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 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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