looks like the rear seats fold flatter.

Grrr! I dislike about.com. Those are simply the press photos released by toyota a while ago, dressed up in advertising! You can find the same images in higher res with a little searching on this site.

But how ugly are those brake lights? I hope they're US only. They've broken up the lines of the tail. The car was always pretty tall and ungainly from the back, but the line of the spoiler and window being continued across the tail-lights used to visually offset that.

Not to mention losing the (minor) safety benefit of having sharper dark<->light transitions on the brakelights - a potential benefit of using LEDs.

hmmm... new antenna....

I think the exterior of the car is the same in Europe, US and Japan. Only colours and availeble options are different.

not true. the wheel covers are different on the Japanese model. not sure about other things.

I don't see the side marker lights or the additional badging that supposed to go above them.
Also, it would be nice if we could see the backup camera.

that doesnt look like a new antenna to me. it just looks like the stub without the top part attached.

I think that might be an XM radio equipped car, hence the stubbier antennae?

In my opinion, the lights look very nice! Someone at Toyota must have liked the new look too or they wouldn't have changed them. They can't please everyone.

Yes, I like them too. But I wonder why they haven't gone for LED's all the way - seems it's still just the brake lights that use LEDs. Silly, since LED use a lot less energy than std. bulbs...

Yes. they probably will...

The 2006 pics should have included a night picture from the rear with the brakes being applied.

I agree with what you guys have said as far as LEDs and it probably showing up better now at night. Im glad I wasn't the only one here who didnt like them.

Ah, but you're all American. Well known for your love of lots of chrome on your automobiles. :lol: That's why I was wondering if it might be US-only - it makes the car look more American.

I believe I read somewhere the rear seat go down furthur now for more rear passenger headroom

Yeah I'm wondering if this might not be the final design, the picture on the main 2006 page with the sidemarker light and the badge and the new wheels looks more like it to me.

Personally I don't care for the chrome brakelights and think the black melded better with the lower rear window. I also don't care for the extra orange reflectors in the front. I do like the new wheels on the other page, these are just the wheels we have now without the plastic trim rings.

Love the leather, jurys still out on this new "grained black plastic". I'm wondering if its going to feel cheap.

Where did you seeing the grained black plastic?....
I know most of the time the only true leather is on top where you sit.. the other is fabricated, but its tough to notice unless your looking.