Thursday, April 20, 2017
Take a look at this 1989
Take a look at this 1989 #Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62 for #ThrowbackThursday #TBT
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
2017 Toyota 86
Toyota engineers and designers
probably had a good time designing a car that the first, second and third
priority was to be a fun car to drive.
They achieved that goal in the form of the new Toyota 86 for 2017. The number 86 pays homage to the AE86 Corolla
sport coupe of the mid-1980s. All this
new Toyota has in common with its namesake is the rear wheel drive setup.
If you are searching for that
fun driving experience, then a 86 is waiting for your visit with the friendly
folks at Hixson Toyota of Leesville today!
Car critic's praise the new
Toyota 86 for its athletic handling and seats that fit you like your favorite
leather glove that allow you to carve corners with gusto. This handsome sleek styled sports coupe
corners flatly with a road grip that will reshape your kidneys. Yes indeed, the new 86 comes standard with that
three-letter word for which drivers aspire...Fun! It was designed to be a driver's car in every
way from trips to work or exploring the back roads in the country.
The 2017 Toyota 86 has a
six-speed manual with a solid shift that can be made with just a flick of a
wrist. This short throw and fast clutch
action brings on a smile automatically.
In fact, maybe this smile never leaves from opening the 86's wide door
to parking it. If you don't want to
throw your own gears, then an automatic transmission with six gears is
available. It is believed that for some
owners of the 86, this is their first time behind the wheel of a sports
coupe. That is ok, as the basics are
there from solid handling, stiff chassis, precision steering and power that
won't overwhelm you with a zillion horsepower.
Still, this 86 will deliver you to 60mph in about six seconds and that
is thanks to a very lively 2.0-liter four cylinder that punches out 205
energized horses. Auto Week recently
commented: “And Man is this car fun to drive!
If you haven't been in one of these in a while go find one and drive
it.”
So go ahead and take their
advice and check out the 86 and be prepared for an enjoyable test drive. It really has the power to surprise, but
produces confidence and stability. The
Toyota 86 also comes with less decision making as this great little car comes
in only one trim level. Factory options
include Keyless ignition, dual-zone climate control, upgraded upholstery and
more. You also have an available setup that
you need for communication and entertainment with the outside world. Some more of the standard features include an
eight speaker audio system, Bluetooth and a 7-inch touch screen. Everything just comes together with the 86
and automotive writers are taking notice.
For example, the trustworthy organization gave the Toyota 86 one of
their coveted “check marks” for a Recommended Vehicle in the Sporty/Sports cars
category under 40K.
Bring back that “fun factor”
in your drive times, then you owe it to yourself to check out this new 86. Visit http://www.hixsontoyota.com
today!
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
2016 Toyota Yaris 5-Door SE Hatchback
The 2016 Toyota Yaris is a Japanese subcompact hatchback with European roots. Originally designed to excel on the tight streets and crowded cities in France and Germany, it prioritizes maneuverability and efficiency above all else. That doesn't mean it's a no-frills car, however, as it comes with plenty of modern features that make it a solid competitor in the entry-level class.
All Yaris models come standard with Toyota's Entune digital interface, which includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen, HD radio, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a USB connection. It also packs nine standard airbags into the Yaris' cabin along with other typical safety features like traction and stability control. A small exterior means a small interior, but the Yaris still has ample rear legroom. Unfortunately, cargo capacity isn't as strong as some others in the segment. The standard 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine doesn't produce a prodigious amount of power, but it doesn't use a lot of fuel either. It might do even better if it wasn't saddled with an older four-speed automatic transmission, but there is a five-speed manual available if you're willing to shift yourself.
The Yaris also packs an ownership perk others don't: namely, two years and 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, which is a rarity for a non-luxury car.
Competitors in the segment include the versatile 2016 Honda Fit which provides great fuel economy and tremendous cargo capacity. The 2016 Ford Fiesta has a much more engaging driving experience while the 2016 Hyundai Accent and 2016 Kia Rio offer strong warranties but fall behind on fuel economy and driving experience. The Yaris, with its "B" rating, isn't the strongest option amongst these, but a solid one.
Standard features on the L includes 15-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, power door locks and windows, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, a trip computer, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a six-speaker Entune Audio sound system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB/iPod interface.
The LE adds or substitutes 15-inch alloy wheels, power side mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, metallic interior accents, chrome interior door handles and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.
Those who opt for the SE trim get 16-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam headlights, LED running lights, foglamps, special exterior styling elements, a rear spoiler (available as an option on L and LE trims), larger tires, four-wheel disc brakes, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, and upgraded cloth upholstery.
A navigation system is available on all Yaris models as a dealer-installed option.
In Edmunds testing, a four-door Yaris with the five-speed manual went from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, while an automatic-equipped four-door took 10.7 seconds. Both times are decent times for the class, but rivals like the Honda Fit or Hyundai Accent are quicker.
EPA fuel economy estimates for the manual-equipped Yaris are 33 mpg combined (30 city/37 highway). With the automatic, these numbers dip to 32 mpg combined (30 city/36 highway). These numbers are solid, but not class-leading.
In Edmunds brake testing, a four-door Yaris LE with rear drum brakes stopped from 60 mph in 126 feet, which is a bit longer than average for this segment. A four-door Yaris with the optional rear disc brakes was about average and stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet.
In government crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the four-door hatchback Yaris received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for frontal-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the four-door Yaris hatchback its top rating of "Good" in its moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, roof strength and head restraint (whiplash protection) tests. In that agency's small-overlap frontal offset test, the Yaris scored a second-lowest (out of four) "Marginal" rating.
Materials within the 2016 Toyota Yaris remain an improvement from previous models, but the prevalence of hard plastics make it feel a step below some of its competitors. The Yaris comes standard with basic tech features, including a user-friendly touchscreen interface, Bluetooth with streaming audio capability and a USB input, but you won't find support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
The four-door Yaris has 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space (15.3 in the two-door) behind its rear seat. You'll find more room for your carry-ons in the hatchback versions of the Chevrolet Sonic (19 cubic feet) and the Hyundai Accent (21.2 cubic feet). The Yaris' split-folding rear seat helps make the most of the available space, but even then, it still trails most competitors, especially the ultra-practical Honda Fit.
The four-speed automatic transmission doesn't help. It feels ancient given the range of transmission offerings from competitors. They allow competitors to make better use of the power available from their small-displacement engines. If you don't mind dealing with a manual transmission, it's the better bet on the Yaris from the standpoint of acceleration and fuel economy.
The Yaris is steady around turns and has a reasonably smooth ride. The SE's rear disc brakes and larger wheel and tire package help handling and braking performance, but we wouldn't go so far as to actually call it sporty.
All Yaris models come standard with Toyota's Entune digital interface, which includes a 6.1-inch touchscreen, HD radio, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a USB connection. It also packs nine standard airbags into the Yaris' cabin along with other typical safety features like traction and stability control. A small exterior means a small interior, but the Yaris still has ample rear legroom. Unfortunately, cargo capacity isn't as strong as some others in the segment. The standard 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine doesn't produce a prodigious amount of power, but it doesn't use a lot of fuel either. It might do even better if it wasn't saddled with an older four-speed automatic transmission, but there is a five-speed manual available if you're willing to shift yourself.
The Yaris also packs an ownership perk others don't: namely, two years and 25,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, which is a rarity for a non-luxury car.
Competitors in the segment include the versatile 2016 Honda Fit which provides great fuel economy and tremendous cargo capacity. The 2016 Ford Fiesta has a much more engaging driving experience while the 2016 Hyundai Accent and 2016 Kia Rio offer strong warranties but fall behind on fuel economy and driving experience. The Yaris, with its "B" rating, isn't the strongest option amongst these, but a solid one.
Summary
Read Review Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2016 Toyota Yaris is a subcompact economy car available as either a two- or four-door hatchback. The L and LE trims are offered with two or four doors, while the SE trim is offered only as a four-door.Standard features on the L includes 15-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights, power door locks and windows, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-only steering wheel, a trip computer, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and a six-speaker Entune Audio sound system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a CD player, HD radio, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB/iPod interface.
The LE adds or substitutes 15-inch alloy wheels, power side mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, metallic interior accents, chrome interior door handles and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls.
Those who opt for the SE trim get 16-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam headlights, LED running lights, foglamps, special exterior styling elements, a rear spoiler (available as an option on L and LE trims), larger tires, four-wheel disc brakes, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, and upgraded cloth upholstery.
A navigation system is available on all Yaris models as a dealer-installed option.
Read Review
Body Styles Powertrains and Performance
The front-wheel-drive 2016 Toyota Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine rated at 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. Two transmissions are available: a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. The manual is standard on the two-door L and the four-door SE; the four-speed automatic is optional. The automatic is the only transmission choice on the four-door L hatchback and all LE models.In Edmunds testing, a four-door Yaris with the five-speed manual went from zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds, while an automatic-equipped four-door took 10.7 seconds. Both times are decent times for the class, but rivals like the Honda Fit or Hyundai Accent are quicker.
EPA fuel economy estimates for the manual-equipped Yaris are 33 mpg combined (30 city/37 highway). With the automatic, these numbers dip to 32 mpg combined (30 city/36 highway). These numbers are solid, but not class-leading.
Body Styles
Performance Safety
Standard safety features include antilock brakes (rear drums for all models except the SE, which gets four-wheel discs), traction and stability control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, front-seat cushion airbags and a driver knee airbag. In Edmunds brake testing, a four-door Yaris LE with rear drum brakes stopped from 60 mph in 126 feet, which is a bit longer than average for this segment. A four-door Yaris with the optional rear disc brakes was about average and stopped from 60 mph in 123 feet.
In government crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the four-door hatchback Yaris received four out of five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for frontal-impact protection and five stars for side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the four-door Yaris hatchback its top rating of "Good" in its moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, roof strength and head restraint (whiplash protection) tests. In that agency's small-overlap frontal offset test, the Yaris scored a second-lowest (out of four) "Marginal" rating.
Performance
Safety Interior Design and Special Features
The Yaris' interior couldn't be simpler or easier to use. There are just a couple of gauges to read, and the large speedometer is mounted directly in front of the driver. Those worried about sitting low in a subcompact will find the high-mounted front seats help provide good outward visibility. However, the lack of a telescoping steering wheel and firmly padded seats can make long journeys uncomfortable for some body types. In back, there's a refreshing amount of rear-seat legroom, but the sloping headliner restricts rear headroom a bit. Two average-size adults will fit in the backseat just fine. Materials within the 2016 Toyota Yaris remain an improvement from previous models, but the prevalence of hard plastics make it feel a step below some of its competitors. The Yaris comes standard with basic tech features, including a user-friendly touchscreen interface, Bluetooth with streaming audio capability and a USB input, but you won't find support for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
The four-door Yaris has 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space (15.3 in the two-door) behind its rear seat. You'll find more room for your carry-ons in the hatchback versions of the Chevrolet Sonic (19 cubic feet) and the Hyundai Accent (21.2 cubic feet). The Yaris' split-folding rear seat helps make the most of the available space, but even then, it still trails most competitors, especially the ultra-practical Honda Fit.
Safety
Special Features Driving Impressions
There's nothing sporty about the Yaris. The 106 hp and marginal acceleration provided by the four-cylinder engine is sufficient at best. There's enough punch to deal with the cut-and-thrust of low-speed suburban traffic flow, and the Yaris has no problem keeping up on the highway, That said, most competitors to the Yaris are more muscular.The four-speed automatic transmission doesn't help. It feels ancient given the range of transmission offerings from competitors. They allow competitors to make better use of the power available from their small-displacement engines. If you don't mind dealing with a manual transmission, it's the better bet on the Yaris from the standpoint of acceleration and fuel economy.
The Yaris is steady around turns and has a reasonably smooth ride. The SE's rear disc brakes and larger wheel and tire package help handling and braking performance, but we wouldn't go so far as to actually call it sporty.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
2018 Toyota Tundra
We have learned that the all-new Toyota Tundra will debut on February 9, 2017 at the Chicago Auto Show. We have no press releases or confirmations but this is what we are hearing about.
We are hearing that there will be subtle changes to the exterior. There is no reason to believe there will be any wholesale changes to the outside appearance. There should be some new designs for the headlights and front bumper along with the grill. This should add to the toughness look factor. The inside should have improvements to storage capability and materials. They should find ways to improve the materials. The rear seat will now fold up instead of reclining, so maybe you will see some hooks and cubbies for creative storage.
We also are hearing that the 2018 offering will feature the 8-speed transmission you see in today’s Land Cruiser. This should be an easy adder for the automaker. We either look for them to improve on the towing or fuel economy but it would be up to the design engineers. We hope it will be on the fuel economy. We think that can be done by using their D-4’s technology. It will improve HP and torque as well as keeping the cylinders cleaner from carbon buildup.
They should top it off with a host of technology improvements like new IP setup, new apps for the infotainment system and a new radio head unit or change the existing one with added power. We would also like to see more USB ports. Also don’t expect them to be light on safety features.
We can’t wait until February. For more info, come by Hixson Toyota of Leesville 11981 Lake Charles Highway Leesville, LA or give us a call at 337-239-3434 today!
We are hearing that there will be subtle changes to the exterior. There is no reason to believe there will be any wholesale changes to the outside appearance. There should be some new designs for the headlights and front bumper along with the grill. This should add to the toughness look factor. The inside should have improvements to storage capability and materials. They should find ways to improve the materials. The rear seat will now fold up instead of reclining, so maybe you will see some hooks and cubbies for creative storage.
We also are hearing that the 2018 offering will feature the 8-speed transmission you see in today’s Land Cruiser. This should be an easy adder for the automaker. We either look for them to improve on the towing or fuel economy but it would be up to the design engineers. We hope it will be on the fuel economy. We think that can be done by using their D-4’s technology. It will improve HP and torque as well as keeping the cylinders cleaner from carbon buildup.
They should top it off with a host of technology improvements like new IP setup, new apps for the infotainment system and a new radio head unit or change the existing one with added power. We would also like to see more USB ports. Also don’t expect them to be light on safety features.
We can’t wait until February. For more info, come by Hixson Toyota of Leesville 11981 Lake Charles Highway Leesville, LA or give us a call at 337-239-3434 today!
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