Toyota Slashes Price of Base 2008 Prius, Boosts FJ Cruiser Price

Toyota said on Monday it will bring out a "lower-priced, new standard model" to its 2008 Prius hybrid lineup. The base Prius will be priced at $21,610, including a $660 destination charge; the base-model 2007 Prius started at $22,795, including a $620 destination charge.

The Prius is in showrooms now. The Japanese automaker said the Prius average price increases by $150 for 2008.

Toyota also announced that it has raised the price of the 2008 FJ Cruiser by $435. The base FJ Cruiser with 2WD starts at $23,230, including a $685 destination charge. The FJ Cruiser gets several upgrades, including an anti-theft system, an illuminated entry system, side curtain airbags and sun visors with vanity mirrors.

The 2008 Toyota 4Runner gets a price hike of $380 for the SR5 and Sport Edition models and $350 for the Limited models. The base 4Runner starts at $28,700, including a $685 destination charge, for the 2WD SR5 V6.

The 2008 Toyota Tacoma gets a price hike of $100 across the line. The base Tacoma starts at $14,965, including shipping, for the 2WD four-cylinder version with a manual transmission.

The 2008 Toyota Yaris gets an average price increase of $150, Toyota said. The base Yaris Liftback starts at $11,960, including shipping. A new 2008 Yaris Liftback Sport model starts at $12,635, including shipping. The Liftback Sport will have color-keyed front and rear under-bumper spoilers and side rocker panels, as well as sport seats, a tachometer and an audio input jack, among other features.