Toyota Reveals 2012 RAV4 EV

Posted on May 11, 2012 by ToyotaCars

The Toyota RAV4 EV is making a comeback this summer, offering electric car enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a zero-emission car with the spaciousness of an SUV.

The first electric SUV to hit the market, RAV4 EV will feature a lithium-ion battery that will produce 154 horsepower for around 100 miles of driving. When drained, the battery can be charged with either a standard 120V or a beefier 240V charging cord in about 6 hours. This battery will come with an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty, putting it on par with most gas-powered vehicles.

One exciting feature for the 2012 RAV4 EV is the ability to switch the SUV to “Sport Mode,” which will draw more power from the battery. In Sport mode, the vehicle will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds and reach a top speed of 100 mph, although the battery will drain more quickly.

The RAV4 EV will debut in California before becoming available to other markets across the U.S.

Celebrities Who Drive a Prius

Posted on May 4, 2012 by ToyotaCars

We all know that celebrities drive some of the most outlandish cars on the road, thanks to their large bank accounts and access to some of the most exclusive vehicles ever made. But did you know that one of the most popular cars among Hollywood’s elite is the Toyota Prius?

As one of the most environmentally-friendly cars on the road, celebrities have been seen riding around in the Prius since it was first introduced worldwide in 2001. While some of these names, such as Leonardo Dicaprio and Rachel Bilson, might not come as a surprise, you may not be expecting to see the names of several heavy-hitters who have been spotted in the hybrid. Here is our list of 20 celebrities we were surprised to find out drive a Prius:

Cameron Diaz
Demi Moore
Harrison Ford
Natalie Portman
Dustin Hoffman
Matt Damon
Julia Roberts
Will Ferrell
Miley Cyrus
Jennifer Aniston
Selma Hayek
Bradley Cooper
Forest Whitaker
Tom Hanks
Sarah Jessica Parker
Gwyneth Paltrow
Jessica Alba
Owen Wilson
Kate Hudson
Orlando Bloom

Toyota Reveals 100 Cars for Good Finalists

Posted on April 27, 2012 by ToyotaCars

For the second year in a row, Toyota will be giving away 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days in their 100 Cars for Good program. The automaker has revealed the finalists and one winner will be selected each day through public voting on Facebook.

100 Cars for Good was first introduced last year as the first Toyota initiative to use the public’s help in determining how the company should award their charitable contributions. 500 finalists were chosen from the thousands of nominations submitted, and each was certified by an independent panel of experts in philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

Voting will begin May 14 and will conclude on August 21. Each day, five nonprofits will be profiled on the Toyota Facebook page, and individuals will be able to vote once each day for the organization they feel is most deserving of a new Toyota. The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of the day will win the vehicle, while the four runners-up will receive a $1,000 grant from Toyota. The winning organizations will be allowed to choose one of the following vehicles: Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Prius v, Sienna, Sienna Mobility, or Tundra. A 6-year, 100,000 mile warranty will also be provided with each vehicle.

To see a full list of the finalists, visit http://100carsforgood.com.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted on April 19, 2012 by ToyotaCars

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and across the country, the Department of Transportation has one message for drivers: “One Text or Call could Wreck it All.”

There are many distractions drivers can face behind the wheel. Visual distractions occur when you take your eyes off the road, manual distractions take a driver’s hands off the wheel and onto something else, such as food or drink, and cognitive distractions occur when the driver stops thinking about driving and starts thinking about something else. While there are many ways to get distracted, cell phone use is by far the most alarming, as it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention.

In 2010 alone, over 3,000 people were killed, and nearly half a million injured, in accidents caused by distracted driving. Cell phone use was reported in 18% of these fatalities. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, meaning they are driving roughly the length of a football field, blind, at 55 mph. Drivers using a hand-held device are also 4 times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause an injury due to the lack of reaction time.

Now that you know the facts, you’re probably wondering what you can do to get involved and help make our roadways safer. First, you can take the pledge to drive phone-free, encourage your family and friends to drive phone-free, and speak out if the driver of your car is distracted. You can also share a “Faces of Distracted Driving” video on social media to help raise awareness, download a poster to hang up, and make a company or family pledge to commit to distracted-free driving.

For more distracted driving facts and ways to get involved, visit http://www.distraction.gov.

Toyota Reveals the Redesigned 2013 Avalon

Posted on April 12, 2012 by ToyotaCars

Last week at the New York International Auto Show, Toyota introduced us to several updated models. We’ve already told you all about the 2013 Venza, so now we are moving on to the other big reveal: the 2013 Avalon.

The styling on the Avalon has been significantly updated, taking a cue from several sedans in the luxury department. The new model offers a long, arching roof that leads to a shorter decklid and concave detailing along the side. On the front of the full-size sedan is a large hexagonal grill below a more narrow, pointed grille, similar to what is seen on the 2012 Camry. The headlights include Toyota’s new Double-eye Projector Ellipsoid System (PES), which features a two-piece headlight outlined by LED daytime running lights. On the tail end of the 2013 Avalon are two red rows of LED lights framing a row of white LEDs.

Inside the Avalon is just as luxurious, with premium leather and a new instrument panel featuring Toyota’s Entune infotainment system, which will be controlled through touch buttons. Although Toyota did not reveal which engine will power the 2013 model, it is expected to retain the current 3.5-liter V6.

The 2013 Toyota Avalon will go on sale later this year.

Toyota Debuts the 2013 Venza Crossover

Posted on April 6, 2012 by ToyotaCars

Last month, Toyota teased a photo of the 2013 Venza’s headlight. Now, the automaker has revealed the entire updated crossover at the New York International Auto Show.

The most dramatic revisions are found on the front of the car, where the grille has been replaced by a simpler, 3-bar design; although the waterfall look is still present. The headlights have also been updated and now include LED daytime running lamps for the Limited model, and the fog lamp housings have a new, chrome-like trim. Other exterior changes include redesigned taillights, a new 19-inch wheel design, and 3 new color options: Attitude Black, Cosmic Gray Mica, and Cypress Pearl.

The 2013 Venza remains unchanged under the hood, but each trim level will be receiving new standard features. On the LE trim, blind spot monitoring and outer mirror turn signals have been added. The XLE trim receives a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, Toyota’s Entune system, and reverse-tilt side-view mirrors. The highest trim level, the Limited, will offer the LED daytime running lamps, a navigation system, an upgraded sound system, and a V6 powertrain as standard features.

The refreshed 2013 Toyota Venza is expected to hit showrooms in mid 2012.

Toyota Unveils New Plan to Help Customers Lease Smarter

Posted on March 30, 2012 by ToyotaCars

Toyota Financial Services is launching their new Excess Wear & Use Protection Plan, a product aimed at helping customers lease smarter. The plan is designed to help eliminate some questions over financial responsibility a consumer may have about dents, scratches, and missing parts on a leased vehicle.

Toyota’s Excess Wear and Use plan was developed in collaboration with industry advisors and dealers with the consumer experience as a top priority. The goal of the protection plan is to help customers avoid unexpected charges when a vehicle is returned at the end of a lease.

The Excess Wear & Use Protection Plan offers lessees protection against some charges they would otherwise be responsible for paying upon a lease termination. The plan also converts the claims process into a simpler ordeal without requiring the lessee to submit forms, pay deductibles, or request reimbursements for damages covered by the plan. Covered items include broken or scratched windshield, missing parts, interior stains, and damage to tires or rims.

The Game of Life with the Prius c

Posted on March 22, 2012 by ToyotaCars

Toyota knows that the consumer most likely interested in owning a Prius c is a city-dwelling, successful, eco-conscious buyer. They are also likely to have played the board game Life as a child. The automaker took this knowledge of their audience to create their new ad campaign for the most recent Prius to land on the market, using the compact hybrid as a game piece in Life.

Check out two of the campaigns below to see how the Prius c would fit in your game of Life.

Toyota Giving Away 100 Cars in 100 Days to 100 Organizations

Posted on March 16, 2012 by ToyotaCars

For the second year in a row, Toyota is looking for nonprofits that could make even greater things happen with a new car. Through 100 Cars for Good, the automaker will be giving away 100 cars in 100 days to 100 deserving organizations. Applications are currently open and will close on Monday, March 26, 2012, or when 5,000 applications are received, after which one winner will be selected each day though public voting on Facebook.

Following the application process, 500 finalists will be selected and certified by an independent panel of experts. Each finalist will then submit a video detailing how a new vehicle will help to further its work, along with an explanation, which will both be featured on the 100 Cars for Good site. Beginning Monday, May 14, five organizations will be up for consideration each day for 100 days. Based on the number of votes each nonprofit receives on Facebook, the four runners up will each receive a $1,000 grant from Toyota, while the winner will receive one of six Toyota vehicles: the Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Prius v, Sienna minivan, Sienna mobility, or Tundra. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle.

If you know of a Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or non-profit Native American tribe with sovereignty that could benefit their community by winning a new car, visit http://100carsforgood.com to nominate them by 3/26/12. Otherwise, set your calendars for May 14 to start voting on the organizations you think are most deserving!

Toyota Trumps Competition on the Consumer Reports Top 10 List

Posted on March 12, 2012 by ToyotaCars

The annual automotive edition of Consumer Reports is the list drivers go to when they need solid advice about what new car to buy. Claiming 5 of the Top 10 List spots, drivers will see that Toyota is the brand to buy this year.

Consumer Reports anonymously choose vehicles at dealerships for testing. Each vehicle is driven around 6,000 miles so that judges can use over 50 evaluations to test the car’s comfort, convenience, safety, fuel economy, handling, and braking.

For family vehicles, the Toyota winners are the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Toyota Sienna V6, and the Toyota Highlander. The Camry Hybrid is praised for its 38 MPG fuel economy on the highway, the Sienna is praised for its roomy cabin, and the Highlander is praised for its above-average reliability.

The two other Toyota winners are the Toyota RAV4 in the small SUV segment and the Toyota Prius in the Green Car segment. The RAV4 is recognized for its strong V6 engine that accelerates like a sports car, while the Prius is recognized for its overall 44 MPG fuel economy.

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