PEOPLE-MOVERS are just big vans, right? Wrong. The Toyota Tarago proves you can have good looks as well as the practicality that allows you to haul around a big family and their luggage. At launch almost 12 months ago, the fourth-generation Tarago offered a 2.4-litre VVT-i four-cylinder. It is competent but acceleration is modest to say the least and overtaking manoeuvres must be well-planned if this MPV is loaded to the gunnels. But a 202kW/340Nm 3.5-litre V6 - the first six-cylinder engine to power Tarago - answers these criticisms. It’s smooth, responsive and still offers good fuel economy – 10.3L/100km combined in Ultima guise.

Tarago
Released: March 2006
Ended: current
Family Tree: TaragoThere was never a V6 offering locally in the Tarago, and the four-cylinder continues alongside the latest V6 offering in GLi and GLX guises. The 125kW/224Nm 2.4-litre VVT-i engine, although competent, can feel the load with passengers and luggage on the highway, but is reasonably competent around town.
Saddled to a four-speed automatic, the engine does struggle in some situations and isn't the most powerful in its class, but it does offer reasonable economy.
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