Toyota Announces Pricing for Baja Series Tacoma

Do you love off-roading as much as we do? If so you will be happy to read that Toyota Motor Inc. has announced pricing for the TRD T/X Baja Series package for the Tacoma pickup truck. The off-road package will add $5,015 to the sticker price of a four-wheel-drive Toyota Tacoma, bringing the price to $33,800 (after the $650 factory credit and including shipping charges)

The Baja Series Package can be ordered on both the Tacoma Access and Double Cab 4x4 models equipped with the TRD Off-Road Package.

The Baja Series package adds the following features to your Tacoma:

A 4.0-liter V-6 engine with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, an electronically-controlled locking rear differential, traction and hill control systems.

Performance upgrades for the package includes a TRD exhaust system, raised suspension sitting on Bilstein shocks and TRD coil springs, and BF Goodrich T/A KO tires (LT265/70R16).

On top of these features the TRD T/X Baja Series package increases  the Tacoma’ s front ride height by nearly two inches and adds bead-lock style off-road wheels for a better off-road experience.

The Baja Series was co-developed with Toyota Racing Development (TRD), The automakers motorsports and performance division. It gets its name from Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, where the grueling Baja 500 and 1000 desert off-road races are held. Toyota has a long history with these races, earning numerous titles at the Baja 500 and the Baja 1000.

The Tacoma received an upgrade for 2012, offering buyers a restyled front end that included a new hood, grille and headlights. The Tacoma also received some interior redesigns.  For more information on the redesigned 2012 Tacoma go to http://newtoyotanews.blogspot.com/2012/02/2012-toyota-tacoma.html

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Toyota Venza Will See Redesign for 2013 Model

I’m sure you have heard the saying “if the shoe fits, wear it”. While Toyota could have followed that saying with the Toyota Venza, it's a popular model with no major bugs or problems; they decided to give us a refreshed and slightly re-designed Venza for the 2013 Model year. The new Toyota Venza was introduced at the New York Auto Show. It will go on sale in late May of this year.

One careful look at the re-designed Venza’s exterior and you will notice a new set of freshened fog lamps and a redesigned front grille. Take a look at the back and you will notice restyled rear lights. Under the hood, the Venza will have the same engines from last year carried over, offering a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6, depending on trim level. The 2013 Veneza will be equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. 

The 2013 Venza will offer three new colors as available choices: Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica.

Inside the car the interior will look very similar to previous models, with the exception of new available interior colors (black leather or black cloth upholstery) and new buttons on the steering wheel. One great plus for the 2013 Venza’s interior is that there are more standard features on the LE trim than before. The LE Trim now offers a blind spot mirror, puddle lamps, an eight-way power-operated driver's seat, tilt/telescope steering wheel, and more. The Limited trim receives LED running lights and a premium navigation system with Toyota’s Entune connectivity available. Most of the new features are offered across the model range at an additional cost.

Toyota’s Complete Press Release is Available Below.

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Toyota Venza Adds Significant Updates for 2013 Model Year

The Toyota Venza crossover now offers enhanced exterior styling, added value through several new standard convenience features and updated option packages that include the Entune™ multi-media system for 2013 model year.

Venza's aerodynamic shape has been tastefully modified with a new upper and lower grille, fog lamps and rear taillights. The updated styling is complemented by a new 19-inch wheel design and three new exterior colors: Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl, and Cosmic Gray Mica.

The 2013 Venza is available in LE, XLE and Limited grades. The LE and XLE models are available with all powertrain combinations: four-cylinder, V6, front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD); the Venza Limited is powered by the V6 engine only, in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations. Value has been enhanced and ordering simplified with the addition of many standard features in all three grades.

Venza was developed specifically for the North American market, appealing to customers who prioritize bold, innovative design, a luxurious and refined interior and excellent handling, but they still require roominess and versatility. Venza provides SUV flexibility with its fold-flat rear seats, spacious cargo area, elevated driver sightline, available AWD and up to 3,500-lbs. towing capacity.

The Venza design was the creation of Toyota's Calty Design studios in Newport Beach, Calif. and Ann Arbor, Mich. Calty designers leaned toward a sleek crossover concept with a wide stance that featured a sporty exterior, but they also included important SUV attributes, such as cargo space, towing capability and available all-wheel drive performance.

Venza was primarily engineered at Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. And It is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), in Georgetown, Ky. More than 70 percent of Venza's components come from North American suppliers.

Performance and Efficiency
The 2013 Venza offers four-cylinder and V6 models in FWD and AWD versions. Venza's 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 181 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 182 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 rpm. The four-cylinder Venza is EPA-rated at 21 MPG city/27 MPG highway for the FWD model and 20/25 for the AWD.

The 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 246 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,700 rpm. The V6 FWD model has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 MPG city/26 MPG highway and 18/25 for the AWD. Both engines are teamed with a six-speed sequential-shift electronically controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). The six-speed ECT-i provides an engaging driving experience and helps optimize fuel economy. Uphill/downhill shift logic selects the proper gear for driving conditions and helps provide moderate engine braking during downhill driving.

Venza's Active Torque Control AWD System optimizes torque distribution between the front and rear wheels to help ensure stable acceleration and smooth cornering on all road surfaces. AWD offers enhanced traction and helps provide excellent overall handling in inclement weather.

An available Towing Prep Package on V6 models equips Venza with an engine oil cooler, larger radiator fan and heavy-duty alternator.

Handling and Ride
Venza was designed with a lower center of gravity than typical SUVs to help provide dynamic handling, which is further enhanced by the large wheels and tires. The four-cylinder models ride on standard 19-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels. Distinctive 20-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels are standard for the V6 model. Power-assisted, ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes are standard on all models.

Venza's body structure relies on high tensile-strength steel, gussets and cross members for its strength, rigidity and optimized weight. Front suspension consists of a rigid L-arm-type MacPherson strut with a stabilizer bar, and the rear suspension is a dual-link MacPherson strut setup with stabilizer bar. Electric power steering (EPS), with its ideally weighted steering effort, contributes to the Venza's spirited driving dynamics. EPS helps provide a more direct steering feel at both high and low speeds and delivers just-right assist when maneuvering the vehicle into tight parking spaces.

Safety
Toyota's STAR Safety System is standard on all Toyota models and features enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC) Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist and the Smart Stop Technology (SST).

VSC automatically adjusts engine output and the vehicle's braking force at each wheel to help control loss of traction during cornering. TRAC helps maintain traction during challenging driving conditions. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking. If the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage ABS, Brake Assist supplements the applied braking power until the driver releases the pedal. Smart Stop offers an additional level of safety by automatically reducing engine power when a vehicle's brake and accelerator pedals are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions, helping to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), also standard on all Venza models, temporarily provides pressure to the brakes while the vehicle is stopped on an incline to help ensure easier starting with no rollback.

In addition, Venza provides seven airbags, including a driver's knee airbag, driver and front-passenger front-seat-mounted side airbags, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Front seat-belt pretensioners retract the seat belt in a severe frontal collision, while the dual-stage force limiters help limit the seat-belt force applied to the driver's and front passenger's chests.

Driver and front-passenger seats employ active headrests. If the vehicle is struck from the rear, a cable-actuated mechanism will move the headrest upward and forward to help limit movement of the occupant's head.

Comfort and Convenience
Venza's generous utility includes several clever storage locations and lighting. The adjustable center console features a sliding cover and armrest, three iPod®/MP3 player holders with wire concealment features, and a large storage compartment.

The center-console compartment is also equipped with a USB port, auxiliary audio jack and 12-volt power outlet. The upper portion of the center console houses the gearshift lever for easy and comfortable driver reach. An on/off switch on the overhead console enables front-seat occupants to operate all four personal overhead interior lights.

Interior storage is further complemented by a total of 10 front and rear beverage holders (six bottle holders and four cup holders). These include dual-illuminated, sliding front cup-holders in the center console, two in the rear-seat armrest, and front- and back-door bottle holders.

Entune Multi-Media System
The 2013 Venza now offers the Toyota Entune multimedia system. This system leverages the mobile smartphone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated access to navigation, entertainment and information services.

Toyota Entune supports engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, and sports. Toyota Entune has a large selection of music options available to a vehicle, including iHeartRadio's 750+ stations, and Pandora's personalized music service.

The audio systems combined with Entune feature a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused by eliminating the need to memorize thousands of voice commands.

An Abundance of Standard Features
The Venza LE grade comes well equipped with new standard features that include a blind spot mirror and outer mirror turn signals with puddle lamps. Additional key standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and second-row-seat vents; eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar; 3.5-inch LCD multi-information display; a tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel with integrated audio controls; an overhead console with map lights; rear-seat adjustable personal reading lamps and three 12-volt power outlets.

The LE also comes standard with the Display Audio system, which includes a 6.1-inch touch screen, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity and control, vehicle information, hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology.

The available Convenience Package for the Venza LE adds a power liftgate and a rear back-up camera. The Preferred Package adds a panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof and Display Audio with Navigation and Entune.

The Venza XLE provides a major luxury and convenience upgrade to the vehicle and adds standard features such as leather-trimmed seating surfaces, steering wheel and shift knob; four-way power passenger seat; multi-stage heated front seats; driver seat memory; reverse tilt outer mirrors, Display Audio with Navigation and Entune; anti-theft system with alarm and engine immobilizer; Smart Key System with Push Button Start and illuminated entry; power rear liftgate and a back-up camera. Also standard on the XLE is a TFT multi-information display that can be customized to adjust the font size and content, and navigation voice instructions available in Spanish, French or English (XM Traffic is only available in English).

Aside from powertrain choices, the XLE offers one major option the Premium Package, which includes a panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof, and Display Audio with Navigation , Entune and JBL®, that includes 6.1-inch Touch Screen, AM/FM CD Player with MP3/WMA Playback Capability, 13 JBL® Synthesis Speakers including Subwoofer, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio (Includes three-month trial subscription to XM Select Package), HD Radio™ withiTunes® Tagging, Auxiliary Audio Jack, USB Port with iPod® Connectivity and Control, Vehicle Information, Hands-Free Phone Capability, Phonebook Access, Advanced Voice Recognition, and Music Streaming Via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology.

The V6-only, top-of-line Venza Limited comes standard with the Premium HDD Navigation with Entune™ and JBL® multimedia system. The system features a seven-inch high resolution touch screen with split-screen capability, AM/FM CD Player with MP3/WMA Playback Capability, 13 JBL® Synthesis™ Speakers including Subwoofer, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capability (Includes three-month trial subscription to XM Select Package); HD Radio™ with iTunes® Tagging, Auxiliary Audio Jack, USB Port with iPod® Connectivity and Control, Vehicle Information, Hands-Free Phone Capability, Phonebook Access, Advanced Voice Recognition, and Music Streaming Via Bluetooth® Wireless Technology.

The Venza Limited combines the Premium HDD Navigation with Entune and JBL and the panoramic glass roof with front power moonroof, and it adds high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights with automatic high beams and LED Daytime Running Lights. The high-beam feature detects oncoming vehicles and automatically switches the headlamps from high- to low-beam.

Customers looking for a pet-friendly vehicle will find a wide range of pet utility accessories available at Toyota dealerships. Among the available choices are a rear liftgate pet ramp, booster seat with harness, pet buckles and rear seat zipline-style harnesses, pet carriers and bucket seat, bench seat and hammock style waterproof seat covers.

Exterior Design
The Venza sports an aerodynamic shape with short overhangs, forward A-pillar, crisp character lines, and a low roofline. Continuous brushstroke lines run from the front grille to the D-pillar. A bold front end features a distinctive grille, headlights and fog lamps for a sporty yet refined appearance. Venza's sophisticated and confident appearance is completed by an angled rear hatch, spoiler and wide wraparound taillights that interconnect with the hatch door. Tight tire-to-body gaps contribute to the sophisticated, refined appearance.

The Venza design is highly practical, with a rear load-in height that is almost as low as that of the Sienna minivan. The generously sized liftgate opening enhances the vehicle's utility. An available power liftgate integrates jam protection that detects obstruction in the door's path and reverses the motor. Venza provides a low step-over height for improved ergonomics, and because the closed doors cover the rocker panels, the driver and passengers are protected from accumulated road-dust while getting into and out of the vehicle.

Interior Design
The Venza interior is designed to enhance driving enjoyment and offer premium comfort. Venza is available in three interior colors: Ivory, Light Gray, and Black, which is new for 2013. Each color is offered in fabric on LE and leather on XLE and Limited.

The flow of the center console creates a unique "60/60" design that gives both the driver and front passenger the feeling that 60 percent of the space is accessible from their seating position. All grades have a standard Optitron® speedometer and tachometer. The XLE and Limited grades also include a TFT multi-color center instrument panel display. Dual-zone automatic climate system controls are centrally located on the upper console, providing easy access for both the driver and front passenger.

Personal space lends overall comfort to the vehicle's interior with ample head room, shoulder room, hip room and couple distance. Cargo-area utility is enhanced with fold-down 60/40 rear seats, one-touch fold-down seat levers and a tonneau cover.

Limited Warranty
Toyota's 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty.

The Venza will also come standard with Toyota Care, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance an

2013 Toyota Debuts New Avalon at the New York International Auto Show

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A revealed the much anticipated boldly-designed sedan it had teased us with today at the New York International Auto Show and revealed it to be the 2013 Avalon mid-sized sedan. The all-new Avalon, which will be available later this year, has been labeled as “the beginning of a new era for vehicle development” by Toyota.

When speaking about the new Avalon, Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, said: “It’s an all-new premium mid-size sedan that will attract a wide range of buyers looking for style, technology, performance, comfort, safety and value”.

The all-new Avalon exterior and interior design was conceived by a youth oriented team at Calty Design Research in Southern California and Michigan.  The Avalon is set to be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky.  

In an effort to stick to the future product mission envisioned by Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation’s President, the new Avalon offers a bold and sporty exterior design combined with a luxurious interior design. It is equipped with an enhanced dynamic package, which seems to show us the direction Toyota is taking for its future products.

The new Avalon’s modern and spacious interior offers plenty of legroom for rear seat passengers and more interior passenger space than the BMW 5 Series.  It is equipped with many technological features that buyers will love such as capacitive touch sensor controls for climate settings and audio, as well as full-color displays with intuitive color animations.   It will also be equipped with Toyota’s Entune system, a USB port and AUX input for your I-pod/MP3 Player. The Avalon is also equipped with three 12 volt power outlets to help facilitate device interface and charging.

                                                


Want to enjoy your music features? No problem, Toyota equipped the new Avalon with noise cancelling technology to create a quiet interior.  

More Than Just a Pretty Face

In addition to its stunning design, numerous improvements were made to the Avalon’s structure and chassis. These improvements will help enhance the ride quality, handling and straight-line stability of the new Avalon.

The new Avalon suspension is equipped with MacPherson struts that come with advanced valves and rebound springs to create a perfect balance between the vehicle’s handling and agility with ride comfort.

The new Avalon will have better control and agility while also possessing superior linear stability due to a fine tuned electric power steering (EPS) system.

The new Avalon offers three drive modes: Normal, Eco and Sport. These modes can be switched for desired vehicle performance according to the driver’s needs. You can switch between the different drive modes through driver-selectable switches.

While driving in Sport mode, the throttle response is improved and the steering effort is weighted from the center to offer a sportier feel. Eco mode changes the vehicle’s throttle response and A/C power usage as a means to improve fuel economy.

The all new Avalon is equipped with Steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters that help provide a sportier drive while in D or S Mode. In these modes, the revised throttle helps improve the vehicles shift response in order to maximize the vehicle’s engine power and performance.

Like every Toyota models, the new Avalon comes standard with Toyota’s Star Safety System. The Star Safety System includes the following safety features: Traction Control (TRAC), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.

In addition, the new Avalon comes with 10 airbags (among the most in its segment). The redesigned Avalon also has an available pre-collision system (designed to “sense” an incoming frontal collision and can help reduce damage), blind-spot monitor and a rear cross-traffic alert notification.

For more information on the redesigned Toyota Avalon go to: http://www.toyotanewsroom.com/

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2012 Toyota 4Runner

Introduction

The Toyota 4Runner is definitely one of the most recognizable SUV’s on the road today. Launched in 1984, the 4Runner was designed as Toyota's smaller and cheaper Ying to the Land Cruiser’s Yang. However since it was launched in 84, the 4Runner has earned its own reputation as a durable vehicle with the ability to take it on the road or to the dirt at any time.

Exterior and Trims

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner is offered in three trim levels: SR5, Trail and Limited.

The SR5 and Limited trims are available with 2WD or 4WD. The Trail-grade 4Runner is only available in 4WD.

The 4Runner SR5 comes standard equipped with the following features: 17-inch alloy wheels, hill-start assist and hill-descent control, skid plates, fog lights, heated mirrors,  air-conditioning (Equipped with rear ventilation), cruise control, full power accessories, a power rear window, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a trip computer.  The SR5 also comes equipped with Bluetooth (with audio streaming) and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB/iPod interface.

The 4Runner Trail level includes the same equipment as the SR5 trim with the addition of a the following features: a locking rear differential, mud guards, Crawl Control (which electronically controls throttle and brakes when going up or downhill), off-road-oriented 17 inch tires and a sunroof. Other features on the Trail level include power front seats made of water resistant fabric, a rearview camera with a monitor built into the mirror, improved gauges, a sliding rear cargo deck and two 120-volt power outlets.

The Limited trim level includes: 20-inch wheels, keyless ignition/entry, adaptive suspension dampers, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and power lumbar support for the driver seat. Also standard for the Limited is an integrated rearview camera, HD radio and Toyota's Entune smartphone integration system.

Many of the features of the 4Runner Trail and Limited are available options for the SR5 model. Other available option include: a 50/50 split third-row seat, voice-activated navigation system and the KDSS off-road suspension package (which is available only on the Trail models).

Under the Hood

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner is equipped with a standard 4.0-liter V6 engine and a 5 speed transmission that produces 270 HP and 278 pound-feet of torque.

The SR5 and Limited trims' 4WD systems are slightly different. The SR5 system uses part-time dual-range, while the Limited trim has a full-time system with a lockable center differential. The Trail model comes with part-time dual-range 4WD and a locking rear differential, as well as selectable electronic terrain-sensitive systems. The 4Runner's towing capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds, regardless of trim.

Safety

The Standard 2012 Toyota 4Runner safety features include: stability control, antilock disc brakes, traction control, front knee airbags, front seat side and full length airbags, active front head restraints and roll-sensing side curtain airbags.

The Limited trim gets an extra boost in safety features. It comes with Safety Connect, which is Toyota's emergency assistance system. This protects your vehicle by providing you with a stolen-vehicle locator, roadside assistance and automatic collision notification.  

Interior Design and Special Features

The Toyota 4Runner's interior features a look perfect for this SUV's rugged image. It features oversized climate control knob, which are easy to see and control. Our only complaint is that they sometimes feel a bit unsteady.  

The Toyota 4Runner offers a very roomy interior with seating for up to five passengers. It has a 40/20/40-split second row which offers cargo-carrying flexibility, however an optional third-row seat is available, which increases the passenger count to seven people, preferably smaller the vehicles maximum cargo capacity to 90 cubic feet. It also offers an optional sliding rear cargo deck, which is able to withstand up to 440 pounds.

For those of you that like tail gating at your favorite game, the 2012 4Runner offers an optional “Party Mode”. This mode directs most of the audio system's sound to the lift gate speakers and increases the bass response of the vehicle.  Are you ready to party? I know I am.

On the Road/Off the road

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner is built on a truck chassis, but it is surprisingly very smooth on the road. While the 4Runner does not offer a V8 engine, it is not needed. The V6 has plenty of power on its own, and it’s bound to be a crowd pleaser.  

If you want to take this bad boy off-road, and we know you do, the 4Runner is definitely one of the best off-roading vehicles in the car market. For the best off-roading experience in the 2012 Toyota 4Runner, we recommend getting a Trail model fitted with the KDSS package.

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Toyota to Debut New Sedan

LOS ANGELES -- Toyota Motor Corp. announced that it will reveal an "all-new" sedan at the New York auto show next week. This new sedan has been rumored to be a likely replacement for the full-sized Toyota Avalon.

Those who saw the new sedan stated that it is a huge shift in the styling of the Toyota brand.

A teaser sketch of the mystery sedan released today shows a new fastback styling that is reminiscent to other coupe-sedan vehicles such as the Volkswagen CC, Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS.

In its press release Toyota called the new sedan "elegant yet athletic."

The new sedans debut will take place on April 5 at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

Below is the original press release sent out by Toyota.

PRESS RELEASE: Toyota to Debut a Stunning U.S.-Designed Sedan at the 2012 New York International Auto Show

TORRANCE, Calif., March 27, 2012 - Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. will debut an all-new U.S.-designed sedan at the 2012 New York International Auto Show. This global premiere will take place in the Galleria room within the Jacob Javits Center at 10:30 a.m. EDT on April 5, 2012.

The sedan's exciting new design features an elegant yet athletic look.

Media and the public will have the opportunity to participate in a live-streaming video chat with the designers of the new sedan by submitting questions via Twitter and Facebook with the #ToyotaDesign hashtag. The Toyota Design Live chat is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT on April 5, 2012 and hosted on http://www.facebook.com/toyota.

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2012 Toyota Prius C

Introduction

Twelve years ago Toyota introduced the first Prius hybrid vehicle to America. During those days gas was well below the $2 mark, which meant that buying one was nice, but not really a necessity. Today’s gas prices hover right around the $4 mark, with the prediction that it will reach 5$ a gallon sometime this year, making cars with affordable gas mileage a must for many potential car buyers.

Exterior

The Prius C was designed as a 5-door hatchback subcompact sedan. It receives a fantastic EPA rating of 50 mpg and is offered at a starting price of $18,950.

The exterior design is a mixture of the iconic Prius shape we have come to expect, mixed with the sporty look and size of the Toyota Yaris. The Prius C is sleek looking from the front, and it offers a sloping rear hatch that is equipped with sculpted flares.

For the Prius C, Toyota added side mirrors equipped special fins and wheels a special shape to enhance the vehicles aerodynamics.

Interior

The interior of the Prius C is simply fantastic. It features a very modern look and is stocked with many technological innovations as well as a great information center and a very cool infotainment center.

The Prius C has a wide instrument panel and its displays and controls were made with light colors to contrast with a basic black. It has a digital display screen as well, which adds to the modern look we mentioned.

As we have seen in previous Prius models, the 2012 Prius C is equipped with USB ports, Auxiliary connections and even a special storage area for your I-pod or other electronic devices and smart phones.

Surprisingly enough, for a small sedan, seating in the C is quite comfortable. The seats offer great back support and much more leg room than expected for the driver and front seat passenger. The rear seats are comfortable as well, but as expected by a car this size, lacks room for those with long legs.

One wonderful feature we found came in the AC system. The 2012 Prius C offers a very quiet air conditioning system that also contains an air filter for pollen, dust and any other allergy inducing airborne agents.

Under the Hood

The 2012 Prius C is equipped with a 1.5 liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine that comes linked to two high output electric motors. The battery is a 67 pound, 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery which stores the energy regained while driving.  

(Editors Note: For more info under the hood check out http://newtoyotanews.blogspot.com/2012/01/prius-c-will-offer-53-mpg-for-under.html)

Drive Experience

We didn’t know what to expect with this one, but just looking at the vehicle made us giddy to try it out. We put it through the high way, main roads and back roads to test it out, and we have to give credit where credit is due.

The 2012 Prius C  is very agile, able to keep pace with other cars on the road. It offers pretty accurate steering was accurate in straight road and simple turns. One cool feature is the ability for the car to tell you how to squeeze the most possible mileage out of a gallon of gas (which means taking your fun cap and putting on your conservative one). The Prius C also has very responsive and efficient brakes which are part of the hybrid’s electrical regeneration system. Lastly Prius drivers are able to switch between three driving modes, Normal, ECO and EV.

Conclusion

With the sleek and sporty exterior design, and an interior fully loaded with technological advances and a very impressive infotainment system, The 2012 Prius C is a car for young families, drivers and those who are young at heart.

The pricing on the 2012 Prius C reflects the income of a younger buyer, with the base model starting at $18,950 and rising to $23,230 for the Prius C Four. While these are slightly higher prices than its direct competitors (think Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta), the Prius C’s fuel economy closes the gap, and makes it a much better buy in our book. For all of you super tall drivers (6’6 and above) we recommend test driving the Prius C before buying it, as some might opt for the larger members of the Prius family, however once you set eyes on this Prius, you won’t be disappointed.

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http://jerrystoyota.com/inventory/view/Make/Toyota/Model/4Runner/New/SortBy0/

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Who Needs Roads When You Have Dirt?

Introduction

The threat of snow can mean a lot of things for Baltimore residents. Some worry about road conditions during their commute to work and others -this one is for you kids- do their snow dances all night, hoping that school will be cancelled the next morning. At Jerry’s we did exactly what current FJ Cruiser owners do at the thought of a big snow storm. We put on our snow boots and hoped for the worst!

While we didn’t get the snow necessary to really have some fun with this bad boy, we did get to take it out on the road and play around with it. What we found is that the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is not just fun to look at, it's also VERY fun to drive. Plus its dependability makes it fit right at home with the Toyota family.

The FJ Cruiser has maintained many of the same features that made us like it back in '07. It features a thick chassis, as well as a wide angle of approach and departure (which indicates a vehicle's ability to drive off a ramp or obstacle without damaging it’s body). The 2012 FJ Cruiser also has an available locking rear differential, to help make it a great off roading vehicle.

Body Styles and Trim Level

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a four door, five-passenger SUV. It features two regular front doors and two half-sized hinged doors in the rear.

The 2012 FJ Cruise is offered in one trim level and it comes standard with 17-inch black steel wheels. On the inside of the vehicle there is an eight-way manually adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, water-resistant cloth upholstery and heavy-duty vinyl flooring.

As far as entertainment goes the 2012 FJ Cruiser is equipped with a six-speaker sound system that you can be used to blast music out of the CD player or from the iPod/USB audio interface or auxiliary audio jack. Lastly the FJ Cruiser is equipped with Bluetooth, satellite radio and steering wheel controls.

Under The Hood

Each 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser comes equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 that is able to produce 260 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. It has standard rear-wheel drive and can be equipped to feature a five-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential.

The FJ Cruiser features two available 4WD systems. The first is a part-time system that comes on the five-speed automatic, while the other is a full-time system attached to a six-speed manual along with a locking rear differential.

The FJ Cruisers EPA-estimated fuel economy as an automatic with 4WD is 17 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined -- typical for off-road SUVs. The manual 4WD FJ Cruiser gets 15/18/16, and the rear-drive FJ gets 17/20/19.

Options

What the 2012 FJ Cruiser lacks in trims it makes up with its optional packages.

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruise is offered with a number of available packages, depending on your region.

The Convenience package does exactly what the title suggests, make it more convenient and easier to use. This package adds power mirrors, a rear wiper, keyless entry, cruise control, a rearview camera as well as adding an auto dimmer to the rearview mirror. Other additions include a rear privacy glass, a rear wiper and a spare tire cover.

Next up we have the Upgrade package which adds an upgraded traction control system for the four-wheel-drive models as well as an electronically controlled locking rear

differential, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, extra gauge and trip computer functions and an 11-speaker JBL sound system that is equipped with a six-CD changer.  The Upgrade package also adds 17-inch alloy wheels, which are also available separately.

The Off-Road package adds Bilstein shock absorbers, the locking rear differential and the upgraded traction-control system and the extra gauges mentioned above.

The TRD package adds special 16-inch alloy wheels, BFGoodrich off-road tires and different Bilstein shock absorbers.

Aside from the above mentioned packages the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser has a number of noteworthy dealer-installed accessories including a large roof rack, a cargo cover and rock rails. Other additions include accessory driving lights and a passenger armrest. The incredible optional packages and additional accessories makes the FJ Cruiser a very customizable vehicle, that can be made to suit the driver.

Safety

The 2012 FJ Cruiser is standard equipped with antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front seat side airbags, active front head restraints and side curtain airbags.

Interior Design and Ergonomics

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruise has an awesome retro-themed dash that is color-keyed to match the car’s exterior. Controls are placed within easy reach and are easy to find and see which makes the vehicle very ergonomic. It offers a generous 67 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Driving Impression

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is able to drive over most obstacles with ease, making it a wonderful off road vehicle. However driving it is not strictly an off roading vehicle, as it was surprisingly good on pavement. The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser offers precise steering and a very smooth ride, which by comparison, puts the Jeep Wrangler to shame.

One thing that we noticed is that the 2012 FJ  did not have the greatest outward visibility, however after driving it for a while it was hardly noticeable. Still, for the next models Toyota should look into expanding visibility.

Verdict

This is a vehicle unlike many other off road ready SUV’s. It offers a perfect balance in comfort and off roading power and has enough features to make comparable vehicles, such as the Jeep Wrangler, look basic.

If you love having a little fun off the pavement, are looking for a comfortable ride with great options then look no further than the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. We promise you, this is a car for sport, not kids.