Plug-in Prius leasing

Prius has announced that the Tokyo Motor Corporation has started leasing the new plug-in version of the Prius in Japan with local collaboration with local governments selected under the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s EV & PHV Towns program. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid  has a larger capacity Lithium Ion battery that can travel 13 miles on electric power alone and at speeds of up to 60 mph. The Hybrid will be capable of recharging from outside power at home or commercial charging stations and could run on electric power alone for longer periods of time than the current Prius.

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Toyota announces very affordable price tag for 2011 Sienna

Toyota has recently announced the pricing details for the 2011 Sienna minivan. The base MSRP for the Sienna will range from $24, 260 for the Sienna grade with a four-cylinder engine to $39, 770 for the Sienna Limited all-wheel- drive (AWD) V6. These prices are significantly lower the Toyota Sienna’s currently models, which cost $24,600.

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2010 Toyota 4Runner Review

I took a drive in a 2010 Toyota 4Runner at the new car dealer in Waukegan, and I have to say, I was excited to see how the fifth-generation 4Runner handled herself.  Knowing how I would treat her (taking her across country from Chicago through Colorado and the Rocky Mountains on a yearly trip to Vegas), I cut her no slack, making short stops and turns.  To my surprise, she handled well, even though those at the dealership looked at me a little oddly when I yelled “look out below” and avoided a giant, imaginative chasm.  Hey, you have to see if she can put up with it. … Continue Reading

Complimentary subscription to safety package with new Prius purchase

Unfortunately, there is no sure way to anticipate all the twists and turns life throws at you. Some obstacles are nothing more than a subtle hiccup in your day– so you forgot your credit card on the kitchen counter, no big deal, right?.

Others obstacles are slightly more obtrusive– like when you realize your Blackberry was left on the counter next to the credit card. You were in a rush and will be home shortly so life moves on relatively unchanged, right?

Then, you take the back roads home that night and find your vehicle in an unfortunate wildlife related entanglement. So what happens now?

Toyota's Complimentary Safety Net

Okay, granted this situation is both highly hypothetical and pessimistic, but accidents do happen every day and believe me, every bit of reassurance in these situations is invaluable.

The good news is that Toyota recognizes the importance of driver reassurance and has introduced the complimentary Safety Connect package with every new Prius purchase. Purchasing a new Prius from Libertyville and Gurnee Toyota dealership Classic Toyota ensures that no matter what, you or your teenager will be linked by GPS straight to a 24/7 response center. … Continue Reading

Toyota Venza Test Drive

Toyota says that its new Venza combines the practicality of an SUV with the convenience of a passenger car. So when I was able to test drive it, I was not exactly sure what to expect. Was it an SUV or not? A crossover? No, they said not a crossover either. That was a confusing claim, and I was out to set it straight.

When I first got to my local Waukegan dealership and stepped into the Venza, I basically fell straight into the seat. Having only been used to “typical” SUVs, the step up into the car is usually the most strenuous part. But not with the Venza. You can get into the vehicle without having to climb, the first perk I noticed about having a sedan-like SUV. Or is it an SUV-like sedan?

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