Toyota Matches its Models to the Animal Signs of the Chinese Zodiac

Are you a dragon, a rooster, a pig or a rat? The Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, assigns one of 12 different animals to each birth year, based on the lunar calendar. Each animal has its own reputed characteristics. This year Chinese New Year falls today (1 February), marking the start of the year of the Tiger, and to celebrate this, Toyota has come up with suggestions for which of its models best suits each Chinese zodiac sign:

Tiger

Birth years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022

People born under the sign of the Tiger are natural leaders, but are also fiercely independent and unafraid to forge their own path. They are also charismatic and charming, and always chasing the next thrill, so they need a car that’s agile, powerful and dynamic, like the all-new GR86. This coupe embodies the design and spirit of Toyota’s motorsports expertise. GR86 has a lightweight, horizontally opposed 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, so it’s always ready to pounce – just like a tiger. Tigers are drawn to blue, grey/silver and orange colours.

Rabbit

Birth years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Rabbits are well-liked and friendly, with a large social network. But while they are gentle, considerate and quiet (unless provoked), they also like to move fast.  Yaris Cross is a compact SUV, with a high-riding driving position that’s nippy enough to keep up with a busy life, while large enough to accommodate family and friends in comfort. It’s has Toyota’s most advanced multimedia system yet. Opt for Galactic Blue, as blue is one of the lucky colours for those born under the sign of the Rabbit.

Dragon

Birth years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

Dragons are outgoing, energetic and gregarious.  They love to stand out from the crowd and they act as a magnet for a wide circle of friends. Dragons enjoy adventure and romance and are often the lynchpin of social situations. GR Supra is equally charismatic, with a sleek two-door coupé design that would appeal to a Dragon’s innate sense of style. Dragons are drawn to yellow, silver and white, but a vehicle’s power and agility will be most important to them.

Snake

Birth years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Snakes are known for their individuality: whether alone or with others, they always follow their instincts.  They are idealists, striving for perfection, and take pride in their belongings, so the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid could be perfect for them. Its high torque and low emissions appeal to an innate appetite for adventure, while the choice between electric energy or a petrol/electric combination keeps things flexible. Opt for black or red – these are lucky colours for those born under the sign of the Snake.

Horse

Birth years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

Ambition, energy and positivity are the defining qualities of those born under the sign of the Horse.  They are constantly pushing themselves, and others, to achieve their full potential. They are empathetic and caring, but aren’t afraid to take charge when needed, and the colours of yellow, gold and green bring them the greatest luck. Their ideal car is a Hilux, which is well-known for its quality, durability and reliability, and its ability to tackle any off-road adventure. The top-of-the-range Invincible and Invincible X models have a new, more powerful 2.8-litre engine, while every model in the range can carry one-tonne loads and tow trailers up to 3.5 tonnes. 

Goat

Birth years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015

Goats follow their own intuition, though they also strive to please everyone that they care about. They are known for their artistic, loyal and kind-hearted character and are good at managing time and resources, because security and dependability are very important to them. The Toyota Land Cruiser – with its 70-year heritage and off-road prowess – is the ideal car for those born under the sign of the Goat. They are likely be drawn to Vermillion Red, as red is a lucky colour for this Chinese zodiac sign.

Monkey

Birth years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016

Those born under the sign of the Monkey are sociable, entertaining and full of curiosity, with a strong inquisitive nature. Monkeys are renowned for their sense of humour and adaptability, so they need a car that’s as dynamic and flexible as them – like the new Aygo X, launching in May 2022. Combining a high-riding style with all the agility of a compact city car, it’s ideal for a fast-paced lifestyle. Opt for the Juniper Blue or Ginger Beige, as these colours are thought to bring good fortune to Monkeys.

Rooster

Birth years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

Roosters have an innate sense of style and a buzzing creative spirit. They are not afraid to stand out from the crowd and they like to take pride in their appearance. They have high emotional intelligence too, so they are quick to make friends and put people at ease. They are likely to be attracted to cars with distinctive styling, like the Toyota C-HR with its hybrid technology, leather interiors and racing-inspired design.

Dog

Birth years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

People born under this birth sign always put friendships and relationships first, earning them a reputation for being kind, caring and dependable. They also value justice and balance, so they need a car that’s reliable and stable, like the Corolla Hatchback, with its precision handling and low centre of gravity. The ideal colour is Scarlet Flare, as Dogs are drawn to red and purple hues, while the hybrid engine will also appeal to their environmental awareness.

Pig

Birth years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

Those born in the year of the Pig like the finer things in life and are keen to provide for the people they love. They are pragmatic and they think logically, making them quick to solve problems, while keeping cool in a crisis. The Toyota Highlander, would appeal to them, as it offers both comfort and driveability, with serious power. They would appreciate that it’s a seven-seater, so there is plenty of room for everyone to travel in comfort. It has a drive mode to suit the occasion or conditions – Eco, Normal, Sport and Trail – which would appeal to their practical side. The Decuma Grey and Moondust colours would be ideal for this zodiac sign.

Rat

Birth years: 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020

Rats are smart, generous, and adept with finances and organisation and they make fantastic friends. They welcome challenges and are free thinkers who enjoy learning about new things. The Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car should pique their interest, thanks to its cutting-edge technology, zero emissions and sleek good looks. It’s available in two blue options (as well as other colours too), which is great news, as blue is thought to bring good fortune to those born under the sign of the Rat.

Ox

Birth years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021

Oxen are reliable, caring, and have a strong sense of responsibility, working through whatever life throws at them in a cool, pragmatic manner.  They are hard workers, and often quiet, but they like to make an impact. The bZ4X , Toyota’s first purpose-designed battery electric vehicle (BEV), embodies all of these characteristics, with a striking SUV design and the latest Toyota Safety Sense technology. It will be on sale from mid-2022. Lucky colours for this zodiac sign are  white, yellow/gold and green, although it’s what’s under the bonnet that will appeal the most.

ENDS