1980 Toyota Stout Reviews

The world's most popular nameplate is still Australia's most popular small passenger car. The current-generation Toyota Corolla hatchback is getting on now, but is it still a solid offering in a sea of small SUVs?

Thanks to five World Rally Championship (WRC) titles and a devout following among performance car enthusiasts, in less than five years Toyota’s pint-sized GR Yaris has achieved hot hatch icon status.And not content to rest on its laurels, the Japanese giant has continuously evolved the compact turbocharged all-wheel drive package since it emerged in late 2020.In fact, its latest upgrade arrived here just last month, with more power, a refreshed interior and the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission alongside the existing six-speed manual gearbox.Now Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has confirmed another GR Yaris evolution, developed with what it says are “insights gained from motorsports”.Specifically, the WRC, domestic Super Taikyu Series and Japanese Rally Championship where TGR operates under the slogan "Thanks for breaking it", directed at drivers pushing these competition cars to their limits and beyond. And prepare yourself for some hardcore nerdy content because some of the updates are closer to a suspension engineer’s fever dream than a conventional running change.For example, “Special bolts with a high level of fastening rigidity” have been deployed to help fasten chassis components with the aim of improving steering response, straight-line stability and an “evolved sense of oneness with the car”.The shock absorbers have been re-calibrated and the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) re-tuned “to accommodate changes to the bolts that fasten chassis parts” and  “accommodate increased torque used to tighten a portion of the conventional bolts”.In one instance the bolts partially securing the front lower arms and lower ball joints change from a 22mm to 24mm head size, and the fasteners locating the top of the rear dampers now feature a stronger faceted flange rather than a flat one. TGR Super GT and Super Formula driver Kazuya Oshima was recruited to help refine shock absorber damping force for better control and ride comfort and also improve the steering’s linearity.A drift and rally-style ‘vertical parking brake’ will be offered as an option on all trim levels, the full suite of ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ features will now be standard across the range and the footrest on automatic models has been enlarged.Speaking of which, the auto transmission has been “further honed” by expanding the speed range for downshifting (second to first gear) via the paddle shifter when in Drive, “improving the sense of directness” near the redline when selecting ‘Sport’ in manual mode and optimising up-shift timing during full-throttle acceleration.Three trim levels will be offered in the Japanese domestic market with the flagship RZ "High performance" GR Yaris “tuned to provide speed and controllability at the limit of performance with a view to aggressive circuit driving”.At the same time, an ‘Aero Performance Package’ will become available in Japan later this year, featuring elements designed to “address every single issue encountered during racing and circuit evaluations”.The package includes a ducted aluminium hood, front lip spoiler, fender ducts, a fuel tank undercover, variable rear wing and rear bumper ducts.TGR says orders for the updated GR Yaris are open in Japan now with domestic sales to commence on May 6. Prices range from the equivalent of $39,600 for the entry-level RC manual, to $59,300 for the top-spec RZ High Performance auto.For reference, the current two-model Australian line-up starts at $55,490, before on-road costs for the GT manual and tops out at $62,990 (BOC) for the GTS auto.When asked if the latest evolution of the GR Yaris would be offered locally a Toyota spokesperson told CarsGuide, “GR is an increasingly important part of our line-up, bringing added fun and excitement to our customers and our brand with innovations such as the evolved GR Yaris and the optional aero performance package. In Australia, we are keen to evaluate any new GR products should they become available for our market,” they said.

The Ford Ranger is undergoing an evolution that will see Australia’s best-selling vehicle grow in size as well as scope, as it fends off the coming Toyota HiLux facelift and all-new rivals like the Kia Tasman, MG U9 and next-gen Nissan Navara. These are new niche programs and models that should shore up the current T6.2 architecture’s viability into the next decade for Australia.

Polestar Australia and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) have slammed the Coalition’s proposed plan to scrap fines for carmakers that exceed emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) if it wins the federal election in May.

Toyota has whipped the covers off an updated HiLux GR Sport in Europe, with the model scoring increased ground clearance, wider front and rear tracks and revised suspension and damping to deliver what the brand calls “the best driving HiLux yet".But before were get too excited, Toyota in Australia tells us it isn’t aware of any plan to update our HiLux GR Sport, instead suggesting that the new model “introduces many of the features already available in Australia”.Billed as the Toyota HiLux GR Sport II, the European model does feature a lot of the upgrades already present on our hardcore HiLux, but the biggest discernible difference is the ground clearance.While Australia’s GR Sport is listed at 265mm, the V2 model increases that numbers to 323mm. It shares the same wider front and rear tracks, by 135 mm and 155 mm respectively, and the new information out of the Europe promises revised suspension and damping.“The suspension system has been revised with a 70 mm increase in the width of the front arms, the adoption of a lighter, tubular anti-roll bar and repositioning of the spring and damper assemblies further outboard. At the rear the axle has a new square cross-section and the dampers have been repositioned, to the outside of the vehicle’s frame,” Toyota Europe says.“Measures to gain a smoother and more stable ride over any terrain include new monotube dampers with large-diameter (46 mm) pistons in place of the previous twin-tube units. These provide better performance and faster response in tough conditions.”The Toyota HiLux GR Sport in Australia isn’t going anywhere — though a new model is reportedly earmarked for 2026.“The HiLux GR Sport being released in selected European markets introduces many of the features already available in Australia, such as the wider tracks and the 48V technology, although there may be some market-specific differences in specification and trim,” a Toyota Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide.Change is coming to the HiLux, though, with reports the 2026 update will include a GR Sport version that won't just feature key upgrades to improve its capability, comfort and cabin technology, but could also feature the thumping 2.4-litre i-Force Max hybrid powertrain from the Toyota Tacoma as an engine option.

Could the Australian car industry have been saved?

The Ford Ranger might have found itself back on top of Australia’s sales charts in March, but a dig into the numbers reveal cracks in the sales ambitions of the Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.

Next year is shaping as one of the biggest, and most important, in Toyota's history, with fresh reports pointing to an avalanche of new products including an affordable LandCruiser, the updated Toyota HiLux and new RAV4 Hybrid.

The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) of Australia has condemned a rumoured plan by the Coalition to scrap fines for carmakers that exceed emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) scheme, should Opposition Leader Peter Dutton win the federal election in May.According to a report by The Australian, Coalition sources said they have secured the support of the automotive sector in a move that is aimed at undermining Labor’s claims that the cost of petrol and diesel cars would not increase under NVES. The full policy is expected to be detailed closer to election day.EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio said the potential policy shift would give manufacturers a free pass to continue selling more pollutive cars, while failing to bring the cost of electric cars and hybrids down for consumers.“Removing penalties in the efficiency standard will mean one thing: Australians will be locked out of the savings that come from switching to an EV - up to $3000 a year that could be in their pocket - simply because the most fuel-efficient vehicles will never reach our shores,” said Delvecchio.The EVC has maintained that the NVES has delivered lower costs for consumers since it was implemented on January 1, with the number of EVs and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models on sale in Australia now exceeding 120 models, including Australia’s first EV priced under $30,000 – the BYD Dolphin.“No penalties means fewer fuel-efficient vehicles and higher running costs," Delvecchio added.“While it's still early days, the NVES is already proving essential in expanding consumer choice, lowering fuel bills and driving competitive pricing for EVs and fuel-efficient cars.”The NVES was devised with the aim of encouraging car brands to progressively sell more fuel-efficient vehicles in Australia or face a $100 fine for every gram of carbon they exceed over the limit for each vehicle sold. Australia is often cited as one of the last developed nations globally – alongside Russia – to adopt a vehicle emissions standard.Emissions targets are set at 143g/km for passenger vehicles and a more lenient 210g/km for light commercial vehicles, which includes Australia’s popular ute segment. Fines aren’t enacted until 2028, with the emissions threshold lowering each year.Despite demand for EVs falling 19.9 per cent in March compared to the same time last year, PHEV sales increased by a staggering 380 per cent off the back of the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption concluding on April 1.Demand for petrol-hybrids, meanwhile, has climbed by 34.8 per cent compared to March last year, while petrol and diesel sales have fallen by 9.8 per over the same period.The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which represents several of Australia’s top-selling car brands such as Toyota, Mitsubishi and Ford, has been critical of the NVES from its inception.CEO Tony Weber said that falling consumer demand for EVs this year reflected the government’s failure to account for consumer demands when devising the scheme.“We are at a critical point in transitioning to a lower-emission vehicle fleet. But the reality is clear: Australian families and businesses are not shifting in large numbers to EVs,” Weber said.“The Australian automotive industry has long advocated for an ambitious and achievable emissions standard. Once again, questions must be asked about the Government’s modelling and in particular their assumptions about consumer acceptance of new low-emissions technologies.”In a statement on the NVES, Sean Hanley, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations for Toyota, Australia’s top-selling car brand, said it supported the NVES but that the targets would be difficult for manufacturers to meet.“The targets within the NVES are very challenging, particularly for commercial vehicles,” said Hanley.“We have no intention of discontinuing vehicles popular with the Australian public. We also recognise we have a duty to customers who need 'tool of trade' vehicles.”Despite its passenger line-up only consisting of hybrid powertrains, the majority of which sit under the first phase of the NVES’ emission targets, Toyota sells several best-selling SUV and ute models that breach the targets, such as the HiLux, LandCruiser and Prado.Its 22-model rich line-up also only includes one EV, compared to several other Chinese brands that have arrived in Australia more recently and only carry EVs or PHEVs, such as BYD.Mitsubishi Australia, whose President and CEO Shaun Wescott serves as Deputy Chair of the FCAI, echoed support for the NVES but said that consumers would benefit from its reform.The brand sells one of the country’s most popular PHEVs – the Outlander PHEV – but is yet to offer an EV in Australia.“There are notable challenges in aligning the policy’s ambition with market realities and practical constraints. Automotive manufacturers face several hurdles, including market gaps in certain vehicle segments, constraints of designing and bringing new cars to the Australian market, and a slowing consumer uptake of EVs due to concerns about limited charging infrastructure,” said Mitsubishi's Government Relations Manager, Yarik Turianskyi.Ford Australia, which generated 89 per cent of its sales last year from the diesel-powered Ranger ute and Everest SUV, said it would work with whichever government won the election on the NVES, but voiced similar concerns to Toyota and Mitsubishi.“We recognise the importance of an emissions scheme for the country, and we continue to engage with industry and the government to make sure our voice is heard when it comes to creating a supportive ecosystem, and other measures,” said a Ford spokesperson.“We know that NVES will be a challenging transition for the industry and for us. We will do the same with whomever forms the government after the upcoming election.”The Albanese government has said it plans on reviewing the NVES periodically from 2026.For Julie Delvecchio, ensuring penalties remain for car brands who breach the targets is integral to Australians realising long-term cost-of-living relief, while ensuring the transport sector meets its government-mandated targets of net zero by 2050.“Without a strong fuel efficiency standard, Australia risks once again becoming the world's dumping ground for fuel-guzzling, polluting vehicles. Some manufacturers may prefer a toothless policy, but Australians would pay the price for such short-sighted changes.”

The interior of the eagerly awaited next-gen Honda Prelude has been revealed thanks to a Japanese YouTuber who has given us a glimpse into the cabin.When the Prelude concept made its debut in 2023 at the Tokyo mobility show it had blacked-out windows so the interior remained a mystery. It’s also highly unlikely it even had a finished interior at that point.Now thanks to Japanese YouTuber Unadon we’ve been given a guided tour inside the two-door 2+2 seater sports car and it's not quite as groundbreaking as we hoped.If anything the cabin, dashboard, controls and instruments are much the same as the cockpit in the current Honda Civic.Sure the new Prelude’s cabin is sporty and the two-tone sports seats with embossed Prelude headrests look modern and luxurious, but the climate control dials, honeycomb mesh air vents and steering wheel will all be familiar to anybody who has bought a Honda in the past few years.The rear seat is more or less a hard grey-coloured featureless bench without any form of obvious lateral support or even moulding for rear passengers.It’s unlikely the back seats will ever house the two people they’re designed to accommodate given the lack of space back there with the heavily sloped roofline and limited legroom. Unadon discovered how cramped it is when we ventured back there. There are also two ISOFIX points if child seats need to be installed.Unadon also gives us a look at the boot under the Prelude's liftback tailgate, revealing a small but deep area behind the rear seats that appears to be about 200 litres in capacity. He also folds the rear seats down to open up even more load carrying space.The Prelude, which is expected to make its European launch by the middle of 2025, will be hybrid only and use a petrol-electric system similar to the unit in the Civic. A manual transmission won't be available either.It's still not been confirmed for Australia, but our fingers are crossed.