Tesla, Toyota, Triumph and TVR are just some of the car manufacturers that begin with the letter ‘T’. But what about makes of car?
As part of our series of A to Z of cars, we’ll examine this question in more detail.
From luxury sedans to rugged SUVs and sporty coupes, there has been a decent range of automobiles available in Australia over the years, that have been branded with this initial.
In this article, we will showcase 9 such vehicles, outlining some of their main features and a bit of background information about them.
So, let’s get into it!
Volkswagen T-Cross
The Volkswagen T-Cross is a subcompact Golf-based crossover SUV that was introduced to the Australian market in 2020 in a staggered manner. Initially, it was sold as an all-wheel drive high-spec model, until the entry-grade option later arrived.
Known for its practicality, fuel efficiency, and advanced safety features, it comes with a single-engine option. A 1.0-litre petrol turbocharged three-cylinder engine that is paired with a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission. It is also available with front-wheel drive as standard.
As it is a Volkswagen, it is a little more expensive in price than some of its rivals. However, it remains a popular choice among Australian buyers looking for a car that can handle both city and country driving, without sacrificing style or performance.
LDV T60
Debuting on Australian shores in 2017, the LDV T60 is a reliable and versatile Chinese-owned ute that can handle both tough off-road conditions and daily commutes.
Owned by SAIC, it made an immediate splash Down Under with its five-star rating, fair high spec levels and attractive pricing.
When it first came out, it was available in Pro or Luxe dual-cab variants, which were 4×4 only and available as a manual or auto. A year later a single-cab variant was introduced in two and four-wheel drive options, running on a turbo-diesel, four-cylinder 2.8-litre option.
In terms of design, the T60 features a tough and rugged exterior, with a bold front grille, muscular lines, and LED lighting. It is available in a range of colours and trim levels, which allows buyers to customize the vehicle to their specific needs and preferences.
Toyota Tarago
Available since 1983, the Toyota Tarago is a popular minivan that has managed to retain its distinctive Aussie identity over the years.
Named in honour of a remote country town in the south of NSW, this fabulous vehicle has largely stayed the same since 2009. However, most of its models maintain steady sales every year.
The Tarago is currently available in the lucky country with a choice of two engine options, a four-cylinder 2.4-litre petrol engine or a V6 petrol 3.5-litre engine. Both are matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and come standard with front-wheel drive.
One of the Tarago’s most commendable features is its roomy interior, which can accommodate up to eight passengers in some models. It also features a range of advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring.
Overall, the Toyota Tarago is a highly practical and reliable minivan that offers a great combination of space, safety, and comfort. It is a particularly good option for those who love taking road trips.
Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan is a luxury electric sports car that was introduced to the Australian market with some fanfare in 2020. It is known for its exceptional performance, cutting-edge technology, and sleek design.
The Taycan comes with a choice of two battery sizes, a 79.2 kWh battery or a larger 93.4 kWh battery. It is also available in a range of models, including the Taycan 4S, Turbo, and Turbo S and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in as little as 2.8 seconds. Additionally, it has a top speed of up to 260 km/h.
What has impressed many people about this vehicle is its advanced technology, which includes a high-resolution touchscreen display, voice control, and adaptive cruise control. It also counts automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive headlights among its safety features.
All things considered, the Porsche Taycan is a highly advanced and high-performance electric sports car that offers a unique combination of luxury, technology, and sustainability. It doesn’t come cheap. But for those who can afford it, the car is sure to be their pride and joy.
Ford Territory
The Ford Territory is a mid-size SUV that was produced in Australia from 2004 to 2016. It was developed specifically for the Australian market and quickly became a popular choice among buyers looking for a spacious and versatile SUV.
In fact, it was so successful, it even took a healthy slice of sales from Ford’s Station Wagon, eventually causing that model to be discontinued and phased out in 2010.
Influenced by the Falcon platform, The Territory came with a choice of either an inline, petrol, six-cylinder 4.0-litre engine or a V6 2.7-litre diesel turbo engine. Additionally it was also available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and came standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.
Able to seat up to seven passengers in some models, the spacious vehicle came with stability control, traction control, and front and side airbags. All of which were considered cutting edge at the time.
If it wasn’t for Ford shutting its Australian operation, it would probably still be a consistent seller today.
Nissan Tiida Australia
The Nissan Tiida is a compact car that was sold in Australia from 2006 to 2013. Replacing the Pulsar, it was designed to be an affordable and practical car for everyday use, with a focus on fuel efficiency and reliability.
Sadly it was unable to adequately fill its shoes, sharing market space with the Nissan Micra and Renault Clio which both had good followings.
While it was easy to drive, economical to run, spacious, comfortable and agile, sales were fairly slow, which is a shame for the company as it was actually a pretty good car.
Available in both sedan and hatchback body styles, it was powered by a four-cylinder 1.8-litre engine that produced up to 93 kW of power. It could also be procured with your choice of an automatic four-speed automatic or manual six-speed transmission.
While it may not have been the most exciting or stylish car on the market, it was certainly a reliable purchase for those who did buy it.
Renault Trafic
While it only launched in Australia in 2004, the Renault Trafic has been popular in Europe since the early 1980s.
Competing with the Hyundai iLoad, Volkswagen Transporter, Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Vito, it is offered with wheelbases that are both short and long. All are exclusively available with a diesel turbo engine.
A mid-sized van, it can be bought as either an automatic or six-speed manual. It also comes in a range of body styles, including a standard van, crew van, and minibus.
Designed to be a versatile and practical vehicle that is primarily for commercial use, the vehicle boasts a spacious interior that has plenty of room for cargo and passengers. Impressively, it also incorporates a range of advanced safety features, including electronic stability control, hill start assist, and a rearview camera.
With the Renault Trafic sold in global markets, it is also branded as the Mitsubishi Express and Nissan NV300 in certain parts of the world.
Holden Trailblazer
Back in 2017, Holden gave the Colorado7 SUV a makeover, changing its name to the Trailblazer at the same time.
Aside from its new moniker, the vehicle also received several upgrades including its safety and tech features. A diesel 2.8-litre engine was also received as part of its remodelling.
Despite being a 4×4 only, it still shared with the Colorado ute a lot of its ladder chassis and impressive off-road ability.
The updates and change of name were designed to provide the Trailblazer with a firmer footing against rivals like the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner.
However, all of this proved to be in vain as the Trailblazer – which was also known as the Chevrolet Trailblazer in certain markets – was retired in 2020.
While it was not the most fuel-efficient or environmentally-friendly SUV on the market, it was a highly capable and versatile SUV that offered a great combination of performance, comfort, and practicality.
It is survived by a loyal band of followers who are all too eager to snap it up on the second-hand market.
Hyundai Tucson
While it might not have had the most auspicious of starts, it is fair to say the Hyundai Tucson has bounced back strongly.
Seen by many as uninspiring and mediocre when it was first launched in the SUV market in 2004, it was eventually put to pasture in 2009 due to poor sales at the expense of the ix35.
However, it came back in a big way in 2015 when it was reinvented to be a sleek and stylish rival to the Toyota RAV4.
Now in its fourth generation, the model comes in diesel and petrol options. It is also available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations as well.
Since its reinvention, it has received plenty of rave reviews for its comfort, style, practicality and space. Making it a very popular choice for Aussie families who want something versatile and affordable.
