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The 2009 Toyota Yaris lineup gains a 4-door hatchback body style. This is Toyota’s smallest car. It’s offered as a 2- or 4-door hatchback or 4-door sedan, each in Base and S trims. The sole powertrain is a 106-hp 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It teams with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Hatchbacks are available with a split-folding rear seat that reclines and slides fore and aft. Other options include remote keyless entry and power windows, locks, and mirrors.

The 09 Yaris 3 door hatch will start at a cool $12205, while the sedan starts at $12,965.  If you want the 5 door shown here, base price is $13,305.  Any trim level you want, the price starts out well below the $14,550 base of the 09 Fit.  Granted, there are equipment differences.  But then again, some folks just want a super basic econobox with Honda / Toyota quality.  The Yaris can offer this, while the Fit really can’t.

Even though the Yaris is still ugly, you can leave the eye bleach at home when it comes to the 5 door hatch.  It’s not half bad, in an ugly sort of way.  Gas mileage is 31 MPG for the automatic, or 32 MPG for the stick.  About as good as it gets in the non-hybrid world.

The 2009 Toyota Venza is the latest addition to this Japanese automaker’s lineup. This 4-door, five-passenger wagon slots between the Camry sedan and Highlander crossover SUV in size and price. It shares some of its basic design with both those vehicles. Venza comes in a single trim level, with a choice of two engines and front- or all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 182-hp 2.7-liter 4-cylinder.

Also offered is a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6. Each engine teams with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Four-cylinder models can tow up to 2500 lb, and the V6 can tow up to 3500 lb. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Four-cylinder models come standard with 19-inch wheels, while V6 versions have standard 20-inch wheels.

A navigation system, keyless access and engine start, leather upholstery, and heated front seats are among the options. A panoramic glass roof with power front section is optional, as is DVD entertainment, but note that both these features can’t be ordered together.

The 2010 Toyota Venza sees no major changes following its debut for the 2009 model year. This 4-door, 5-passenger wagon slots between the Camry sedan and Highlander crossover SUV in size and price. It shares some of its basic design with both those vehicles. Venza continues in a single trim level, with a choice of two engines and front- or all-wheel drive. The base engine is a 182-horsepower 2.7-liter 4-cylinder.

Also offered is a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Each engine teams with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Four-cylinder models can tow up to 2,500 pounds, and the V6 up to 3,500 pounds. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Four-cylinder models have standard 19-inch wheels, while V6 versions have standard 20-inch wheels.

A navigation system, keyless entry/engine start, leather upholstery, and heated front seats are among the options. A panoramic glass roof with power front section and DVD entertainment are on the options list, but both features can’t be paired together. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 Toyota Venza.

The 2009 Toyota Tundra lineup gains some new option packages, and certain models can also run on ethanol-blended E85 fuel. This large pickup truck offers three cab styles, three wheelbases, three bed lengths, three engines, and three trim levels. The 2-door three-passenger regular cab comes in Base and SR5 trims. Both the extended Double Cab and longer CrewMax crew cab have four conventional doors, seat six, and come in Base, SR5, and top-line Limited trims.

A 236-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine is standard in regular and short-bed Double cabs. Optional on those and standard on long-bed Double Cabs and CrewMax is a 276-hp 4.7-liter V8. A 381-hp 5.7-liter V8 is standard on Limited and optional all other Tundra models. The V6 and 4.7 V8 use a 5-speed automatic transmission, and the 5.7 V8 has a 6-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 10,800 lb. Tundras are available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Certain Tundra models equipped with the 5.7 V8 and 4WD can run on E85 ethanol. Cargo-bed lengths are 6.5 ft on regular and Double Cab short beds, 8.1 on regular and Double Cab long bed, 5.5 on CrewMax.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. CrewMax has a power rear cab window and is available with DVD entertainment. New for 2009 are two TRD (Toyota Racing Development) option packages. The Rock Warrior Package includes off-road-ready suspension tuning and specific wheels. The Sport Package has specific paint and wheels.

The 2010 Toyota Tundra gets slightly freshened styling and a new V8 engine. This large pickup truck offers three cab styles, three wheelbases, three bed lengths, three engines, and two trim levels. The 2-door 3-passenger regular cab comes in Base form. Both the extended Double Cab and longer CrewMax crew cab have 4 conventional doors, seat up to 6, and come in Base and Limited trims.

A 236-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine is standard in regular and short-bed Double Cabs. Optional on those and standard on long-bed Double Cabs and CrewMax is a new 310-horsepower 4.6-liter V8, which replaces a 276-horsepower 4.7-liter V8. Optional on all Tundra models is a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8. The V6 uses a 5-speed automatic transmission, and all V8s have a 6-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 10,800 pounds.

Tundras are available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement. The 4WD system does include a low-range gear for off-road use. Certain Tundra models equipped with the 5.7 V8 and 4WD can run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Cargo-bed lengths are 6.5 feet on regular and Double Cab short beds, 8.1 on regular and Double Cab long bed, and 5.5 on CrewMax. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. An optional SR5 Package includes cruise control and keyless entry on regular cabs.

A Sport Package, which includes specific trim and wheels, is optional on rear-drive models. Tundras with 4WD are available with the Rock Warrior Package, which includes off-road-ready suspension tuning and 17-inch tires. An Off-Road Package for rear- and 4-wheel drive models includes firmer suspension tuning and specific 18-inch tires. The newly available Platinum Package for CrewMax Limiteds includes specific trim, a navigation system, power tilt and telescopic steering column, and heated and ventilated front seats.

The 2009 Toyota Tacoma is largely unchanged. This compact pickup truck offers three cab styles: Regular cab, extended Access Cab with rear-hinged rear doors, and the Double Cab with four conventional side doors. Regular cabs have bucket seats or a three-passenger bench. The others seat five via front bucket seats and a three-place rear bench.

Regular cabs and Access Cabs use 6-foot-long cargo beds, Double Cabs 5- and 6-foot beds; all have a dent-resistant plastic liner. Tacoma offers two engines. A 159-hp 2.7-liter 4-cylinder teams with a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. A 236-hp 4.0-liter V6 teams with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 6500 lb. Both engines can be had with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes a low-range gear for off-roading.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Available for off-roading are locking rear differential and hill ascent and descent control. The 2WD PreRunner has a raised suspension and other 4WD styling cues. The sporty X-Runner is an Access Cab with the V6, manual transmission, aero lower body trim, and sport suspension.

The 2010 Toyota Tacoma is largely unchanged. This compact pickup truck offers three cab styles: regular cab, extended Access Cab with rear-hinged rear doors, and the Double Cab with 4 conventional doors. Regular cabs have a 3-passenger bench seat. Access Cabs have rear jump seats for 2 passengers. The Double Cab has a rear bench that seats 3.

Regular cabs and Access Cabs use 6-foot-long cargo beds, Double Cabs 5- and 6-foot beds; all have a dent-resistant plastic liner. Tacoma offers two engines. A 159-horsepower 2.7-liter 4-cylinder teams with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. A 236-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 teams with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds.

Tacoma is available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. A locking rear differential and hill-ascent and -descent control are available. Tacoma is available as the sporty X-Runner, which has an Access Cab with the V6, manual transmission, aero lower body trim, and sport suspension.