Toyota

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Toyota Prius v, 2012: New hybrid wagon has room and a view

Introduced in Japan in May 2011 and six months later in the United States, the 2012 Toyota Prius v joins carmaker's four-member hybrid family. The "v" in Prius v stands for versatility. It's an apt description since the Prius v is a family sized, modern-looking hybrid wagon with 50 percent more cargo area than the original Prius. The Prius v is also six inches longer, three inches taller and one inch wider than its globally popular older relative. There are 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats and 38 inches of leg room. There's also a new rounded exterior design and an extended roofline that allows the Prius to emerge from its staid previous appearance. The Weekly Driver

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Toyota Prius c, 2012: New hybrid's popularity prompts price gouging in Florida

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield, who writes for the auto portal High Gear Media, has a story about price gouging for the new and vastly popular 2012 Toyota Prius C, the carmaker's subcompact hybrid. According to the report, a dealership in Coconut Creek, Fla., has taken the concept of inflated sticker prices to an extreme — about one third of the original sticker price. Gordon-Bloomfield was alerted to the situation by a reader who forwarded an image of the extreme price of a Toyota Prius c located at Al Hendrickson Toyota and bearing the words "Market Value Adjustment." Translated, that means price gouging. The 2012 Toyota Prius c, which debuted about a week about at dealers, has a sticker price of about $19,000

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Toyota Camry, 2012: Change is good for U.S. top-selling sedan

It must be a difficult decision for manufacturers with popular models to substantially change what sells. The Toyota Camry, for example, has been the top-selling sedan in the United States in 13 of the past 14 years. Nevertheless, the seventh-generation Camry debuted in the 2012 edition with vast changes. The standard Toyota Camry, with its 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine, has increased horsepower to 178. Additionally, the use of lower viscosity oil, according to the manufacturer, has helped increase gas mileage averages. Beyond the engine, the exterior and interior designs are new. The exterior lines are sharper and the front fascia and taillights are new. The interior, completely redesigned, features upgraded materials. Toyota's new Entune infotainment system is now an option, and

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Toyota Prius c, 2012: At less than $20,000 and 53 mpg, it's all the rage

The 2012 Toyota Prius c was destined to attract a lot of attention. And less than a week into its debut, that’s certainly been the case for the smallest car in the Toyota lineup and the most fuel efficient non-plug-in hybrid in the United States. A starting price of less than $20,000 and the dethroning of its older sibling, the original Toyota Prius, as the country’s most efficient fuel-sipping car hasn’t hurt, either. Add it all up and the Prius c, which debuted at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show as a concept car, is EPA rated at 53 mpg in city driving and 46 mpg in highway driving. Combined, the Prius c is rated at 50 mpg, the same as

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Toyota Prius c, 2012: superior mpg, value price equals strong sales debut

The 2012 Toyota Prius c, the new five-door, sub-compact hatchback and the smallest in the carmaker's lineup of hybrids, debuted impressively in its first week on the market. In its first three days of sales since its March 12 debut, 1,021 Toyota Prius c models sold in the United States, According to Toyota, that number eclipses the sales totals for the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf in February. "A number of factors drive the auto market, and fuel prices is one of them,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. “With 53 miles-per-gallon in the city and priced under $19,000, the timing for Prius c couldn’t be better." During the first half of

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Toyota Venza, 2013: Revised grille, more technology for New York Auto Show debut

The 2013 Toyota Venza crossover, which will feature a restyled exterior design, will make its North American debut as part of the Toyota display at the 2012 New York Auto Show, April 6-15 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York In addition to 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 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 will continue to be available in

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Toyota recalls more than 681,000 Camry, Venza and Tacoma trucks

Toyota is recalling more than 681,000 Camry, Venza and Tacoma vehicles from 2005 to 2011 because of faulty warning lamps, faulty steering cables and the inability of some cars to start. Approximately 495,000 Toyota Tacoma trucks from 2005 to early 2009 will be recalled to replace the steering wheel spiral cable assembly. A combined total of 186,500 Camry (2009) and Venza (2009 and 2011) are also being recalled because of faulty stop lamp switches. Due to the combination of steering wheel spiral cable design and characteristics unique to the Tacoma chassis, friction between the spiral cable and the retainer in the steering wheel spiral cable assembly may occur in some vehicles. Friction over time may result in loss of connectivity

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2012 Toyota Prius C gets vast praise as economic hybrid with surprising performance

The Toyota Prius C, the fourth model in the Prius family, is the shortest, narrowest, lightest and thus most fuel efficient of the hugely successful carmaker's hybrid lineup. The gasoline engine in the Prius has been reduced from 1.8 liters of displacement in the original Prius to 1.5 liters, and its dual electric motors are also smaller. Combined, there's only 99 horsepower in the Prius C, while the original Prius has 135 horsepower. The C in the Prius C, according to Toyota, translates to "city," and it's being promoted as a new urban option with superior economy. It makes a lot of sense as fuel prices continue to rise and lower purchase prices in cars continue to attract more buyers.

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Toyota Prius C, 2012: Lightweight city hatchback expands hybrid line

Toyota is expanding its hot Prius hybrid car line with a new, smaller urban-based model. The sporty 2012 Toyota Prius C (for “city”) gas/electric four-door hatchback is aimed at young urban couples. It’s expected to be the “gateway” car to larger, costlier members of the Prius family. The compact Prius C could have been partially inspired by the late British genius car designer Colin Chapman, who won international race championships by making his Lotus cars as light as possible. So it is with the Prius C, based on the Toyota Yaris platform. Automakers are happy to chop just 50 pounds from a car for better fuel efficiency and handling. But the 2,496-pound Prius C weighs about 550 pounds less than

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Lexus, Toyota, Scion shine in 2012 J.D. Power dependability study

Paced by Lexus, which earned the No. 1 overall rating, eight Lexus, Toyota and Scion models captured segment awards in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study Lexus is the number one nameplate improving by 23 fewer problems/100; Toyota is the highest ranked non-premium nameplate and tied for third place overall, improving by 18 fewer problems/100; Scion achievrd its highest ever position at fifth place, jumping 17 positions and improving by 55 fewer problems/100. Lexus was the highest ranking nameplate in the industry in the 2011 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study and earned more segment awards than any other premium brand. The Lexus IS won the entry premium car segment in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive

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NHTSA investigating Toyota Camry RAV for door fires

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating consumer complaints of driver’s side door fires in 2007 Toyota Camry sedans and RAV4 crossovers. "Based on the available information, it appears the fires are originating from the power window master switch located on the driver's side door," the filing reports. Six consumers have complained, according to the investigation NHTSA began this weekl. This probe is not officially a recall, but may lead to one in which an estimated 830,000 cars and SUVs may be affected. Toyota’s safety team is cooperating with the investigation, but will not comment until more information from NHTSA is revealed. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Toyota Prius c, 2012: Prices revealed for four models in expandng hybrid family

Toyota has announced a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) range of $18,950 to $23,230 for the 2012 Prius c which extends Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to the subcompact segment. The five-door hatchback will arrive at Toyota dealerships in March 2012. Designed to function as a city-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and an EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of 53 mpg, Prius c offers the highest city mpg rating of any vehicle without a plug. The Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius Liftback, the new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will be available in early 2012. The Prius c will find favor with younger shoppers seeking a smartly

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Toyota reinvents Camry, babies, DMV and pizza curtains in Super Bowl ad

Toyota made one of the best commercials for the 2012 Super Bowl. It's toutig the 2012 Toyota Camry, carmaker decided to do more. In the one-minute commercial, here's what Toyota has done: This is the re-invented couch. It also comes in male. This is a re-invented police officer. He's also a masseuse. This is the re-invented baby. It doesn't poop. It it also a time machine. The re-invented DMV. It's a little nicer. The re-invented blender. It plays Lionel Ritchey. The reinvented plant. It fights crime. The re-invented curtains. They are made of pizza. This is re-invente rain. It makes you skinny. And this is the re-invented Toyota Camry available with everything you could possibly want. James RaiaA sports, travel

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Toyota Corolla: Still top-selling car in history, 37.5 million and counting

It's hard to imagine: Somewhere in the world someone buys a Toyota Corolla about every 40 seconds. As such, since 2007 the entry level compact has been the best-selling car in history. With a base price of slightly more than $16,000, the Corolla has had 10 model generations and has had sales of more than 37.5 million since its debut in 1966. The current model has four-cylinders, 132 horsepower and gets about 35 mpg on the freeway. The combination of reliability, economy and durability add up to make the Corolla the ideal car in its native Japan and in the United States. It tops the list of the top-10 best-selling cars in history. In a detailed piece by Douglas A.

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Kiplinger's Best, 2012: Toyota Prius V, Honda Odyssey, Ford Escape Hybrid

Kiplinger has been published for 90 years and now for the 61st time it's publishing its annual buyer’s guide of best value new cars. Kiplinger’s Best in Class and Best New winners are based on rankings that weigh performance, value and safety. Half the score comes from performance and value and about a third from vehicle safety. The remaining score is based on Kiplinger test drives of the cars, during which we assess design, comfort and dashboard layout. Sedans are ranked within price categories while crossovers, SUVs, minivans and wagons are not broken up by price but scored on a scale that rewards lower prices. The results are presented monetarily in categories and sub-categories, under $20,00 to more than $50,000,

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Toyota Highlander, 2012: Tackles family, weekend duties with ease

The 2012 Toyota Highlander is a three-row crossover that offers a choice between four-cylinder and V6 power, front-wheel drive (FWD) and full-time, four-wheel drive (4WD). The Highlander Hybrid, with EPA fuel economy estimates of 28/28-mpg city/highway, provides a nice blend of performance and fuel economy. The 2012 Highlander is available in Highlander, SE and Limited grades with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD). A 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is standard on the Limited grade and available with other models. All Highlander Hybrids are equipped with four-wheel-drive with intelligence and are available in Highlander and Limited grades. Standard engine for the Base and SE models is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine which produces 187 horsepower at 5,800 RPM and 186 lb.-ft.

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