5 Best Pickup Trucks that You Should Consider Driving

Pickup trucks are highly popular and suitable for off road driving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Originally designed as rugged motor vehicles, with an open cargo area in the rear, pickups have over the years been modified to have an SUV-like stance. More and more people are buying these vehicles for lifestyle reasons. Consequently, automobile manufacturers like Toyota have been adding several new advanced features and technology to their pick up vehicles to enhance their utility.

Some Toyota Pickups for Driving in Saudi Arabia

Japanese automaker Toyota offers a wide range of pickups for the Saudi Arabian market. Here are some of the most popular models.

·         Toyota Hilux SC and DC: Currently in its eighth generation, the Hilux is available in the single cab and crew cab configurations. Hilux is also available in three variants with 2.0-litre and 2.7-litre petrol engines, and a new more powerful 2.4-litre diesel engine. While the 2.0-litre is available only in rear-wheel-drive, the other two engines can be bought in either four-wheel-drive or two-wheel-drive. This pickup is made of strong tested metal, making it highly safe for driving on all types of terrain, as well as the KSA roads full of high speed vehicles.

·         Toyota Land Cruiser: This five door, premium, large SUV comes with three engine choices of a 4.0-litre "Dual VVT-i" V6 with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed auto, a 4.6-litre "Dual VVT-i" V8 with a 6-speed auto, and a 5.7-litre version with an 8-speed automatic.  The Japanese automaker has started offering a 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel model as well. Higher models of the Land Cruiser come with additional features like crawl control with tight-turn assist, adaptive cruise, four-camera view and a multi-terrain selection system.

·         Toyota Hiace: This four door commercial midsize van from Toyota is widely used for transporting cargo or workforce. The Hiace is available in the KSA in two engine choices of a 2.7-litre four cylinder petrol engine mated to a standard 5-speed manual, and a 2.5-litre diesel model with a 5-speed manual. It comes in two variants, the Hiace Panel Van version for carrying cargo and the Hiace Commuter which gets back seats to act as a people carrier.  

·         Toyota Dyna: The Dyna is a medium-duty cab over truck for commercial use. It is configurable in a variety of ways to suit your business needs. Different available configurations include a 3.5 ton normal cab with short chassis, four ton wide cab with long chassis, five ton wide cab with super long chassis and six ton wide cab with long and super long chassis options.

These Toyota pickups are a great option to speed through the varying road conditions and terrains of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

4 Amazing Accessories That Will Make Your Land Cruiser Stand Out from the Crowd

The Toyota Land Cruiser 2017 is one of most sophisticated SUV’s from the Japanese auto maker. The beautiful and stylishly designed car from Toyota is known for its off-road prowess, on-road comfort and highly advanced safety features and ideal for people who are adventurous. Designed to seat up to eight people, the Land Cruiser is not only safe but comfortable too. The vehicle comes equipped with features and accessories that are bound to make your driving experience a wonderful one.

Attractive Features

This huge vehicle cannot be ignored with its huge street presence. The masculine looking Toyota Land Cruiser comes with a large front grille in chrome, with the Toyota logo in the center. The projector lamps give the vehicle a modern look. This automobile also comes with a square shaped front bumper that is rounded off at the edges, with circular fog lamps embedded in it. The rear of the SUV has “Land Cruiser” engraved just above the registration plate over the chrome grille. The vehicle also has a rear spoiler featuring a high mounted LED tail lamp.

Powered by a 5.7L V8 engine, 8-speed transmission and robust suspension, the SUV is ideal for people who love exploring and driving across different terrains. The stylish interiors include a leather steering wheel with controls mounted on it. The four zone air conditioning unit has independent temperature control facility, with AC vents at the rear. This is a huge advantage in a hot country like the KSA.  

Some of the most attractive and useful accessories that come with the new Land Cruiser include:

1.      The stylish and strong Toyota Land Cruiser comes with an infotainment system that includes a 6-DVD changer with EMV display screen connected to 14 speakers that guarantee superb sound.

2.      Its suitability across all kinds of terrains and roads is attributable to its Crawl Control System, which allows the vehicle to easily come out of sand or slush, as well as a Multi-Terrain ABS that displays front, back and side views.

3.      The SUV comes with a Pre-Collision system with pedestrian detection, which gives a warning in case of a potential collision and in case the driver does not respond, it even applies the brakes automatically.

4.      A rear-seat DVD entertainment system with two individual 11.6 inches display screens, RCA jacks, HDMI input, remote and two wireless headphones ensure that your long journeys are enjoyable.

The highly spacious SUV, with ample cargo space, competes with the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz GL-Class and the BMW X5. 

Toyota Prius - You Won't Regret This!

In recent years, car buyers in Saudi Arabia have become much more environmentally conscious, which has made hybrid vehicles quite popular in the Kingdom. In 1997, Toyota mass produced their first full hybrid electric automobile, Toyota Prius, in Japan and launched it in the rest of the world in 2000. Now the car maker has come up with the all new Toyota Prius 2017, with the tagline “The Future is Now.” The “full” hybrid system uses two units, a petrol-driven combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor. These separate power plants work together to drive the vehicle and can be used separately as well.

Specifications of the Toyota Prius 2017

·         Exterior: At first glance, the Prius appears to be a mix of sharp surfaces and soft elements. It has a droopy front, characterized by sharp V on the bonnet and the multi edge headlights. The vehicle has a prominent ridge that originates at the rear door and continues backwards, wrapping around the car tail. The Prius rides on 15-inch wheels, making the ride smooth.

·         Interior: The front row is beautifully designed and offers a soothing silence. Don’t be surprised if you are prompted to go on long drives often. While on your way, you can enjoy great conversations, music or simply the silence.

·         Technology: What makes things really interesting inside is the JBL audio system coupled with 6 meticulously tuned speakers to deliver crystal clear sound. Another interesting feature is the wireless charger to charge batteries in QI-compatible smartphones and other mobile devices. For the main display and multi information displays, Toyota has installed 4.2-inch colour TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) displays in the front centre to avoid any kind of distractions for the driver. In the steering wheel, switches are integrated to change the content being displayed on this screen. There is a rear monitor that helps the driver in reversing the car when perpendicular or parallel parking is required.

·         Performance: Toyota Prius 2017 is powered by with a state-of-the-art hybrid system that comprises an engine and an electric motor. The system is meant to deliver excellent performance in an eco-friendly manner. The motor is further equipped with intelligent Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which changes gears smoothly and efficiently.

Filled with amazing features and the latest technology, the 2017 version of this car offers stylish and eco-friendly luxury. 

Make this Family Vacation Count with the Toyota Innova

Who doesn’t love vacations? Well, Saudi Arabians surely do. The country stated that more than 4.5 million tourists take at least one holiday each year and love to spend as much as they can while on their vacation, leaving Western holidaymakers way behind in terms of spending. One report even says that the country’s vacationers spent an average of £14 billion on shopping trips abroad every year, spending an average of £4,500 per trip.

Apart from the trips abroad, Saudi Arabians also pioneer in enjoying road trips with their family. It is for this reason that Toyota Innova has become so popular in the Kingdom. The Innova is an “innovative family car,” featuring eight seats to accommodate the maximum number of people, and yet providing them space and flexibility to stretch as much as they want to. Let us take a quick look at the specifications of the Toyota Innova that makes this beauty a must have.

Exterior

Flaunting a clever and lightweight monobox design that enhances the inside space, Innova is nothing like the usual, boring family vehicle. Its unique styling makes it stand out from the rest. In the front, you’ll find large headlights, illuminating a wider path. The rear is equipped with large and powerful rear warning lights to keep the vehicle very visible on the road. It rides on 16-inch wheels to make the ride highly comfortable and stable.

Interior

As mentioned earlier, the interiors are highly comfortable and spacious enough to accommodate eight people. The Japanese car maker has been thoughtful with the storage needs too. When temperature in Saudi Arabia touches those 50 degree highs, the powerful front and rear air conditioning, quickly circulating cool and refreshing air, makes the journey highly pleasurable. Add the sound of music to the comfort, with loud and clear sound coming out from 6 speakers and it can be a perfect riding experience. Not to forget, the ambient light is great for driving at night.

The Innova comes in two variants as standard, the STD and XL. Both variants are equipped with a 2.7 L 4-cylinder engine with 16v Dual VVT-1164 HP coupled with 6 speed manual transmissions. Other features include a tyre pressure monitoring system, hill assist control, vehicle stability control and emergency brake signal to make your ride much more secure. Although the specifications for both variants of the Toyota Innova are the same, there are a few added features in the XL, which add to the value of the vehicle.

With the Innova, you are only left with coming up with ideas on how to create memories, leaving the rest to Toyota Innova.

Toyota Coaster Review

Toyota Coaster is a single-deck minibus, manufactured by the Japanese automobile company since 1969. Highly suitable for tour operators or people wishing to move in large groups, such as to visit the various attractions of Saudi Arabia, the Coaster has undergone many changes since its launch 48 years ago, with its fourth generation launched in December 2016. This highly comfortable vehicle is ideal for businesses that need to ferry their employees from one place to another too.

Features that Make the Coaster a High-Performance Vehicle

A review of Toyota Coaster’s exterior reveals that the vehicle is not only sturdy, with mudguards protecting the body at the front as well as rear, but also highly practical. Some important features of this minibus are:

·         Halogen headlamps provide the driver excellent visibility at all times, making the whole experience highly safe.

·         Highly suitable for long excursions or sightseeing trips, the Coaster is very spacious, with adequate legroom and headroom. 

·         Equipped with a four speaker MP3 compatible CD sound system and intelligently situated dials and instruments, the vehicle allows the driver to drive safely with easy access to the music system.

·         The minibus comes with large windows to allow passengers a good view of their surroundings, an automatic folding door with buzzer and a quick opening luggage door at the rear.

·         With seating capacity of 30 people, the Coaster is 6990 meters long, 2035 meters wide and 2600 meters high, and its advanced air conditioning system ensures that passengers do not suffer on account of the extreme heat conditions in the desert country. 

·         The high body rigidity of the bus which comply with the rollover regulations of the United Nations make it highly safe for travel across long distances and varying terrains that form an integral part of Saudi Arabia.

Commonly used as a recreational vehicle and for public transportation in many countries, such as Singapore, Japan, Africa, Bolivia, Panama, Peru, Hong Kong and Australia, this minibus is imported from Japan into the KSA. The Coaster is also called Hino Liasse 2 in some parts of the world. 

The minibus is available in two engine options, a 2.7 litre petrol producing 145 horse power and a 4.2 litre diesel option producing 129 horse power. Both variants are mated with a five speed manual transmission and a power steering wheel.

So whether you are planning to view Saudi Arabia’s sand dunes or visit its top attractions like the Kingdom Centre, the National Museum or the Al Musmak Castle, a Toyota Coaster will be ideal mode of transport, offering you immense comfort. 

5 Amazing Features and Specs of the Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux is one of the most popular pickup trucks across the world. The production of this truck started in March 1968, as the RN10 in short-wheelbase form, with a 1.5 L engine, producing 77 PS (57 kW) in the Japanese market spec. Having sold more than 16 million units of this vehicle so far, Toyota is now offering the eighth generation of this MUV body type vehicle that has both utility and class. The Hilux also forms the basis of the Japanese major’s highly popular compact luxury SUV Toyota Fortuner.

Attractive Features of Eight Generation Hilux

The eighth generation model of the Hilux was released in May 2015 and is based on an all-new platform with improved front and side impact structure to meet stricter crash test norms. Toyota refers to this technology as FIRM (Frame with Integrated Rigidity Mechanism). Some attractive features of this model are:

·         The Hilux uses the "Keen Look" design language that has already been used in the Toyota Corolla, with slim projector headlights and LED DRL (Daytime Running Lights). This design continues into the interior with similar AC vent and center fascia design.

·         The latest version features Toyota's first autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system. The Hilux is also based on a 4X4 drivetrain, enabling better traction, which in turn guarantees greater hauling ability.

·         The vehicle comes with new ESTEC GD 2.4-litrr, 2.8-litre and KD 2.5-litre, 3.0-liter diesel engines, shared with the Fortuner and Innova. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder makes150 hp with 343 Nm and 400 Nm of torque. The more powerful 2.8-litre diesel engine makes 177 hp and 420 Nm or 450 Nm of torque, depending on the gearbox chosen.

·         Transmission options include a five- or six-speed manual transmission or a five- or six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. The price varies according to the chosen variant and transmission options.

·         Toyota Hilux is loaded with safety features that include 7-airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, Trailer Sway Control, VSC, Downhill Assist Control and Hill Assist Control. Prominent comfort and convenience features of the Toyota Hilux include keyless entry with push button start, automatic climate control, rear AC vents, a 7-inch infotainment system, LED headlights and LED daytime running lights.

Exceptionally sturdy and reliable, this vehicle is ideal for running on all kinds of roads for sustained long use. Highly suitable for driving around in Saudi Arabia, the Hilux is another high quality vehicle from the Toyota stable.

Toyota Camry 2017 review

Brand Toyota has always enjoyed the trust of automobile enthusiasts in the Middle East, especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Toyota, in fact, had a 35% share of the Saudi Arabian automobile market in 2016, as confirmed by Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative of Toyota Motor Corporation in the Middle East and North Africa, in an interview to Arab News.

The all-new Toyota Camry, unveiled in 2017, is a refreshing upgrade to an already popular vehicle that has made a name for itself the world over ever since it went into production in 1982.

Review of the New Toyota Camry

·         Dynamic and Bold Exteriors – The improved version of this sedan is quite eye-catching. Revamped grille and headlights are elegant and give the vehicle a sporty look. Light in weight but not lacking in a sturdy grip on the roads are the aluminum wheels that give the Camry a distinctive bold appearance.

·         Designed for Comfort – The moment you step inside this vehicle, the spacious head and legroom will immediately catch your attention. Sun curtains that automatically lower at the time of reversing are an impressive new addition. You also get an automatic climate control system that delivers efficient air conditioning to both the front and rear passengers.

·         Reliable Performance – The 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine is capable of producing up to 181 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine comes with the state-of-the-art Variable Valve Technology (VVT), designed to improve engine performance. As a result, there is minimal noise generated while driving because of an aerodynamic design that also helps improve the fuel efficiency of the 2017 Camry.

·         Safety Features – Great attention has been paid to the safety aspect, making this vehicle a great choice for personal and business use. While the front driver and passenger airbags are good to see, the addition of rear curtain airbags is most impressive. The rear sensors and cameras will give the driver greater freedom to reverse and park effortlessly. Another feather in the cap of this upgraded version is the inclusion of anti-lock braking system or what is often known as anti-skid braking system that prevents the wheels from locking up during hard brake presses and therefore helps in avoiding any skidding on the road and potential collisions.

With so many incredible new additions and Toyota's focus on comfort and safety, this upgraded 2017 version of the Camry is bound to be a popular choice of vehicle in its category.