New Toyota & Lexus Pricing: 2012 Corolla Goes Up, 2012 Venza Down
If you're planning to buy a new Toyota or Lexus in the near future, pay attention. The automaker just announced pricing on a range of vehicles, and several popular models -- including the 2012 Toyota Corolla, Highlander, and Tundra -- are due for a price increase. Others, like the 2012 Matrix, will stay flat. And the 2012 Venza is heading in both directions. Here's the breakdown:
GOING UP
2012 Toyota Corolla
The MSRP on the base model Corolla, which comes with a five-speed manual transmission, will rise $230 to $16,130. That's a jump of about 1.4%, and similar increases will fall throughout the model range.
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Cruiser will see a modest increase of $125 across the entire model line, putting the base-model FJ Cruiser at $26,115.
2012 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid
Pricing on all conventional Toyota Highlanders will increase $150, from the base STD model (starting at $28,240) all the way to the upper-end LTD ($37,195). The Highlander Hybrid will see a steeper price jump of $400, with the lower-end STD ringing in at $38,540.
2012 Toyota Tundra
The Regular Cab Tundra will see the steepest Toyota price increase in pure dollars, surging by $720 throughout the entire model range. The base model will now set you back $25,155, a jump of 3%. Increases on the Double Cab and CrewMax Tundra are a more modest $250, with the base STD Double Cab starting at $27,365.
2012 Lexus LS 460, LS 600, CT 200h Premium
MSRPs on all three of these models will see an increase of $500. At the low end, that brings the CT 200h Premium to $31,750, and the LS 600 to at tidy $112,750.
STAYING FLAT
2012 Toyota Matrix
Pricing on the Matrix will remain flat for the foreseeable future. That means bargain-shoppers can still nab the base L model for an MSRP of $18,845.
2012 Lexus CT 200h
Hybrid luxury fans can continue rolling over to the darker side of green for $29,120.
MIXED BAG
2012 Toyota Venza
Pricing on the 2012 Venza is both up and down. If you're eyeing one of the less-expensive LE models, you can expect a price increase of $240, making the base model $27,425. On the other hand, if you're shopping for an XLE model, prices will start at $29,775, which is a drop of $880. Limited models, which start at $36,465, will see a lower price drop of $460. Note, however, that the delivery, processing, and handling fee for the Venza has increased by $50 to $810.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2012 Ford Focus: TheCarConnection’s Best Car To Buy 2012
After driving thousands of miles in more than 200 new vehicles in the past year, and rating each one independently, High Gear Media's editors have chosen a winner.
TheCarConnection's Best Car To Buy 2012 is the 2012 Ford Focus.
Each year, our team rates each new vehicle we review based on styling, performance, utility, safety, and features. As the year progresses, we begin to see some winners emerge from the usual pack of 50 to 70 brand-new or significantly updated vehicles we drive each year--at home, or around the world.
To pick our Best Car To Buy winner, we sift through the numeric ratings to find the highest-scoring new car from the current model year. We also set a base-price limit of $50,000, since most car shoppers who come to TheCarConnection already know how we feel about the Astons, Maseratis and Ferraris of the world. It means some excellent cars don't stand a chance--but keeps us well aware of value, a critical piece of the puzzle for shoppers.
The Focus' win over vehicles like the Range Rover Evoque, Hyundai Veloster, Mercedes M-Class and Chevy Sonic, comes down to personality. Even in a day where dull, droning econoboxes are the exception rather than the rule, the 2012 Focus grabs attention, both for the way it looks and for the way it handles. That's held true for each of the more than half-dozen differently-equipped Focuses our editors have sampled.
The Focus' winning styling earned a 9 from our editors, as much for its aero-crisp exterior as for its flamboyant interior--and though we prefer the sleek five-door, the four-door sedan's rendered about as well as anything in the class. The Focus also earned a score of 8 for performance, a high rating for a compact car with just 160 horsepower on tap. Even before a turbo ST edition arrives, the Focus feels alive, with sweet steering and a sporty ride overcoming its lackluster optional automatic transmission.
It's compact in the European sense, which makes the back seat more snug than some vehicles in its class, but the Focus gets great front seats and class-leading safety features, like an available rearview camera. And when it comes to luxury and entertainment features, the 2012 Focus goes well beyond the state of the art, with an array of options that include Sony sound systems, active parking assist for tight parallel parking spots, and MyFord Touch and its voice- or touch-controlled interface.
In the balance, the 2012 Ford Focus is an engaging, premium-feeling compact car that nudges into sport-sedan territory--and we can't wait to drive the 240-hp ST.
Congratulations to the Focus, TheCarConnection's Best Car To Buy 2012--and also to our other winners. MotorAuthority, our performance and luxury-car destination, has chosen the 2012 Porsche 911 as its Best Car To Buy this year, while Green Car Reports has named the 2012 Toyota Prius family as its Best Car To Buy.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Alabama Immigration Law Leads To Arrest Of Mercedes Manager
Alabama’s complex and controversial new immigration laws don’t leave police with a lot of room for interpretation. If you’re stopped and can’t produce documentation, you go to jail until you can prove your identity (and nationality), or until you sit before a judge.
The law is applied to all, even visiting managers from Mercedes-Benz Germany. Last Friday, police in Tuscaloosa, Ala., stopped a rental vehicle for a license plate violation. Inside, police found two men, but the German driver could not produce a driver’s license or another identity document, so he was taken into custody and placed in the Tuscaloosa city jail.
The incident was resolved when the man’s colleague returned with the driver’s German passport and driver’s license.
As CNN points out, critics of the law will use the incident to illustrate its likelihood to drive foreign companies away from the state, at a time when Alabama is working hard to attract them. The state is home to Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Hyundai vehicle assembly plants, as well as a Toyota and Hyundai engine factories and dozens of supplier plants, and the factories provide much-needed revenue at both the state and local levels.
Those in favor of the new immigration law cite the incident as proof that police aren’t profiling, and are applying the new statutes fairly to all.
Worth noting is that police had the power to arrest undocumented detainees even under the previous laws, but had more latitude for incidents such as this. Under the new laws, immigration status must be checked during a traffic stop, and those unable to produce identity documents are remanded into custody.
Mercedes-Benz is shrugging it off as an “unfortunate situation,” and we’re inclined to agree. We’ve spent plenty of time overseas, and traveling with your passport (and international driver’s license) on your person at all times is covered in Travel 101. Let’s use this as a reminder and move on.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
TrueCar Picks Biggest Black Friday Car Bargains
Thanksgiving's schedule includes three NFL games and one other major contact sport: Black Friday sales busting the doors earlier than ever. For diehards it's all about the deals, mashed up (sometimes literally) with the rush from conquest.
There is a way to save thousands more than even the most intense Black Friday shopper--without sacrificing civility or personal safety. TrueCar.com suggests you and your dignity sleep in, pass up the retail stores and head for new car dealers the day after Thanksgiving. However counterintuitive, it reports this single day beats every other with predicted MSRP average savings of 9.5 percent and often more.
Why so much and such a limited time frame? Don't confuse this with a typical seasonal clearance promotion. It may be a contributing factor, but there's a lot more at play. We're approaching the end of the month and the end of the year. The 2011 cars have to find homes as 2012 models arrive. Sales goals still have to be met, even as most consumers in a buying mood camp on cement to save a few hundred bucks on an off-brand television.
They could instead ride the leather seats of a 2011 Chevrolet Corvette after saving several thousand--around 18 percent--on a cash deal. Nearly 30 percent savings can be had on a 2011 Nissan Titan, too.
Several finance specials wind down at the end of the month, but not before offering zero percent financing for 60 months on a 2012 Nissan Altima or 1.9 percent for 60 months on a 2012 Toyota Sienna.
Likewise, a number of tempting lease promotions go away in a few days. A 2012 BMW 1-Series is semi-yours for three years at $349 per month, while a 2012 Hyundai Veloster goes home with you for three years at $179 per month.
TrueCar also identifies several other vehicle specials and buyer's tools on their website, with real-time updates. In any case, the potential new-car savings are more compelling than wrestling a stranger over a panini maker.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Subaru Shares The Love With Five Charities Through January 3
'Tis the season for year-end deals, but for folks in search of something different -- and philanthropic -- Subaru is offering shoppers a chance to get a new car and make a gift to charity, all in one fell swoop.
The deal is part of Subaru of America's annual "Share the Love" promotion, running now through January 3, 2012. For every new car leased or sold during the promotional period, Subaru will make a donation of $250 to one of five outstanding charities (previously announced at Social Car News): American Forests, the ASPCA, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Meals On Wheels Association of America, or the Special Olympics. Shoppers choose which of the five will receive Subaru's gift.
Not in the market for a new car? No problem: you can still make a donation to charity. Just visit Subaru of America on Facebook, click the "Share the Love" tab on the left-hand side, and tap the button in the center of the page to make a $1 donation to one of the five organizations. Subaru will contribute up to $250,000 for the Facebook gifts. (So far, the ASPCA has received over 80% of the clicks, which may not be surprising, given Subaru's reputation as being one of the most pet-friendly brands on the road.)
This is the fourth year that Subaru has run the "Share the Love" program. The automaker says it contributed over $15 million to charity during the first three years, and Subaru has set a goal of pushing that number to $20 million by January 3. Considering the lean economic times that led to that $15 million sum and the slowly recovering economy, we'd be surprised if Subaru didn't exceed that goal well before the program's end.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2012 Hyundai Azera Preview: 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show
There aren't many Hyundai vehicles left untouched by the company's rapid transformation into a top-tier automaker. The Accent was all-new earlier this year--and now, the big Azera gets its day in the sun, appropriately enough, at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2012 Azera now wears Hyundai's current design theme, which they dub "fluidic sculpture." It's been applied to the Sonata and Elantra sedans and the Accent hatchback with good results, and with the Azera, it's much the same. The mix of crests and curves is a big departure from the current, anonymous big four-door, something that's bound to be played up in advertising against the Azera's most likely competitors, cars like the latest VW Passat, Toyota Avalon, Buick LaCrosse and Ford Taurus. Big 19-inch wheels and high-intensity discharge headlamps cap the exterior, while the interior carries through on the Sonata's look with some well-timed restraint.
Power for the new Azera comes from a direct-injection 3.3-liter V-6 that now puts out 293 horsepower, up 33 hp from last year, and 13 hp more than the larger 3.8-liter V-6 that was an option in the 2011 model. For comparison, it's 10 hp stronger than Chrysler's new Pentastar 3.6-liter six, and a few horsepower stronger than Ford's latest 3.5-liter V-6, but a bit shy of the 303 hp in the Buick LaCrosse. The Azera's six is coupled to a six-speed automatic with sport-shift mode actuated by the shift lever.
Since it's still a relatively light 3600 pounds, the Azera's gas mileage is estimated at 20/29 mpg, an increase of 1 mpg on the highway, but lower than the four-cylinder powertrain in the smaller Sonata. An economy mode tailors throttle and shifting for up to a five-percent economy boost, Hyundai says.
The Azera's handling hasn't been a big selling point in the past, but an upgrade could be in the works with the 2012 model. It's still independent all around, with struts in front and a multi-link rear, now with Sachs shocks and 18-inch wheels and tires, with an option for 19-inchers. Electric power steering is standard.
With a wheelbase of 112 inches and an overall length of 193.3 inches, the 2012 Azera has gained almost three inches between the wheels, while it hasn't grown from nose to tail. Front leg room is up almost two inches to 45.5 inches, and Hyundai says it's best in class in that dimension, as well as in front-seat head room.
Safety features include nine airbags, including a driver-side knee airbag and rear-seat side airbags. Rather than fitting active headrests to boost the Azera's crash-test scores, Hyundai says it's redesigned the seats with stronger frames to reduce the instance of neck injuries. A rearview camera is standard.
Other standard features in the new Azera include satellite radio, HD radio, and a USB port; Bluetooth with streaming audio; a touchscreen, voice-activated navigation system; leather upholstery; power front seats; heated front and rear seats; dual-zone climate control; and a cooled glove box. Options include a panoramic sunroof; ventilated front seats; and an Infinity 550-watt audio system.
Hyundai also includes its new Blue Link service for 90 days free of charge in the new Azera. The system works like GM's OnStar system, using live operators on call to bring information to drivers, from mapping destinations to making restaurant reservations. Blue Link can also turn voice messages into outbound text messages, and can also direct drivers to destinations found on the Web via Microsoft Bing search and turn-by-turn directions. Blue Link also lets owners set other controls to notify when the Azera has gone beyond a certain region, when it's driven outside of specified hours, and when it may need service--all customizable at the Blue Link website.
We'll have more on the new 2012 Hyundai Azera from the 2011 Los Angeles auto show.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Car Sharing Comes To Military Bases
As ironic as it may seem, the men and women protecting our freedom don't always have the freedom to get around on their own. Owning and keeping a car on a military base can be inconvenient, or cost-prohibitive altogether.
If ever there was a need for car sharing, this is it.
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service is now working with Enterprise Rent-A-Car's WeCar sharing program to address this need. Beginning with programs at Colorado's Fort Carson and North Carolina's Fort Bragg, more installations will follow throughout the U.S. will follow suit.
Car sharing, as we've discussed on Green Car Reports, is booming in large cities and especially around large college campuses. Membership in a program enables participants to use cars occasionally as needed; simpler than traditional car rental and without the ongoing expenses of car ownership.
Under WeCar by Enterprise, active duty personnel and their spouses are eligible to participate. Provided they're at least 18 years old and satisfy enrollment requirements of the program, they have automated, round-the-clock access to program vehicles--even if only for an hour to run an errand.
Following the initial roll-out, similar programs are scheduled for Hawaii's Hickam Air Force Base, Kaneohe Bay Marine Base and Schofield Barracks Army Base. In Washington, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Army Base will participate as well.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Hyundai Hoping For A Big Win At Super Bowl XLVI
It's that time of year again -- time for family and friends to come together and celebrate one of America's most joyous events, the Super Bowl. With less than three months to go until kickoff, advertisers like Hyundai are already huddling to prepare their game-day strategies.
Hyundai has announced that it will buy no fewer than five spots before and during the Super Bowl broadcast on February 5, 2012. Two ads will run during the pre-game show, another two will appear during the game itself, and one massive 60-second spot will air right before kickoff.
Why the big push? Hyundai has been making major strides in the U.S. market in recent years. It received a big boost in brand recognition when the Hyundai Genesis walked off with the 2009 North American Car of the Year award, and the Hyundai Assurance program became a smash hit with jittery new-car buyers during the recent recession. Even now, as the American auto market remains fragile, Hyundai has been zooming past most of the competition, with over 545,000 vehicles sold in 2011 as of October 31 -- a 20.5% increase over 2010.
And yet, roughly one-third of U.S. auto buyers remain on the fence when it comes to Hyundai, with neither a positive or negative feeling about the brand. Ultimately, that's why Hyundai is spending over $10 million on Super Bowl ads.
Will it work? Maybe. Hyundai has developed a loyal following in the U.S., but fans may be more infatuated with the company's cars than its advertising. Hyundai commercials are typically safe and conservative, backed by the warm, fuzzy baritone of Jeff Bridges. Their lack of "edge" may prevent those ads from being as memorable as the ones produced by Hyundai's sister, Kia -- a brand that has earned accolades for some of its campaigns (and lawsuits and puzzled looks for others).
What does this mean for consumers? Above all, it means that Hyundai is planning to remain very, very competitive in the North American auto market. As evidence of that, the company retooled its Assurance program back in April (it now guarantees trade-in value), and Hyundai has also unveiled sportier, younger-trending models like the "genre-busting" Veloster to appeal to a wider range of shoppers. Hyundai has also been eating away at the U.S. market share of other Asian automakers like Toyota and Honda, both of which have seen major setbacks due to natural disasters this year. No matter how you feel about the brand now, you can probably expect Hyundai to keep the guns a-blazing for some time to come.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Has The Government Attached GPS To Your Car?
There's no need to signal, the small-town joke goes, because everyone knows where you're going. We're learning you need to be less concerned about nosy Aunt Margaret than Uncle Sam.
Mind you, what follows aren't the rants of a government conspiracy junkie, the kind that wears a tinfoil hat and is paranoid that clouds are following him. From Wired, we bring you the case of "Greg," your average 25-year-old from San Jose, California.
Almost a month ago, he found a tracking device on his Volvo SUV. For his sake, it was probably good forethought to contact Wired and allow it to be photographed. It was summarily retrieved and replaced with another. While the unknown parties were at it, they were spotted tinkering with Greg's girlfriend's car as well.
The practice itself should not come as a total surprise. Just as Hollywood has depicted it for decades, the Justice Department has admitted using GPS. But there was nothing scripted when police dropped in on Greg's interview with Wired.
Three squads reportedly showed to discourage interview and photo activity. The photo shoot was moved a mile from its original spot. Still, a police cruiser dropped by and parked facing Greg's SUV. The uniformed officer and plainclothes party left a short time before Wired finished shooting pictures.
It's nothing new for the Justice Department and various law enforcement agencies to use these devices, just not so often without good reason. All Greg can reckon is that the feds are interested in his previous-owner cousin, who allegedly, shall we say, majored in entrepreneurial pharmaceutical marketing before fleeing to Mexico.
Meanwhile, Greg, the vehicle and his girlfriend are clean; but it seems to be inconsequential to the authorities.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2013 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Concept Breaks Cover
Chevrolet has already announced it is bringing the TrailBlazer nameplate back to production for 2013 as a global SUV model, and now we can see what the thinly veiled concept version looks like. These images were taken by an outlet in India that was attending a Chevrolet press event.
The new TrailBlazer will be a body-on-frame SUV based off of the new Colorado truck. Armed to do battle with the likes of the Grand Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, and other capable off-road SUVs, the new TrailBlazer will be available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models.
We have been told it is not yet decided whether or not the new TrailBlazer will be sold in the United States, but based on the fact that the new Colorado is coming, we would think it is a pretty good bet.
Stay tuned for more updates.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
