Toyota

Toyota Venza — Hybrid batteries included



By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Toyota has brought back the Venza nameplate attaching it to a new mid-sized two-row crossover that comes exclusively with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, and three electric motors — one attached to the rear wheels and the other two assigned to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid — Fuel efficient performance


MotorwayAmerica.com photo

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Many things have changed in the nearly two-and-a-half decades since the original RAV4 kicked off the crossover craze — including the RAV4 itself, which entered its fifth generation with the 2019 model. It has reinvented itself with a bigger, more fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine; a more rugged appearance; more driver assist technology; and with a new very fuel efficient hybrid powertrain that feels quicker than the gas-only version.

2021 Toyota Sienna



INDIANAPOLIS —  Despite having a six-year-old daughter and wandering intentions that often take us on long drives, my husband refuses to drive a mini-van.  I tried to talk him into one a few years ago, but we ended up with a crossover instead.  His reluctance is not exactly fair.  The Chrysler Pacifica is a plug-in dream, Honda’s Odyssey reliably conquers our continent, and the new Kia Sedona is a real art piece.  It’s against that backdrop that the stylish and high-tech completely redesigned 2021 Toyota Sienna landed in our driveway.

Toyota Corolla — A well-rounded compact sedan



By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman



(November 8, 2020) We've driven all three versions — sedan, hybrid sedan and hatchback — of the current-generation Toyota Corolla and it is the best Corolla we've ever driven from the standpoint of drivability, infotainment and safety technology, performance, and gas mileage. Whichever Corolla version suits your tastes we feel you will not be disappointed. And you will be driving what is regarded as the best-selling car of all time, and one of the most affordable and reliable compacts on the planet.


Toyota Supra 2.0 — A rewarding 4-cylinder


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By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

(October 25, 2020) The Toyota Supra returned to dealerships last year — 21 years after the previous Supra left the automotive landscape. The latest Supra comes with shapely sheetmetal and with considerable help from BMW, which donated the engine, transmission and interior bits and pieces. The two-seater was a hit in 2020 with its stupefying collection of curves, creases, and body moldings, and its willingness to eat up curving mountain roads with aplomb.

Toyota Highlander — New and improved



By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The Toyota Highlander has been the best-selling mid-sized three-row crossover utility  since 2016 in what has become a very crowded segment. Facing strong competition from all-new and redesigned vehicles it was time for a new and improved fourth generation Highlander. And Toyota answered with the 2020 version, a vehicle that takes a new design direction while building on the qualities of the third generation.

Toyota Sequoia — Now with off-road chops



By Jim Meachen
MotorwayAmerica.com

(June 3, 2020) It's hard to imagine a nameplate going more than 10 years without a major change. But there's a sport utility vehicle on the market that's in the 13th year of its second generation — the 2020 Toyota Sequoia. The full-sized Sequoia has been employing the same body-on-frame design and same 5.7-liter V-8 engine paired with the same six-speed automatic transmission since 2008. Little has been done to alter the Sequoia's exterior appearance and the cabin layout is showing its age.

Toyota Camry Hybrid — How to avoid gas stops



By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

(May 31, 2020) Perhaps the three most important statistics you will need when shopping the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid are — 51, 53 and 52. Those numbers represent the Camry LE's EPA-rated miles per gallon in city, highway and combined driving respectively. The Camry's sporty SE trim level falls off slightly to 44, 47 and 46. Those figures are probably fairly accurate regardless of your driving habits because we — as members of the "lead-foot club" — were able to realize 45 mpg in a combination of driving situations while behind the wheel of a SE and an XLE.

2020 Toyota Highlander



PHOENIX — The ubiquitous Toyota Highlander is the best-selling three-row crossover utility vehicle in the very crowded mid-sized segment. Facing stiff competition from superb all-new or redesigned competitors like the excellent Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, a new generation 2020 Ford Explorer, and others, Toyota has introduced its completely redesigned fourth-generation Highlander for 2020.

2020 Toyota Avalon TRD



PHOENIX — The Avalon, Toyota’s flagship full-sized sedan, was all-new for 2019. Now in its fifth generation, it was first introduced in 1994 as a 1995 model. Toyota made no secret that the Avalon was aimed those who were members of AARP, collected Social Security checks and had their health care handled by Medicare.