Toyota Vanguard (XA33W/38W) Description

ReportDecember 15, 2021

The Emergence of a World-Class Pioneer

In recent years, Toyota has entered the market with a dizzying array of new category cars, all of which are flying off the shelves. The Vanguard, which also means "pioneer of the world," has been introduced to the SUV market with the aim of attracting a wide range of users, including current minivan users, young people, and seniors who have finished raising their children.

What is Toyota's ambition for the post-minivan?

Based on the development concept of "ACTIVE & LUXURY," the new Vanguard combines the high mobility of a post-minivan with ample dynamic performance, excellent maneuverability and driving stability, and high quality interior and exterior styling that looks great in sophisticated urban scenes. The V6 3.5-liter engine, S-VSC and Active Control 4WD Emphasis Control, among other features, provide ample driving performance, excellent driving stability and maneuverability, as well as class-leading environmental and safety performance.

It also delivers class-leading environmental and safety performance. In addition, the interior and exterior designs combine power and quality, and the vehicle is equipped with a user-friendly, comfortable space that can accommodate seven passengers, showing Toyota's strong commitment to this category.

Interior and exterior design that combines strength and quality

The exterior design of the new Vanguard features glamorous fenders and a thick bumper to create a dynamic and wide front mask. This gives it a powerful SUV-like presence. The horizontal bars of the grille are decorated with chrome, which adds thickness and depth to both ends and expresses strength. The headlamps have sharp, upturned eyes reminiscent of the current Camry, creating a fearless appearance.

A large rear spoiler has been adopted to create an elongated silhouette that flows from the front to the rear. The sharp sculpting achieved by cutting off the voluminous surface expresses a sense of power and quality.

The side view gives an overall impression of solidity, and while it is based on the RAV4, the new outline gives the impression of a vast interior, and the silhouette is sharp and powerful. In the rear view, the rear license garnish has a chrome-plated horizontal owner, which creates a sense of luxury, and the active and stable form of the rear fender creates a unique atmosphere.

The interior is designed to meet the needs of an advanced urban lifestyle, with a detailed and high quality design. The instrumental panels and door trims have been tightened as much as possible to create an open and spacious interior. The overall shape emphasizes lateral expansiveness to achieve an advanced and sporty feel.

Furthermore, for the first time in Toyota history, bronze-tone decorations and chrome plating are used to create a subtle sense of quality. In addition, convenient and easy-to-use storage items and a vast luggage space with a maximum depth of 2.015 mm and a capacity of 540 liters offer a variety of rearranging functions, providing "flexible UTILITY performance" ideal for families.

The seats are upholstered in genuine leather and Alcantara, a suede-like artificial leather, to create a sense of casual luxury and a high-quality space for adults. Both the interior and exterior show a new, sophisticated personality in addition to SUV-like toughness.

In addition, by reviewing the materials, processing methods, and adhesives of the interior components, the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and toluene has been reduced. In addition to reducing odors and irritating smells in the cabin, Toyota has also achieved the industry's voluntary target of lowering the indoor temperature below the guideline value set by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, which is impressive considering the comfort of the driver's body and the cabin air quality.

Adequate total balance of dynamic performance, including a large-displacement engine for young people

The new Vanguard has a V6 3.5L (2GR-FE engine, maximum output 206 (280ps)/6.200, maximum torque 344 (35.1kg・m)/4700) and a 2.4L (2AZ-FE engine, 16valve, maximum output 125 (170ps)/6.000, maximum torque 224 (22.4kg・m)/4.000) are available.

The V6 3.5-liter delivers ample power that can be felt as soon as you step on the gas pedal, as well as excellent and stable driving performance. The 3.5-liter V6 delivers overwhelming power performance, driving response, and excellent maneuverability that is hard to imagine from the package, allowing you to enjoy active driving with your family with peace of mind.

The 2.4-liter engine, on the other hand, is not so different from the 2.5-liter engine. The VVT-i improves the efficiency of the intake and exhaust systems, allowing the driver to feel the rich torque slowly while driving, and it provides stable and smooth acceleration. The 3.5-liter engine displacement was chosen for this package because the lineup was designed for the younger generation. With the Active Torque Control 4WD, the vehicle is equipped with detailed feedback and feed-forward driving force distribution control that precisely responds to road conditions to achieve stable starting, acceleration and turning control.

In addition, the S-VSC + Active Control 4WD Cooperative Control assists the steering torque in the direction of stabilizing the vehicle behavior even when suddenly accelerating when cornering on slippery road surfaces, while optimally distributing the driving force to the four wheels to bring about the driver's intended acceleration.

The 3.5-liter model is available with the 5-speed ECT 5-speed automatic transmission, and the 2.4-liter model with the Super CVT-i and 7-speed Sport Sequential Shift-Matic transmissions. The 3.5-liter 5 SUPER ECT contributes to a significant improvement in fuel economy, while offering good response in starting and acceleration, and realizing high driving performance.

The 7-speed sport sequential shift-matic, which is available with the 2.4-liter SUPER CVT-i, delivers excellent fuel economy and smooth driving with minimal gearshock. In particular, it reads the driver's intentions for acceleration from changes in vehicle speed and gas pedal position, and provides a linear acceleration feel.

Each of them has a top-level transmission that pursues not only good driving performance but also outstanding acceleration performance and stable driving. For the suspension, a MacPherson strut system is used at the front to ensure excellent driving performance and good steering feel.

The rear suspension is a double wishbone type, which provides straight-line stability and a supple ride. In addition, the absorber is placed diagonally to provide a large luggage space.

The chassis has been designed to increase overall rigidity, which is expected to have a positive effect on noise reduction. In addition, the aerodynamic body is designed with a flattened under-floor area to facilitate air flow. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with advanced mechanisms such as hill start assist control, which prevents the vehicle from sliding downhill for a smoother start, and downhill assist control, which controls the vehicle speed to 5 km/h to improve stability when going downhill on steep slopes.

The Vanguard was born from a suggestion of "What about a new type of SV?" with the ideal of minivan-like usage and athletic performance that can run better than a minivan. The new package and the development of a new segment may have been intended to attract people's interest in cars in the midst of a sluggish new car market, and to serve as a breakthrough.

I wonder how Toyota's intentions will lead to a booming market. I am truly looking forward to this model.

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