Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Toyota Wins Three Spots on Forbes Top Ten Reliable Used Cars List

Toyota Highlander, one of Forbes' most reliable used cars

While driving away from a car lot in a shiny, brand-new car might be tempting, sometimes a reliable used car is the better choice. However, when buying new, there is always risk involved, and Forbes recently addressed that by rating the most reliable used cars, with three Toyota models on the top ten list.

To complete the list, Forbes combined results of Consumer Reports surveys and J.D. Power and Associates studies, choosing cars from the 2008 and 2009 model years that received top scores in powertrain dependability, as well as initial quality surveys and new car reviews. Forbes also conducted their own road tests of each car. The resulting list, comprised of 30% Toyotas, is impressive but not surprising. Forbes introduced them in the article as “the family friendly Toyota Highlander crossover SUV, the budget-minded Yaris subcompact and the fuel-sipping Prius hybrid hatchback.”

The 2008 and 2009 model years of the Toyota Yaris offered both sedan and hatchback versions. The Yaris was also available with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, both with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine with 106hp. As a new vehicle option, the 2012 Yaris was updated with a more angular, sporty body style. The Yaris continues to be a comfortable, economical choice for a subcompact car for new car buyers or those looking for a reliable used car.

The Toyota Prius makes the list of reliable used cars, and is also the most recognizable, most popular hybrid car pioneer. Its excellent fuel economy ratings of up to 46 mpg compensate for its slightly higher used-car price than the pre-owned Toyota Yaris. The Prius is equipped with a 1.5L four-cylinder gas/electric engine with 110hp. For buyers in the market for a new vehicle, the 2012 Toyota Prius is still an economical choice, and was also released as a plug-in model that charges in a standard wall outlet.

For their next entry on the most-reliable list, Toyota went big with the Toyota Highlander. The 2008 Toyota Highlander was redesigned to offer more interior space, and was equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine with 270hp. For 2009, a more fuel-efficient 2.7L four-cylinder engine was offered. The Highlander had many available safety and tech features, as well as flexible seating configurations, including an available third-row bench seat in some models. The new 2012 Highlander is competitively priced among competitors, and can be expected to prove as reliable and dependable as the used Highlander.

Toyota of Concord offers a huge selection of Toyota Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, which provides extra confidence in your used car purchase. Benefits of buying a Toyota CertifiedPre-Owned car include the 160-point inspection, roadside assistance, and comprehensive warranty coverage. Call or visit Toyota of Concord for more information or to browse the inventory of reliable used cars and new Toyota vehicles, conveniently located near Charlotte, North Carolina.

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