What's Wrong With Toyota's Lineup? Slate Truck Review & The Real Reason Hybrids Save Fuel
About this episode
This week we diagnose Toyota's identity crisis — after the CEO admitted the lineup is "out of control," we go model by model through what should stay, what should die (Crown, Land Cruiser, Supra, GR86, the plug-in hybrid), and where Toyota needs more options in the middle of its SUV range. Plus, first impressions from spending real time with the new Slate electric truck, including configurator surprises and who it might actually make sense for.
Toyota lineup, Toyota CEO comments, Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Crown Signia, Lexus, GR86, Supra, Prius, Corolla, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Slate electric truck, Slate truck review, hybrid explainer, Atkinson cycle, regenerative braking, hybrid transmission, hybrid reliability, hybrid battery replacement cost, used car vs new car, car buying advice
#Toyota #HybridCars #SlateTruck #CarNews #AutoBuyersGuide #CarBuyingAdvice #ElectricTruck #ToyotaHybrid #CarPodcast #4Runner #LandCruiser
0:00 Intro: the laryngitis edition 0:20 Shameless plugs: the new novel and Kiva microlending 7:23 Slate electric truck: first impressions 17:34 Diagnosing what's wrong with Toyota's lineup 29:12 What we'd cut from Toyota's lineup 34:38 Listener Q&A: best hybrid SUV pick 46:33 How hybrids actually save fuel (Atkinson cycle) 55:19 Hybrid transmission changes explained 59:34 Hybrid reliability and battery replacement costs 1:04:22 Why your current car is the cheapest car you own
Chevrolet Corvette
"...d, and it's almost as fun as doing like a, like a Corvette configurator, because there are so many things yo..."
The Corvette is a famous two-seat sports car made by Chevrolet. The engine is located behind the seats instead of under the hood, which helps the car balance and turn corners very well.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car, currently in its eighth generation (C8) which features a mid-engine layout for supercar-like performance. It is highly praised for its performance value and extensive customization options, making its online configurator a favorite pastime for enthusiasts.
Tesla My Model
"...g to be a long distance vehicle. And if I replace my model three with it, I'm going to be moving here in the..."
Tesla Model 3
"...s another vehicle, and that might end up being my Model 3. So we can figure that out. But yeah, it is a bit..."
The Model 3 is a fully electric four-door car made by Tesla. It runs entirely on battery power and is controlled mostly through a large touchscreen in the center of the dashboard.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric compact executive sedan that has been a major driver of global EV adoption. Recently refreshed with the 'Highland' update, it features improved cabin quietness, updated styling, and a streamlined interior without physical turn signal stalks.
Tesla Cybertruck
"... in the best way they saw what Tesla did with the Cybertruck accessory battery and went, maybe that's not the ..."
The Cybertruck is a large, electric pickup truck made by Tesla that looks like a futuristic, angular metal box. It is built with a tough stainless-steel outer shell instead of traditional painted body panels.
The Tesla Cybertruck is an all-electric, stainless-steel utility pickup truck featuring a highly unconventional, angular design. It is discussed for its unique engineering choices, including an optional bed-mounted 'range extender' accessory battery pack that adds driving range at the expense of cargo space.
Ford Maverick
"..., but they do have the same sort of bed system as Maverick does. So you can put the two by six in there, rai..."
The Maverick is a smaller, budget-friendly pickup truck made by Ford. It is designed for everyday driving and light utility, making it easier to park and more fuel-efficient than traditional large trucks.
The Ford Maverick is a highly popular compact pickup truck built on a unibody platform, offering excellent fuel economy and maneuverability. It is frequently highlighted for its highly customizable 'FLEXBED' system, which allows owners to use standard 2x6 lumber to create DIY cargo dividers and racks.
Toyota GR Corolla
"...e too many of their own problems. Anything from a GR Corolla to what should be the upcoming MR2 and then Tundr..."
The GR Corolla is a fast, sporty version of the standard Corolla hatchback. It is built for high-speed driving and has all-wheel drive to help it grip the road in all weather conditions.
The Toyota GR Corolla is a high-performance hot hatchback developed by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division. It features a rally-derived all-wheel-drive system and a powerful turbocharged three-cylinder engine, making it a highly sought-after enthusiast car.
Toyota Tundra
"...rolla to what should be the upcoming MR2 and then Tundras and Sequoias and everything in between, you do at..."
The Tundra is a large, heavy-duty pickup truck made by Toyota. It is designed for towing heavy loads, carrying cargo, and driving off-road.
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck that transitioned to its third generation featuring twin-turbo V6 engines and optional hybrid powertrains, moving away from the traditional V8. It is built on Toyota's modern body-on-frame platform, sharing architecture with the Sequoia and Land Cruiser.
Toyota MR2
"... from a GR Corolla to what should be the upcoming MR2 and then Tundras and Sequoias and everything in b..."
The MR2 is a classic, small two-seat sports car made by Toyota. It is famous for having its engine placed in the middle of the car, behind the driver, to make it handle corners exceptionally well.
The Toyota MR2 is a historically significant, mid-engine sports car that was produced across three generations before being discontinued in 2007. Rumors and industry reports frequently discuss a modern revival of the nameplate as a lightweight sports car to sit alongside the GR Supra and GR86.
Toyota Gr86
"... under 20,000, mind you. Supra, very slow seller, GR86, very slow seller, the Crown lineup, very slow se..."
The GR86 is a small, affordable two-door sports car made by Toyota. It focuses on fun, agile handling rather than raw speed.
The Toyota GR86 is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe co-developed with Subaru. It is celebrated by enthusiasts for its pure, analog driving dynamics and affordable price point, though it remains a niche, slow-selling product in the broader market.
Toyota Supra
"...ome of these are way, way under 20,000, mind you. Supra, very slow seller, GR86, very slow seller, the Cr..."
The Supra is a fast, two-seat sports car sold by Toyota. It is designed purely for driving enjoyment and high performance.
The Toyota GR Supra is a two-door sports car co-developed with BMW, sharing its platform and turbocharged inline-six engine with the BMW Z4. While it is a low-volume seller, it remains a highly respected performance vehicle praised for its sharp handling and tuning potential.
Toyota Mirai
"...ller, the Crown lineup, very slow seller as well. Mirai obviously that's never tended to be a big seller...."
The Mirai is an electric car made by Toyota that runs on hydrogen gas instead of being plugged into an outlet. It can only be refueled at special hydrogen stations, which are very rare.
The Toyota Mirai is a mid-size luxury sedan powered by a hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain, emitting only water vapor. Because hydrogen fueling infrastructure is extremely limited outside of specific regions in California, it remains a highly niche, slow-selling vehicle.
Toyota Venza
"... always have been really. The BZ, understandable, Venza is still kicking around. I was surprised they act..."
The Venza is a stylish, comfortable SUV made by Toyota that only comes as a hybrid. It is designed to feel a bit more luxurious and quiet inside than a standard SUV.
The second-generation Toyota Venza was a hybrid-only, upscale mid-size crossover that bridged the gap between the RAV4 and Lexus models. Known for its quiet cabin and premium styling, it was discontinued to make room for the larger Crown Signia but remains a compelling used purchase.
Toyota Prius
"...00 units a year. Sequoia is only 26,000 units and Prius just 44. Well, I think the first easy one to cut ..."
The Prius is a highly fuel-efficient hatchback made by Toyota that uses both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. It is famous for getting excellent gas mileage.
The Toyota Prius is a dedicated hybrid hatchback, now in its fifth generation, which received a dramatic styling overhaul and significant power boost. Despite its striking looks and excellent efficiency, it sells in lower volumes compared to mainstream hybrid crossovers.
Toyota Camry
".... You get the Corolla between the Corolla and the Camry. The only thing they're missing, I guess, if you ..."
The Camry is a popular, mid-sized four-door family car made by Toyota. It is known for being comfortable, reliable, and highly fuel-efficient.
The Toyota Camry is a mid-size sedan that transitioned to an all-hybrid lineup for its ninth generation (XV80). It remains a benchmark for sensible, reliable family transportation, offering exceptional fuel economy and standard safety features.
Toyota Chr
"... a look at BZ in a vacuum because it's related to CHR, it's related to the Woodland, the Subaru collect..."
The C-HR is a very small, stylish SUV made by Toyota. It has a sporty look with hidden rear door handles and is designed for city driving.
The Toyota C-HR was a subcompact crossover known for its highly expressive, coupe-like styling and agile handling. While discontinued in the North American market due to its lack of all-wheel drive and tight rear passenger space, it remains active in global markets.
Toyota Land Cruiser
"...and so many body on frame SUVs, do we really need Land Cruiser and Lexus GX and LX and Forerunner and Sequoia an..."
The Land Cruiser is a rugged, boxy SUV made by Toyota that is built for off-road driving. It features a classic, retro look and a hybrid engine.
The Toyota Land Cruiser returned to North America as a slightly smaller, retro-styled SUV (J250 generation) powered exclusively by a hybrid four-cylinder engine. It shares its body-on-frame platform with the Lexus GX, positioning it as a premium, off-road-capable adventure vehicle.
4Runner Forerunner
"... really need Land Cruiser and Lexus GX and LX and Forerunner and Sequoia and there are a lot of them on that s..."
The 4Runner is a rugged, truck-based SUV made by Toyota. It is built specifically for driving over rough off-road trails and is known for lasting a very long time.
The Toyota 4Runner is a legendary body-on-frame SUV celebrated for its extreme off-road capability and high resale value. For the 2025 model year, it entered its long-awaited sixth generation, adopting a modern turbocharged four-cylinder platform shared with the Tacoma and Land Cruiser.
Lexus Gx
"...on frame SUVs, do we really need Land Cruiser and Lexus GX and LX and Forerunner and Sequoia and there are a..."
The GX is a large, luxury SUV made by Lexus, which is Toyota's luxury brand. It is designed to be very comfortable inside while still being tough enough to drive over rough mountain trails.
The Lexus GX is a luxury mid-size SUV built on a rugged body-on-frame platform, offering genuine off-road capability paired with premium amenities. The latest GX 550 generation features a boxy, commanding design and a twin-turbo V6 engine, replacing the long-running V8.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
"... has a lot of models. But you know, historically, Grand Cherokee has spanned a pretty broad range of prices. And w..."
The Grand Cherokee is a mid-sized SUV made by Jeep. It is designed to be comfortable for daily driving while still being able to handle rough weather and off-road trails.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size SUV that bridges the gap between mainstream family haulers and luxury off-roaders. It is known for offering a massive price and trim range, spanning from basic rear-wheel-drive models to high-end luxury trims and plug-in hybrids.
Toyota RAV4
"...ics. So, so we've got the Corolla, the Camry, the RAV4, the Forerunner. We can drop the Land Cruiser all..."
The RAV4 is a popular, everyday compact SUV made by Toyota. It is widely chosen for its reliability, cargo space, and easy-to-drive nature.
The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV that consistently ranks as the best-selling non-pickup vehicle in the United States. It is highly praised for its practical packaging, strong resale value, and highly efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid (Prime) variants.
Ford Expedition
"...he Jeep parallel to some extent forward with like Expedition and some of their vehicles, they've proved that y..."
The Expedition is a very large SUV made by Ford. It has three rows of seats to carry up to eight people and is strong enough to tow heavy trailers or boats.
The Ford Expedition is a full-size, body-on-frame SUV designed for large families needing significant towing and cargo capacity. It shares its platform and twin-turbo V6 powertrain with the F-150 pickup, competing in a high-priced segment where luxury trims command premium prices.
Toyota Crown
"...'t think those make sense for them cash wise. The crown also just needs to die. There's no seeming reason..."
The Crown is a premium, slightly raised four-door car made by Toyota. It is designed to offer a higher seating position and a more luxurious ride than a standard sedan.
The Toyota Crown is a high-riding, fastback-styled sedan that replaced the Avalon in North America, aiming to offer a premium, crossover-like alternative to traditional sedans. Despite its unique design and standard hybrid powertrains, it has struggled to find a large audience and remains a slow seller.
Forester Hybrid
"...he made in Japan, the first thing I thought of is Forester Hybrid, because that thing is so comfortable. And they s..."
The Forester is a family SUV made by Subaru. It comes with all-wheel drive to help drive safely in snow or rain, and it has large windows that make it easy to see out of.
The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV renowned for its standard all-wheel drive, excellent outward visibility, and boxy, practical shape. The sixth-generation model features updated styling, improved cabin quietness, and a highly anticipated hybrid powertrain option.
Toyota Grand Highlander
"... vehicles in their lineup, but the core is really Grand Highlander, Camry RAV4, Corolla, etc. And those do things re..."
The Grand Highlander is a large family SUV made by Toyota with three rows of seats. It is designed to comfortably fit adults in the very back row and carry lots of luggage.
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a mid-size three-row crossover designed to offer significantly more third-row legroom and cargo space than the standard Highlander. It serves as a core family vehicle for Toyota, offering a choice of efficient hybrid and powerful Hybrid Max powertrains.
Mitsubishi Outlander
"...cy. We're talking, I'm thinking something like an Outlander, right? Emergency third row, Sorento, something l..."
The Outlander is a small SUV made by Mitsubishi that has a tiny third row of seats for emergencies. It is available as a plug-in hybrid, meaning it can drive short distances on pure electricity before using gasoline.
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact crossover SUV that offers a rare-for-its-class third row of seating and a highly successful plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant. It shares its platform and many mechanical components with the Nissan Rogue, representing a major step up in quality for the brand.
Kia Sorento
"...ng like an Outlander, right? Emergency third row, Sorento, something like that. Do you try to go that direc..."
The Sorento is a mid-sized SUV made by Kia that has three rows of seats. It is slightly smaller than most other three-row SUVs, making it easier to drive and park.
The Kia Sorento is a mid-size crossover that occupies a unique niche by offering a standard, albeit tight, third row of seats in a footprint barely larger than a compact SUV. It is highly regarded for its upscale interior design and diverse powertrain options, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid models.
Toyota Corolla Cross
"... think you have oversaturated the space between a Corolla Cross, RevFor, Grand Rev, Grand Highlander. So in that ..."
The Corolla Cross is a small, affordable SUV made by Toyota. It is essentially a slightly taller, more spacious version of the popular Corolla sedan.
The Toyota Corolla Cross is a subcompact crossover that slots between the smaller C-HR and the larger RAV4 in Toyota's lineup. It offers a more traditional SUV shape and optional hybrid powertrains, providing a sensible, budget-friendly option for buyers who find the RAV4 too large.
Honda Crvs
"...ort of say, hey, we're going to separate from the CRVs and the Foresters, we're going a little bit bigge..."
The CR-V is a popular, family-friendly compact SUV made by Honda. It is designed to be practical, easy to drive, and spacious inside.
The Honda CR-V is a compact crossover SUV that serves as one of the best-selling vehicles in North America. It is highly regarded for its spacious cabin, refined ride, and highly efficient hybrid powertrain options.
Honda Accord
"...e hybrid system. If you're looking at, at a Honda Accord, for instance, hybrid versus the base engine on t..."
The Accord is a comfortable, mid-sized four-door sedan made by Honda. It is widely chosen for its reliability, smooth ride, and fuel efficiency.
The Honda Accord is a mid-size sedan renowned for its spacious interior, excellent driving dynamics, and sophisticated hybrid system. In its eleventh generation, Honda has heavily prioritized the hybrid trims, which offer a smooth, near-electric driving experience.
Nissan Altima
"...gn of that hybrid system. But going from a Nissan Altima to a Camry hybrid, that will still save you a rea..."
The Altima is a standard four-door family sedan made by Nissan. It is a conventional gasoline-powered car designed for daily commuting.
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size sedan known for its comfortable ride, spacious cabin, and available all-wheel drive. While it remains a staple of rental fleets and budget-conscious buyers, it is often compared unfavorably to more efficient hybrid competitors.
Chrysler Pacifica
"...s where people will be like, oh, but the Chrysler Pacifica, well, Pacificas didn't grenade themselves rollin..."
The Pacifica is a family minivan made by Chrysler. It is designed to carry several passengers comfortably and has sliding rear doors for easy access.
The Chrysler Pacifica is a modern minivan that stands out as the only offering in its segment to offer a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. It is highly praised for its family-friendly utility, including the innovative Stow 'n Go seating system on non-hybrid models.
Ford Escape
"... instance, we do have a good track record on Ford Escape hybrids from the dawn of time back when the origi..."
The Escape is a small SUV made by Ford. It is designed for everyday driving and is available with a hybrid engine that saves gas.
The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV that has long offered both traditional gasoline and highly efficient hybrid powertrains. Ford's hybrid system in the Escape has a strong historical track record for durability, dating back to the early 2000s.
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