full-sized SUVs. While the current Sequoia is too small, the redesign may be too big in an era of high gasoline prices. The Sequoia is expected to be the size of the Chevrolet Tahoe.
Land Cruiser: The icon of the truck lineup soldiers on. Markets outside the United States and Canada are to receive the re-engineered vehicle in 2007; the vehicle bows in both countries a year later.
