I got to drive these cars while I was on a Toyota Spring Training press trip.
Mr. S is in the market for a new car
The Saab has become the typical Saab-story with repairs facing him costing at the very least twice what the car is worth. It needs a new convertible mechanism and the side mirrors and some door electricals need replacing. With a 15-year-old car, those are just the niceties that we need to fix. Imagine if something MAJOR went wrong?
Spring Training with Toyota
I love when companies pair FUN with exposure to their brand and having the opportunity to drive THREE different Toyota’s as we traveled from the Red Sox/Yankees game in Tampa to the Cardinals/Nationals in West Palm Beach and finally up to Orlando to see the Braves/Astros play was such a fun way to experience a true road trip to see how each of the cars performed.
2019 Toyota C-HR
When they dropped this car off at my house, all I could see what that FABULOUS Toyota color. It appealed to my artistic side, as I love my primary colors and this one screams Tom Wolfe in an electric kool-aid blue sort of way. This car is perfect for those girls that just wanna have fun at a great price point. It reminds me of the Rav4’s little sister if she were JUST as cool, only a little smaller. I love the two-tone exterior on this particular model (check out the black roof against that color).
With 3 driving modes, you can be as moody as you want. I’m an eco-type of driver, but I have my sport-mode moments when I just want to feel the open road and there are just those times when I want to drive a car in simple normal mode. Whichever mood mode you happen to be in, the C-HR gives a great smooth ride thanks to the CVT transmission with intelligence and shift mode that surprisedly took me to 80 mph with a little TOO much ease.
The efficient 27/31/29 mileage means that I can spend less time at the gas pump and more on the road where I belong. For a car in its class, the model I drove was loaded with all of the gadgets and technology that I love.
- Smart Key System with Push Button Start
- Leather-Trimmed Front Heated Seats
- Entune 3.0 Audio Plus with App Suite
- 8 In. Touch Screen that had a GREAT split screen GPS system
- 6-Speaker Sound System
- Siri Eyes Free
- Apple CarPlay – but unfortunately nothing for the Android user
But it is comfortable for those long drives that I look for first in a car and this one fits perfectly. As with all Toyota’s safety comes first and the Toyota Safety Sense P: pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist (I got used to the dinging from my erratic line crossings and started to really zone in on staying in my lane), automatic high beams, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control, electric parking brake and brake hold, a nice wide vision backup camera, and 10 airbags round out the car.
As a parent or grandparent, this is the car for your recent grad. For those of us who are older and looking to reduce our auto costs, the price point is right on target.
2019 Toyota Rav4 Adventure AWD
Leave it to Toyota to set us up with the most FUN adventure vehicle on the market. Whether you want something a tad bigger than that C-HR or you consider off-roading a way of life and not just a shortcut on the weekend, you’ll love this car that has sensible look and a cocky attitude. With mileage that rivals a small car at 25/33/28, you get the size and convenience of a larger car with the mileage of a compact due to the 4-cylinder direct shift 8-Speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. That’s right, you read it correctly…EIGHT SPEEDS and the power to tow up to 3,500 pounds (LETS GO CAMPING).
But, let’s face it
This is an ADVENTURE vehicle and I’m an adventurous woman. From the aggressive grille, and massive overfenders, adventure roof rails, and the ability to handle mud and sand, rock & dirt, and snow with its torque-vectoring AWD with multi-terrain select.
But what about the grocery store or your trip to the nail salon you ask? Oh, it can handle all of MY kind of driving in STYLE. I fell in love with the orange-accented seats, the 8″ touch-screen where I can access the Entune 3.0 premium audio, integrated navigation (again, with the great split-screen option) and Entune App Suite. It’s got everything that the C-HR has and MORE. including:
- 7.0 In. Color Multi-Informational Display
- Wireless Technology; Siri Eyes Free, Apple
- CarPlay & Amazon Alexa Compatible, WiFi Connect Powered by Verizon
- Adventure Grade Technology Package
- Intelligent Clearance Sonar
- Rear Cross-Traffic Breaking
- Digital Display Rearview Mirror
- Qi-compatible – yes…it really DOES say Qi-compatible – just drop it on & charge
- Smart Key System with Push Button Start
- Rear Cargo Area 120V/100W AC Power Outlet
AND it’s got my favorite shopping accessory – a power liftgate and enough usb’s for ALL of the girlfriends (5 of them). This one was on hubby’s hotlist and now I know why! Check out the Toyota Rav4 review for more details that might interest you.
2019 Toyota Avalon Touring
Hold on to your hats ladies, because this elegant sedan is a Champagne Living HOT PICK! I love riding in style, and the Avalon just oozes grace and glamour. From the classically styled exterior with a sport mesh grille to the dual exhaust with quad chrome tips, from front to back she is a beauty. Clean and modern with just the right amount of luxury, the Avalon is everything I want in a car.
The focus on performance is obvious the minute your foot touches the gas pedal. It’s a BEAST on the freeway and the four driving modes – Eco, Normal/Custom, Sport, Sport+ – mean that I can drive in any type of conditions.
Look up to the stars with the power tilt and slide moonroof as you listen to your favorite tunes through the FOURTEEN speakers (I have a 2000 square foot house and it doesn’t have 14 speakers). So, maybe I did play my favorite songs over and over again (sorry Rachel) and I could sing at the top of my lungs and even I SOUNDED GOOD (well, at least I did to me).
Of course, it’s got everything you’d expect including:
- Smart Key System with Push Button Start
- Genuine Aluminum Interior Trim
- Ambient Lighting for accessories
- One 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
- Floating Center Stack
- Entune 3.0 Premium Audio with App Suite, Dynamic Navigation and JBL with Clari-Fi
- 9 In. Touch Screen
- 10 In. Heads up Display
- Siri Eyes Free and Apple CarPlay
- Four USB Charge Ports
- Star Safety System
- Safety Connect
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Hill Start Assist Control
- Advanced Safety Package
- and all of the safety features that Toyota offers in the cars above
If you hadn’t guessed, THIS is a great car for those who want a LOT of car and a LOT of features. You’ll never be disappointed!
NOTE: This past weekend I had lunch with my cousins and my cousin Donna told me that she had just bought ANOTHER Avalon, only this time in a beautiful green. I can’t wait to see it.
For information on these and other Toyota vehicles, visit your local Toyota dealer or visit Toyota.com
