- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 8 seats
- Engine
2.4i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
125kW, 224Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 9.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Toyota Tarago GLX
It's been a while since the people-mover segment has seen anything new but things are picking up, with Kia's big Grand Carnival arriving soon to build on the popularity of its smaller predecessor.
Toyota has also launched the fourth-generation version of its Tarago, claiming more power, better fuel economy, lower emissions, improved handling, better safety and improved space and flexibility.
The new Tarago will have to be good, because it's fighting for sales in a very competitive market. Honda's Odyssey, the Grand Carnival and Mitsubishi's Grandis sell for between $37,000 and $45,000, depending on specifications. The cheapest Tarago, the GLi, costs $48,990.
The GLi would appear to have little to show for the extra money - of course it seats eight while most of its rivals seat seven, but climate-control air-conditioning, cruise control, CD player, remote central locking and power windows add up to a distinctly unspectacular equipment list.
Standard safety features consist of twin-front airbags, ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and a mechanical Brake Assist system. You can order Toyota's enhanced safety pack, which adds stability/traction control, a pre-crash system (which prepares the front seatbelts in anticipation of a collision) side airbags, curtain airbags, a driver's knee airbag and an electronic BA system - for an extra $1500.
The range-topping GLX model tested here is better value. It costs just $1500 more than a safety-packed GLi yet is much more generously equipped, adding all the safety gear as well as front and rear parking sensors, CD stacker, 17-inch alloys and climate-controlled air for the rear of the cabin.
Toyota has fiddled with the Tarago's core layout to lower the floor and boost cabin space, including a space-efficient torsion beam rear suspension. It has certainly got as much space as any family could wish for, despite being 30 mm lower than before.
Big, comfy seats slide a hefty 667 mm fore and aft. The final row comfortably accommodates two adults. However, it is a bit of a squeeze for three, making the eight-seater claim a bit rich if long-haul use is on the cards.
While both rows of seats can be folded, flipped and slid forward when not in use, the Tarago's system eats up significantly more space than in rival movers where seats can be stowed under the floor. But storage for smaller items is excellent, including eight cup holders and four bottle holders. Even the spare wheel has been installed upside down to open up more storage.
For the driver, the former 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine has picked up 10 kW of power but it lacks the punch required to push the Tarago's 1795 kg frame with any conviction.
The Toyota's performance is acceptable, and the engine is impressively smooth, quiet and economical. But with a few passengers or a load of luggage on board the Tarago struggles and needs a good boot-full of revs to maintain speed on climbs - which, not surprisingly, has a negative impact on fuel economy. The mandatory automatic shift has only four speeds. An extra ratio would benefit performance and economy.
However, the Tarago rides effortlessly, soaking up all but the worst lumps and bumps, and wind, tyre and mechanical noise are all impressively hushed. The power steering lacks feel and precision, and there's no getting around the fact the Tarago is a tall, nose-heavy device when pushed hard through a corner.
In the end, the Tarago stands as a mild disappointment. A premium price, lacklustre performance and unremarkable cabin flexibility stop it short of redefining expectations in the people-mover segment.