Toyota Releases Pricing on 2011MY Cars and Trucks, Adds Standard Brake Overide Tech

Toyota has announced pricing for its U.S. market 2011 model year line-up, which will begin arriving at dealerships in August, with the exception of RAV4 that goes on sale in September.

The big news for the 2011 lineup is the installation of brake override technology as standard equipment across the range. This technology is designed to stop a car if the brakes and accelerator are applied simultaneously (see Consumer Report's video after the jump) and was adopted by Toyota to ease consumer concerns over sudden acceleration of its vehicles.

Aside from the redesigned 2011 Avalon that was introduced with the safety feature, brake override technology is now standard on the Yaris, RAV4 SUV, Land Cruiser SUV, Sequoia SUV and Tundra pickup truck.

There are more changes on certain models for the 2011 model year that you can check out in detail in the press release after the jump.

Toyota Press Release:

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2011 Yaris subcompact, RAV4 compact SUV, Land Cruiser premium SUV, Sequoia full-size SUV, and Tundra full-size pickup truck. These 2011 models will begin arriving at dealerships in August, with the exception of RAV4 (September). The following 2011 models that are already on sale will receive price adjustments: Camry and Camry Hybrid mid-size sedans, Avalon premium mid-size sedan, and the Sienna minivan.

For 2011 all Yaris models will receive brake override technology as standard equipment. The liftback models will receive sun visor extensions. The base MSRP for Yaris will range from $12,855 for the three-door Liftback with manual transmission to $14,415 for the Sedan with automatic transmission, reflecting an increase of $250, or 1.8 to 2.0 percent.

The RAV4, the first ever car-based SUV, originally introduced in 1996, receives standard brake override technology for 2011, along with an optional Base Plus Extra Value Package that includes a moonroof, six-CD audio system, color-keyed door handles, upgraded interior fabric, roof rails, privacy glass, 17- inch alloy wheels, tonneau cover (on two-row models), and daytime running lights. The base MSRP for RAV4 will range from $21,925 for the Base four cylinder 2WD model to $28,235 for the Limited V6 4WD model with automatic transmission, an increase of $250, or 0.9 to 1.2 percent.

Land Cruiser, Toyota's premium full-size SUV, will be fitted with brake override technology and the previously optional driver and front passenger Active Seat Belt Pretensioning System is now standard. Land Cruiser will carry a base MSRP of $67,370, an increase of $1,400, or 2.1 percent.

The 2011 Sequoia full-size SUV will also receive brake override technology. A Daytime Running Lights on/off switch has been added and Platinum models will receive a new interior wood- grain-style trim. The MSRP for the 2011 Sequoia will range from $39,580 for the SR5 4.6- liter V8 2WD model to $59,955 for the Platinum 5.7- liter V8 4WD model, an increase of $550, or 0.9 to 1.4 percent.

Tundra, Toyota's full-size pickup truck will receive changes to the interior. The ashtray has been discontinued as a standard feature, and the cigarette lighter has been replaced with a 12V power outlet. The design of the seat headrests has been revised. Mechanical changes include a change in the 4.0- liter V6 engine to a dual VVT-i system with roller rockers and hydraulic lifters for enhanced performance and efficiency. Trailer- sway control programming and brake override technology have been added as standard equipment. The MSRP for the 2011 Tundra will range from $23,935 for the Regular Cab 4.0- liter V6 2WD model to $42,455 for the Limited Crew Max 5.7 liter V8 4WD model, an increase range of $425 to $480 or 0.0 to 1.7 percent. There will be no price change on Limited models.

Avalon, Toyota's flagship passenger car since 1995, continues to set the standard for performance, luxury, and value in its class. Already in production for the 2011 model year, the base MSRP for the Avalon now ranges from $32,445 for the Avalon grade to $35,685 for the Limited, an increase of $200, or 0.6 percent.

The 2011 Camry, the top selling passenger car in America for the last eight years, also receives a price adjustment. The MSRP for the Camry ranges from $19,720 for the base four cylinder model to $29,370 for the XLE V6, an increase of $125, or a range of 0.4 to 0.6 percent.

Model year 2011 Camry Hybrid receives a MSRP adjustment to $26,575, reflecting an increase of $175, or 0.7 percent.

For 2011, the Sienna minivan entered its third generation. The new Sienna receives a MSRP adjustment, ranging from $24,460 for the Base four cylinder model to $39,970 for the Limited V6 AWD model, an increase of $200, or a range of 0.5 to 0.8 percent.

The 2011 Scion xD receives changes to both the interior and exterior. There is a new honeycomb-style grille, and a rear color-keyed spoiler for enhanced styling. Vehicle ride height has been adjusted, and the shock absorber tuning has been optimized for enhanced handling. The interior receives a new fabric for the door panel armrest. The base MSRP ranges from $15,045 for the manual transmission model to $15,845 for the automatic transmission an increase of $145, or 0.9 to 1.0 percent.

*Base MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $760 for passenger cars, $810 for light trucks and $975 for large trucks (Sequoia and Tundra). The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

Toyota Suspends U.S. Sales of Eight Models Including Camry, Corolla and RAV4 to Deal with Accelerator Pedal Issues

Only a few days after announcing that it would recall approximately 2.3 million vehicles to correct sticking accelerator pedals on specific Toyota Division models, the Japanese automaker said today that it will temporarily suspend sales of eight Toyota vehicles that are on the recall list in the USA. No Lexus or Scion models are included in the sales suspension. The affected Toyota models are listed below:

• 2009-2010 RAV4
  
• 2009-2010 Corolla
  
• 2009-2010 Matrix
  
• 2005-2010 Avalon
  
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
  
• 2010 Highlander
  
• 2007-2010 Tundra
  
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
  

For the record, the Toyota models not affected by the temporary sales halt are the Prius, Tacoma, Sienna, Venza, Solara, Yaris, 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and select Camry models, including all Camry hybrids, which will remain for sale.

According to the company, the new sticking accelerator pedal recall is separate from the on-going recall of around 1.7 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to reduce the risk of pedal entrapment by incorrect or out of place accessory floor mats.

In this latest recall, the Japanese automaker said that it has investigated isolated reports of sticking accelerator pedal mechanisms in certain vehicles even without the presence of floor mats.

According to Toyota, there's a possibility that certain accelerators may, "in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to the idle position."

"Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company," commented Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter.

"This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We're making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible."

Because of the sales halt, the company said that it will stop producing vehicles on certain production lines for the week of February 1. The affected factories are listed below:

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada (Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (Sequoia and Highlander)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky – Line 1 (Camry and Avalon)

--Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. (Camry)

--Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (Tundra)

2010 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia SUV Facelift with new 310HP 4.6L V8 and Higher Prices

Ah yes, yet another 2010MY vehicle is being launched in the U.S. This time it's Toyota and its full size 2010 Tundra pickup truck and Sequoia SUV models that will begin arriving at dealerships at the end of the month. Both models benefit from the introduction of a new 4.6-liter V8 engine with 310HP and 327 lb-ft of peak torque that's mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Compared to the previous 4.7-liter V8, the new engine delivers 34 additional horsepower with a preliminary EPA fuel efficiency rating of 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway on the Tundra 4x2 models and 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway on the Sequoia.

Furthermore, all 2010MY Tundra pickups receive a redesigned front grille and tail lamps while there's also an all-new Platinum Package for the CrewMax Limited models equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 and Flex Fuel powertrains. This package adds an array of features such as heated and ventilated seats, sunroof, and wood grain trim, and carries an MSRP of $4,662.

Prices for the 2010 Tundra range from $22,960 for the Regular Cab 4x2 standard bed with a V6 engine to $42,155 for the range-topping CrewMax Limited 4x4 with a 5.7-liter V8 engine. The new MSRPs reflect an average overall increase of $557 over the previous model.

The 2010MY Sequoia SUV has been enhanced with a higher level of standard comfort and safety features such as driver and front passenger knee airbag and the new standard audio system that has been upgraded to include Bluetooth, satellite radio capability and MP3 interface with an auxiliary audio jack and USB port.

The base MSRP for the Sequoia ranges from $38,530 for the SR5 4x2 with a new 4.6-liter V8 engine to $58,905 for the Platinum 4x4 with a 5.7-liter V8. According to the Japanese automaker, the new MSRPs reflect a significant average overall increase of $3,361 for all Sequoia models.

Toyota to Export U.S. Made Sequoia SUV and Tundra Pickup

With sales of large SUVs and pickup trucks in the States on the constant decline Toyota decided to partially deal with the oversupply problem by exporting the Sequoia SUV that's made in Indiana to the Middle East and South America, and the Tundra pickup truck made at its plant in Texas to South America. Annually, Toyota plans to ship approximately 15,000 units of the Sequoia to the Middle East, and around 150 units of the Sequoia and 1,000 units of the Tundra to South America. In both cases, exports are scheduled to start in December 2008.