All Toyota Carmy

For years, hybrids have been notorious for being slow and underpowered versions of their regular engine model. But now the 2017 Camry Hybrid SE is changing that stereotype. The 2016 Camry Hybrid is more powerful and has more torque than the regular Camry at low RPMs.

Toyota is the Hybrid leader, having now sold over 9 million hybrids worldwide.  Along with the Prius line, the Avalon, RAV4 and Highland, the Camry rounds out the complete Toyota Hybrid line. And across the board they have improved the equipment since the beginning. Gone are the worries of how much the replacement batteries are going to cost, when original equipment now gets over 200,000 miles.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid has a powertrain that produces a 200 horsepower from the 4-cylinder engine and the ancillary electric motor and is equipped with a CVT transmission. The Camry seamlessly switches from all electric to the gas electric operation. The 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid achieves a staggering 40 mpg, and has a regenerative braking system meaning when you brake it helps charge the batteries.

                All are well-equipped with keyless ignition and entry, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power driver’s seat (with power lumbar), cruise control, a color driver information display. Bluetooth connectivity, voice controls, and a 6.1-inch touch screen also are standard. Our SE adds 17-inch wheels, the sport-tuned suspension, a rear spoiler, sport fabric seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Options include a sunroof, navigation, smartphone app integration, and a Qi wireless cellphone charger.

Check out our complete inventory of Camry Hybrids and contact us now to take yours home today.

The New Toyota Prius

             

            Toyota has taken its ever popular Prius, redesigned it and made it even more sought after. With a new sleeker exterior and a more comfortable and spacious interior, Toyota has turned their Hybrid prince and made it into the King.

                                               

            The 2016 Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient car without a plug, delivering a staggering 52 mpg. But that not the only high point, the Prius excels in technology and has all the smart tech amenities that every driver wants. The Toyota Prius houses a 7 inch color touchscreen in the dashboard and uses Toyota’s Entune suite for infotainment tech. When connected to a smartphone, Entune allows the Prius access to several apps through the dashboard. Apps like Bing, Facebook Places, and Yelp along with streaming services like iHEartRadio and Pandora are a few of the apps available.

             

 

            The new Prius also features driver aid and auto-parking. Additional features include collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control with stop and go function as well as blind spot monitoring, despite the already excellent visibility. 

            The Prius still uses the engine system that made it famous, Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, pairing a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine with a 53kW electric motor. However, the Prius got an upgrade when it comes to its batteries, packing a new 0.75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, a slimmed down version of the original 35 pounds lighter.

            The exterior has a new squinty face in the front and aerodynamic slope too the rear end that make this Prius one of the smoothest production car bodies to ever grace a wind tunnel. The car sits almost an inch lower to the ground and has a new independent, double wishbone rear suspension. The new suspension makes the Prius feel more planted over bumps, quitter on the highway and more stable during cornering.

            Check out our Inventory and contact us today to set up a test drive.

The all new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

For many drivers, small SUVs make for a perfect everyday vehicle, economical enough for commuting and offering more useful cargo space than midsize sedans, extending their use for weekend recreation. Entering the scene in 1994, Toyota's RAV4 pioneered its segment. Now this small SUV gets Toyota's ultra-efficient hybrid drive system, making it a killer everyday vehicle. Consider its standard all-wheel drive, and you've just about hit perfection.

          

       Although it isn't a serious off-roader, impressive is the lifted nose of the 2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, although faux skid plates under front and back are a bit much. The sides of the RAV4 Hybrid show similar sculpting to its bigger brother, the Highlander, but the narrow grille looks petite by comparison. Saddle-brown leather seating, in this Limited trim RAV4 Hybrid, gave the cabin luxury style.

         

       Although the RAV4 Hybrid uses the same engine as the Camry Hybrid, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, it gets a more complicated hybrid drive system, adding a second drive motor to the rear wheels for all-wheel drive. And that comes standard. Otherwise, the RAV4 Hybrid uses the same 245-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack as the Camry Hybrid, a little less sophisticated than the lithium ion battery pack in the new Prius.

          While short of luxury, it felt very comfortable on most road surfaces, complementing its smooth ride with minimal road noise. Given the hybrid drivetrain, engine noise is very limited. Adding to the RAV4 Hybrid's suitability for long highway trips, its electric power steering left a little play at center, so over corrections don't cause accidents.

          That steering is tied to a lane keeping assist function, standard with the RAV4 Hybrid's Limited trim, actively preventing lane drift. Adaptive cruise control operated very smoothly at speed, not reacting too abruptly when cut off by a car. Centered in the dashboard, Toyota's navigation and Entune app integration showed up on a 7-inch touchscreen. 

Check out the New2016 RAV4 and contact us today to schedule test drive now!

The Toyota Corolla as good as gold!!

The Toyota Corolla, which has been one of the pillars of sensibility, reliability and straightforward packaging, has entered its 50^th year! Gone are the days of the original boxy Corolla with the mirrors placed on the hood. 

1966 Toyota Corolla

50th Anniversary Toyota Corolla

The New Corolla is getting a midcycle refresh. The front carries the characteristics of different Toyota models like the Yaris and the Prius, with a significantly different grille and feature segment-exclusive LED headlights. The rear end is much the same as it was, other than some slightly tweaked taillights.

The interior is where this Corolla really changes from the previous models. An update to both its design and to its audio system, offers a higher end infotainment including a new larger 7- inch touchscreen and standard backup camera. The Corolla also contains Toyota's Safety Sense-P suite of active and passive safety systems, which includes forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic high beams.

To celebrate the model’s 50^th Birthday, Toyota is releasing a Corolla 50^th Anniversary Special Edition. This car, based on the Corolla SE, has fancy alloy wheels, the previously mentioned 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 50^th anniversary-themed floor mats and badges and “black cherry” interior contrast stitching.

While we don’t know how much the new Corolla is going to run, we do know that it will be here this fall and they are available in 3 colors silver, white and dark red. Until then check out our other great Toyotas and contact us to get yours today.

Scion stays alive with 3 models as Toyotas

Toyota debuts three former Scion models

The Toyota brand will welcome three orphaned Scion models under its umbrella at next week’s New York International Auto Show. The Scion FR-S, iM, and iA will become the be rebranded in 2017 as the Toyota 86, Corolla iM and Yaris iA respectively. 

The All New Toyota 86

The Toyota 86 is getting a completely refreshed look. Including a more aggressive look with larger center exhaust intake to reflect the car’s low, wide stance. New front and rear treatments include reconfigured LED lighting systems, new turn signals, and a revised front bumper. Alloy wheels feature a twisted spoke design and logos for the 86 are incorporated on fenders and wheel wells.

Completely Re-designed Interior

Inside the cabin, luxury material is used on the instrument panel surround and door trim. New seating material with silver stitching plus a sporty steering wheel with integrated audio controls are new. The car’s suspension has been tuned for enhanced control. When fitted with the manual transmission, the new 86, which will star in the racing film “Formula Drift,” inherits improved torque and 5 more horsepower.

We are all anxiously awaiting the new Toyotas! To check out the Toyotas that are currently on the lot and to get a Scion before they disappear, contact us today to get yours now!

The Toyota Mirai, Toyota's car of the future

 

  At first glance, the Toyota Mirai has an aggressive stance that may come across as intimidating to some.  As you circle the hydrogen fuel-cell car, the lines and styling soften to reveal a tail end that would blend in among a sea of cars caught in traffic.

  The driving experience is just as confusing as the exterior. It feels like an oxymoron. One one hand, you're driving a production version of a hydrogen car. On the other hand, it feels more like a Camry, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not every car that moves away from tradition is going to be a Model S and not every driver needs Ludicrous mode. What most of us want is a vehicle that will get us to work every day, comfortably. In that respect, the Mirai is mostly there. 

  The interior of the Mirai is comfortable with tech and styling cues taken from Toyota's Lexus luxury line. It's a commuter that feels smarter and a more solid frame construction that a grocery getter. All in all, the Toyota Mirai sits between the Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys and Chevy Malibus of the world. But thanks to the fuel cell technology under the hood, the price tag has a heavy number...$57,700.  Thankfully though, like the hybrid and electric vehicles, it is eligible for federal tax credits.

You can shop our current Toyota inventory while you wait for the Mirai at www.smarttoyotaquadcities.com 

Be a Race Car Driver in Toyota's New Camry

Some grew up dreaming of being  astronauts. Some wanted to be firefighters. Others wanted to race car drivers. Well, now that dream is achievable in Toyota's new Camry. It's not your grandmother's Camry. It is the Camry as seen in NASCAR. What is so different about this vehicle from the rest of the Camry models? Well, 700 horsepower being sent to the rear wheels by a huge V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission.

Built with a two-door Solara skeleton with the Camry sedan's nose and tail detailing, it also features classic Camry features such as the integrated tubular roll cage, a full leather interior, and the high tech Toyota sound systems all within.

Unfortunately, we are not entirely sure it is legal to drive. And even if it is, would you buy it for its asking price on ebay of $159,000? If you have $159,000 to spend, the dream of being a race car driver can happen now. If you don't, the dream still awaits.

With all that said, the normal Camry is no slouch. In fact, Toyota keeps making it better and better. Starting at just over $22,000, there is no better value for your money. With a range of 35 miles per gallon and 4 cylinder engine, it is not as powerful as its racing counterpart, but it at least has four doors. 

For your Toyota Camry, be sure to shop with us at Smart Toyota of Quad Cities.