2013 Toyota Avalon is the First in World to Offer Wireless Phone Charging

Wireless phone charging technology in the
2013 Toyota Avalon

 Toyota is once again leading the automotive pack when it comes to integrating technology and innovation as the 2013 Toyota Avalon will become the first vehicle in the world to offer wireless phone charging. That’s right, your phone will begin charging as soon as you put it down in your new Avalon. No fumbling for cords or worrying about if you have enough battery to last you until you get home; the Avalon will charge it for you, cord-free.

So how does it work? This “first in the world” technology is deceptively easy and simple. The lid of your Avalon’s electronics bin (or ebin) is fitted with a fancy schmancy unit that creates an electromagnetic field that triggers your phone’s charging system when you put your phone on the conveniently located ebin lid (right there in the middle console where everyone puts their phone anyway). All you have to do  is set it there and your phone starts charging. In fact, the ebin lid still moves up and down and is completely functional.

Check out the a video explaining more about the Qi wireless charging technology in the 2013 Toyota Avalon HERE.

“Pioneering the ability to charge with no wires or connectors by simply putting devices in the car console is an intuitive innovation which reflects Toyota’s continuing commitment to improve the consumer experience,” said Randy Stephens, chief engineer of Toyota Avalon. “We see wireless charging as an important feature that helps enhance the high-technology theme and consumer interface offered by Avalon Limited which is already equipped with three TFT color screens and Intellitouch controls.”

The Qi wireless technology charging won’t work for every phone. Phones must be Qi technology enabled, which may require that you buy an accessory (ie a sleeve or new back cover for the phone). No doubt as this wireless charging technology becomes more popular and widespread (but don’t forget the Toyota Avalon was the first!), more phone manufacturers will build Qi technology directly into the phones. 

This wireless phone charging technology is seriously cool and convenient for drivers. It’s amazing that Toyota Avalon engineers only started developing it in January or February of 2012! The technology is available in gas and hybrid 2013 Toyota Avalons.

2013 Toyota Avalon

“Toyota wants to provide drivers with the ultimate driving experience,” said Nathan Ayers of Burien Toyota. “The 2013 Toyota Avalon will be one of the best in its class and this wireless phone charging technology is just one reason and an example of what an incredible vehicle it is. I would encourage anyone to come down and test drive the 2013 Avalon.”

For your chance to see what all the buzz is about concerning the 2013 Toyota Avalon, including the Qi wireless charging technology, stop by Burien Toyota today! 

Toyota Furia Teaser: Flaming Hot

Teasers are fun. The official teaser Toyota put out about the Furia, though, will leave you wanting more. Now. What could be the next generation Corolla, if the teaser at the link below is any indication, the Furia will stand apart and stand out in this increasingly competitive market.

Here’s how you know the Toyota Furia will be a winner:

• Just the teaser of the Furia looks awesome (especially with the flames and rock music, but even without)
• If the Furia really is based on the Corolla, you know it will have fantastic gas mileage
• With a name like Furia and performance expectations high for sporty vehicles, you KNOW the Furia will hug corners and drive like a dream. And kick butt while doing it.

While we disagree with the below article’s assertion that Toyota has “been trying so hard to be cool lately” (because Toyota doesn’t need to try to be cool, am I right?), we definitely think the Toyota Furia will take “cool” to the next level. Check out the official trailer HERE and get excited about the future of Toyota.

If you can’t wait for the Furia, check out the top-selling vehicle the Furia is based on, the Toyota Corolla, at Burien Toyota HERE.

Before You Buy a Car for a Holiday Gift...

Before You Buy a Car for a Holiday Gift…

We all see the beautiful commercials of new cars topped with giant bows parked in the snowy driveways. Buying someone (or yourself) seems like the perfect gift, but before you take the plunge, there are probably a few things you want to consider.

•  If you are buying this car for your significant other, be sure it’s a car that they want…and not one that you want. Just like when you were younger and you wanted to buy your sibling a toy for your birthday that you really wanted so you could play with it. I suspect that buying someone a car just so you can drive it will go over about as well. Or not.
• Even if you are buying a car for yourself, be sure it fits your family situation. I recently talked to a sales person at a local dealership who said the used sports car we had just walked by only had 20,000 miles on it because his wife made him bring it back because it didn’t have seats in the back for their kids. If you have children (or pets), it may be important to have enough room for them.
• There are many great deals out there right now, but make sure you are realistic with what you can afford. While it might sound dreamy to give your significant other a car for zero down, don’t forget there will be hundreds of dollar payments from months/years after that. I’m not trying to suck out your holiday cheer, I’m just trying to preserve your relationship.
• While a surprise might sound romantic, unless you are the “Gift Whisperer” and/or have really done your homework, it’s probably best to include the person you are buying the car for…lest you get the wrong color or trim or entirely wrong car. L
• We have a saying in our house: go big or go home. How can you incorporate this into your auto-gift buying experience without buying more than you can really afford? Buy one trim above what they would probably expect. You can never go wrong with heated seats or that navigation system.

If you have any questions that you don’t want to ask the person you are buying the car for (because you’re afraid of ruining the surprise, etc.), feel free to talk your friendly and knowledgeable sales person at Burien Toyota!

Toyota is on Top of the World

Toyota looks like it will take over GM’s current title has world’s biggest automaker in 2012, after Toyota suffered major setbacks in 2011 due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan that interrupted manufacturing and shipping. It looks like GM and Volkswagen are battling for second place.

According to this article, “The battle among the world's biggest carmakers comes as the industry is headed for a record year. Global 2012 sales will top 80 million cars and trucks for the first time…Toyota leads through the first three quarters, with 7.4 million units, compared with 6.95 million at GM, and 6.9 million at Volkswagen, including its Porsche line.”

“The fact that Toyota took over GM as the top automaker in the world doesn’t surprise us,” said Nathan Ayers of Burien Toyota. “The natural disasters that hit Japan in 2011 had real, global consequences. But Toyota has overcome and come out even better.”

Ayers attributes part of the rebound to the trust people have in the Toyota brand.

“Toyota is one of the most recognizable and trusted auto brands in the world,” Ayers said. “When you have vehicles like the Camry, Corolla and Tundra that people rush to buy new and used, you know you can’t keep Toyota down. And gas mileage is growing in importance to people, especially in the United States and here in the Seattle area where a gallon of gas is so expensive. The Toyota Prius is the industry leader in hybrid technology and best-selling hybrid in the world, so people trust it. People trust Toyota, so they come back and the refer their friends.

Burien Toyota is the Hybrid Headquarters of the Puget Sound area and your local Toyota experts. Whether you are looking for a new or used vehicle, Burien Toyota is the best place to go. Check out our inventory online or, even better, stop by and talk to one of our trusted sales staff so we can help you find the perfect vehicle for you!

Toyota Venza has High Tech High Beam Technology

It might be a small thing, but it’s annoying nonetheless: we just clicked on our high beams when a car comes around the corner coming towards you, so you have turn off your high beams, wait for the other car to pass, and then turn your high beams back on. Like I said, it's a small deal, but if you’re like me, you seriously weigh the odds of an oncoming car before turning on your high beams so you don’t have to endure the situation I described above.

Well, Toyota and the Toyota Venza, specifically, use technology to make the little things (like turning your high beams on and off) much simpler…making your driving experience that much better.

The Toyota Venza comes with automatic high beam technology that means it can sense an oncoming car, will dim your headlights automatically, and, as soon as the car passes you, turn the high beams right back on. Even more impressive, is that the Toyota Venza will dim the high beams if you approach a car from behind and then it will turn the high beams back on when the car in front of you turns off the road.

While a couple other non-Toyota models come with this feature, you have to manually turn it on when you get the car. With the Toyota Venza, you don’t have to do anything: it just works! And, really, who wouldn’t want this technology? So Toyota just made it simpler…again.

Check out the Toyota Venza inventory at Burien Toyota. Or, even better, stop by Burien Toyota to take one for a test drive and test out the technology yourself!

See the complete article by MSN.com here, including a short video highlighting the Venza’s high beam technology.

2013 Scion iQ Electric Car, Toyota Prius Top EPA Fuel Economy Lists

2013 Scion iQ 

The latest EPA Fuel Economy Guide may surprise some consumers: the 2013 Scion iQ electric vehicle beat out bigger brands like Honda and Ford to top the list for best gas mileage!

According to this article, “The Scion iQ EV was the most fuel efficient car overall and in its minicompact class, with miles per gallon equivalent of 121 combined, 138 city and 105 highway.”

The Toyota Prius topped the EPA list of vehicles that use gasoline or diesel: “In that list, the Toyota Prius was the most efficient with 50 mpg combined, 51 city and 48 highway.”

The Toyota Prius V also landed on that list for best gas mileage.

Prisus V

“The fact that the Scion iQ landed at the top of the list doesn’t surprise us,” said Nathan Ayers of Burien Toyota. “The Scion iQ is a really great electric vehicle, perfect for people who want an EV with style and incredible gas mileage. Scion isn’t as well-known as some of the bigger brands, so I think this new EPA report will remind people to look at Scions when they want to focus on getting good gas mileage.”

The Toyota Prius strengthens is reputation as a leader in fuel economy and giving drivers the best gas mileage in the industry.

“People have come to automatically associate the Toyota Prius with fantastic gas mileage,” Ayers said. “Burien Toyota is your hybrid headquarters for the Puget Sound area. We can answer all your questions by hybrid technology and help you find the perfect one for you. But one thing is for sure, when you get a Prius or any Toyota hybrid, you will get amazing gas mileage and a great experience by buying from Burien Toyota.”

The 2013 Fuel Economy Guide is published by the EPA and Department of Energy.

Read the complete article here, including information about how Consumer Report’s road tests of a couple Detroit-made hybrids fell about 10 mpg short of what they were claiming.

Commit to Coach T and Burien Toyota

Automobile advertising has brought us some interesting characters over the years. Toyota recently introduced a new classic with Coach T and  their sports themed television spots. Consumers are much smarter nowadays and don’t like to be ‘sold to’ a lot…unless they feel like they are being offered a college scholarship in the form of a Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tundra, or Toyota Prius.

Coach T works his magic convincing a suburban working mom that she can run across the field (her yard) to cheers from her neighbors (“Mom, you hate the neighbors”) and that, while Coach T has “never been to actual Paris,” her driveway looks like a catwalk with the Toyota Avalon parked there (“Meow”). Turn it over to the assistant coach to list features like heated seats and the optional JBL sound system, and it feels like you can see yourself with Coach T as your captain and the Toyota Avalon taking you to a championship. 

See Burien Toyota's Avalon inventory here.

Oh, and the commercial where Coach T rides shotgun in a Toyota Tundra while Mike Ditka and Joe Gibbs ride in the backseat, is priceless. Who can sell the Tundra’s backup camera (in the rearview mirror) and towing capacity better than them? Especially while they’re encouraging the driver to rev the engine and giving him Ditka’s last piece of gum.

See Burien Toyota's Tundra inventory here.

Personally, I think Coach T’s pep talk to a young family looking to buy one of the several members of the Toyota Prius family was the best. “With great mileage comes great opportunity.” Truer words have never been spoken. And then there was the “M-P-G” chant that turned to baby tears of “joy.”

See Burien Toyota's Prius inventory here.

Coach T also has great advice for Eli Manning: “I would stick to QB my friend” as he tosses him the keys to the new Toyota Camry LE, which has 18 inch wheels, the EnTune System, navigation system and paddle shifters.

See Burien Toyota's Camry inventory here.

My favorite Toyota feature described in these commercials has to be “Open Table” described in the “Driveway” commercial where Coach T is trying to get a good driver to ‘commit’ to the Toyota Corolla (the parents of the recent graduate are overjoyed to hear he commits to the Toyota Corolla). The Open Table feature lets you make dinner reservations safely from your car!

See Burien Toyota's Corolla inventory here.

And if you need a reminder about how great the gas mileage is on the Toyota Corolla gets, Coach T informs a kid in Driver’s Ed (whose mom “says I need to keep my MPG up”) that its gets 34/43.

Check out all of these commercials and the star vehicles at www.Toyota.com/coachtoyota. For your chance to see them up close and personal (and possibly get an autograph), stop by Burien Toyota today and take the Toyota Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Hybrid, or Tundra for a test drive today!

Happy Holidays: Toyotathon is On at Burien Toyota

Tis the season for Happy Holidays and the terrific once a year Toyotathon deals! Nowhere are these deals better than at Burien Toyota.

But first, don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy when you stop by to take advantage of one of these terrific deals because Burien Toyota is a drop-off location for Toys for Tots.

Now back to this money-saving message.

Interested in leasing a new 2012 Toyota Camry LE for just $209? (why wouldn’t you be) Here’s what else comes with this deal:

•  Get $1,000 TFS cash
• $209 per month for 24 months!
• The 2012 Toyota Camry LE gets 35 mpg
•  Only $1,599 is due at signing!

How does 0% APR on the 2012 Toyota Camry sound? (totally rhetorical…we know it’s great.)

•  Get 0% APR for 60 months
•  Includes the Toyota Care 2 year Maintenance Plan
• Still gets 35 mpg
• Excludes the Camry Hybrid

If you are interested in one of our remaining 2012 Toyota 4Runners, you can also get $1,000 TFS cash and our Toyota Care 2-Year Maintenance Plan.

How about some parts and service deals at Burien Toyota?

• Now, get a complimentary battery inspection and with any battery purchase, we'll install it at NO EXTRA CHARGE! PLUS you'll get $20 Toyota Bucks good toward your next service!
•  Most Value - Best Overall Value of any Full-Line Brand – IntelliChoice
•  Most Miles Per Gallon - Toyota Most Fuel-Efficient Full-Line Automotive Manufacturer – NHTSA
• Offer ends 12/31/12, so make your appointment today!

At Burien Toyota, we love the men and women of the military who served their country. So now through Jan. 7, 2013, active military and inactive reserve will get a $1,000 cash rebate that can be combined with Toyota cash back, APR financing or leases.

At Burien Toyota these are just some of our amazing deals on new and used vehicles, so come on down to see everything that we have to offer and take your favorite(s) for a test drive!