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Best SUVs for the Bucks

America's definition of the SUV has changed over the past decade. Once upon a time, they were big, trucklike gas hogs that could go anywhere and do almost anything. Today, however, they have evolved into smaller, more carlike vehicles that go easier on gas, and consequently are better for the environment and softer on the wallet. Unfortunately, they are also slightly less capable. Regardless, the masses still refer to these new vehicles as SUVs, and they are one of the fastest-growing vehicle segments on the market. To help you get the best value on a new SUV, we've identified 10 that offer the best bang for your buck in terms of power, luxury, passenger and cargo space, reliability, cost of ownership and a whole lot more.

2012 Toyota Highlander

Its midsize crossover competitors may be newer and larger, but the Toyota Highlander soldiers on as a great value. Buyers can opt for 5- or 7-passenger seating, the latter with an innovative, removable second-row middle seat that eases access to the third row. Both the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 engines offer plenty of power. The Highlander features the luxurious ride typical of most Toyotas and, thanks to its modest size, it is one of the more maneuverable vehicles in the class. It also benefits from Toyota's track record for strong resale values and rock-solid reliability.

Courtesy of MSN.com

First 25 Winners Announced for Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program

Toyota today announced the first 25 winners of the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program, a national philanthropic program that is awarding 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 consecutive days. Winners are selected each day through public voting on Facebook at www.100carsforgood.com.
 
Each day through August 21, five nonprofit organizations will be profiled on the 100 Cars for Good Facebook page. Registered Facebook users are able to vote once daily for the nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle. The organization with the most votes at the end of the day wins a new Toyota vehicle. The four runners-up each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.
 
“We are delighted to announce the first 25 winners of the Toyota 100 Cars for Good program,” said Jim Lentz, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “Toyota created the 100 Cars for Good program because we appreciate what a big difference a new car or truck can make for organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities across America. It’s been very gratifying to put the public in the ‘driver’s seat’ to select the winning organizations. 100 Cars for Good has also allowed Toyota to build on more than half a billion dollars of support the company has provided to nonprofits throughout the United States. We wish all of this year’s finalists the best of luck.”
 
The first 25 100 Cars for Good winners represent a cross-section of important local causes, including providing nutritious meals to kids, helping communities struck by natural disaster and alleviating the suffering of abandoned, abused or injured animals.
 
The first 25 winners in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program are:

DC Scores - Washington, DC - May 14, 2012

Cincinnati Zoo - Cincinnati, Ohio - May 15, 2012

Lehmi County Humane Society - Salmon, Idaho - May 16, 2012

Pibbles & More Animal Rescue - Ridgewood, New York - May 17, 2012

Recycled Doggies, Inc. - Cincinnati, Ohio - May 18, 2012

Hope for Paws Animal Rescue - Los Angeles, California - May 19, 2012

The Dream Center - Los Angeles, California - May 20, 2012

SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pups - New York, New York - May 21, 2012

Petfinder Foundation - Tucson, Arizona - May 22, 2012

Together We Rise - Chino, California - May 23, 2012

The Children’s Lunchbox - Anchorage, Alaska - May 24, 2012

All Hands Volunteers - Carlisle, Massachusetts - May 25, 2012

Detroit Dog Rescue - Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan - May 26, 2012

Fences for Fido - Portland, Oregon - May 27, 2012

Central Vermont Humane Society - East Montpelier, Vermont - May 28, 2012

Operation Blankets of Love - Granada Hills, California - May 29, 2012

Kristie’s Foundation - Anaheim, California - May 30, 2012

K9 Services German Shepherd Rescue, Inc. - Middleburg, Florida - May 31, 2012

Animal Aid, Inc. - Oakland Park, Florida - June 1, 2012

Clark County Community Services - Winchester, Kentucky - June 2, 2012

Shore Hearts Golden Retriever - Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey - June 3, 2012

Special Olympics Illinois - Normal, Illinois - June 4, 2012

Last Chance Ranch - Quakertown, Pennsylvania - June 5, 2012

Rikki’s Refuge - Rapidan, Virginia - June 6, 2012

Feed My Sheep - Gulfport, Mississippi - June 7, 2012

Winning organizations can choose from the following vehicles: Camry Hybrid, Highlander SUV, Prius v Hybrid, Sienna minivan, Sienna Mobility or Tundra full-sized pickup. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.

The 500 finalists, from which the 100 winners are ultimately selected, were certified by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the fields of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.

 

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

10 Best Green Cars of 2012 - Toyota Prius c & Scion IQ

Fuel economy is up, fuel consumption is down, and the road keeps getting a little bit greener each new model year. But world-class fuel efficiency alone is not enough to win a spot on our annual 10 Best Green Cars list. Click the arrow above to see the standouts offering mpg and more.

2012 Toyota Prius c

The c is the smallest member of the growing Prius family, which includes the familiar hatchback that is synonymous with hybrids, a larger wagon, and a plug-in model. The budget-friendly c offers up to 53 mpg in city driving, seating for five, and more cargo space than its subcompact dimensions might suggest. It all adds up to make Prius c the perfect choice for those seeking a practical, inexpensive, stylish way to save fuel.

2012 Scion iQ

Who says hybrid drivetrains, alternative fuel systems or expensive gas-saving technologies are prerequisites for green cars? When it comes to vehicle production and conserving the world's natural resources, significantly fewer materials are required to build a Scion iQ thanks to its petite dimensions, lightweight design and efficient 1.3-liter gasoline engine.

 

Courtesy of KBB.com

Hey fans! Here is a Wednesday car care tip!

Don’t fill up if you see the tanker at the station. If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.

Three Toyota Models Selected as Best Family Cars of 2012

Three Toyota models have been selected as among the Best Family Cars of 2012 by Parents magazine and Edmunds.com. This is their fifth annual list, which will appear online today and on newsstands June 12.

Toyota earned picks across three categories including Prius v in the high-mileage category; Camry in the sedan category and the Sienna minivan in the large vehicle category. Vehicles considered were evaluated on a number of criteria important to families including safety, fuel economy, and kid-friendly features, as well as ride comfort, styling and handling.
 
“We’re proud to have several Toyota models on the list of best family cars for the fifth year in a row,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division. “Families know they can always depend on Toyota for safety, quality and durability, but they also recognize the importance of the convenience and technology features in our vehicles that help make their lives easier.”
 
In the high-mileage car category, the editors chose vehicles with more than 40 miles per gallon on the highway and offering safety features and modern conveniences. As a new member of the Prius family this year, the Prius v was cited for its stable ride and ample cargo space and was praised for its versatility and standard technology features including the Entune® mulitmedia system and a hands-free smart key, which unlocks the driver’s side door as you approach the door handle.
 
The 2012 Camry was highlighted as a best pick in the sedan category.  Completely redesigned for 2012, the all-new seventh generation Camry was chosen for its updated styling, convenient technology including Entune, excellent fuel economy, quiet ride and ample trunk space. The Camry is America’s best-selling car, and as an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2012 it is extremely popular with families.
 
Rounding out the best family cars in the large vehicle category is the Sienna minivan, chosen for its flexible configurations to fit every type of trip, family and cargo combination. The Sienna was completely redesigned in 2010, catering to traditional family van needs while also meeting growing demands for more responsive driving characteristics, contemporary styling and onboard entertainment technology.  With state-of-the-art features and rewarding driving dynamics, the Sienna is a vehicle that families of any size will find satisfying to drive. 
 
The Sienna is manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. while the Camry is built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
 
“Toyota has a long history of satisfying the automotive needs of American families,” said Scott Oldham, editor-in-chief, Edmunds.com. “The Sienna minivan, the redesigned Camry and the all-new Prius v hybrid are leaders in their respective segments, offering America’s families the spacious, fun, fuel-efficient and reliable transportation they need.”

Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

Toyota Develops Mutual Power Supply System for Electric Vehicles and Homes

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that it has developed a vehicle to home(1)(V2H) system for the mutual sharing of power between electric-powered vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), and homes. The V2H system is to start testing, using Prius PHVs, at the end of 2012 in approximately ten households as part of the Toyota City Low-Carbon Verification Project(2) (Toyota City Project) that began in April 2010.

The newly developed V2H two-way electric power supply system can supply power from home to vehicle as well as from vehicle to home. An AC100 V inverter onboard the Prius PHV converts stored power into AC suitable for home use, while power flow is controlled according to communication between vehicle, charging stand and the home. With this new method, low-carbon electricity ("green" electricity) generated from regional or home solar generators, or low-cost late night electricity, can be stored in a vehicle's drive battery and then used to supply power to the household during peak consumption times. This kind of optimal energy flow can be automatically controlled by a home energy management system (HEMS).

Vehicle batteries can also be used as a power source in times of emergency by manually setting the electricity flow to supply power from the vehicle's drive battery through the charging stand to a home's lights and power outlets. With a fully charged battery and full tank of gasoline, a Prius PHV can supply power for average Japanese household electricity use (approximately 10 kWh) for four days.

Interest in smart grid technology and expectations for the effective use of electric vehicle batteries has increased due to recent anticipated electricity shortages in Japan, the beginning of full-scale renewable energy introduction and an increased need for emergency power supplies.

Households participating in the verification tests in Toyota City will use Prius PHVs, which can use the V2H system to supply electric power to homes, as well as function as conventional gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles once onboard electricity supply depletes to a certain level.

TMC developed its V2H system while closely complying with existing charging and communications specifications defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), as well as with electrical safety standards and regulations. Going forward, TMC hopes to promote the widespread use of V2H systems while closely studying - conscious of standardization trends - system, hardware, power generation and other relevant specification standards.

In addition to the V2H system, TMC has also developed devices capable of supplying electricity from PHVs directly to home devices, for use at emergency shelters in the event of a disaster. The devices will be installed on the PHVs used in this round of the Toyota City Project tests.

The Toyota City Project awards eco-points to consumers who change their lifestyle habits to conserve electricity, and in 2011 there was an increasing trend toward households to use low-cost power to charge their vehicles. In light of the recent power supply shortages in Japan, the Toyota City Project is working to promote regional energy management that can respond to shifts in peak usage. In response to the increasing need to control peak electricity use, the Toyota City Project will test synchronized automatic control between HEMS and regional energy data management systems (EDMS) this year. Existing energy usage optimization technology using household storage batteries will be expanded to V2H systems, making green electricity use even more effective while promoting a shift away from electric power consumption during peak-demand times.

Through the development of the V2H system, TMC aims to contribute to low-carbon and energy-efficient electricity use and to support the Toyota City Project's goal of regional energy independence.

(1) Charging of PHV and EV batteries from household electricity and supplying electric power from onboard automobile storage batteries to the home

(2) Part of the Next-Generation Energy and Social System Demonstration project (a five-year project running from 2010 to 2014) of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) with the aim of optimizing energy on a regional and community level through citizen-led initiatives. Construction of test model homes was completed in June 2011, with the first group of residents taking residence in September. As of May 31, 2012, approximately 40 households are living on the premises.

Courtesy of The Wall Street Journal