Archive for the ‘Fuel Efficient Cars’ Category
Portland Toyota Dealer: Is America Ready for an Electric RAV4?
This week, Toyota revealed a historic achievement: the 2012 RAV4 EV all-electric crossover, the first mass-produced electric SUV in the world. Toyota announced this vehicle was coming back in 2010, and the company had partnered with Tesla Motors to develop appropriate technology. Now that the unveiling has happened, car bloggers everywhere are buzzing with details surrounding the SUV. The news for Gresham Toyota is exciting, but underneath it all people are asking: is America ready for a Toyota electric SUV?
After releasing the plug-in Prius, Toyota proved it wasn’t going to stay content with simple hybrids. As a leader in automotive innovation, it surprised few people that the company planned to release an electric version of the RAV4. It also isn’t surprising that the RAV4 EV will be the most aerodynamic SUV and have an impressive electric range of 100 miles. Even with all of that accolade, though, many wonder if it will be received as well as the Prius.
Toyota seems to be wondering, too. With its unveiling came an announcement that the vehicle would only be sold at first in California—and that only 2,600 would be produced in the first three years. With a $50,000 price tag (before government tax incentives, which are significant), this isn’t a bad strategy. As popular as electric cars are in automotive news, they remain pretty scarce throughout most of the country. Until more states build the infrastructure to support charging stations, an electric SUV wouldn’t be as sensible for someone in the Midwest (yet). Here in the Northwest, we’re better prepared. Though the initial launch is a few hundred miles south of us, we Oregonians shouldn’t have to wait too long to drive the RAV4 EV all-electric crossover.
Looking for your own dependable Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Portland Toyota Dealer: Prius V. Volt in a Hybrid Head-to-Head
Ten years ago, earth-conscious (and money-conscious) buyers didn’t have much of a choice when it came to vehicles: they could drive a Prius or nothing at all. Toyota pioneered green technology, and for years it was the only automaker that saw hybrids as worthy of production. By now the Prius isn’t only one of the most popular vehicles in the world; it’s paved the way for dozens of other green cars to enter the market. One of the most significant newcomers is the Chevy Volt, which claims owners can achieve hundreds of MPG in fuel efficiency. But is that right? We at Gresham Toyota decided to draw up some comparisons between the cars and let you decide which is best.
Fuel Economy
The Toyota Prius has been tested endlessly over the past decade, and can easily claim an EPA score of 50 MPG. Because it relies on both a gasoline engine and an electric battery, that number never changes. The Volt, on the other hand, with a full charge can drive for 30 miles in warm weather without burning a drop of fuel. Once that battery dries up, the gasoline engine also kicks in, which achieves 37 MPG.
The winner: it depends. On a road trip, a Prius will use exponentially less fuel. If Volt owners only drive 20-30 miles a day and charge their engines for ten hours every night, they won’t use any gas, but will see a hefty increase in their electric bill.
Interior Space
This category isn’t really a competition. The Chevy Volt can only hold four occupants, and it’s reported to feel much more cramped than the five-seated Toyota Prius.
The winner: Prius.
Dependability
When the Prius first emerged, detractors said it would never last; that the hybrid engine would break down in just a few years. Over a decade later, it remains a strong, dependable vehicle. Because the Volt is only one year old, no one knows how its engine and performance will hold up over time.
The winner: inconclusive. People who need to know their investment will last should choose a Prius.
Cost
Flagship models are never cheap, and the least-expensive version of the Volt still costs about $40,000. Even a fully-loaded Prius costs around $10,000 less. As production methods streamline and technology becomes more available, the price of the Volt may drop, but for now, picking Toyota will save you thousands.
The winner: Prius.
Results
Though the concept of an all-electric car is great, the Volt just doesn’t compare to the Prius. It was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, and it continues to reign as the most affordable, dependable, and fuel-efficient car on the market.
Looking for your own dependable Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Portland Toyota Dealer: Check Out These 5 Amazing Hybrids From Gresham Toyota!
The innovative gas/electric engines of hybrid vehicles broke new technological ground in the 90′s, and their impressive fuel economy helps the earth and their owners’ household budgets. Toyota hybrid cars lower emissions while providing the comfort and dependability that defines the brand. Gresham Toyota is proud to offer a wide array of top-rated Toyota hybrids on our lot. Browse them on our website and come in for a pressure-free test drive today!
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid $32,433
Looking for another great Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Portland Toyota Dealer: The Future of Toyota Fuel Efficiency
In 1997, the Prius emerged in Japan as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. Not many years later, it entered the American markets and immediately became a staple of the road. Toyota has since remained a leader in fuel efficiency. Developing hybrid versions of many popular models and a plug-in Prius, Toyota engineers have always been at the forefront of technology—and they show no signs of stopping. Toyota partnered with BMW last December to use fuel-savvy diesel engines in Europe, and now they’ve revealed another phase of that partnership: lithium-ion battery research.
Lithium-ion batteries are the core of electric engines. They increase the fuel efficiency of hybrids and allow some vehicles to operate without an ounce of gas. Electric engines have made huge strides since 1997, and now Toyota wants to push the limits even further. By collaborating with BMW, the size of their think tank and scientific force has doubled. Because the initiative has only been announced, no details have surfaced. Whatever Toyota and BMW are planning, it is likely to be a technological leap in fuel efficiency for hybrid and all-electric vehicles.
This isn’t the first electric-research collaboration Toyota has made, and it probably won’t be the last. In 2011 the company used research from Tesla to build an all-electric RAV4. The results of the BMW battery-research may be equally as momentous. At any rate, it’s a demonstration of Toyota’s continued commitment to fuel efficiency. As gas prices and environmental concerns continue to dominate public conversation, that’s a commitment any car buyer can appreciate!
Looking for your own electric-powered hybrid or other own fuel-efficient Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Source: Motortrend.com
Portland Toyota Dealer: The Prius Is a Moneysaver in The Gas Crisis
With so many politicians talking and so many households restructuring their budgets, you can’t help but notice the latest spike in gas prices. It’s affecting everything, even in Portland with all of our bike lanes and sidewalks. Whenever gas station attendants adjust the numbers on their signage, it has a rippling effect on the rest of the economy. Retail managers see a dip in sales; neighbors start carpooling more; and according to Kelly Blue Book, hybrids like the Prius surge in resale value. Last month alone, the 2010 Toyota Prius gained over $1,000 in value—a number that’s just going to grow.
The reason is high school economics: everyone wants to save at the pumps, so the demand for fuel-efficient cars has risen. As prices continue to rise, so will the demand for hybrids along with their resale value. Kelly Blue Book says a used Prius may be worth 20% more by the time the gas crisis is over. Since cars notoriously lose value over time, the Prius has become just as much of an investment as a vehicle.
This isn’t to say that you should purchase three Prii and sit on them as a commodity investment. What this market trend reveals is simply the value of driving a hybrid. While gas prices continue to soar, Prius drivers see only a slight effect, which has made others jealous. They want that same financial immunity, so if you have a Prius, you’re among the lucky ones. And if you’re looking to buy a new car, you might consider a hybrid for their resale value, if nothing else.
Looking for your own Prius or other own fuel-efficient Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
