Toyota Tarago gets new gearbox, new prices | CarAdvice

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Toyota Tarago gets new gearbox, new prices

TOYOTA TARAGO
By David Zalstein |
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The Toyota Tarago range has been updated with a new transmission, better fuel economy, new features and lower prices.

The four-cylinder Toyota Tarago GLi (pictured top) and GLX are now fitted with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), replacing the previous conventional four-speed automatic.

The CVT can be driven in either ‘D’ (Drive) to save fuel or in ‘M’ (Manual), which allows drivers to take advantage of the ‘seven-speed’ sequential gear-shifting.

Toyota Tarago - 4

The new transmission teams with the existing 125kW/224Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to lower combined cycle fuel consumption by more than six per cent to 8.9 litres per 100km, while average CO2 emissions are down 6.8 per cent to 207 grams per kilometre.

The price of entry-level four-cylinder Tarago GLi has been reduced $3500 to $48,990 – on par with prices from March 2006 – and includes seven airbags, stability control, traction control and brake assist as standard. The four-cylinder Tarago GLX has been reduced $2000 to $51,990.

Toyota Tarago - 2

The updated Tarago V6 GLi and V6 Ultima retain the 202kW/340Nm 3.5-litre petrol six-cylinder and also see their prices drop by $2300 and $1300, respectively.

The V6 Tarago GLX has had a price rise of $1390 but sees the addition of a power sliding passenger-side door and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights with advanced front-lighting system that sees the lights swivel in response to steering angle and vehicle speed. The HID headlights also come with automatic leveling and washers.

The power sliding door, standard on the Ultima, can be operated from a switch on the dash, a button on the key fob or by the door handle.

Toyota Tarago - 3

All models receive updated interiors with new colours and new seat upholstery patterns as well as push-button start. Tarago V6 GLX and Ultima models also score smart keyless entry while both four-cylinder and V6 GLX models gain rear privacy glass.

The Tarago Ultima gets further tweaks with woodgrain-look highlights on the instrument panel, steering wheel, shift knob, centre-console and door-switch surrounds.

Toyota Tarago - 6

The Ultima’s rear-seat entertainment system has also been upgraded to a nine-inch VGA LCD high-resolution display compatible with Blu-ray and DVD along with auxiliary jack, USB input, and Bluetooth hands-free telephone and audio streaming.

Both four-cylinder and V6 GLi variants include an updated audio system that includes voice recognition capabilities, Bluetooth phonebook access as well as an AUX/USB inputs and full Bluetooth connectivity.

The range-topping Ultima (pictured below) scores new 15-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels while the mid-grade GLX picks up the Ultima’s previous 10-spoke 17-inch wheels. The Tarago GLi retains its existing 16-inch wheels.

Toyota Tarago - 5

The Toyota Tarago is available in seven exterior colours: Glacier White, Crystal Pearl, Silver Pearl, Ice Titanium, Ebony, Scarlet, and Indian Summer.

2012 Toyota Tarago manufacturer’s list prices:

  • Tarago 2.4-litre GLi - $48,990
  • Tarago 2.4-litre GLX - $51,990
  • Tarago 3.5-litre V6 GLi - $53,990
  • Tarago 3.5-litre V6 GLX - $59,490
  • Tarago 3.5-litre V6 Ultima - $71,490
  • Robin_Graves

    That woodgrain ultima interior looks horrible.  Obviously aimed at the seppo market.

    • JR

      except they dont sell them over there

    • jr

      There not for sale in the USA you uninformed clown

      • Robin_Graves

        Well seppos are the only ones with poor tastes to like fake woodgrain.  The fact they dont even sell them in USA makes it even more crazy.

    • nickdl

      Still, it’s better than the old one…

  • Daniel

    Why is it so expensive? If I was buying the base model I’d just get a Grand Carnival and if I was getting the Ultima I’d much rather get a Discovery 4. I don’t see much point in this to be honest, not at these prices.

    • Info

      …you are right and the disco offers so much more than this Toyota bus. Another cheap option is the iMax if you need the room.

    • NAND

      This is better then discovery..

      Especially in the V6 disguise

      • Daniel

        Hahaha! You’re funny :)

      • Noddy of Toyland

        The V6 is a bloody rocket!

        • Jonnah

          Yeah the 2GR-FE V6 is a very ubiquitous engine known for good performance..

    • Nathaniel

      People have different needs to you I guess. I guess we should just all try to keep an open mind…

  • Chest Rockjaw

    A Toyota CVT… I hope it’s more reliable than other CVTs out there.

  • davey

    Some of you just don’t get the space benefits of a people mover vs a 7seat SUV/4×4. We have both in our driveway, and on holidays, the Grand Carnival gets the gig EVERY TIME. The same goes for regular outings…it’s nearly always the Grandy. When you carry 6 or more everyday, an SUV is just a pita in comparison (just ask the kids who have to clamber into tight SUV 3rd rows).

    Unless you are towing, the people movers with their lower CofG offer safer car like handling compared to the higher SUV’s.

    I’d much rather bang around in a Boxter S or a C63 though (3rd car maybe).

    • Daniel

      I do get it, but as I wrote above if you’re paying that much why not just get a Grand Carnival and pay less (as you have done)? It’s not as if the driving characteristics or the interiors are really ever up to much in this class of car anyway, I think it would be better to get the best value proposition. And if you were paying a lot more, if you could get away with an SUV, it probably would be a nice car in most aspects because it would essentially be a luxury car.

  • O123

    the interior is getting worse, same head unit in the GLI as a 15k yaris, nice. Great legroom though

  • Schn

    I think CVT is a well suited to this kind of car. 

  • Henry Toussaint

    It’s about time the Tarago got some Notice, Toyota doesn’t even bother advertising it…

  • Mctempany

    Wish they’d replace this dinosaur with the Alphard or Vellfire – much better looking, RHD and brimming with kit.

    • Henry Toussaint

       The Vellfire is pretty cool looking, but I like the Tarago better

  • JamesB

    The 2.0 Corolla already has a CVT in developing nations, so why not here? The Tarago also ought to get the new 2.5 engine of the Camry.

  • Martin

    Tarago needs a totally new model replacement. It looks very dated. The Hilux based Innova MPV in developing markets look much better than Tarago.

  • D987

    ‘Toyota Tarago gets new gearbox, new prices’ but same eye gouging design.

  • Neeko

    Our Toyota dealership hasn’t sold one of these in over a year.