While the Prius was the main focus of attention at a recent ride-and-drive of new Toyota and Lexus cars and sport utes, the company showcased many other vehicles that live up to the "more power, less fuel" philosophy of Toyota and Lexus. Among the 2009 and 2010 models at the event were:

2010 Toyota Camry:

The Camry is now offered with a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, replacing the old 2.4-litre powerplant. A six-speed transmission replaces the old five-speed model and the engine produces seven per cent more power (169 hp at 6,000 rpm). At the same time, fuel consumption is 3.8 per cent better with ratings of 9.0L/100 km (31 mpg) city, 6.1L/100 km (46 mpg) highway for a combined 7.7L/100 km (37 mpg).

New for 2010 is a four-cylinder XLE model, starting at $30,925 and full of standard features.

2009 Toyota Highlander:

New for 2009 is a front-wheel drive Highlander with a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 187 hp and 186 lb/ft of torque. Priced from $32,600, the four-cylinder Highlander gets fuel economy numbers of 12.3/8.8/10.8 L/100 km (city/highway/combined). It is mated with a new six-speed automatic transmission, while the 3.5L V6 models get a five-speed automatic and start at $37,570. The four-cylinder version has a towing capacity of 1,588 kg (3,500 lb).

2009 Toyota RAV4:

For 2009, Toyota offers a new two-wheel drive version of its RAV4 with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder 179 hp engine. It is mated with a four-speed automatic transmission. Built at Toyota's RAV4 plant in Woodstock, Ont., four-cylinder models deliver 9.4/6.9/8.3L/100 km city/highway/combined) fuel economy figures. A four-cylinder four-wheel drive model arrives with 7.8 per cent more power than the outgoing vehicle with a 4.4 per cent improvement in fuel economy.

2010 Toyota Tundra:

The Tundra pickup is refreshed for 2010 and has a new 4.6-litre V8 engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. Replacing the outgoing 4.7-litre engine, the new Tundra has 310 hp, up 12 per cent. Meanwhile, the new engine is 11 per cent more fuel efficient at 12.1L/100 km combined city/highway. There are 15 different models with three cabs to choose from in the Tundra lineup.

2010 Lexus RX 350:

The made-in-Canada RX 350 is all new, with a more powerful 3.5-litre V6 engine, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. The new engine has is more powerful (up to 275 hp from 270) and 7.9 per cent more fuel efficient 10.1L/100 km city/highway combined from 10.9 in the outgoing model.

2010 Lexus RX 450h: Now in its second generation, Lexus created the first-ever luxury hybrid in 2005. The new RX 450h upgrades to a 3.5-litre V6 engine (a 3.3-litre was in the previous model) that mated with lighter, more efficient electric motors, produces 295 net horsepower, a 10 per cent improvement. Meanwhile, the new vehicle is 16 per cent more fuel efficient with a city/highway combined fuel consumption rating of 6.8L/100 km.

Coming soon is the Lexus HS 250h, which Lexus bills as the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid sedan.

Arriving this fall, the HS 250h will expand the Lexus entry-luxury fleet and will give buyers in this segment their first hybrid-only choice. Lexus officials say the HS 250h will offer the best fuel efficiency and emissions performance of any Lexus to date that research shows 60 per cent of customers in this segment have been looking for a hybrid option. T

he HS 250h expands the Lexus hybrid lineup to four vehicles including the RX 450h, LS 600hL and GS 450h.