Toyota

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Toyota Tacoma, Tundra claim top honors among used trucks

Toyota claimed top honors for best midsize and best full-sized used trucks, according to the latest analysis of iseecars.com. The online automotive search engine and research website based in Massachusetts helps users find and compare cars for sale. Whether they are driven for business or pleasure, pickup truck drivers want a rugged and capable hauler, the site explains in its latest survey. Beyond performance, the best used trucks are proven to last long and retain their value so drivers can save money for their next pickup truck purchase. Toyota used trucks claim honors The Toyota Tacoma scored an overall rating of 8.2 out of 10 among mid-sized trucks It was ranked #1 in value retention, #2 in longevity and received

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#145, Author unloads on Takata in new Killer Airbags book

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:17 — 59.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJerry W. Cox has a stark warning for the driving public. He says 12 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads have defective Takata-made airbags that still have not been replaced. Cox, a former consultant for the now-defunct Japanese automotive parts company, discusses the details in his new book “Killer Airbags: The Deadly Secret Automakers Don’t Want You To Know.” Now an automotive consultant, Cox is our guest on Episode #145 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Cox what he believes is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Killer Airbags details the events that led to the airbag

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Toyota Tundra recall woes: faulty wiring, dim turn signals

Nearly 200,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks in model years from 2018 through 2020 and equipped with LED headlights have been recalled their front turn signals may be too dim for other drivers to see. The problem occurs because on certain Tundra models the wiring harness connecting the front headlights and turn signals to the vehicle’s electrical system was improperly installed. Because of an error in written instructions used on the assembly line, the front turn signal bulbs were connected to the wrong wires in the harness and the bulbs do not fully illuminate. Toyota Tundra dealers will fix Federal motor vehicle safety standards dictate how bright a vehicle’s external lights should be. Because of improperly installed wiring, more than 183,000

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Quick shifts to automatic transmissions continues

Thirty-eight car nameplates offer manual transmissions for their 2020 models, Aston Martin to Volkswagen. Truck enthusiasts who like to shift gears have far fewer choices. In fact, only two manufacturers, Toyota and Jeep, offer a manual transmission in their fleets. Here’s the full list of cars with manual transmissions, either as standard or optional equipment, for the 2020 model year: Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M2, BMW M4 (all body styles), Chevrolet Camaro (all body styles), Chevrolet Spark, Dodge Challenger, Fiat 124 Spider, Ford Mustang (all body styles), Shelby GT350, Genesis G70, Honda Accord, Honda Civic (all body styles), Civic Si (all body styles), Civic Type R; Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra (GT hatchback only), Hyundai Veloster, Veloster N, Hyundai

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Have 20K or 25K for a truck? Toyota tops watchdog’s list

Toyota tops the list for most reliable and best buy in a new survey for consumers in the market for a used truck with a budget of less than $20,000 and less than $25,000, according to iseecars.com. The car search engine, based in Woburn, Mass., helps shoppers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources. iSeeCars analyzed more than 6.1 million used cars sold from October 2019 through March 2020 from model years 2011 onward. Toyota used pickup get top marks Cars previously determined to be among the Longest-Lasting Cars and had an overall crash test rating of 4.0 or higher from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were eligible for further analysis. The average

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2020 Toyota Avalon defines ideal hybrid sedan

Hybrid car owners often compromise. They embrace the superior gas mileage and environmental concerns mixed-engine vehicles offer. But odd-looking exterior designs, limited interior space and lackluster acceleration provide frustration. As such, many potential new buyers have dismissed the hybrid market. It’s why the segment has rarely reached 3 percent of yearly industry sales in the United States since the Toyota Prius debuted 20 years ago. It was the country’s first mainstream hybrid. The 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is largely unchanged from last year’s second-generation debut. The Avalon gas-only model was unveiled 25 years ago. The hybrid trim was introduced in late 2012 as a 2013 model. It’s also among the few alternative fuel sedans that don’t fit the staid stereotype.

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Toyota Land Cruiser, Honda Ridgeline top 200K list

The Honda Ridgeline is arguably the most unusually designed truck on the road. It has a large fan base and detractors. But one area in which there’s no disagreement, the Ridgeline has the best longevity of any of its competitors. Although the Toyota Land Cruiser has the top ranking, the Ridgeline is among the three trucks in the top-15 vehicles reaching 20,000 miles, according to iseecars.com. The result of the survey makes a good case for consumers considering buying a used vehicle instead of purchasing a new car or truck. The iSeeCars.com site is a comprehensive platform for all car buyers. It calculated data from more than one million vehicles to determine the models and manufacturers with the highest percentage

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2020 Toyota Sienna: old school minivan still worthy

It seems like a sports car should be named after a city in Italy, not a minivan. But Toyota‘s adult-aged family hauler has grown into being worthy of its namesake, the medieval city in Tuscany. Siena is known for its sturdy, gothic brick buildings and historic districts. The 23-year-old Sienna is ancient by minivan standards and is holding up well despite declining sales and the dominance of lights truck and sport utility vehicles. The 2020 Toyota Sienna is a comfortable people hauler. It’s quick for its size, comfortable and versatile with several seat configuration options. The Sienna is also the only minivan available with all-wheel drive. A few refinements advance this year’s model from the 2019 offering, but the Sienna

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2020 Toyota Tundra improved, still trails truck royalty

Like multi-word vehicles’ exterior paint colors, the names of cars and trucks are no longer simple. Welcome the 2020 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax. The initials TRD stand for Toyota Racing Development, with the word Pro added as embellishment. Combined, it’s one vehicle simultaneously focused on racing and off-road duties. The TRD Package means Bilstein shocks raise the stance two inches, good for the 18-inch wheels. It also includes dual exhaust, a front skid plate and an eight-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Entune infotainment system. CrewMax means an extra spacious cabin, with a five or six-seat configuration and more interior storage space. Overall, the Tundra is a brute-force beast. It’s 19-feet long, about 6 1/2 feet tall and the same

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Massive airbag recall includes six million Honda, Toyota models

Another day, another airbag recall. This time, it involves more than six million Honda and Toyota vehicles. Toyota has recalled 3.4 million vehicles worldwide with ZF airbags that may not properly inflate. Honda is recalling 2.7 million vehicles for problems with Takata airbags. The Honda recall covers certain Honda and Acura vehicles from the 1996 to 2003 model years. The Honda vehicles included: 1998 to 2000 Accord coupe and sedan, 1996 to 2000 Civic coupe and sedan, the 1997 to 2001 CR-V, the 1998 to 2001 Odyssey and the 1997 and 1998 EV Plus. Toyota’s upscale brand Acura has an equally wide recall list: vehicles 1997 and 1998 2.2CL, the 1997 to 1999 3.0CL, the 1998 and 1999 2.3CL, the

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2020 Toyota Prius: hybrid sedan still worthy after all these years

The Toyota Prius, a combined gas-electric hybrid, was introduced into the United States in 2000, three years after it debuted in Japan. It was a dream car for the ecologically minded. But its freakish looks and sluggish engine prompted brutal criticism. It was called hideous to a larva on wheels. Key Takeaways Real-world 58 mpg on an 800-mile Sacramento-to-LA test: The reviewer averaged 58 mpg — more than 10 percent above the EPA combined estimate — negotiating Interstate 5 traffic and the Grapevine grades. Fourth-generation facelift finally looks modern: 2020 upgrades include Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a 7-inch center display, and standard safety connection services across every trim. 121-hp 1.8-liter four handles highway pace without flinching: Even with traffic exceeding

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2019 Mazda6: worthy sedan struggles against Honda, Toyota

The 2019 Mazda6 is among several manufacturers’ offerings presented in recent years to infiltrate the dominance of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. It’s automotive competition at its finest. Beyond the Mazda6, consider the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Nissan Altima, Subaru Legacy and Volkswagen Passat. Reasons abound for any of the alternatives to the midsize monoliths as solid choices. Honda and Toyota sedans remain the definitions of consistency and have among the industry’s best resale values. The Mazda6 in 2018 sold about 10 percent of the Accord and Camry tallies, and its best annual sales season was 15 years ago. It can’t match the resale leaders. Little has changed on the Mazda6 since a mid-cycle refresh

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#10, Toyota Camry, Elon Musk, WeatherTech (Video)

There’s never a dull moment in the automotive industry — recalls to new technology, debuting vehicles to car shows. In many ways, the world revolves around transportation. Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich and James Raia discuss several issues in episode #80 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. As an weekly automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group (the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek), I periodically receive letters from readers. Last week, two letters referenced my recent review of the 2019 Toyota Camry. Another reader emailed asking advice about her ailing more than 20-year-old Ford Escort. Bruce has the perfect answers. We also discuss several other topics: * The latest maneuverings of Elon Musk, the always controversial founder of

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#80, Elon Musk, Toyota Camry and WeatherTech Raceway

There’s never a dull moment in the automotive industry — recalls to new technology, debuting vehicles to car shows. In many ways, the world revolves around transportation.  Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich and James Raia discuss several issues on Episode #80 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. As a weekly automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group (the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek), I periodically receive letters from readers. Last week, two letters referenced my recent review of the 2019 Toyota Camry. Another reader emailed asking advice about her ailing more than 20-year-old Ford Escort. Bruce has the perfect answers. We also discuss several other topics: * The latest maneuverings of Elon Musk, the always controversial founder of

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2019 Toyota Camry: top sedan gets better in soft market

For nearly 20 years, the Toyota Camry has been the country’s top-selling sedan. But for the past several years including 2018, there’s been a caveat to the numbers. And it hasn’t been good. Despite the debut of the enduring sedan’s eighth generation, Camry sales were down 11.3 percent last year from 2017. Toyota and other top sedan-makers continue to ponder the public’s mass exit from sedans toward the versatile range of sport utility vehicles and trucks. Ford and Chevrolet have abandoned their midsize segments. Statistically, the Toyota Camry was at its peak for four straight years beginning in 2012 with more than 400,000 sales annually. Sales have fallen since with 343,000 units sold last year, but the Camry is still

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Toyota Sequoia tops vehicles achieving 200,000 miles

Which cars are proven to last the longest for their drivers? It’s a question the website iSeeCars.com wanted answered. Analyzing more than 13.8 million vehicles, the online automotive search engine and research website determined the Toyota Sequoia tops the list, with 7.4 percent of its vehicles reaching at least 200,000 miles. The average among major manufacturers is 0.8 percent. Here are the top 14 vehicles with the highest percentage of its vehicles reaching at least 200,000 miles: 1. Toyota Sequoia, 7.4 percent; 2. Chevrolet Suburban, 5.0; 3. Ford Expedition, 5.0; 4. GMC Yukon XL, 4.0; 5. Toyota 4Runner, 3.9; 6. Chevrolet Tahoe, 3.8; 7. Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 3.1; 8. Honda Ridgeline, 3.0; 9. GMC Yukon, 2.8; 10. Toyota Tacoma, 2.6;

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