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Eight
Toyota vehicles from the compact Yaris to the
legendary LandCruiser have been named winners
or finalists in the latest national motoring awards.
LandCruiser
is a double winner - being judged Best 4WD over
$40,000 in one award and taking out the Large
SUV title in another.
Toyota's
Prado, HiLux and HiAce joined LandCruiser to dominate
the "tough truck" categories of the
Carsales network people's choice awards.
Toyota
was the only manufacturer to claim four people's
choice awards with each of the winning vehicles
repeating its victory from the previous year.
LandCruiser's
other victory was in the Fairfax Drive Car of
the Year awards.
Carsales.com
Ltd managing director and CEO Greg Roebuck said
Toyota's results in the people's choice awards
showed the strength of its brand.
"It's
obvious that these new-vehicle buyers' love affair
with Toyota continues despite many new entrants
in the segments," Mr Roebuck said.
He
said small business operators were typically down-to-earth,
practical people looking for value for money and
reliability. They valued what brands like Toyota
delivered.
The
Fairfax Drive judges said the LandCruiser GXL
turbo-diesel provided unbeatable off-road performance
and quiet, relaxed highway touring.
Awarding
the 'Cruiser for the second year running, they
said the Toyota fulfils its intended purpose better
than any 4WD.
"It
can take up to eight people most places on the
planet in relative comfort, without burning too
big a hole in the pocket.
"The
4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel has loads of grunt for
towing and is pretty economical too. On the highway,
the Toyota is one of the quietest around."
Toyota's
Australian-made Aurion V6 was a finalist in two
sets of awards - Best Large Car by Drive and by
Australia's motoring clubs.
"The
Aurion remains the fastest and most frugal car
in this class," Drive judges said. "It
also has a strong safety package and a comfortable
ride."
Yaris
YRS five-door, a finalist in the Drive Best Small
Car under $20,000 category, was described as "a
solid all-rounder".
"The
judges were impressed by its road-holding and
felt the recent makeover had lifted the look and
feel of the cabin."
The
front-drive Kluger KX-R, a finalist in the Best
People Mover category, was "sharply priced,
has a ripper engine and a five-star safety package,
including seven airbags, stability control and
a reversing camera".
Prado
GXL diesel was also a finalist in Australia's
Best Cars for Best All-Terrain 4WD.
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