Toyota

Toyota makes trucks cleanly, quietly, quickly in Texas

During a recent visit to the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX), the 2.2-million square foot, 2,000-acre facility 17 miles south of downtown San Antonio, my notion of the workplace environment of automobile manufacturing plants was shattered. The sweatshop image I’ve viewed in movies and read about in tragic examples of worker exploitation was replaced by modern, efficient, environmentally savvy city of state-of-the art technology. It’s a factory where machines and humans co-exist in a healthy, constantly moving indoor environment. Toyota calls the plant where about 200,000 Toyota Tacoma and Tundra trucks are manufactured per year a campus. It’s an appropriate moniker. The facility has 7,200 employees, the majority of whom rotate day and night shifts in two-week intervals. Employees are

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2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Review: 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. Key Takeaways Hybrid powertrain: 2.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor, 200 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission to the front wheels. $41,950

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Leonardo DiCaprio: green car, issue advocate chided

Leonardo DiCaprio is a well-known proponent of global warming issues. But the Academy Award winner is being criticized for his approach to hosting his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Annual Gala To Fund Climate and Biodiversity Projects. The occasion will be held July 20 at the Bertaud Belieu Vineyards on the French Riviera. The actor is flying is top celebrity guests from around the world. Critics of DiCaprio, including the Daily Mirror newspaper in England, report guests’ travel will result in substantial overload of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions. The reception list includes: actors Kate Hudson, Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz, Robert De Niro, Scarlett Johansson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Kevin Spacey. A host of international rock and pop stars,

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2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Review: Top rival for Honda, Toyota

As the smaller of the two Hyundai Santa Fe offerings, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is the five-passenger version of the Santa Fe that several years ago replaced the now-defunct Veracruz. The Santa Fe Sport is classified as a small crossover sport utility vehicle, but each year since its debut it seems to get bigger and worthy of a medium-sized designation. Although not a new generation, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has refreshed styling inside and outside as well numerous updates: a height adjustment for the power passenger seat, a larger five-inch standard display and an available seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto. Key Takeaways Ultimate trim tested: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 240 horsepower, a six-speed automatic and front-wheel

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2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Review: Poised, pricey

The Toyota Highlander hybrid debuted in the United States in 2005, five years after the gas model. The idea was to help ease a major concern among potential sport utility vehicle owners: lousy gas mileage. It worked. As a holdover from last year’s top-rated offering, the 2016 Toyota Highlander hybrid is a three-row, midsize SUV. It’s powered by a 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors that combine for 280 horsepower. It features a continuously variable transmission and is standard with all-wheel drive. Seven-passenger seating is standard, too, with two captain’s chairs in the second row and a 60/40-split bench in the third row. Key Takeaways Limited Platinum tested: 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors combine for 280 horsepower, with a

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2016 Scion iM Review: Say hello, bye to worthy budget hatchback

The Scion iA and its sibling, the Scion iM, are new vehicles for 2016 and soon they’ll be gone. The Scion iA is a sporty entry level sedan; the Scion iM is a five-door hatchback. The duo was manufactured, like all Scions since the brand debuted 13 years ago, to appeal to millennials. But it didn’t work to the company’s expectations. And now some of the brand’s offerings will be discontinued, while others will be absorbed and continued in the Toyota lineup. The Scion iA and iM are among models that will be transferred to Toyota. Key Takeaways Test car: 1.8-liter, 137-horsepower four-cylinder five-door hatchback with a six-speed manual, painted Barcelona red metallic. $18,460 MSRP and $19,594 as tested. 27

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2016 Toyota Corolla Review: Special Edition Honors 50th Birthday

Who could have known that 50 years ago, a little econobox on wheels would become the best-selling car in history? That would be the Toyota Corolla, now a half-century old. The 2016 Toyota Corolla, two years removed from a redesign, represents the milestone with its usual array of trim levels plus a Special Edition. Last year, the minor additions to the Corolla included a fold-down real center armrest in all trims except the base L model and a Driver Convenience package as standard equipment. Key Takeaways Special Edition tested: limited to 8,000 units, built on the S Plus trim with a 1.8-liter, 140-horsepower engine, a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. $20,635 MSRP and $23,520 as tested. 28 mpg city

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Ford, Toyota dominate 2015 U.S. car, truck sales — again

As has occurred yearly since nearly the invention the the automobile, the Ford F-Series was the best-selling vehicle in the United States in 2015. The iconic pick-up truck, manufactured since 1948, had a 3.5 percent increase in sales last year from 2014. The Ford F-Series was the country’s best-selling vehicle for the 34th straight year. It sold 780,354 units in 2015, and it also led a top-three sweep of trucks as the top sellers in the country. The Chevrolet Silverado was the country’s second-highest seller with 600,544 units sold, followed by the Ram Pickup, with 451,116 units sold. The Chevrolet Silverado had 13.4 percent sales increase from 2014 to 2015, while the Ram had an increase of 2.6 percent. The

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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.

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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

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2016 Toyota Camry: Best-selling sedan gets sporty, better

Toyota has plenty to worry about. But the Toyota Camry, its best-selling vehicle, offers more cause for celebration than concern. The midsize sedan has for years also been the best-selling car in the United States. So what’s a manufacturer to do a model year after a new generation of one of the most successful cars in history was introduced? The answer is the new limited Special Edition of Toyota Camry. It’s the sports-oriented model that adds a new departure to the Camry stable. Key Takeaways Test car: the Special Edition trim, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 178 horsepower and a six-speed automatic. $25,715 MSRP and $27,075 as tested. 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds. 25 mpg city and 35 highway, 28 combined,

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Mercedes-Benz, Honda models among 10 cars gone in 2016

New year car models used to be available for the first time in September. But manufacturers now debut cars for different reasons at the different times of the year. While some 2016 models are still pending, some 2017 models have been available for months. But consumers beware. If you’re considering a 2016 model, it may no longer be available. Honda to Toyota, Mercedes Benz to Nissan, some models of prominent cars ended their tenures after their 2015 models. Here’s a list of 10 well-known cars available as 2015 models, but defunct as 2016 models: 1. Mercedes-Benz M-Class — The German manufacturer’s midsize SUV has been replaced by a sleeker-looker models, the GLE-Class. 2. Honda Crosstour — It was funny looking

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Toyota Prius, Chevy Volt green car of the year finalists

The pioneering hybrid Toyota Prius and the second generation of the Chevrolet Volt have been selected among five finalists for the 2016 Green Car of the Year. The 11th annual award will be presented as per tradition on November 19 as a preamble to the LA Auto Show. The Green Car Journal, which debuted the award in 2005, has selected the Audi A3 e-tron, Honda Civic Hyundai Sonata as well as the Prius and Volt. According to the publication, and increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year program each year, a reflection of the auto industry’s expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact. “This is the strongest

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Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit among top-5 cars less than $20,000

For several years, the average price of a new car in the United States has hovered around $30,000. But it wasn’t too many years ago when the $30,000 plateau was the starting point of entry level luxury vehicles. But what if the average new car buyer can only afford to spend $20,000? Are there new 2015 vehicles with price tags of $20,000 worth purchasing? In a word, yes. Family sedans to entry-level sports cars to manufacturers whose models are among the best-selling in history, all have quality new vehicles available with starting prices of less than $20,000. And they’re, without doubt, quality automobiles. Several quality cars have starting prices of less than $15,000. And some entry level cars have starting

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2016 Kia Sorento Review: Underdog SUV gains on Toyota, Hyundai

With increasing competition among sport utility vehicles, the 2016 Kia Sorento is nearly all new to keep up with the pace. It’s been re-styled inside and outside. It’s slightly bigger in most dimensions and there are lots of new high-tech options. And there’s also versatility with three different engine options. Key Takeaways SXL tested: 3.3-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and seven-passenger, three-row seating. $46,695 as tested. 17 mpg city, 23 highway and 19 combined by EPA rating. Lineup: five trims in five and seven-seat configurations; the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 240 horsepower and the 3.3-liter V6 makes 290. Stereo: The stereo system is near home entertainment quality. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in five trims and in five and

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2016 Toyota Tacoma Preview: Stronger, more trims

The redesigned 2016 Toyota Tacoma will feature a new powertrain, enhanced suspension timing and an expanded range of trim possibilities adding to the appeal of the enduring mid-size pickup. Fortified with additional steel, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma will have enhanced rigidity and more overall strength. The steel was integrated into the body shell using a new hot stamping process that reduces weight. Two engines will be offered: * A 2.7-liter DOHC four-cylinder with VVT-i that will produce 159 horsepower and EPA estimated city/highway/combined mpg for the 4×2 with an automatic transmission is19/23/21. Estimated fuel efficiency for the 4×4 with a manual transmission is 19/21/20 and 19/22/20 for the automatic. * A V6 with a segment-first 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle with VVT-iW

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