Auto Moto

Car-based crossovers are outselling truck-derived SUVs by a wide margin, but Lexus still sees a strong demand for models that offer true off-road capability. It hinted that it could soon increase its presence in this segment.

Toyota's luxury division entered 2021 with two body-on-frame SUVs in its range: the Land Cruiser-based LX (pictured) and the smaller, more affordable GX. Neither is a high-volume model, but both fared shockingly well in 2020. LX sales in the United States fell by 4.4% to 4,512 units, which is a great result in a year when double-digit declines were common, and GX sales increased by 9.9% to 28,519 units. Clearly, off-roaders are in demand.

The Lexus LC500 has been treated to a spate of Inspiration Series limited-edition models, and the 2021 LC500 coupe Inspiration Series has just been announced. This fifth such effort sees the LC500 don a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, a carbon-fiber roof, a limited-slip rear differential, a performance rod with damper for the rear suspension, and assorted visuals. The 471-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 is unchanged.

Unlike the already-announced 2021 LC500 Inspiration Series convertible, which features a sky-like palette consisting of a blue exterior and a white leather interior, the 2021 LC500 Inspiration Series coupe goes dark with an Osdiian (black) exterior including black 21-inch wheels. Inside, there's black Alcantara with brown accents. Equipment includes a head-up display, 915-watt Mark Levinson audio system, and a SmartAccess Card Key.

Partway through last year, Sony's Vision-S electric vehicle went from a mere prototype to something the company said it wanted to bring closer to reality. In July, Sony announced it planned to start testing the vehicle on public roads by the end of 2020. True to its word, it did just that. While it didn't provide a substantive update on the EV at its CES 2021 keynote, Sony says it started testing the EV in Europe in December and shared a clip of the car driving on picturesque Austrian roads — the company's recently announced Airpeak drone also makes an appearance in the video.

Honda has teased a couple of unusual race cars ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon. Honda says it wanted to build competition machines with a "funny" theme. The idea can be explained as "silly ideas taken seriously," but something might be lost in the translation on Honda's website, which reassures us, "It's okay to be stupid. Why not try it for real?"

With that mission statement in place, Honda's first work is the e-Drag, a Honda e repurposed for drag racing. "Electric vehicles aren't just for being green and clean!" the site states. An accompanying illustration shows the Honda e with its two front wheels in the air, paired with rather large tires on the rear wheels. Presumably, a more powerful motor (possibly multiple motors?) than its stock 152-horsepower unit will have to be swapped in, along with stiffer suspension components.

One of our favorite forbidden fruits, the rally-bred Toyota GR Yaris, now has the notoriety of being banned on Australian television. A recent Toyota commercial featuring the car was pulled because it exhibited "unsafe" driving and "breaking the speed limit." The spot will have to be modified before it can air again.

According to Australia's Car Expert, the ad violated the Federal Chamber for Automotive Industries' Motor Vehicle Advertising Code. It was brought to the FCAI's attention after the agency received a complaint that "the commercial promotes speeding and may influence people to speed which is very dangerous."

Eat your heart out McLaren Elva, you've got some competition from the Daihatsu Hijet Truck Sportza Ver. Just one of Daihatsu's adorable customs being built for the virtual 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon. The show cars are part of what the brand calls the Daihatsu Village Colorful Carnival and includes 5 customs in all.  

Not only does the (all-wheel drive) Toyota GR Yaris seem to be heaps of fun to drive but the hard data reveals that it can out-perform the current king of front-wheel drive hot hatches, the Honda Civic Type R.

A judge has confirmed Nintendo's court victory over a go-kart company that did Mario Kart-themed tours on the streets of Tokyo, Engadget Japan reports. Early this, year, MariCar (now branded as Street Kart) was ordered to pay Nintendo $50 million yen ($483,000) for violating its IP rights. The company appealed, but Japan's Supreme Court dismissed it, upholding Nintendo's earlier win.

Nintendo first sued Mari Mobility, aka MariCar, back in 2017. Other companies offered similar tours, but MariCar's IP breach was particularly noticeable because it let drivers dress up as Mario Kart characters. Nintendo also felt its name could be sullied by safety issues, which proved to be a valid concern after several accidents.

Toyota entered a new segment of the Japanese market by launching an electric two-seater named C+pod that makes kei cars look bloated. It developed the tiny hatchback exclusively for crowded urban centers.

Announced only for Japan, the C+pod stretches 98 inches long, 50 inches wide, and 61 inches tall. Put another way, it nearly fits in the eight-foot box that Ford makes available on the F-150. It's 8 inches shorter and 15 inches lower than a Smart ForTwo, and it's about the same size as the Citroën Ami unveiled earlier in 2020.

The Subaru Outback has always been different. At first, it was weird for a wagon since it had standard all-wheel drive, a ride height lift and rugged styling flourishes. Today, it's weird simply for being a wagon – all others have effectively disappeared, and it really only competes with small crossovers.

And against those, the 2021 Subaru Outback makes a tremendous case for itself. Though it rides high off the ground with more clearance than the vast majority of SUVs, it's ultimately still lower overall, making it feel more carlike when behind the wheel and making for easier loading for roof-mounted equipment. Its longer wheelbase provides a smoother, more sophisticated ride as well as more space between seating rows. Its cargo area is also shockingly voluminous.

TOKYO - When Carlos Ghosn arrived at Nissan in 1999, suppliers took the brunt of cost-cutting that helped revive the automaker. Two decades later, his successors are trying for another turnaround without the ability to pressure parts makers.

Nissan Motor Corp, like rivals, has been hit hard as the pandemic sapped global demand. But Japan's No.3 automaker has another problem: an aging line-up out of step with changing tastes, including growing appetite for sport utility vehicles in the United States and luxury brands in China.

Acura has announced new lease prices for the 2021 TLX just in time for the holiday season.

Toyota confirmed a rumor we first caught wind of earlier in 2020 by announcing that the current-generation Land Cruiser will retire after the 2021 model year. The next-generation model will be introduced in the coming months, but we're receiving mixed signals about whether the nameplate will return to the United States.

Launched in 2007 as a 2008 model, and updated twice since, the J200-generation Land Cruiser (pictured) is about to enter its 14th year on the market. It's a senior citizen by industry standards, so its demise isn't surprising, 2 million units that year.

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and Road Test Editor Zac Palmer for the final episode of 2020. They've been driving some interesting cars, including the Nissan GT-R, the new Nissan Armada, a Mercedes-Benz GLA and a pair of new-gen Kia Sorentos. They talk a bit about an interesting new EV called the Ace from Alpha Motor Corporation. Finally, the trio takes turns talking about their favorite cars they drove this year. Enjoy, and we'll be back with more episodes in 2021.