2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Back in Action

When the 2016 models arrived at Keyes Toyota, there was something missing from the Toyota Tacoma lineup. What was missing before is back now. The 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is back in the saddle, and that's great news if you want a tough and capable off-road performer. Here's what makes this particular truck, at this trim level, so unique.

Your Northridge, CA area Toyota dealer has never lacked for four-wheel drive options. After all, each Toyota Tacoma can be outfitted with 4WD. But if you're serious about off-roading, there are two different ways to get there in a Toyota Tacoma. First, there's the TRD Off-Road trim. For better performance on rough terrain, it features a low-speed/low-gear cruise control known as Crawl Control, a Multi-Terrain Select system that lets drivers customize performance on dirt, gravel, rocks, and mud, and a locking rear differential.

Sounds good, right? Except the TRD Pro includes all the best of what the TRD Off-Road offers and ups the ante. Its ground clearance is higher, its suspension -- from its Fox shocks to its coil and leaf springs -- is stronger, and it even features Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain tires. It wears its brute strength on its sleeve with a special grille design and graphics, Rigid-brand fog lights, and other design flourishes.

Its short box and crew cab configuration gives you plenty of space for passengers and gear, while the 278 horsepower V-6 engine gives you enough power to haul everything no matter what conditions you may come across. For Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, you'll need the six-speed automatic transmission; opt with the six-speed manual if a clutchless start in low gear is a higher priority.

Any brand can say it's serious about off-roading, and just about every truck manufacturer does. With the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Toyota puts its money where its mouth is. There's even a nifty GoPro mount so you can document your off-road travels. See the complete package at your Toyota dealership serving Los Angeles, CA. You can call Keyes Toyota at 800-296-3052, or just drop by 5855 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys, CA for a test drive.

Toyota Sees an Electric Future

A recent conversation between Toyota chief engineer Satoshi Ogiso and the folks at Forbes magazine caught our attention. It says a lot about where Toyota is right now as a company, where they see their future, and what that means for what you're likely to see on the roads around Glendale,CA and North Hollywood,CA as well as at the Keyes Toyota showroom. 

The first key takeaway: it's now cheaper to build a hybrid like the 2017 Toyota Prius than it is to build its diesel equivalent. That's a pretty clear sign that the days of diesel are numbered, at least as far as Toyota is concerned. Given tighter emissions standards and the multiple hits diesel has taken in the press in recent years, there's a clear business case for moving away from diesel as it is. If Toyota already has an option in its arsenal that's better, and cheaper to boot, that business case becomes a no-brainer.

Cost concerns are also slowly receding for EVs (Electric Vehicles). It already costs roughly the same, or even a bit less, to build a short-range EV as it does to build a hybrid. As manufacturing, storage, and economies of scale are refined, longer-range EVs will also approach the cost of a hybrid, though Ogiso suggests this isn't likely 'til 2025.

By 2050, he continues, 90 percent of new vehicles will be EVs. There are hurdles to clear before we get to that point -- most of the country hasn't embraced electric vehicles and infrastructure like high-capacity charging stations that keeps them running -- and there are cultural concerns that would need to be overcome as well. In the States we like big vehicles, and we like suburbia even if we have a love-hate relationship with the long commutes it brings with it.

Some of us are already thinking ahead about the cars we'll be driving because we're thinking ahead to the kind of world we'll leave to future generations. That makes the rise of EVs (and their falling costs) a big deal, and we're glad that Toyota is leading the way. We invite you to visit our Toyota dealership to see what's new and what's next. Call Keyes Toyota at 800-296-3052, or visit our showroom at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys, CA today.

Toyota C-HR Due Soon

The Hollywood, CA drivers served by Keyes Toyota are in for a bit of a surprise in the spring of 2017. We wouldn't be surprised if we heard "Arigato gozaimashita, Toyoda-san" from our customers the first time they see the 2017 Toyota C-HR at our showroom. When he took over as CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda promised more fun from new Toyota cars, and this quirky new crossover lets everyone know that he was serious.

We tried not to get our hopes up when the Toyota C-HR was shown at the 2014 Paris Motor Show as a three-door concept, and again in Frankfurt in 2015 when it was shown as a four-door. After all, nobody thought a crossover this quirky would see daylight in that form. It had -- and still has -- an easy grace that sets it apart from anything else on the road, combining crossover utility with a slightly lower ground clearance for better handling. 

The production model shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year made it clear that Toyota was committed to what made their new crossover so interesting. While it's technically a compact crossover, there's something in its profile that suggests a coupe. In its European versions it comes standard with front-wheel drive (AWD is optional) and a choice of gas or hybrid powertrains. It offers more space than some of its closest competitors, and is sure to turn heads on the road. 

While the 2017 Toyota C-HR is already available in Europe, the powertrain options may not be the same once this compact crossover comes to the States. Once those details -- and others -- are available, we'll report them here. In the meantime, there's plenty of fun driving to be had at your Toyota dealership serving Los Angeles, CA, from the stylish Toyota Yaris to the off-road thrills of the Toyota Tundra TRD. Thank you, Mr. Toyoda. To find out more, visit Keyes Toyota at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, CA or call 800-296-3052 today.

2017 Toyota Model Preview

Is it 2017 already? Well, it is here at Keyes Toyota. Some 2017 Toyota models are already on our lot, and more are just around the corner. Below, we're charting some of the changes that are in store for new car buyers in Los Angeles, CA looking for their next car, crossover, or minivan.

2017 Toyota Corolla: Talk about major milestones: the Toyota Corolla turns 50 in 2017. What will you be getting for the big five-oh? The Toyota Corolla gets a mid-cycle redesign that features the same powertrains but a more updated look. There'll also be an anniversary edition, which we'll feature when more information becomes available.

2017 Toyota Highlander: The Toyota Corolla won't be the only vehicle getting a new set of "clothes." The 2017 Toyota Highlander comes in for a mid-cycle refresh as well, getting a new SE trim level that adds sport suspension and some other perks, plus a 3.5 liter V6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission drive train that it shares with the Toyota Tacoma. New front and rear fascias are on tap, and Toyota Safety Sense active safety features will be available as standard equipment across the lineup.

2017 Toyota Prius Prime: The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid gets a new name, but that's not all. Its body is redesigned, as is its battery pack. The latter now has twice the kilowatt-hours of its predecessor, and will have an electric-only range of 22 miles on a single charge without using engine power.

2017 Toyota Sienna: Like the Toyota Highlander, the Toyota Sienna inherits the same 3.5 liter V6 engine that the Toyota Tacoma pickup uses. The earlier six-speed automatic transmission is replaced by a new eight-speed version.

If you don't see a model listed above, it's likely only receiving minor trim changes for the 2017 model year. But if you're looking for a new Toyota, or if your old Toyota is coming off lease, there's a lot to like about the 2017 lineup. Curious? Call your Los Angeles Toyota dealership at 800-296-3052 or visit Keyes Toyota at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, CA today.

2016 Toyota Annual Clearance Event

We're as excited as our customers from Los Angeles and Glendale, CA to see the 2017 models arrive at Keyes Toyota. That's reason enough for Toyota owners whose vehicles are coming off lease, or who've decided it's time for an upgrade, to stop by our showroom at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, CA. It's also a good time for anyone looking for a car, truck, or SUV. In fact, because of the Toyota Annual Clearance Event, this may be the best time yet to buy or lease a new Toyota!

The Toyota Annual Clearance Event gives well-qualified lessees and buyers excellent Toyota finance, cash back, and lease incentives for just about every 2016 Toyota model in stock, provided that you take delivery by September 6, 2016. That makes it easier than you ever thought possible to drive off our lot in a new Toyota. Here are just a few examples of the many ways you can save:

Lease incentives are available on the 2016 Toyota Corolla S ($159 per month for 36 months, $1,999 due at signing) and 2016 Toyota Camry SE ($189/month for 36 months, $1,999 due at signing). Finance incentives are available on the 2016 Toyota Prius v (zero APR for 72 months) and 2016 Toyota Tundra (1.9% APR for 60 months). Fantastic cash-back deals -- up to $2,500 -- are available on select Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Corolla models.

Of course, terms and conditions apply. All offers are subject to credit approval, not all models qualify for all incentives, and any incentives apply only to vehicles in stock. However, with so many cars eligible, there's bound to be something that fits your needs and your style.

For answers to your questions, you can call Keyes Toyota at 800-296-3052, or visit your Los Angeles, CA Toyota dealership at the address above. We'll help with finance, trade-in allowances, and practically anything else Toyota-related. The Keyes Toyota showroom -- like the end of the Toyota Annual Clearance Event -- is closer than you think, so stop by today!

Anticipating the Arrival of the 2017 Toyota Prius

Ever since the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid debuted at the New York International Auto Show, we have been eagerly anticipating this versatile vehicle. It shows that Toyota was listening to customers who wanted a plug-in hybrid, and that they'd vastly improved on its predecessor. 

The anticipation is understandable. The 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery is twice the size of the one found in the 2012 model, and promises a 22-mile all-electric range. If that sounds impressive, it gets better: the combined range is estimated to be 600 miles on a single tank of gas. The larger battery pack necessitated a 2+2 layout instead of a traditional five-seat arrangement, though Toyota is already working on a five-seat design for the next generation.

The wider, longer, and sportier look is a bit of a departure from Toyota Prius design of late. High-strength steel and extensive use of aluminum combined with a low drag coefficient keeps weight down to improve fuel economy and handling. The car tops out at 84 miles per hour thanks to a four-cylinder 1.8 L Atkinson Cycle engine and two electric motors that deliver 121 horsepower. The lot is coupled to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The car was originally supposed to debut in Japan this fall, followed shortly after by Europe and North America. With the Japanese release being pushed back, it's hard to tell whether the American release will also be delayed, or if the car will appear in all markets simultaneously.

While others are reading the tea leaves, here's what we can say with certainty: early reviews of the car suggest it will be well worth the wait. It's routinely beaten its own fuel economy estimates, it drives well, and it fully delivers on its promise. What's more, if you want a hybrid and don't particularly mind it not having a plug attached, you don't even have to wait. Come to your Northridge, CA Toyota dealership to test drive the rest of the Toyota Prius family, or the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, today. Call Keyes Toyota at 800-296-3052 or stop by our showroom, located at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, CA, today.

What's New in the 2017 Toyota Camry

When the midpoint in its current generation came in 2015, the Toyota Camry got a significant facelift and a raft of new features. As so often happens, the next model year didn't change much, only adding a Special Edition trim and minor tech upgrades. The 2017 Toyota Camry, retains the features that customers loved on the 2015 and 2016 models, while offering an overall refresh. For Northridge, CA drivers considering a new Toyota Camry as their next car, here's what to know about the latest model at Keyes Toyota.

The 2017 Toyota Camry comes in four trim levels. The base trim Toyota Camry LE remains the same right down to its price tag, but if you're looking at the other trim levels, there are some changes in store.

First up is the Toyota Camry SE, which makes the Blue Streak Metallic color option that came out last year with the 2016 Toyota Camry Special Edition a standard option. Stepping up to the next level, the Toyota Camry XLE updates the Entune Audio Plus multimedia system, which now features navigation (on standard and hybrid models) and Qi Wireless Charging (on the hybrid version). Go all the way to the top of the line 2017 Toyota Camry XSE and all the standard features on the lower trims are included.

The power trains from the last model year all return, including the 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that underpins the 200 net horsepower hybrid drive system on the hybrid trim. On the other trim levels, a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 178 horsepower is standard, while a V-6 engine that packs more horsepower is optional on certain trim levels as well. An electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) rounds out the drive train on the Toyota Camry Hybrid, while the other trim levels receive a 6-speed automatic overdrive transmission (which gets a nifty paddle shifter on the SE trim).

There's a reason the Toyota Camry has been the mainstay of the Toyota lineup, and has long been at or near the top of the pack in the United States. It brings an unbeatable combination of reliability, sharp looks, high technology, and ample power to the Northridge, CA area drivers who choose it. If you'd like to find out more about the 2017 Toyota Camry, we invite you to call Keyes Toyota at 800-296-3052, or stop by our showroom today for a test drive or to find out about Toyota finance. We're located at 5855 Van Nuys Blvd in Van Nuys, CA, and we look forward to seeing you.