Toyota Avalon

Lexus, Porsche top J.D. Power reliability survey

Lexus and Porsche are the most dependable car brands after three years of ownership, according to the 28th annual survey conducted J.D. Power, the global marketing research company. It is the sixth consecutive year that Lexus topped J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The streak puts Lexus halfway to tying its record of 12 consecutive titles for most dependable brand between from 1997 to 2008. Toyota, Buick and Mercedes-Benz rounded out the top five brands overall. Mercedes, Hyundai (No. 6), BMW (No. 7) and Jaguar (No. 10) were newcomers to the Top 10 this year, while GMC, Acura, Ram and Lincoln dropped out. The industry averaged 156 problems per 100 vehicles in the latest dependability study, up by four

Read more

Honda dominates TheWeeklyDriver.com’s 2016 Best Cars List

For the 10th straight year, TheWeeklyDriver.com is selecting its top vehicles of the year. In 2015, we included 12 vehicles instead of 10 on the end-of-the-year list. And we’re doing the same this year. Honda has four cars on the list, the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda Fit and Honda Odyssey. Toyota is represented by the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and Toyota Sienna. Lexus also has two cars on the list, the Lexus IS 200t and the Lexus RC-F. Kia, Lincoln, Mazda and Scion are also represented. As editor and publisher of TheWeeklyDriver.com since 2004, I reviewed 38 cars and trucks in 2016 model years during the 2016 calendar year. I also drove several other vehicles briefly at manufacturer preview days.

Read more

2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid: economic, near luxury

The Toyota Avalon debuted in late 1994 as the manufacturer’s flagship full-sized sedan. It replaces the Toyota Cressida. The hybrid trim was unveiled in December 2012, further adding to Toyota’s nearly always-expanding lineup. For 2016, The Toyota Avalon Hybrid has only a few changes. Most notably, there’s a redesigned front grille and front turn signal lamps. The base XLE Plus trim debuts; the Touring trim is discontinued. Technology features are also enhanced with a wireless smartphone charging system standard for the XLE Premium and Limited trims. The Toyota Safety Sense package is available as a Limited trim option. 2016 Toyota Avalon Test Drive The 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is in rare company. It’s joined by the 2016 Buick LaCrosse as

Read more

TheWeeklyDriver.com names Best 12 Vehicles of 2015

For the ninth straight year, TheWeeklyDriver.com has selected its Best 12 Vehicles of the Year. Ford, Honda and Hyundai each have two vehicles on the 2015 list, which this year has expanded from the usual top-10 list to a dozen selections. As editor and publisher of the TheWeeklyDriver.com since 2004, I fully reviewed 38 cars and trucks with 2015 model years. I also drove a half-dozen other cars briefly at manufacturer preview days. This year’s list has expanded to a dozen vehicles for one simple reason: Manufacturers keep making better machines. For the first time since the end-of-the-year list began, our list includes a pick-up truck. For the 2014 list, we selected a single top vehicle, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Read more

Honda CR-V has new motto: In for the long haul

If the popularity of vehicles made by Toyota and Honda need any additional proof, look no further than the latest longevity study by bankrate.com. Six vehicles manufactured by Toyota and four made by Honda comprised the top-10 of car owners keep at least 10 years. The site’s study looked at vehicles new in 2015 and sold between January 1 2015 to July 15, 2015. Honda CR-V versatility equals its longevity The Honda CR-V, a perennial top-10 selling vehicle, earned the top mark. While just edging the Toyota Prius, Honda CR-V models purchased in 2005 are still owned by 28.6 percent of their original owners. The Toyota Prius, which has dominated the hybrid market since its debut, was second in the

Read more

IIHS safety rankings for 2016: American cars shunned

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released its annual list of automotive safety awards. Japanese carmakers dominated the top picks while only one American vehicle received the top rating in the 2016 ratings. Among 48 vehicles that received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick Plus” rating, 23 were from Toyota, Honda and Subaru. Toyota and Honda, including their subsidiaries Scion, Lexus and Acura, were the top two automakers, overall. Volkswagen came in third with seven VW and Audi models on the list. The Chrysler 200 was the only vehicle from a domestic brand to get the top safety rating. To be a “Top Safety Pick Plus,” vehicles must get the top score in all five of the group’s crash

Read more

Driving the Tour of Utah in a 2015 Lexus ES 350, #1

Driving from Sacramento, California to Logan, Utah is doable in one day. It’s about a 685-mile trek and takes 12 hours with stops. I opted for the two-day version, and one reason was because of my ride, a 2015 Lexus ES 350. A logical approach to attend the Tour of Utah bike race was a first night’s stop in Elko, Nevada, a 415-mile effort east on Interstate 80 to Reno, Nev. It was then into the desert for several-hour effort into open range, past small towns, plenty of sage brush and where the 75-mph speed limit is barely a deterrent. The 2015 Lexus ES 350 is the upscale version of a Toyota Avalon. It’s a four-door, luxury sedan featuring a

Read more

Mazda3, Pontiac Vibe among best used cars for under 10K

Consumer Reports has plenty to say about new cars and trucks, but it also has some practical advice for buyers seeking the best used cars on tight budgets. It’s compiled a varied (and sometimes surprising) list of its top-10 best used cars for under $10,000. The publication recommends several criteria while searching for a good used vehicle. The more important: good reliability, stability control, the newest used car you can afford, buy from a reputable seller and seek the car’s past history.   Here’s what Consumer Reports writes about two of its choices, followed its top-10 list of best used cars to buy for under $10,000. 2008 MAZDA 3 The excellent Mazda 3 is one of our favorite small cars

Read more

Lexus again rules J.D. Power dependability study

Lexus has built its reputation on quality craftsmanship, styling and dependability. For the fourth straight year, the luxury carmaker’s dependability has been recognized by automotive industry research experts, J.D. Power. The California-based global research company ranked Lexus highest in its recently released 26th annual Vehicle Dependability Study. According to the company’s compilation, Lexus had 89 problems per 100 vehicles. It was the lowest among all manufacturers. Buick (110) finished second in the study. Toyota (111) was third. The study evaluates overall dependability of cars and trucks by examining the problems owners experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2012 model-year vehicles. Driving experience, features, controls and other considerations are included. The 2015 survey found issues with Bluetooth

Read more

VW Jetta TDI tops TheWeeklyDriver.com’s 2014 top 10

For the eighth straight year, TheWeeklyDriver.com has selected its top-10 cars of the year. Honda again leads the list with the three selections, followed by Chevrolet and Ford, each with two selections. The Honda Accord is the only vehicle to make the list every year. This is the first year we’ve picked a single automobile to top the list. It’s the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. It’s the most economical, best priced, best designed and best- performing car available in the United States for $25,000. As editor and publisher of TheWeeklyDriver.com since 2004, I drove 49 cars this year to consider for the top-10 list. Most automotive publications pick their top choice early in the model year. I think it’s to

Read more

Most reliable cars: Mitsubishi, Hummer. Really?

Steven Lang has had a unique automotive industry career. For more than 15 years, he’s been a car dealer, an auctioneer and a part-owner of an auto auction. He’s bought and sold cars. And he believes he has a credible list of the 10 most reliable cars — by brand. Lang has seen extraordinary cars and likely some that should have never been sold. He knows cars old and new. And he knows branding from the Lexus motto: “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection to the BMW creed: “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” A contributor to Motoramic, Lang has compiled an top-10 list of the most reliable cars via individual brands.  interesting choices? You bet. The 10th most reliable brand is Mitsubishi.

Read more

REVIEW: 2014 Kia Cadenza joins rivals with gusto

Despite the success of the Kia Optima, the South Korean manufacturer still doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. The 2014 Kia Cadenza, a debut vehicle in 2013 as a 2014 model, should provide the carmaker with more respect as an underdog. The Kia Cadenza joins the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus as the trio of South Korean luxury cars sold in the United States. Hyundai owns Kia, and the Cadenza shares a platform with the Hyundai Azera, although the Cadenza is sportier than its cousin. The Weekly Driver Drive It was my second time with Kia Cadenza in recent months, this time with the Limited edition. Like the previous Kia I drove, the Cadenza Limited is the follow-up for the

Read more
,

Lexus, Mazda shine in 2014 Best Family Car list

A family car once meant a station wagon or a lackluster, underpowered box-like sedan. No more. For 2014, U.S. News & World Report has selected performance cars and family oriented cars that are perfectly capable for single drivers. The magazine (and its corresponding online edition) has selected the best vehicles for families in 19 categories, compact cars to minivans, hatchback to luxury cars. The 2014 Mazda6, the Best Midsize Car for Families, and the 2014 Mazda3, the Best Compact Car for Families, both have performance that car reviewers love. That performance comes in addition to available high-tech safety features, like forward collision warning and lane departure warning, as well as spacious cabins most car critics agree feel upscale. The Honda

Read more

Toyota on hot seat, shuts down production

Toyota sold more cars than any other carmaker worldwide in 2013. But the Japanese manufacturer’s vehicles also had the most problems in 2013. For 2014, it’s worse. Because of a potential fire hazard in seats via seat heaters, Toyota has stopped sales of nearly all of its new cars and trucks. Included in the stoppage: Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra vehicles equipped with seat heaters. According to Toyota, in some the carmaker’s best-selling cars a portion of the seats were not manufactured with materials that met flame-retardant standards. Toyota said that a small portion of the seat assembly failed to meet a provision of U.S. motor vehicle safety standards requiring materials to retard flame

Read more

Toyota Prius honored as best value in auto industry

The Toyota Prius has been named the best value in the automotive industry for 2013. The top-selling hybrid costs owners only 47 cents per mile to drive, according to Consumer Reports. The Prius, which debuted in the United States in 2000, moved ahead of the Honda Fit in 2012 for the first year of its now two-year reign at the top of the best value list. The Fit held the No. 1 position for the previous four years. In its best value reports, Consumer Reports also selected leaders in many segments of the auto industry. The list incorporates owners’ costs via money per mile driven based on fuel economy, reliability, versatility and other factors. Here’s the list: Compact/Subcompact Car: Toyota

Read more

Toyota cans FJ Cruiser, Yaris, Venza next?

Toyota manufactures the most successful gas and most successful hybrid car in history. The Japanese carmaker makes the Corolla and the Prius, of course. And it makes the perennially popular Camry, Avalon and Highlander. But Toyota also makes the some vehicles that don’t sell particularly well. And it’s about to discontinue a model and may consider abandoning a few other models. According a report on WardAuto.com, Toyota, as previously announced, will discontinue its FJ Cruiser in mid-2014. Through November, FJ Cruiser sales were down 2.6 percent in 2013 to 11,826 units, according to WardsAuto data. The model’s best year was its debut in 2006 when 56,225 FJ Cruisers were sold. The Toyota Venza and Yaris aren’t scheduled to be discontinued,

Read more
Previous Next