Toyota is widely known for the reliability and affordability of their vehicles, with easy maintenance that translates to low ownership costs. While everyone appreciates saving money, oftentimes it also means sacrificing quality. With Toyota, that’s never the case, and no matter which model you choose you’re sure to be satisfied. If you’re searching for a comfortable yet practical vehicle with solid longevity, any “Toyota dealership near me” is a great place to look. Today we’ve gathered a list of some of Toyota’s most popular vehicles, from SUVs to hybrids, to help you decide which Toyota model could be right for you.
2019 Avalon
The Avalon is all-new this coming year, with the 2019 model marking the fifth generation in the series. A 3.5-liter V6 engine comes standard, with an output of 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, giving it more than enough acceleration to reach highway speeds quickly and with ease. Bumpiness is kept to a minimum thanks to a well-tuned suspension, and the Touring trim features an upgraded adaptive suspension system to help maintain a smooth ride even on rougher roads.
A beautiful nine-inch touch display is located at the top of the center stack, two inches larger than most standard infotainment displays. The system comes complete with Apple CarPlay and wireless hotspot capabilities for up to five devices, so you can stay connected wherever your day takes you. Five separate USB ports come equipped, three in the front and two in the rear, and wireless charging is available as well for a total of six possible places to charge your devices (seven if you count the 12-volt auxiliary outlet). All these entertainment features plus standard heated front seats make the Avalon feel like a luxury vehicle, only for a much better price.
The Avalon comes outfitted with an array of different safety and driver assistance technologies, even on the base-level trim. The pre-collision system provides alerts when it detects an incoming collision, and if you can’t brake in time it will apply the brakes automatically. Another excellent feature is the lane departure alert and steering assist system, which helps to keep you centered by issuing alerts and providing slight adjustments to steering when it’s activated. Sensors placed around the vehicle allow for blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, which help to maintain awareness of your surroundings even when you can’t see them. Not only that, high beams are automatic, so night driving is a cinch. When it comes to safety, the newly redesigned Avalon is at the head of the pack, offering standard features that other brands would charge an arm and a leg for.
2018 Prius
The Prius is the quintessential hybrid. With a combined fuel economy of 52 MPG, you’d be hard pressed to find another vehicle with similar efficiency, let alone one that doesn’t plug in. Despite the flaws of many other hybrids, acceleration in the Prius is perfectly adequate and even manages to feel punchy when you’re driving around town. Ride quality is smooth and pleasant, thanks to a combination of refined suspension and comfortable seating.
The interior of the 2018 Prius is incredibly modern, with a sleek infotainment system ranges in size from six to eleven inches depending on which trim you choose. Unfortunately, 2018 models don’t have Apple CarPlay compatibility since the feature is only now being implemented into new Toyotas, but it can be expected for future versions. Wireless charging is available, but the standard USB port can help you stay charged instead, if you’d prefer not to bother with it. A 4.2-inch information display sits above the infotainment system, providing details about a few hybrid-specific systems and things like climate control.
The 2018 Prius features a majority of the same standard safety technologies that the 2019 Avalon does, though blind spot monitoring is only available on higher trims. Both the pre-collision system and the lane departure alert with steering assist system still come fully equipped, as well as automatic high beams. The Prius also has a few available features that the Avalon doesn’t, like intelligent parking assist which automatically guides the car into parking spaces. Another great parking feature, the vehicle proximity notification system, helps during manual parking by using sonar to scan for surrounding objects and then applying the brakes if something comes too close on any side while you’re trying to park. If you’re looking for a solid blend of efficiency, convenience, and comfort, the most recent Prius might be worth checking out.
2018 Highlander
The Highlander is one of the top choices for three-row SUVs right now, thanks to its wide variety of standard features and outstanding ride comfort. A 2.7-liter 4-cylinder is the base engine, with a 3.5-liter V6 available as an upgrade. The 4-cylinder will probably be enough for a lot of drivers, but anyone who wants to utilize the Highlander’s 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity will have to opt for the V6. 13.8 cubic feet of cargo space sits behind the third row but that can be expanded to reach a total of 83.7 cubic feet when both rear passenger rows are folded down. There’s plenty of space in both rear rows and coupled with soft, supportive seating, even people up to six feet should feel comfortable, even on longer rides.
The infotainment system in the Highlander is six inches, but an eight-inch option is also available. Five USB ports are dispersed throughout the cabin, but unfortunately, wireless charging isn’t available. Long drives are much easier when you’ve got a bit of entertainment, and if your rear passengers get bored of listening to music or podcasts then there’s still a good amount to do. A nine-inch entertainment screen is available for the back rows, with Blu-ray capabilities and two pairs of wireless headphones in case you don’t want to hear the movie while you drive.
As with the other vehicles on this short list, the Highlander has a full suite of standard safety and driver assistance features, and by now it should be clear that Toyota understands how important safety is. While other brands might put a price on your safety, Toyota puts their customers first. The base trim once again comes fully equipped with a pre-collision system, lane departure with steering assist, and automatic high beams. Cameras placed discretely around the exterior of the vehicle provide a simulated bird’s-eye view of the 2018 Highlander, helping to navigate in or out of tight spaces. Parking-assist sonar is also available on certain trims, as well as blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. With so many standard entertainment and safety features, it’s no wonder the Highlander is such a popular movie.
Closing
While each of these vehicles is almost entirely different, they all share the same signature quality and longevity that has given Toyota its name. Every one of these models is a great choice, and there are plenty of other excellent Toyotas out there as well. Whether you want something with power and utility, something with top-of-the-line efficiency, or just something to get you to work on time, Toyota has a vehicle that will fit the bill. If you still aren’t convinced, find a Toyota dealership near you and take a test drive, then hopefully you’ll see what we mean.
