Scion FR-S Among Car and Driver 10 Best Cars of 2013

2013 Scion FR-S

Scion continues to be a little car brand with a big reputation, most recently earning a spot on the 10Best cars of 2013 from Car and Driver magazine.

Car and Driver editors drove more than 15,000 total miles in every new 2013 model that would be available for under $80,000 in January 2013. The sporty little Scion FR-S is proud to take its place among the top 10, which also includes industry icons like the Audi A6, BMW 3-Series, and Porsche Boxster.

Scion Vice President Doug Murtha  said, “Making the Car and Driver 10Best list in its first year is another example of the energy and enthusiasm building around the FR-S and the fun driving experience it offers. The success of the FR-S reflects the Scion mission to give drivers vehicles that fit their lifestyles and express their individuality.”

The Scion FR-S is a lightweight two-door coupe powered by a 16-valve, 2.0-liter flat boxer engine that produces 200 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The FR-S is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode. Car and Driver compared the communicative steering and chassis balance in the the FR-S to the Porsche Boxster, which makes the FR-S base price of $24,995-$26,265 an incredible bargain, at roughly half the price of the Porsche.

The Scion FR-S has won rave reviews since it debuted, including this one from Car and Driver: “Entertainment, value, and execution of the intended purpose are the 10Best commandments: This one … nails 'em all.” 

Toyota Scion of Concord invites you to judge for yourself if it is the best by taking one for a test drive today near Charlotte, NC. Stop by our dealership inConcord today, or call 740-979-7700 for more information.

Toyota FJ Cruiser, Tacoma on Best Off-Road List

Toyota FJ Cruiser among best off-road vehicles of 2012

Every car wants to be the best on the road, but the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Toyota Tacoma are proud to make the list of Edmunds.com Best Off-Roaders of 2012.

The FJ Cruiser is a standout in the Toyota lineup, breaking the mold of sensible and predictable with its unique style and character. This mid-sized SUV combines a quirky appearance and off-road capabilities to make it unlike any other vehicle in its class, while still offering the dependability drivers expect in a Toyota.

The FJ Cruiser is as fun to drive as it is to look at, with its powerful 4.0L V6 engine and easy handling. The strong chassis and available locking rear differential take it off-road as smoothly as it drives the city streets.

The Base FJ Cruiser is equipped with an automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, stability control, and traction control to help keep the handling in check even on rough terrain. Tech features like Bluetooth, iPod integration, and satellite radio combine modern convenience with the rugged utility.

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma takes versatility off-road with its wide variety of body, cab, and powertrain configurations.

Available in various combinations, the Tacoma offers a five- or six-foot bed, and three different cab styles. In addition to the Regular Cab, the Access Cab features rear-hinged doors on an extended cab, and the Double Crew Cab offers four front-hinged, full-sized doors on a crew cab.

Standard features of the Toyota Tacoma include a 2.7L four-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission. Stability and traction control help drivers navigate rough terrain, while side curtain airbags provide extra safety assurance.

Toyota of Concord has the FJ Cruiser and the Tacoma in stock for test drive near Charlotte today, though we recommend keeping them strictly on the road for the trial run. If you have any questions about these models or any other new Toyota, feel free to contact us online or call our Toyota dealership in Concord at 740-979-7700

2013 Toyota Rav4 Revealed at LA Auto Show

2012 Toyota Rav4,
available near Charlotte at Toyota of Concord

Toyota of Concord near Charlotte is excited to release details of the 2013 Toyota Rav4, recently unveiled at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Since its release in 1995, the Rav4 has been a staple of the Toyota line, constantly pushing the envelope and making advancements to the market segment they helped create. And for 2013, they have pulled out all the stops, adding a wide variety of features and enhancements to make the 2013 Rav4 the best and brightest model they have ever introduced.

The new 2013 model is the most visually appealing Rav4 Toyota has released. Toyota has also made a large variety of design changes to improve the vehicle’s performance as well, including moving the spare tire under the cargo gate, allowing for a rear liftgate, as opposed to the previous side mounted door. This allows for a more aerodynamic design, a feature displayed in the overall design, reducing drag and helping increase fuel economy.

While making changes to the design, Toyota is still sure to keep the features that made the Rav4 one of a kind, including the All-Wheel Drive capability and Dynamic Torque Control, which shifts the car from Rear-Wheel Drive to All-Wheel Drive when the vehicle detects wheel slippage, providing better traction for a better drive.

While the 2013 Rav4 is not yet available, Toyota of Concord is pleased to offer the 2012 Rav4 with a wide variety of financing options to ensure you can drive away happy in your brand new Toyota. The 2012 Toyota Rav4 was rated one of 2012’s the Best Cars for the Money by U.S. News, as well as achieving an overall ranking of 2 out of 20 on their list of Affordable Compact SUVs. Stop by our Toyota dealership near Charlotte or call 704-979-7700 for information or to schedule a test drive.

2013 Toyota Yaris Offers New Audio and Safety Options

Toyota recently released the 2013 Toyota Yaris, available again in three-door or five-door hatchback models. However, the Tech Audio Package is now standard on all 2013 Yaris models. 

The 2013 Yaris keeps all the fun, dynamic, fuel-efficient qualities that made previous model years so successful. However, the Tech Audio Package adds upgraded music and connectivity that are sure to appeal to the latest generation of drivers. 

The six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo plays MP3/WMA CDs. The system provides sound enhancement for MP3s and the auxiliary jack allows connection of other musice devices. A USB port with iPod connectivity is also included with the package, as well as SiriusXM Satellite Radio capabilities. Bluetooth connectivity allows for phonebook access, music streaming, and hands-free phone options.

The 2013 Toyota Yaris is available in three trim levels, all equipped with a 1.5-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder DOHC engine offering 106 hp and 103 lb.-ft. of torque. All models are offered with a four-speed electronic automatic transmission, with a five-speed manual transmission available on L and SE models.

As always, safety is a top Toyota priority. The 2013 Yaris is equipped with the Toyota Star Safety System, including anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and brake assist. In addition, the Yaris also makes its 2013 debut with Smart Stop Technology, the new brake override system, and Whiplash Injury-Lessening. WIL is the Toyota front seat structure that supports the spine to reduce neck injuries in rear-end collisions. Nine standard airbags increase passenger safety.

To see the 2013 Toyota Yaris, visit Toyota of Concord near Charlotte. We have several different models available for test drive. Browse our inventory online, or call 740-979-7700 to speak to our sales team. We are happy to answer any questions about the new Yaris or any other vehicle of interest. With our excellent selection of new Scion and Toyota vehicles, as well as a huge inventory of quality used cars, we are sure you’ll find a car you love at Toyota of Concord.

2013 Toyota Avalon in Running for Best Car to Buy 2013

2013 Toyota Avalon

The Car Connection, a car review site whose contributors drive more than 300 cars so you don’t have to, has released their nominees for the Best Car to Buy 2013, and the Toyota Avalon is on the list.

To determine the Best Car to Buy 2013, The Car Connection narrowed the field to thirty eligible vehicles. Eligibility requirements included a base price of under $50,000, availability to be road tested before December 1, 2012, and ability to be purchased before April 30, 2013. Vehicles that meet those requirements are then given scores in areas of safety, performance, styling, features, comfort and utility, and a “green rating” that considers fuel economy.

According to The Car Connection, “the remaining cars, trucks, and crossovers include some of the best vehicles we’ve tested in our careers at High Gear Media, with some true historical milestones among them.” One of those elite vehicles is the 2013 Toyota Avalon.

The Car Connection review of the 2013 Avalon praised Toyota for allowing the Avalon to break out of its formerly conservative shell, with a flowing body design that strikes the perfect balance of relaxed but a little sporty. The car is actually smaller than previous models, but reviewers found the interior to have a more spacious feel, with quality materials, comfortable seating, modern instrument technology, and overall attention to detail.

Reviewers were most impressed with the performance of the new Toyota Avalon. The V6 model sets a high standard, becoming “quicker and more responsive in every way” than older models. However, most notable is the Avalon Hybrid, whose performance rivals that of the V6 Avalon, with slightly slower acceleration, but with a “level of refinement that might even fool some traditional Avalon shoppers.”

The Car Connection scored the 2013 Toyota Avalon as follows (all scores out of 10): Interior/Exterior – 8, Performance – 8, Quality – 9, Safety – 9, Features – 8, Fuel Economy – 9.

Final winners of The Car Connection’s Best Car to Buy 2013 will be announced on December 10, but you don’t have to wait. You can test drive a 2012 Toyota Avalon, and many other new Toyota cars, today at Toyota ofConcord near Charlotte. We can help you decide for yourself which Toyota is the best car for you to drive in 2013!

Toyota Brands Sweep Consumer Reports Reliability Rankings

Toyota FJ Cruiser among top models in Consumer Reports reliability survey

In another not surprising but still newsworthy report about reliable cars, Toyota brands took the top three spots in the Consumer Reports latest reliability survey, with Scion at number one, Toyota in second place, and Lexus in third.

The 2012 Annual Auto Survey conducted by Consumer Reports was based 800,000 responses from their subscribers about 1.2 million vehicles over the last year. Consumer Reports uses that feedback to predict the future performance of new cars by each brand currently on the market.

This is a repeat for the Scion brand, which also took the top spot in last year’s survey. However, Toyota moved up four places this year, taking the number two spot held by Lexus last year and bumping that brand to number three.

Toyota had 27 different models in the survey and of those, 16 earned the highest reliability ranking in their respective classes. Top finishers included the Toyota Camry hybrid, Venza, FJ Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, and Tundra, as well as the Scion xD and Lexus RX. The Toyota Prius C hybrid took the top spot overall.

"We're pleased with the findings, which reflect actual customer experience, not just reviewer opinion. The results also show how challenging it is to meet ever-higher customer expectations of new technology and in-car connectivity," said Jim Lentz, chief executive of Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.

Toyota Scion of Concord has a huge selection of Toyota and Scion vehicles available for test drive today at our dealership near Charlotte. While the Toyota family of cars is unsurpassed in reliability, the Toyota Certified Pre-Owned program offers extra assurance when buying a used car. Call or visit Toyota Scion of Concord for help in determining the perfect new or used vehicle for your needs.

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.

2013 Toyota Sienna Receives More Powerful Engine, Other Updates

2012 Toyota Sienna

Toyota has announced exciting new changes for the brand’s minivan offering in the 2013 Toyota Sienna.

The most notable upgrade to the new Sienna is the new standard 3.5L V6 engine, replacing the old 2.7L four-cylinder. The new engine boosts the horsepower from 187 to 266, while increasing the highway fuel economy by 1 mpg. It is also rated with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.

Another standout feature of the 2013 Sienna is the available all-wheel drive option, not found on any other minivan. The Sienna offers seating for up to eight people, depending upon the chosen configuration of the second row of seats.

The 2013 Toyota Sienna is available in five trim levels, starting with the base Sienna and moving up to LE, SE, XLE, and Limited trims. Standard to all Sienna models is cruise control, CD stereo, and safety features like antilock brakes, stability and traction control, side impact or side curtain airbags for all seating areas, and active front head restraints.

Trim-specific optional features for the new Sienna include heated leather seats, backup camera, moonroof, power liftgate, smart key, power sliding doors, and navigation.

To learn more about the 2013 Toyota Sienna or to take one for a test drive, visit Toyota of Concord near Charlotte, NC. We offer a full inventory of new Toyota vehicles and are happy to answer any questions to help you find the perfect one for you. You can also follow us on Facebook for new product updates.

2013 Toyota Sequoia to Offer Industry Firsts

2012 Toyota Sequoia

The Toyota Sequoia has always been unique in its class, but details just released about upcoming changes for the 2013 Sequoia set it even further apart.

The 2013 Toyota Sequoia will be available in three trim levels, the SR5, Limited and Platinum. The standard engine for all three trims is upgraded to the iForce 5.7L V8, which produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. All are also equipped with a standard six-speed electronic automatic transmission and the choice of two- or four-wheel drive.

The 2013 Sequoia is the first model year to feature the Toyta Entune system, which integrates the driver’s smartphone with the vehicle infotainment and navigation systems and a host of mobile apps. There is also an option for the industry-first rear seat Blu-Ray system, which allows offers a separate audio system complete with dual wireless headphones, paired with a 9” LCD screen.

The 2013 Toyota Sequoia offers a long list of trim-specific features, but standards included on all models include keyless entry, cruise control, automatic tri-zone air conditioning, tire pressure monitoring, and a standard towing package. Upgrades include power moonroof, power liftgate, leather trim options, wheel upgrades, audio system upgrades, and additional technology features.

Standard safety features of every Toyota Sequoia include the Toyota STAR Safety System (stability control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, traction control, and start-stop technology).  The 2013 Sequoia is also equipped with dual-stage front airbags, front side airbags, rear side curtain airbags, and front knee airbags.

For more information about the Toyota Sequoia or any other new Toyota vehicle, visit Toyota of Concord online or in person at our dealership near Charlotte, NC. We are always happy to help you in your search for the perfect vehicle. You can also follow on Facebook for the latest dealership news.

2012 Toyota Camry Wins Back Top Spot, Releases New Sport Edition

2012 Toyota Camry

While the Toyota Camry celebrates taking the top spot at the top-sellling vehicle in the country for the first half of 2012, prospective Camry buyers can celebrate by ordering the limited-time, special edition Toyota Camry SE Sport Limited.

Experian Automotive reported this week that the Camry reclaimed the best-selling title this year, selling 209,000 units, after slipping to number two last year amid recall issues and supply shortages caused by Japan’s tsunami.

This announcement came just after Toyota began a limited production of the Toyota Camry SE Sport Limited edition, which will only be built until early November, 2012.

The Camry SE Sport Limited adds 18-inch alloy wheels with a smoked finish, and eight-way power driver seat, power tilt/slide moonroof, and a 6.1-inch touch-screen monitor with navigation and Entune to the regular Camry SE trim. Features found in the regular SE trim, including enhanced suspension and steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power shifters, are also present in the SE Sport Limited.

The Toyota Camry SE Sport Limited is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, delivering 178 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Available colors include Attitude Black, Barcelona Red, and Blizzard Pearl, all with a choice black or ash interior color.

For details about the new Toyota Camry SE Sport or any other Toyota vehicle, visit Toyota Scion of Concord online or in person near Charlotte, NC today. Our sales staff will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the right new Toyota or other used car for your needs. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for other exciting news about Toyota product offerings.