Classic Toyota - Mentor OH

Toyota has officially announced pricing for the updated 2011 Avalon which made its public debut at this year's Chicago Auto Show.

The Avalon, which goes on sale later this month, starts at $32,245, which is the same starting MSRP as the outgoing 2010 model. Higher-grade Limited models start at $35,485, which represents an increase of $200 over the 2010 model. All Avalons use Toyota's 3.5-liter V6 with VVT-i dual variable valve timing, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Aside from the slightly revised styling, 2011 Avalons feature plusher interior amenities, as well as more up-to-date technological features.

Pricing for the Avalon does not include destination charge of $750. 
Here is Toyota's press release:

Toyota Announces Pricing for Redesigned 2011 Avalon Sedan and 2011 Sienna Auto Access Seat Models

TORRANCE, Calif., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota today announced manufacturers suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the redesigned 2011 Avalon sedan. Also announced were the MSRP for 2011 Sienna models equipped with the new Auto Access Seat.

The base MSRP for the entry-level Avalon grade remains unchanged from the 2010 base Avalon XLS at $32,245, while gaining a significant amount of new standard equipment, reflecting an excellent value. The MSRP for the Avalon Limited will be $35,485, an increase of $200, or 0.6 percent, while also receiving an array of new standard features over the 2010 model. Both Avalon grades will go on sale in mid-March.

Designed for any passenger who may need assistance getting in and out of a vehicle, the innovative, industry-first factory installed Sienna Auto Access Seat (AAS) is now available exclusively on the LE and XLE V6 Sienna grades. The base MSRP for the Sienna LE with AAS is $35,135, and the Sienna XLE with AAS is $39,445.

2011 Avalon

Simplifying the customer ordering process, the number of Avalon model grades has been reduced from three to two, while the amount of standard equipment has increased, reducing the number of options and packages by 40 percent.

For 2011, Avalon receives distinctive new exterior styling and a restyled interior rich with premium touch points and practical new technologies. The exterior has a wider, more substantial grille that ties into state-of-the-art projector headlamps. The new headlamps and taillamps utilize light pipes for the first time on a Toyota vehicle to create a signature, night-time appearance. The front fog lamps, now integrated into a trapezoidal front bumper, provide a wider angle of illumination. New 17-inch wheels on the Limited grade feature a 10-spoke design with a mirror finish.

A new Avalon interior features a contemporary style that remains spacious and elegant, while adding thoughtfully integrated amenities, coordinated colors and updated wood-grain materials.

A comprehensive infusion of technology was designed into the new interior to ensure enhanced function and connectivity. New standard equipment includes Bluetooth hands-free phone and music streaming to the audio system from a compatible device, XM® satellite radio (subscription required), and both USB and 1/8-inch auxiliary connections for iPod® and other audio devices. Each of the three available audio systems can control iPods seamlessly using switches located on the steering wheel and display track information stored in the device.

The Avalon grade's standard nine-speaker system offers exceptional sound quality, while the Limited grade features a standard 12-speaker, 660-watt JBL Premium Synthesis audio system with enhanced two-coil sub-woofer. The system uses 12 speakers and a 12-channel digital amplifier to deliver profoundly rich, full sound to all seats of the vehicle.

Additional standard equipment on the Limited grade includes enlarged perforated leather seats and seatbacks, driver and passenger eight-way power with lumbar support, driver's seat and outside mirror memory systems, driver's seat cushion extension, heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, Smart Key System with push button start, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, and power rear sunshade.

All Avalon models continue to come standard with a DOHC 3.5-liter V6 with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) mated to an electronically-controlled six-speed transmission with sequential shift, generating 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. Avalon's expected EPA-estimated mileage ratings of 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway are as good as or better than any other V6 engine in the segment. Avalon is rated as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).

The redesigned Avalon continues to feature Toyota's standard Star Safety System that includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, and TRAC traction control system. Avalon also receives a redesigned accelerator pedal assembly and a brake override system. This braking system enhancement will automatically reduce engine power when the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are applied simultaneously under certain driving conditions. Seven airbags, including a front knee bag for the driver, and front side curtain airbags for both rows, are also standard.

Restyled at Calty Design Research Centers in California and Michigan and engineered at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, the Avalon will continue to be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK).

2011 Sienna Auto Access Seat Models

The factory-installed Auto Access Seat features a one-touch operation and benefits from the all-new Sienna's spacious interior and wide-opening sliding doors. A seat-mounted ingress/egress switch and a wireless remote control allows for easy and flexible seat operation. The seat rotates 90 degrees and can be lowered to within 19 inches of the ground to further facilitate easier passenger transfers at the exact height required.

Once inside, the Auto Access Seat occupant can utilize reclining and slide switches located on both sides of the seat. This allows operation of up to four inches of slide travel and reclining of up to 24 degrees. The auto-recline feature also allows for safe head clearance through the door frame during entry and exit.

Sienna AAS models will go on sale in mid-March. Consumers can contact their local Toyota dealer to place orders. Further information on the new Sienna AAS models can be found on YouTube by searching "Sienna Auto Access Seat." Additional information will be available on the Toyota Mobility Website (www.toyotamobility.com) beginning in April.

Toyota MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $750 for Avalon and $800 for the Sienna AAS. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

(sources: ToyotaUSA & Autoblog)

Two years later the same magazine did another comparison test with seven more rivals, some newly introduced, to challenge the RAV4 V6 AWD.  Once again the RAV4 emerged victorious and this time the results weren't close, "in 2008, a four-cylinder RAV4 defeated all of its closest competitors. Twenty-four months later, a six-cylinder RAV4 repeats the feat. By day two of our four-day drive, no one knew which vehicles would finish in second through eighth places. Yet everyone knew where the Toyota would finish."

There is simply no better vehicle in its class than the RAV4!

And some things get better with age. Look at the Camry's powerful, fuel-efficient and ultra-smooth 268-horsepower V6, which is not only the best Camry V6 ever, but also the best all-around V6 in any family sedan. Unfortunately, other things can sour with time. That's where the current Camry's underwhelming interior quality comes in. Overall, though, the 2010 Camry remains one of the top choices in this competitive segment. With excellent crash test scores and comfort and refinement to spare, the Camry's got what most family-sedan shoppers want.

For 2010, the Camry receives a midcycle rejuvenation. Most notably, the base four-cylinder engine increases in size from 2.4 to 2.5 liters, with a corresponding 11-hp bump (21 hp on the SE), and the manual and automatic transmissions matched to this engine are now blessed with six gears instead of five. The exterior styling has also been tweaked, boasting a new grille, larger headlights, and a revised taillight design. On the safety front, stability control is now standard across the lineup. Other notable additions include auto up/down windows all around and a new optional audio system with satellite radio and Bluetooth for the lower trim levels.

The current-generation Camry's '07 debut coincided with the latest Nissan Altima's, and the new Honda Accord joined the crowd a year later. Then, in 2009, Mazda threw its hat in the ring with the upsized Mazda 6. Meanwhile, other competent midsizers like the Chevrolet Malibu and Hyundai Sonata have soldiered on as viable alternatives. And this just in -- the 2010 Ford Fusion has received a thorough going-over and looks set to seriously challenge the class leaders.

In the face of such stiff competition, there have been some rumblings that Toyota's iconic family sedan is losing its edge. Judging by the Camry's so-so interior quality relative to previous generations, there might be some truth to that. In most other respects, though, the 2010 Toyota Camry is still a top contender, from its top-notch crashworthiness and plush ride to its slightly sullied but nonetheless enduring reputation for reliability. It doesn't handle nearly as well as sporty entrants like the Mazda 6 and Altima, of course, but we suspect the majority of shoppers in this segment will appreciate the Camry's ride and handling balance more than the Mazda's or the Nissan's.

With so many appealing options to choose from, we strongly advise shopping around and test-driving as many models as possible. We're fans of the Camry, though. Its refined character is bound to appeal to families looking for a soothing vehicular escape from the daily grind.

 

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options  

The 2010 Toyota Camry is a midsize four-door sedan offered in four trim levels -- base, LE, SE and XLE. The base Camry comes only with a four-cylinder engine, while the other trims offer a choice between the four-cylinder and a V6.

The base Camry features 16-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, auto up/down windows for all four doors, a six-speaker CD audio system with an auxiliary input jack, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, full power accessories and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Camry LE adds keyless entry and an eight-way power driver seat.

The SE includes a sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, and special interior and exterior styling details. The luxurious XLE reverts to the LE's softer suspension settings and 16-inch wheels while providing an upgraded JBL-branded sound system with an in-dash CD changer and satellite radio, Bluetooth phone and music connectivity, automatic dual-zone climate control, a power passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, reclining rear seats, a moonroof, wood-tone accents and, on the V6 model, leather seating. Note that neither the SE nor the XLE offers the folding rear seat, though each has a center pass-through.

Most of the XLE's upgrades are offered on the lower trim levels as options. Other major options, depending on trim level, include a sunroof, a navigation system, keyless ignition and entry and heated front seats.

 

Powertrains and Performance  

All Camrys are front-wheel drive, and the standard engine on base, LE and XLE trim levels is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that generates 169 hp, 11 more than the previous 2.4-liter four. The SE receives a tweaked version of the same engine that's good for 179 hp. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all four-cylinder Camrys except for the XLE, which comes only with a six-speed automatic. For the rest of the trims, the automatic is optional. Fuel economy is estimated to be 22 mpg city/33 mpg highway with the manual, while the automatic dips to 32 mpg highway.

Optional on all models except for the base Camry is a 3.5-liter V6 that cranks out 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission choice. Thus equipped, the Camry can sprint to 60 mph in a fleet 6.5 seconds, yet fuel economy remains impressive at 19 mpg city/28 highway.

 

Safety  

Every 2010 Toyota Camry comes with antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag.

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Camry earned a perfect five stars in all frontal and side impact categories. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it the top rating of "Good" in its frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests.

 

Interior Design and Special Features  

In base and LE models, the Camry's interior is straightforward and functional. Toyota's decades of experience in ergonomics shine through here -- the main controls are large and logically placed, and the wide seats easily accommodate most body types. There are plenty of storage cubbies, too. The ice-blue backlighting for the audio and climate controls may seem a bit tacky, but it does liven things up a bit. The SE adds sporty interior styling cues, while the XLE raises the bar with convincing fake wood accents and an upscale feature not typically seen in this segment -- reclining rear seats. Trunk capacity for all models is 15 cubic feet.

Notably, build and materials quality aren't up to the high standard set by previous-generation Camrys. Some plastics are substandard, and panel fitments aren't uniformly precise. The Camry's interior isn't bad by any means, but it's no longer above average for this segment.

Driving Impressions  

The new 2.5-liter base engine and standard six-speed transmissions add splashes of zest and refinement to the Camry's tried-and-true formula, which is to provide excellent ride comfort and isolation at the expense of engaging driving dynamics. The SE supposedly ratchets up the fun in tight corners, but in reality it's just a slightly firmer version of one of the most softly sprung family sedans you can buy.

For many shoppers in this segment, the Camry's cosseting suspension and cabin may be preferable to the sportier approach taken by Mazda and Nissan, but for the record, the Camry's handling dynamics are about as bland as they get. There is one unequivocally sporty element, though -- the optional turbine-smooth V6, which transforms the 2010 Toyota Camry into one of the fastest mid-priced sedans on the road while maintaining impressive fuel economy numbers.   (source:  edmunds.com)

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Toyota unveiled the all-new, third-generation Sienna minivan at a media conference at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto show.  Toyota redesigned the Sienna to give more sedan like driving and handling characteristics while still supplying the room, comfort and convenience customer expect from customers! 
Most striking is the appearance of the front end of the new Sienna.  Design cues taken from the new Venza give the redesigned van a more aggressive and confident look - I just think it looks great!  The Sienna is now offered with the powerful and smooth 2.7L 4cyl also available on the Venza for improved fuel economy.  Both 7 passenger and 8 passenger seating options remain, with the 8th seat a middle seat in the second row that can be removed and stored in the left side of the rear storage area.

Toyota's new rear DVD player is a huge improvement over anything offered previously.  The screen is a huge 16.4" widescreen display that can be used with either one source (using the full screen in widescreen mode) or use two sources and split the screen in half to show a DVD on one side while enabling, for instance, a video game system to be used on the other half of the screen.  No more arguments among the kids about what to watch!

The new Sienna includes all of the latest safety technology available from Toyota including standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brakes, Electronic Power Steering, seven airbags (including side curtain airbags and an airbag just for the driver's knee!).  Also available on the Limited trim level is Toyota's new Pre-Collision System which automatically hits the brakes and cinches the seatbelts when it senses a collision is unavoidable.  Finally, Toyota's new Safety Connect (similar to services like OnStar) is standard on the Limited and available on the XLE.  This service offers four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance.

Overall, the vehicle looks amazing and is clearly another step forward in making the Sienna the best looking, best handling, safest and most convenient vehicle for you and your family.  I can't wait until the end of February when they begin arriving at the dealership!

Toyota is planning a larger version of its popular Prius hybrid, which will be powered by a new kind of battery, a Japanese newspaper reported Friday.

The new Prius, either a station wagon or SUV, is set to go on sale by the end of next year. It will be the first from Toyota Motor Corp. with a lithium-ion battery, which is more powerful than the nickel-metal hydride battery now in its hybrids, according to the nationally circulated Yomiuri newspaper.

Toyota, the world's top automaker, declined comment on product plans.

The Yomiuri said the Prius will sell for about 2 million yen ($22,000), but did not give details.

Toyota leads rivals in hybrids, especially in Japan, where government ecological incentives have made it a top-seller for months.

Introducing a model with a more powerful battery could help widen Toyota's lead over rivals, at a time when Japan's No. 2 automaker Honda Motor Co. has been aggressive with hybrid offerings, such as the Insight.

Automakers have all been working on next-generation batteries. Lithium-ion batteries, similar to the kind used in laptops and other gadgets, require technological improvements before they can be used in cars because they tend to be more delicate and prone to heating problems.

Toyota has been working on lithium-ion batteries for years, and has a joint venture with Japanese electronics maker Panasonic Corp. to develop them for cars.

(Source: AP)

The Toyota Sienna is one of the most popular people movers on the market and is being completely redesigned.  The new design is scheduled to go on sale in the "spring/summer" of 2010.  However, it will be shown in the public for the first time at the Los Angeles Autoshow in December.  Expect more power, more fuel efficiency and more kid friendly flexibility!

As the iPhone continues to introduce apps both silly and indispensable, it should come as no surprise that there's now an app for starting your car remotely. Introduced by car alarm company Viper, the SmartStart app comes in two flavors: a $299 package if you already have a compatible Viper alarm system or a $499 deal for a stand alone unit that comes with everything you need to start operating your car with Apple's phone. In addition to remote start, the SmartStart app can also lock and unlock your car, open the trunk and sound your panic alarm.  And since it operates via your iPhone rather than a keyfob transmitter, range is nearly limitless!

The ongoing rumors of a soon-to-be-released sports car from a joint venture between Toyota and Subaru has been buzzing around the internet for years now. The rumors have made sense as the Celica, MR-2 and Supra have all been put out to pasture in the past decade. Toyota has gone from a plethora of options to a true dearth of choices for sports car enthusiasts. A newly designed vehicle from the gound up could change all of that. Now we have word that this month at the Tokyo Auto Show, Toyota and Subaru will be unveiling a "concept" sports car that looks amazing! While technically a "concept" car, this vehicle is clearly designed to move into production quickly and could very well be hitting showrooms next year! 



 I can't wait to see it in person!

When Toyota redesigned the popular Prius hybrid for the 2010 model year, the Japanese automaker claimed it had made the car a bit larger, improved its performance and decreased its fuel consumption. A number of first drives and road tests seemed to prove that Toyota had indeed hit the target on all counts, and now Consumer Reports is jumping into the ring with its own test results. While CR did in fact see an improvement in highway mileage at 55 mpg (compared to 50 mpg from the previous Prius), the crew actually found that city fuel economy suffered a bit at 32 mpg as opposed to the 35 mpg of its predecessor. Average it all up, and the Prius hybrid's 44 mpg overall score means Toyota's fuel-sipping hatchback is still the most fuel efficient vehicle available in America. As far as subjective tests go, CR found that handling on the Prius is "sound, but unexceptional and the ride is well controlled overall." Acceleration was described as "adequate," though a bit winded when climbing hills or merging on the freeway. (Source: Autobloggreen)