If you’ve wanted to jump into the hybrid market, the best place for you to start is undoubtedly with a pre-owned and certified model. Whatever it is you’re looking for in a green machine, Continental Toyota and Scion, your La Grange Area dealer, has got you covered.

 

2014 Toyota Prius V

With under 7,000 miles, the Prius is a steal at twice the price. The undisputed industry leader in hybrid engine sales, the Prius uses a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine to generate 134 horsepower and MPGs in the high 40s and low 50s. Ventilated disc brakes, rear view camera, and intelligent front airbags are just some of the safety features. Inside, a six-speaker audio system features SiriusXM readiness, AM/FM/CD/MP3 playback, and Bluetooth connectivity.

 

2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE

If you’re looking for a bit more space, try the 2013 Camry with a 2.5-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable transmission works with the battery engine to generate 200 horsepower and excellent fuel economy. The interior is leather trimmed and has a dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise, and a six speaker audio system.

 

2010 Ford Fusion

Another incredibly efficient option is the Ford Fusion with a 2.5-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine. Generating 191 horsepower, the Fusion comes with four-wheel, anti-lock, ventilated disc brakes, intelligent airbags that use sensors to adapt to crash conditions, and rear sensors for parking assistance. Meanwhile, on-board navigation, automatic climate control, cruise, heated seats, and six-speaker audio keeps things more than comfortable.

Not too long ago, Toyota announced that it was building a state-of-the-art development and production campus in Plano, Texas, to replace some of the smaller facilities around the country. Along with that, though, are some exciting numbers. Continental Toyota and Scion, your Chicago Area Toyota dealer, wants to tell you all about it.

 

The What

The move is one of the biggest Toyota has ever made. By consolidating employees from New York to California, Plano is looking to see a huge influx of citizens. But that isn’t all. Along the way, nearly a thousand jobs will be opening at the plant to complement the nearly 4,000 workers who will be transferring. On top of that, Toyota is likely to need several hundred contractors and subcontractors in the building of the plant, slated to open in 2017.

 

The Why

This is huge news for Plano, of course, as it will make it a company town and one of the premiere spots for automotive innovation. By gaining thousands of people already employed, Plano’s base increases, but it will also attract businesses to provide services for those employees. Finally, since the contract work for the building of the plant could very well become permanent, Plano could easily attract even more small businesses as satellites.

 

The Result

So what does this mean for folks not in Plano? Likely it means better deals and better vehicles. Consolidating will cut down on delays and costs and Toyota promises the new plant to be at the forefront for new engineering methods. It’s not just good news for Texas; it’s good news for Toyota and Scion fans, too.

These days, it’s important to be prepared for anything. Being ready for what comes your way can mean a lot of things, though, especially for those of us in Chicago. One sure step forward though is the functional and comfortable 2015 Venza Limited from Continental Toyota and Scion, your La Grange Area Toyota dealer.

 

The Engine

The Venza comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine with dual overhead cams, variable valve timing, and multi-point fuel injection. The result is 268 horsepower, 246 pounds of torque and an EPA-estimated 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

 

The Capacity

All-wheel drive does ensure you’re ready for any road conditions, but so does the automatic transmission with manual mode for added control when you need it. The V6 means you can handle over 1,200 pounds in payload and 3,500 pounds in towing. Oh, and naturally it can seat five comfortably.

 

The Safety

Four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes are managed through a brake assist system while electronic traction and stability control keep you on the right track with the right traction. Intelligent front airbags use sensors to adapt to crash conditions and are aided by side and curtain airbags to protect the whole cabin.

 

The Spoils

Life isn’t all work. Neither is the Venza. The Limited comes with leather interior, sunroof, dual-zone climate control, heated driver seat, on-board navigation, and thirteen-speaker audio system with subwoofer, AM/FM/CD/MP3 playback, USB 2.0 input, touchscreen interface, and Bluetooth connectivity for streaming or hands-free calling.

 

If you’re in the market for a new car, you might be asking yourself if you should get a brand new one or a used one. Most people tend to want to lean towards getting a new car because they think they are getting so much more for their money, but that is not always the case. Our Scion dealer near La Grange talks about some of the benefits of buying a used car over a new car.

Price

Of course the price is a pretty major reason why you should consider choosing a used car over a new one.  A used car is going to be less expensive. Perhaps the best advantage of this is that you can usually step up to a nicer model when you go the used route.

Insurance

You can save yourself even more money since a used car will have lower insurance rates. It is best that you a do a little research on this beforehand so you know what you’re up against.

Depreciation

When you buy a new car, it starts to lose value right away. It will actually lose almost half of its value just in the first year alone. So, when you buy a used car, you don’t have to worry about depreciation as soon as you drive off the lot. Another good thing is that chances are the vehicle has already undergone minor damage, such as dings and dents here and there, so you won’t be nearly as stressed out about keeping the vehicle perfect.

Since most people cannot afford to just buy a new car with cash, they are faced with the decision of whether to lease one or take out a car loan. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. Are you faced with the decision of whether to lease or buy a new car? Our Chicago area Toyota dealer explains the benefits of both.

Leasing a Car

With leasing, you are usually able to get more for less money due to the fact that the lease price is based on only a percentage of the price of the car, whereas when you buy a car it is based on the full price. If you have less money to spend, leasing may be better for you. You can also leave a much lower down payment. You will have peace of mind knowing that most repairs will be covered under warranty. Leasing will make affording the more luxurious and high-tech features easier. You never have to worry about selling the car since all you need to do is simply turn it in when you’re done.

Buying a Car

The best part of buying a car is probably the fact that the car is all yours. Once the loan is up the car belongs to you. You’re free to do whatever you please to it with no consequences. This will save you money in the long run. You have no mileage restrictions. This is especially nice if you drive a lot.

Buying a used car can not only be a very good way to save yourself some money, but it can be a very good way to get the most out of your money. Just make sure that you know what to look out for before you start shopping. Our Toyota dealer near Chicago tells you what to look out for when buying a used car.

The Exterior

Take a good look at the exterior of the vehicle. Check out are the car’s form, frame, paint job, tires, trunk, and exhaust system. Be sure that the car sits level on the ground. Make sure that the frame is not damaged. Check the paint job for scratches, dents, and rust. Make sure that the trunk is in good condition. Check that the tires are aligned properly and are in good condition. Look at the exhaust system to see if there are any signs that it has been leaking.

The Interior

Of course you are going to want to thoroughly check out the interior as well. Check the seating and the upholstery for any rips or stains. Check out things like the radio, the ventilation system, and the computer system. Check the mileage. Definitely take the car for a test drive, paying special attention to the brakes and the transmission.

Under the Hood

Always pop the hood and look for rust or damage. Take a look at all of the belts and hoses. Check the engine for any leaks or corrosion. Check all of the fluids, not forgetting about the oil.

If you’re looking to help out the environment while also helping out your wallet, then you should consider getting a Toyota Camry Hybrid. This vehicle is not only fuel efficient, but it is safe, reliable, and spacious. It received a major overhaul for 2015, making it better than ever. The interior has been refreshed, and the exterior has been completely redesigned. Go green with a 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE from your Toyota dealer near La Grange.

Performance

The 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE has a 2.5 liter, 4 cylinder engine that is combined with an electric motor, which will give you 200 horsepower. It has a continuously variable speed automatic transmission. It has front wheel drive. You will get amazing fuel efficiency, with 40 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway.

Popular Features

The 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE has many people-pleasing features all around. The driver has a powered bucket seat. The front passenger has a bucket seat, and the rear seats are folding. It has comfortable premium cloth upholstery. The audio system has an AM/FM radio, a CD player, color screen and touch screen. You will have steering wheel audio controls, 6 speakers, cruise control, a trip computer, a tilt telescoping steering wheel, and power steering and EPS. The ventilation system has a micro filter, passenger ventilation controls, and dual-zone climate control. It has rear camera parking distance sensors.

According to the IIHS, the Toyota Avalon is a 2015 top safety pick. It is one of the safest choices in the large car market, with outstanding results in its safety tests. It offers a long list of safety features to back up its outstanding safety ratings. Find out what makes the 2015 Toyota Avalon from your Chicago area Toyota dealer a top safety pick for 2015.

Safety Ratings

The 2015 Toyota Avalon was given good ratings in all categories of crashworthiness, which included head restraints and seats, roof strength, side test, moderate overlap front test, and small overlap front test. These ratings were based on how the test dummies held up in the tests. Overall, they all showed that the risk of significant injuries were minimal in crashes of that severity. The roof strength is above average, with a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.22. The average is 4. The seats and the head restraints proved to have good protection that will help to prevent whiplash injuries.

Safety Features

The 2015 Toyota Avalon offers an impressive airbag system that will protect all parts of your body from many different angles. It includes side airbags, head airbags, and torso airbags. The torso airbags are seat-mounted on both the front and the rear. It offers knee airbags for both the driver and the front passenger, which are located in the instrument panel. These will help to protect your knees in a frontal crash. Other safety features include ABS, electronic stability control, and daytime running lights.

 

If you’re searching for that perfect family vehicle, but not really sure where to start, Toyota has got your covered. Your La Grange area Toyota dealer has some great options for your family.

Toyota Sienna

The Toyota Sienna received lots of refreshments and new features for 2015. The interior has been redesigned. It is very spacious and comfortable, with seating for up to eight passengers. It offers excellent cargo space as well. It offers you a long list of family-friendly features. After all these years, the Sienna remains the only minivan with all-wheel drive. Whether you’re hauling your family on a snowy road trip, or simply just driving them around town, this vehicle is a great choice.

Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV that offers you three rows of amazing style and comfort. You will be able to fit up to eight passengers. You will have lots of storage space, not only your cargo, but for all of your small personal items as well. This includes a huge oversized center console. This vehicle gives you a nice, quiet, but powerful ride. It is reliable, popular, and not to mention has a great resale value.

Toyota Camry

If you’d prefer a car over an SUV, why not go with one of America’s top sellers? That’s exactly what the Toyota Camry is. This vehicle will ride 5 passengers in great comfort. It gives you a nice and easy drive every time. It has a very attractive style, legendary reliability, a wide variety of features, and a high resale value.

There have been a lot of changes to vehicle safety over the years. When airbags we first introduced in the 1980s, for example, many saw it as the peak of advancement. Turns out, in America, it only takes a little time to outdo ourselves. Your Chicago Area Toyota and Scion dealer explain what it means to have intelligent airbags.

 

The Basic Model

Everyone by now is familiar with the basic airbag. A large bag is packed into the steering wheel or the dashboard and a compressor fills with air during an accident to absorb some of the impact instead of having your head hit any hard surface.

 

The Problems

Over the years, experts found that the one-size-fits-all airbag wasn’t working as well as it could. In fact, it was causing more harm than good in some cases. People who were too light, not sitting upright, or were not wearing a safety belt could get seriously injured. Likewise, an airbag deploying where a person isn’t sitting can pose a risk to the driver.

 

The Intelligence

The solution has been to use a number of sensors in the seat and the seat belt area to determine certain things. First and foremost, your car can detect whether someone is even sitting there. It can determine height, weight, and even a person’s posture.

 

The Possibilities

Using what are called dual-stage or multi-stage airbags, newer compressors can actually adjust the amount of air and the force with which the bags are deployed. This allows them to adjust to crash conditions and maximize protection.