The 2013 Toyota Tacomna and 2013 Toyota Tundra are Awarded "2013 Best Cars for the Money"

2013 Tacoma and 2013 Tundra win U.S. News & World Report's 2013 Best Cars for the Money

In the annual U.S. News & World Report's 2013 Best Cars for the Money awards, the Toyota Tacoma won "Best Compact Truck for the Money" for the second year in a row, while the Toyota Tundra took home "Best Full Size Truck for the Money". These awards are presented with the honor of having "outstanding value and critical acclaim".

Toyota attributes the award to their great truck engineering and design teams in Michigan, California and Japan, as well as their team members at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas plant, where most of the trucks are assembled. Toyota says that winning the award reflects Toyota's commitment to quality, durability and reliability, which are all ever present on the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra.

The Best Cars for the Money awards are granted based on a mix between quality and value over 21 categories. Quality is measured via U.S. News car rankings that compare different vehicles based on safety, reliability and a consensus of industry expert's opinion, while value is measured by a split between a vehicle's five-year total cost of ownership and its average price.

Fortunately, we have both the 2013 Toyota Tacoma and 2013 Toyota Tundra in stock now! Click either link to check out our selection.


All information via Toyota USA Newsroom images via Toyota

2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid Gains Interior and Technology Upgrades

Check out what's been added to the interior of the 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid has been updated with tons of new technology and interior upgrades for 2013. Camry Hybrid LE models get a standard 6.1-inch Display Audio screen; on the hybrid, this shows the car's energy monitor as well as fuel consumption data.

A Blind Spot Monitor system is on every Toyota Camry Hybrid, this is a technology that alerts drivers when a vehicle is crosses into their mirror blind spot. Bluetooth connectivity is also available on every Camry Hybrid this year, while the LE models get a satellite radio and HD radio; part of Toyota's Entune System.

The 2013 Camry Hybrid gets 200 horsepower, which can go 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds. EPA gas mileage on the new Camry Hybrid is 43 mpg city and 39 mpg highway. Starting price is at just $26,140, plus a $795 delivery fee.

Check out our all-new 2013 Camry Hybrid vehicles here!


All information via Green Car Reports, all images via Toyota

"2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Sets the Bar Pretty High"

Jo Borras of Gas2 wrote a simple, quick and fantastic review of the 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid from this year's Chicago Auto Show. He starts off by saying that for him, the Avalon was the undisputed star of the show. It had "buttery soft leather" seating surfaces, black wood inserts, an instrument panel with dark woods and tight-fitting panels.

"I loved the car. It is every bit as nice as any of the half-dozen Lexus models I've been in over the past year, and quite a bit nicer, roomier, and quieter than the GTRs, 911s, or BMWs that I regularly find myself in."

Borras was impressed also by the the 40 mpg fuel economy.

"I can't believe how nice this interior is! How can people possibly justy spending all that money on a new Lexus when they can get this for... $35,990." It appears the Avalon has a loyal fan! :)

Check out the promotional video below, and be sure to check out our 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid or 2013 Toyota Avalon inventory here!

(The one to the right is from our showroom at 802 Toyota - it's the 2013 Avalon, not the Hybrid. Looks great too!)



All information via Gas2, first two images via Toyota, third image taken in house

Q&A with Shawn Fleury, Our 2013 Thunder Road SpeedBowl Sponsee

We had the opportunity to ask Shawn a few questions about his participation in the Thunder Road International SpeedBowl. Shawn will be driving a Toyota Camry that will be emblazoned with the 802 Toyota logo, company colors as well as several additions from Shawn. He is the No. 2 most-winning driver of the Tiger Sportsman Division in the history of Thunder Road!

Q: How did you get into racing?
A: I got into racing because I grew up around it; my uncle Ron Bettis raced when I was growing up.

Q: How long have you been competing?
A: I have been competing for 17 years.

Q: How does it feel to be listed as second on the all-time win list?
A: It is exciting to think that with five more wins I could break the record.

Q: Why do you think you’ve been so successful?
A: I have been successful because of a lot of hard work and help from my crew and family.

Q: Why #31?
A: I have been several numbers over the years. I picked #31 because Dale Earnhardt Sr. was my favorite driver and I wanted something similar to his #3.

Q: What are you doing to prepare for the events?
A: My crew and I are preparing the car by going through every nut and bolt from front to back.

Q: What are your other hobbies, other than racing?
A: I like to go camping with my family, as well as watching my son play sports.

Q: Thunder Road has a pretty huge fan base, how does it feel having so many fans for an event you participate in?
A: It is great to have all the fans. If we didn't have the fan base we have that support us and the track there would be no racing.

Q: What’s your favorite car?
A: My favorite car is a '73 split bumper Camaro (if you are talking about street car), but if you are talking race car, my favorite is the one that wins me the race!

Even though you can't buy Shawn's Camry, we do have quite a bit of "civilian" Camrys in stock now. Check out our new Toyota Camry inventory here! Stay tuned for regular updates on Shawn's progress in building his race-ready Toyota Camry!