Toyota Corolla vs Ford Focus

Toyota Corolla vs Ford Focus

When you are looking at a midsized car you are probably thinking about the extra space to get your children around town, more than you are the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, but fuel efficiency still matters.

When you examine the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, it is very important to look at the trend that the manufacturer is going in for that specific model. In this test study I've taken information from an automatic 4-cylinder Toyota Corolla, and an automatic 4-cylinder Ford Focus and compared their fuel efficiency over the last five years.

Corolla - 4 Cylinders (Automatic)

2009 - 27/35

2010 - 26/34

2011 - 26/34

2012 - 26/34

2013 - 27/34

The Toyota Corolla starts out well ahead of the Ford Focus in 2009 and they remain in the lead up until 2012, but there is actually a negative trend where the fuel efficiency decreases over that time, when they start to focus on adding more power to the vehicle.

Focus - 4 Cylinders (Automatic)

2009 - 24/33

2010 - 24/34

2011 - 25/34

2012 - 27/37

2013 - 27/38

The Ford Focus starts out behind the Corolla and it would have made more sense to purchase the Corolla in 2009 than it would have the Focus if you are concerned about fuel efficiency alone, but the Focus makes some dramatic improvements over the next five years, steadily improving the fuel efficiency until they surpassed the Corolla.

If you are interested in power you may want to look at the Corolla over the Focus, but the Focus gets better fuel efficiency. Only time will tell if the next iteration of the Corolla shows improvements on their fuel efficiency, but it is likely to come soon since there is a competitor in the lead at the moment. Toyota has been working to improve fuel efficiency in many of their vehicles, and the Corolla could be the next target.

TOYOTA VS. NISSAN

The Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Compared to the Nissan Frontier King Cab

When you are shopping around for a small pickup truck you will probably have trouble deciding between the 2013 Toyota Tacoma regular cab and the 2013 Nissan Frontier King Cab. Both vehicles have their benefits and drawbacks, and it is up to you to look at the facts to decide which is the best option.

Price

The price of vehicles is always a concern for buyers, but in the case of the Tacoma versus the Frontier the price difference is relatively small. The Tacoma is the cheaper option with an MSRP of $18,470 while the Frontier is listed at $18835, but when going to local dealerships there is a good chance that prices will fluctuate between the two.

Payload Capacity

Many people purchase trucks for their ability to bulky and heavy items around. When you are getting a truck it makes sense to look for the option that will carry the heaviest items in case you need that extra carrying power later on. The Tacoma has a maximum payload capacity of 1335 lbs, while the Frontier maxes out at 971 lbs. It is important to note that both vehicles can tow up to 3500 lbs behind them.

Fuel Economy

 With fuel prices constantly going up, fuel economy is always an issue to those looking at vehicles. The Tacoma gets 21 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. The Frontier gets 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. With a combined mpg of 23 versus the Frontier's 21 the Tacoma will cost you less in gas to drive around.

Although both the Tacoma and the Frontier are close to one another on nearly everything there are a few major differences between the two. The Frontier sits four people while the Tacoma only sits three, the Tacoma carries much more weight in the bed of the truck than the Frontier, and the Tacoma is better on gas than the Frontier.

Toyota Makes Zero (emissions)

The 2014 Toyota Rav4 EV

The new 2014 Toyota Rav4 EV was shown off at the Maker Faire, and it shows what exactly is possible with a lot of engineering and time to make things right.

This vehicle is oozing with commuting potential, and when you look under the hood it becomes apparent how efficient this little vehicle is when you are given access to the simplicity underneath, compared to a normal fuel-driven vehicle.

Benefits of the Rav4 EV

Toyota engineers had two years to retrofit an existing Rav4 with an all-electric system and they succeeded through the challenges creating a vehicle that comes with quite a few benefits. First of all it produces little to no pollution while running because it isn't burning fuel, sure it consumes electricity that is sometimes created by burning fuel, but it is more efficient which causes less emissions to be released into the atmosphere.

This vehicle is also much more affordable to operate because electricity is cheaper than gasoline is. You simply charge it up at home, or a charging station and then take the short trip around town while enjoying the fact that you didn't pay for a drop of gasoline to do it. Compared to other EV's on the market, the Rav4 is also quite spacious and it can easily cart around a family of 5 to their local destination.

The Downfalls

There are two major downfalls with this vehicle as well, and they are what will stop many people from picking them up. The first is that the range is 100 miles, which keeps many local destinations within reach, but you won't be taking a roadtrip in this EV anytime soon unless you are willing to track down charge stations and take significant breaks ever 100 miles. The other downfall is the charging process, which can take a few hours to complete. This is a major setback to the vehicle, but when used for local commuting it really isn't much of an issue.

Engineered for Distance

Even though the Rav4 is quite large it achieves its impressive range thanks to advanced engineering efforts. The shape of the vehicle, along with the long rear spoiler, and the special side-view mirrors cut the drag coefficient down to .30 which is lower than any other SUV in the world.

This vehicle will be an excellent option for those looking to lower commute costs, it will take some time before EV's are replacing fuel-driven vehicles for long-distance traveling.

Qi Wireless Charging Technology

2014 Toyota Prius Supports Qi Wireless Charging Technology The next-gen Prius is coming with an optional next-gen feature that may excite gadget owners. The technology is known as Qi wireless charging, and you will be able to have a Qi pad put into your 2014 Prius at the time of ordering it. Not only will this feature make keeping your future devices topped up a snap, but it will reduce the overall clutter in your vehicle which is always a good thing. What is Qi Charging? Qi Wireless charging is a type of inductive charging that relies on a very small electromagnetic field to transfer energy. There are no wires involved with this charging process. Instead there is a simple pad, and there is a receiver in each device that you want to charge. The receiver will pick up on the energy that is being released by the pad, and slowly charge up your cellphone, without you having to worry about plugging a wire in. Why it is Beneficial? The Qi wireless charging standard is going to reduce the need to have a bunch of different chargers in your vehicle. Instead of needing a charger for your phone, your mp3 player, and the portable game systems that your children own, you just set them all on the same charging pad and they will charge up. This simplifies the charging process dramatically, and it will help cut down on the clutter in vehicles. How does it Work in the Prius? The 2014 Prius is going to have a Qi charging pad installed near the center of the vehicle in the middle console. This pad will hardly be noticeable, and you will be able to charge your devices simply by setting them in the center console. Most owners will probably get in the habit of setting their devices down in the center console when they get in the vehicle, and removing them again when they get back out to have their batteries charged up. This technology is only going to be installed in the new Priuses as an upgrade, but it is sure to be a technology that only grows in popularity as more devices become compatible with the Qi wireless charging system. If you choose to have the device installed into your vehicle, the installation will be handled by the dealership, and it will be ready to go in your vehicle before you drive it home for the first time. Compatible Devices Just to name a few of the devices that are already compatible with this system, there is the Samsung Galaxy S4, the HTC Droid DNA, and the Nokia Lumia 920. As new phones are released there is sure to be an increased list of devices that support the technology, and there is a large group of manufacturers who are now supporting the standard completely. Qi inductive technology is slowly becoming more popular, and eventually more Toyota vehicles are sure to offer this option as well, but for now the 2014 Prius is one of the first vehicles to offer a rather new feature that many technology enthusiasts will enjoy.

2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA REVIEW

2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA

A First Glance at the 2014 Toyota Tundra

Now that the new year has arrived people are eagerly awaiting the new lineup of 2014 vehicles. While they won't be released until sometime in September, we have the details on the new 2014 Toyota Tundra, and they show off some of the more impressive features that Toyota is making available to customers this year.

The New Look

The most obvious change to the new Tundra is in the overall appearance. Toyota took time redesigning the Tundra to improve the appearance, while improving the space within the cab, and making controls easier for the driver to reach. The chrome grill is now taller and more prominent, while the rest of the front has sharper edges that make it look more modern. The front bumper is split into three different pieces which creates a nice visual effect while making it more cost effective to purchase replacement bumper pieces.

The designers worked hard to make the five different grade levels of the Tundra stand out from one another. Not only is there going to be additional features with the various grades, but they promise that you will be able to tell the difference with the appearance of the vehicle. Not only will the different grades look different on the outside, but they are supposed to be very different within the cab as well.

Brand New Interior Features

The new interior features are what has many people talking this year. For instance, every one of the five different models is now going to come standard with a backup camera, a first for a truck, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The gauge cluster has received a face-lift that makes use of 3D metallic rings around each of the various gauges. Within that cluster there is also a 3.5 inch display that is used to show off a variety of information about the truck as you are driving it.

Improved Handling Over Older Models

Many new features go into improving the overall handling of the new Tundra. The valving in the shock absorbers of the vehicle has been tuned to perform better over harsh landscapes so that the truck will be more stable than ever before. The steering system has received some upgrades as well which makes it easier to continue driving straight despite traveling over an uneven road. These features are supposed to reduce the fatigue that drivers experience when traveling on uneven roads. There has also been a set of stabilizing fins attached to both the exterior mirror bases as well as the outside of the rear tail lamps to improve stability even further.

A Quieter Ride

Although the 2013 Tundra is a relatively quiet vehicle to drive, these optimizations have been improved further with more advanced soundproofing technology. The cabin is even quieter in this model making it the most relaxing to drive yet.

Staying with Proven Engines

Although Toyota has made a number of different changes with their 2014 Tundra, they didn't touch the engine technology at all, and that may not be a bad thing since the three engine options are very reliable. The least powerful of the three is the 270 horsepower 4-liter V6 that features a dual overhead cam arrangement. Next up in power is the 310 horsepower 4.6 liter V8 that is also set up in the dual overhead cam arrangement. This engine creates a total of 327 lb.-ft. of torque which is a major jump up from the 278 lb.-ft. of torque that the first engine creates. The most powerful option is the 5.7 liter DOHC V8 with i-Force technology. This engine creates a total of 381 horsepower and it generates over 401 lb.-ft. of torque.

It is important to note that these engine specifications are simply preliminary specifications, and it is possible that they may change between now, and when the trucks are officially released in September.

Most people will be happy with the approach that Toyota is taking with their newest Tundra model. They are making changes to improve the overall handling and appearance of the vehicle, while leaving alone the features that are already working well for the truck. The all-new Tundra, promises to provide an improved driving experience over the previous models, and should have a pretty appealing face-lift as well. 

Used Car Inspection

Used cars can be much better deals than new cars in many cases. New cars depreciate much faster, and you lose out on money when you purchase one. Used cars on the other hand, have already depreciated a large amount, and will lose value much slower. However, the savings to your bank account is not going to do you any good if you buy a car that isn’t as reliable as it is made out to be. Learn how to inspect used vehicles to find out if they have problems and you can snatch those great deals without fear. 

Inspecting a Used Car

Park the Car on Level Ground

Start off by bringing the car somewhere level where you can inspect it. When you are on a level surface it is much easier to see if anything is sagging, or if there is an issue with one of the tires. 

Examine the Exterior

Take a very long look at the outside of the car before you even bother looking inside it. Examine all of the surfaces of the vehicle for any irregularities in the paint. If it looks thicker in some areas than others it probably has body filler on it. Place a magnet on the car in those spots to test that theory. A magnet should stick to the car body, while it will fall off filler. 

If you do find any spots that just don’t look natural make sure that you ask about them. There could be a mild reason for the filler, or it could have been crashed into a tree. 

Pop the Trunk

Open up the trunk and look in that secret compartment that holds the spare tire. If the trunk is in very bad shape there is a good chance the rest of the car is as well. Look for excessive wear and any rusting. 

Used Cars Reno

Pop the Hood

Lift up the hood and look around for any general issues that jump out at you. Look for rust spots under the hood, and look closely at the different hoses and belts. The hoses can’t be soft, and they shouldn’t be cracked either. 

Pull out the dipstick and look at the color of the oil on it. If it is black they probably don’t take care of the car very well. 

Make sure that you lift off the oil cap as well. Look under the cap to see if there are any oil chunks. Chunks of oil indicate sludge buildup and that means the oil is not changed nearly enough. You could also spot a white film which points to head gasket issues. 

Take a close look around the engine for any dark stains. Stains indicate fluid leaks that could be very bad problems potentially. You also want to look for any obvious changes that were made under the hood. If something doesn’t look right it is probably due to a repair made and you should ask about it. 

Before you drop the hood back into place pull out the transmission dipstick and take a close look at it. You want lighter colored fluids, and you definitely don’t want to smell a burnt smell. If you do, the transmission fluid has not been changed in a long time and you could have transmission problems. 

The Test Drive

The last stage of your inspection is the test drive.  Make sure that while you are driving the vehicle you get it up to a high speed. Although it may be difficult to get the car up to top speed in some areas of Reno Nevada, if you can get it up to at least 60 or 70 it will help you find out if there are any issues you didn’t notice before. Watch out for vibrations, or pulling in one direction or the other. 

Also make sure to step on the brakes in the vehicle quickly a few times. If it vibrates excessively during braking there may be a problem with the brake system that has to be addressed. 

When in Doubt Bring in an Expert

If you aren’t sure about a vehicle after inspecting it yourself, and you really want to give it a chance, ask if you can bring it to your mechanic so he can take a look. If they say no, then walk away from them without looking back. If they say yes, bring it into the shop and have your favorite mechanic take a look at it for you. He should be able to find most of the problems with the vehicle pretty quickly, and you will have a good idea if you are getting a good deal or not from him. 

The more thorough of an inspection you give any prospective vehicle, the better chance you are going to have at getting a good deal. There is nothing worse than buying a vehicle that fails less than a year later.