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Toyota wants improved crash scores with midcycle facelifts

The performances of some Toyotas in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) regimen of crash tests leave something to be desired. Consider the small overlap frontal crash test: only six Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles have undergone the new test, yet all but one of them received a poor rating. Osama Nagata, CEO of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc., says midcycle vehicle updates are in the works to address the safety issues brought to light by the IIHS test, Automotive News reports. He confirmed that the RAV4 is getting safety updates following its crash test performance last month, but he didn't name any other models.
All three Toyotas that were tested - 2013 RAV4, 2012-2013 Prius V, 2012-2013 Camry - received poor ratings. The 2007-2012 Lexus ES 350 and 2006-2013 IS 250/350 also received poor ratings. The only other Toyota Motor Corp. vehicle to score better than poor is the 2014 Scion TC. It received an acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal crash test and is the only recent vehicle in Toyota's line-up to get the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
The small overlap front crash test measures the safety of a car when its front left corner is strikes an object during an accident, bypassing traditional crumple zones, which deform in a way to protect passengers. In 2009, automakers were alerted to the forthcoming addition of the test, which was first implemented last year, IIHS spokesman Russ Rader says. They responded with differing intensity, he says, pointing out that Subaru and Honda started incorporating design changes early on so their cars would perform well in the tests.

Lexus, Mazda and Subaru top Consumer Reports Brand Report Cards

A revised methodology in devising its annual Car Brand Report Cards has seen Consumer Reports award Lexus its top overall ranking for 2013. For the first time ever, the institute broke out individual brands from their larger corporate umbrellas, meaning car makers like Lexus and Scion were judged independently from parent company Toyota. That strategy worked out well for Lexus, as the luxury brand earned a top report card score of 79 for the 2013 model year.
The institute has recommended every one of the Lexus models it has tested to date, and said that the company's products won out thanks to "a foundation of plush and very reliable vehicles."
Meanwhile, Mazda and Subaru tied for the second-highest scoring report cars, with scores of 76. Subaru earned praised for sporting models like the BRZ, which CR testers apparently had a lot of fun driving (naturally), while the Mazda products were lauded for their blend of practicality, sportiness and efficiency. Both of the Japanese brands offered good handling, fuel economy and versatility, said Consumer Reports.

2022 Lexus RX L Black Line special edition darkens the three-row RX

The march of Black Line models continues for Lexus’ lineup. This time, itÂ’s the 2022 Lexus RX L Black Line special edition. It joins previous Black Line models from the NX, UX, GS, IS and ES. Yes, the Black Line special edition treatment has graced a massive chunk of the Lexus lineup already. Similar to past models, the RX LÂ’s Black Line package is all about aesthetics and exclusivity. Only 495 will be made in total. Lexus says that 389 will be of the 350L and 106 will be of the 450hL All Black Lines will have a blacked-out grille, black mirrors, black rear lower bumper and black badging. TheyÂ’ll also be fitted with unique 20-inch black wheels and black lug nuts. The standard exterior paint option will be a new-for-2022 Cloudburst Gray, but you can optionally have Eminent White Pearl to contrast all the black trim. The Black LineÂ’s interior includes black leather seats with blue stitching in the first two rows. Lexus doesnÂ’t specify what kind of treatment the third row receives, but itÂ’s likely less exciting than the first two. This blue stitching extends to the center console, gear lever, steering wheel and instrument panel. Your interior trim is done in black open-pore wood trim that looks rather nice in LexusÂ’ photos. Finally, Lexus finishes it off with special black floor mats and key gloves. Pricing for the 350L version begins at $53,055, and the 450hL at $56,315. Lexus says the Black Line models will hit dealerships at the end of July. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.