An automobile which feels as though it has been crafted, instead of just assembled. Noise levels within the cabin are incredibly well-controlled, the quality is exceptionally high, and also the driving dynamics are great, if a little uninvolving.

Performance make up the entry-level 1.8 is adequate, however the best from the vehicle is gained once the highest power option, a 161 PS 2.0 litre four, is specified.

This enables the car to stretch itself and showcase its ability with the bends nicely. The substantial estate is nice, but the best option remains the solid-feeling sedan. New Verso MPV variant has yet to appear.

Toyota’s premier mid-sized car is tailored for the American market Powered along with a V6 and packed with all the expected goodies, electric everything.

The vehicle is very definitely tailored for meet demand from pensionable-age Americans who’ve settled for any quiet life. Soft suspension means unremarkable handling (while there is a vehicle stability package available being an option which sharpens things up a goody) and the standard automatic transmission likewise helps make the car feel as if it has been on Prozac.

But buyers possibly on Prozac themselves – seem unbothered by such lethargic performance, and keep buying Avalons.

An enormous and impressively robust and practical off-road machine, it’s a toss-up between this and also the similar scale Range Rover the best idea.

Certainly both have devout bands of followers who appreciate the durability and reliability of the big machines. On road behaviour of the Amazon can feel just a little vague; the very best is gained out of this machine whenever you routinely drive along unmade tracks or though slippery fields.

Along with its functional advantages the Amazon still comes nicely equipped, giving occupants a surprisingly pleasant ride.

Toyota’s hybrid vehicle runs on the small engine associated with an electric motor package to produce an ecologically sound sedan.

The slightly strange visual appearance of the car can produce a little initial prejudice against it, but set your emotions aside and also the car’s charm has decided to win over basically the most power crazed.

Handling is neat and tidy, the vehicle is uncannily quiet, and acceleration quite acceptable. This is also true when the bonus in the electric motor takes over, taking the type of stunningly good gas mileage.

Toyota allegedly loses about £10k on every Prius sold, but this really is considered acceptable, because of the positive ecological image how the car represents with this global giant.

Now revelling in its new found status as the world’s second largest motor manufacturer after General Motors; Toyota is celebrating by expanding its already-broad model range even more; this includes the long-awaited debut of their acclaimed Lexus brand in Japan.

New large sedans are going to be unveiled in Japan as well as in Europe the small car market has several new models because of arrive in the next 12 months.

Being all things to any or all people is really a tough act to follow, though, plus some industry critics are worried that Toyota may be about to ‘do a Mitsubishi’ and over-stretch itself.

We reckon such fears are unfounded and may expect consolidation of their Number Two status. Part of Toyota’s success is due to the new brands it’s launched (Scion in addition to Lexus) the core strength of their success is due to an enviable track record of quality and sturdiness.

They may be unexciting to look at and specifications, but Toyotas would be the Volvos of the eastern world.

Tata’s stab in a home-grown competitor to countless Japanese sports utility vehicles (SUVs) is really a substantially built machine.

A modern-looking SUV, it shares little of their technology using the heavier-duty Sumo (an indicator of how important this emerging market sector would be to Tata) and is provided with either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive.

A very more sophisticated suspension system not dissimilar towards the coil-spring and torsion bar package familiar to drivers of certain Land Rover models is really a feature of the Safari, out of the box a single engine choice the 90PS turbo diesel.

A vintage three-box sedan that bears a passing resemblance to countless European cars of the 1980s, Indigo is made upon exactly the same floor pan since the Indica, but adds a boot.

You’ll also have an estate version along before too long. Again being delivered using the 1.4 petrol or 1.4 turbo-diesel engines, the vehicle is tailored for providing comfortable, European style accommodation to India’s burgeoning ranks of car buyers; the amount of class consciousness in India can’t ever be underplayed, and that’s why the car looks so conservative.

The V2 is second-generation of Tata’s little city car, a hugely effective low-price machine that’s fast gaining interest amongst India’s urban elite; until this car arrived they were forced to think about the much less funky products of Hindustan.

A five seater having a choice of 1.4 litre petrol or 1.4 litre diesel engines (having a natural gas burner due at the end of 2004) the vehicle has a distinctly European look.

Handling is less precise than we’re used to in Europe (and obtain with the City Rover) because of the have to accommodate the potholes of rural India.

It’s still appreciably much better than many locally-built cars can lay claim that they can, though.

Tata’s place as India’s second-biggest car manufacturer is most likely doing its customers a favour; second place players usually go the extra mile.

The four car group of Tata used to virtually unknown outside of the far east before company did an offer with Rover to market in its Indica V2, suitably re-badged since the City Rover.

Indica is as simple as a long way probably the most technologically advanced Tata; its other main car; the Indigo, looks far more conservative since it is conservative, to match its intended buyer profile.

The passenger cars are accompanied by a sports utility that takes on Toyota and Nissan, amongst others, along with a substantial 4×4 that is both popular and practical inside a part of the world that routinely gets ravaged by floods.

Part of the major industrial group; Tata has ambitions outside its homeland, but even it that expansion involves nothing the organization is well-placed to develop in line with the rapidly-expanding population of the sub-continent, that is expected to get to be the world’s biggest nation (overhauling China) within the next ten years.

Tall, skinny and boxy, the Wagon R+ (Nobody appears to know what the plus sign means) was made to meet demand in the local market of Japan, where such cars gain tax advantages.

The curious looks polarise audience, but those who be seduced by its strange charm profess themselves pleased with the car.

There’s a mass of headroom, but width reaches a premium inside the cabin. Not confined is power with 91 PS to experience with in the 1300cc engine, there’s sufficient to permit the car to become fully exploited in the natural habitat of city centres.

Available as a sedan and as a five door hatchback, Liana is really a modestly priced option to mainstream cars within the fiercely fought small family car market.

A free-revving 1.6 litre petrol engine may be the only choice, but there’s a choice between manual or automatic transmissions. Handling is gently predictable, the vehicle scribing ever-greater arcs as it is designed to corner more quickly than it loves to.

Equipment levels are high, with many features that other manufacturers would charge extra being bundled to the standard specification.

A robust little sports utility obtainable in both hardtop (estate) and soft top forms, the Jimny is extremely capable dirt, but the downside is on-road performance that feels vague and unpredictable.

Jimny does, however, possess a certain charm, and it is popular amongst hill-dwelling folk who appreciate being able to deal with slippery conditions.

The estate is sensible, but the soft top car is more fun, due to the fact it offers a means of communing with nature and feels as though a proper little Jeep.

The funky styling, which seems to look both modern and classic 4×4 simultaneously, helps keep up with the model’s appeal.