Toyota Tarago returned to 2006 prices

TOYOTA Australia has wound back the clock on its Tarago people-mover, returning four-cylinder versions of the venerable eight-seater to prices worn at launch in March 2006.

The price cuts – up to $3500 or 6.7 per cent – headline a range update that also brings a new continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to four cylinder models and extra standard equipment to all variants.

The entry-level GLI will now set buyers back $48,990 plus on-road costs (down from $52,490) and gets the CVT (with a seven-speed manual mode) in place of the old four-speed automatic.

As a result, the 125kW/224Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine now consumes six per cent less petrol on the combined cycle, with official figures of 8.9L/100km and emissions of 207g/km.

The CVT has also been added to the higher-specified four-cylinder GLX variant, which has received a $2000 price cut and now costs $51,990 plus ORC.

Both four-cylinder variants also get an updated audio system with three-line dot matrix text display, FM radio text, voice recognition for some phone and audio functions and phonebook access for the existing Bluetooth system.



GLI, GLX and flagship Ultima versions powered by the 202kW V6 engine retain the same six-speed automatic as before, but all get extra features as well as price reductions.

The entry GLI now costs $53,990 plus ORC (down from $56,290), and gets Optitron high-visibility instrument display behind the steering wheel (also added to both four-cylinder variants).

The six-cylinder GLX gets a power sliding passenger-side door operated by a switch on the dashboard or the key fob, rear privacy glass (also new to the four-cylinder GLX) and high-intensity discharge cornering headlights with automatic levelling and washers.

The extra features come with a higher pricetag, however, with the GLX V6 now costing $59,490 – an increase of some $1390.

The top-grade Ultima has had its price cut by $1300, and gets a new 17-inch alloy wheel design, revised woodgrain cabin highlights and a new 9.0-inch LCD rear display for back-seat occupants.

As part of the latest Tarago upgrade, all variants also gain revised interiors with new colours and ornamentation as well as new seat upholstery patterns.

Toyota Australia has sold 540 Taragos so far this year, representing 16.6 per cent growth, but the car still trails behind segment-leaders like the Kia Carnival (1821), Hyundai iMax (987), Honda Odyssey (874) and Dodge Journey (577).

2012 Toyota Tarago pricing (plus on-roads):
2.4 GLi	$48,990
2.4 GLX	$51,990
V6 GLi	$53,990
V6 GLX	$59,490
V6 Ultima	$71,490