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Easter is here! Do you have plans to make the most of the beautiful weather and holiday weekend? Check out these fun events going on in the City Beautiful and surrounding areas this Saturday and Sunday and from our family to yours, hoppy Easter! Central Florida Zoo will be hosting an Easter event from 9 am to 3 pm tomorrow, April 3. "Hippity Hoppity Adventure" will include an egg trail, crafts, games, music at the splash pad, and an inflatable obstacle course! The Easter Bunny will also be making an appearance to round out the celebration. This event is free with zoo admission. Gaylord Palms Resort will be hosting indoor scavenger hunts, a springtime pool party, a cookie decorating experience, and even encounters with animals from Wild Florida throughout Easter Weekend! Guests can also have breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny to kick off the day. ICON Park is offering a chance to have your photos taken with the Easter Bunny as well as complimentary rides on The Wheel for visitors who do so! City of Ocoee is holding a Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt at the Jim Beech Recreation Center! Attendees will also get to experience a glow zone and live music from a DJ. You have to reserve your spot ahead of time for this free event on April 2 from 6-9 pm. CrossLife Church in Oviedo is hosting an "EGGstravagant" event filled with games, inflatable bouncers, scavenger hunts, live entertainment, sno-cones, and more! The event is free and takes place from 11 am to 2 pm tomorrow, April 3. Mall at Millenia will offer Easter Bunny photos and while you're there, stop by Capital Grille for Easter brunch! They're serving lobster frittata, NY strip and eggs, pan-seared sea bass, filet mignon, shrimp and grits, and more. The Tea Room Experience is hosting an Easter-themed afternoon tea in honor of the weekend! Enjoy finger sandwiches, scones, fresh clotted cream, mimosas, and all the tea you can drink. Seating is limited and tickets are $35 a person. The Hammered Lamb is hosting an adult easter egg hunt. The egg hunt starts at noon and there will be live music and entertainment plus great food throughout the afternoon. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Does the thought of installing your child car seat for the first time make you nervous? We get it - you want your kids to be as safe as possible at all times, especially when you have them in the car with you. However, installing a car seat can be confusing if you've never done it before, and even if you get it installed, you can't really be sure that you've done it correctly until you've had lots of practice... or a little guidance from the experts. That's where Toyota comes in! What is Toyota For Families? As always, you can visit your local fire station or police department to have them show you how to properly install a child car seat and ensure that you're doing it correctly. Toyota is dedicated to safety, though, and wanted to make car seat installation even simpler for its customers. After all, proper installation of a car seat can reduce injuries in a crash by up to 70%. That's why they've created a new app feature called Toyota For Families that shows you how to install your seat safely and correctly in your Orlando Toyota. Toyota For Families was developed by three mothers who were determined to make this information more accessible for EVERY driver. Jennifer Pelky (Toyota principal engineer of vehicle performance development for interior safety), Lindsay Babian (Toyota principal engineer of body design for seats), and Janelle Pharris (advanced technology senior planner for Toyota) worked together to create this award-winning app feature and get it off the ground in 2021. Here are the details: Toyota For Families can be accessed either through the Toyota Owners App or via the Toyota website. Users can either enter their VIN or select their model and trim to specify which car they'll be installing in. Next, users choose the location where they want to put the car seat and then the type of car seat they have - forward-facing, rear-facing, or booster seat. Toyota also makes it easy if you're unsure as to which seat you should be using by providing a guide to car seats based on age and weight. Once those details have been specified by the user, they're shown both a custom video AND written step-by-step instructions on how to install a generic car seat into their chosen vehicle. Instructions are given both for the LATCH system and seat belt installation, and if the user chooses an installation method that's incompatible with their seat (for example, wanting to use LATCH when it's not possible) the system will let them know. The video and instructions are specific to the Toyota Sienna right now (that's the model used as the example), but Toyota hopes to expand this to the rest of the fleet to make customers feel even more comfortable. Additionally, this feature of the app is accessible to both iPhone and Android users. Shop for a family-friendly Orlando Toyota today Have questions or shopping for a family-friendly new Toyota? Call us to get the ball rolling - Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500.

Are you the type of driver who just can't commit to one vehicle? We get it - sometimes it's hard to find a one-size-fits-all solution for your drive time needs, especially if you usually rely on public transportation or don't drive on the regular. Is it really worth it to sign the dotted line on a purchase or lease if you're not going to use it that much in the long run? Well, Toyota may just have the solution you're looking for - Subscribe + Drive. What is Subscribe + Drive? Subscribe + Drive is an all-new Toyota program that provides an alternative to leasing or purchasing a new Toyota. When you sign up, you can basically "rent" a new Toyota for 60 days at a time. When the 60 days is up, you can renew the program or you can cancel and return the car - whichever fits your needs at the time. Toyota of Orlando has the details on this innovative new program below. Subscribe + Drive is a subscription service and you'll pay monthly for it. However, to make this short-term ownership as easy as possible, Toyota bundles the "rent" for the car, insurance coverage, and maintenance all into the monthly fee. The only thing you have to pay for is gas - even your tolls will be charged to your credit card on file via Toyota. You'll be able to choose from a variety of models spanning compact cars to spacious SUVs so you can get whatever fits your drivetime needs for that particular time period. To subscribe, you just download the app and fill out all of the information on your phone. Toyota will then hook you up with a digital concierge, who you can text with any questions or concerns that you have. Once you've signed up, paid a small one-time fee, and chosen your vehicle, your new Toyota will be delivered right to your door - you don't even have to leave home to collect the keys. However, if you have questions about the car, you can always schedule a pick-up at a Toyota dealership near you. Is this new Toyota program right for you? And here are a few of the finer details regarding this new Toyota program: There's no long-term commitment. If you don't need the vehicle when the 60 days is up, you can cancel your membership (or pause it if you want to use it again later in the year and not pay the initial fee). The monthly subscription fee varies based on the vehicle that you choose, as well as your state and local taxes. To make your life easier, you can renew the same vehicle that you're in after 60 days (that way you don't have to move all of your stuff to a new car). You'll be allotted 1,250 miles a month to get you where you need to go. You can add a second authorized driver to the subscription if you want a family member or partner to get behind the wheel, too. You have to be 21 years old, have a valid driver's license, and meet both credit and driving record standards to be able to participate in this new Toyota program. Insurance coverage is backed by Nationwide and includes $500,000 liability and property coverage, $10,000 medical per person, $10,000 income continuation coverage, and $5,000 loss of services coverage. Physical damage coverage is subject to a $1,000 deductible per occurrence. Have questions? We've got answers (as always). Call Toyota of Orlando today for more information OR to look into leasing or purchasing a new Toyota today. Our Orlando Toyota dealership is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500!

Here at Toyota of Orlando, we love concept cars. Like, LOVE them. They're a great way for automakers to take design and innovation to new levels, no holds barred, and bring something truly unique to drivers (even if there's a slim-to-none chance that the vehicle will ever actually be put into production). The new Toyota RAV4 5D Adventure Mountain Rescue is no exception. This incredible SUV has been decked out with features to ensure that it's ready for any terrain, any weather - basically, anything and everything you could imagine. Toyota of Orlando has the details! Meet the Toyota RAv4 5D Adventure Mountain Rescue The Toyota RAV4 5D Adventure Mountain Rescue was recently unveiled online by Toyota. It was supposed to have its big debut at the Tokyo Auto Show but since that event was canceled, we'll have to get more up close and personal with this innovative SUV at an upcoming dealer-sponsored Toyama Prefecture in Japan. This is actually perfect because this particular region of Japan is one that faces intense winter weather than can often leave drivers stranded (i.e., they'll love this thing). The concept crossover was built off of the Orlando Toyota RAV4 Adventure model gear. This means it has dynamic torque vectoring all-wheel drive with rear driveline disconnect, as well as multi-terrain select and a tow hitch. Toyota designed this concept with weather and terrain in mind, and here are some of the features you can expect when you get behind the wheel. New large-diameter wheels with knobby tires for extra grip on tricky terrain Damage-resistant bumpers in the front and rear, as well as steps on the corners fitted with material to add grip for when conditions are slippery Step rails to improve ingress and egress A ladder on the back to give the driver easy access to the roof racks Modular cube LED light units that can be fitted into docks on the outside of the crossover - eight on the roof rack and four below the headlights. However, LED lights aren't the only things that can be plugged in there. These outlets can also house cameras, wi-fi signal boosters, speakers, lidar for measuring distance, or USB charging ports. An emergency beacon bar and red lights embedded in the grille for major visibility in the worst of weather And that's just the exterior. The interior of this new Toyota RAV4 concept showcases an augmented reality projection on the windshield to ensure that the driver can navigate tricky, uneven terrain even in terrible weather conditions where visibility is limited (like snow). It also has a smartphone-controlled rooftop drone that reads the movements of people and other vehicles. Get offroad in a new Orlando Toyota today While it's not likely that we'll see this incredible concept at Toyota of Orlando anytime soon, we DO have plenty of off-road options waiting for you. Shop all of them today at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall!

Tacoma drivers, rejoice - Toyota is officially releasing an all-new TRD lift kit for this iconic truck! This dealer-installed option will give the Orlando Toyota Tacoma a serious boost and was designed to be perfectly compatible with the truck, and we've got all the details about what it'll have to offer. Read on! What does this new TRD lift kit have to offer? This all-new Toyota TRD lift kit is the first of its kind - no Toyota lift kit exists for the Tacoma, at least until now. Here are the details: It's an official Toyota TRD suspension lift kit - up until now, all that was available were aftermarket kits that worked but weren't official Toyota products (so you don't get that same sense of reliability AND they could possibly void warranties that you have on your truck). This special lift kit will offer 2" of lift in the front and 1" of lift in the rear; this provides the Orlando Toyota Tacoma with enhanced ground clearance (+1.7") and better approach (+3.1 to 32 degrees), departure (+0.5 to 24 degrees), and breakover (+1.6 to 23 degrees) angles for tackling tough terrain. The kit is composed of Bilstein monotube shocks with digressive valving. Each shock is further fitted with red TRD dust boots and graphics that boast "Tuned by TRD". As noted, the front shocks boost things by 2" because of an adjusted coil spring position on the shock tube and have extended rebound stroke. The rear shocks have a larger shock body than the standard shock; this means they have a higher oil volume to keep things cool and improve damping response when you're traveling rocky roads. These larger shocks can also hold larger pistons and piston rods for enhanced strength and include cast-iron spacers. This TRD lift kit has been tested by TRD engineers and is the ONLY existing lift kit that is compatible with the Toyota Safety Sense system technology integrated into the Toyota Tacoma. The kit is dealer-installed and comes with all the necessary hardware for installation, so you can definitely get info and options at Toyota of Orlando. It also comes with a special new grille with TOYOTA lettering on the front (as opposed to the Toyota badge) and a new Toyota Safety System millimeter-wave sensor to ensure the TSS works with the lift kit. Pricing for the kit is $1,350 (not including labor) and this lift kit is available for all Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4 models after the model year 2020. Best news? It comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on parts if installed at time of sale OR a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty after the fact. Shop Toyota Tacoma parts and accessories at Toyota of Orlando Have questions about this TRD lift kit or any other Toyota parts and accessories? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and you can stop by to chat with us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.

We all know that Toyota is dedicated to keeping their vehicle lineup wide and varied, as well as full of green options. They've introduced hybrid versions of many of their popular models, ranging from the compact Toyota Corolla Hybrid to the spacious and stylish Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Long gone are the days where the Toyota Prius family was the only eco-friendly option up for grabs. And the automaker just announced that they're taking things up another level - they'll introduce three more EV options in the year 2021 alone. Will we see new electric vehicles at Toyota of Orlando? So far, our Orlando Toyota dealership doesn't have much in the way of details. We know that one of the vehicles will be a plug-in (PHEV) and two of them will be all-electric cars (BEV). That's pretty much it, though - we don't know if these new electric options will be variants of current models or if Toyota will be introducing never-before-seen models into the lineup (or reviving old favorites, as they did with the Toyota Venza this year). If we had to speculate, we'd say that at least one of these electric vehicles will be an SUV (and the Toyota RAV4 Prime already exists, so we think all-electric is likely). It's also quite possible that Toyota will make an electric version of their best-selling Toyota Camry. Not to mention, the 2022 Toyota Tundra has been kept under wraps pretty firmly, so there's a chance that it might go green when finally unveiled. As we said, it's all speculation. But we'll keep you posted as more details unfold! Should you drive an all-electric vehicle or a plug-in vehicle? Thinking about changing up your drive time and going green? To get you prepped and ready to get behind the wheel of an electric car, let's talk about how plug-ins differ from all-electric vehicles. Here are the basics: Plug-in cars, like the Orlando Toyota Prius Prime, can literally be plugged in to charge up. These vehicles can run on electric power alone, but the range is typically pretty short (anywhere from 15-50 miles at a go). Luckily, when the electric charge runs out they can swap over to a gasoline-powered engine under the hood - plug-ins actually have two different drivetrains. All-electric cars, on the other hand, run solely on electric charge and don't have a gasoline-powered engine under the hood. These vehicles have longer ranges than plug-ins - they can usually go several hundred miles on one charge so you won't be left in a lurch as long as you keep an eye on things. Which is better? Well, they both have their perks and drawbacks. All-electric vehicles have zero emissions and are extremely green, clean, and also cheap to operate since you don't have to pay for any gasoline. They also offer tax credits in some states, and are usually cheaper to maintain since there are fewer parts involved than in a gasoline-power car. Plug-ins, however, have a greater range and you can go much farther without having to worry about charging your car. Additionally, it can take anywhere from 25 minutes to a few hours to charge an electric car, which means it's not as quick and efficient as pulling into a gas station and fueling up. See which of these green cars better suits your lifestyle - stop by Toyota of Orlando to get more information and get behind the wheel of one of our plug-ins. We're conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. You can also call our Orlando Toyota dealership for more info at (407) 298-4500.

Off-roaders, this one's for you - Toyota has officially created a new Toyota Hilux truck that can tackle any terrain, including the Arctic tundra. Toyota of Orlando has the scoop on this all-new off-road solution and we're here to share. Meet the newest model of the Toyota Hilux - the AT35 The AT35 - as this new Toyota Hilux has been dubbed - is a result of Toyota's collaboration with Arctic Trucks to create a vehicle that explorers, scientists, and adventurists alike could use to go farther than ever before when exploring the Arctic. Obviously, the Arctic contains some pretty tough terrain - it's rocky, uneven, full of water, mud, and ice, and has a polar climate (temps go well into the negatives on a regular basis). Plus, it can be dark quite a bit of the time, making terrain even more challenging to handle. Tackle Arctic terrain in this incredible new Toyota truck Thus, Toyota and Arctic Trucks had to make some significant changes to the existing Toyota Hilux to make it adaptable and comfortable enough to handle such tough terrain. They started with the X model of the Toyota Hilux in a double cab. It's a very user-friendly vehicle that's actually sold on the European market. Here are some of the upgrades and edits they made: A re-engineered frame with new suspension that was jointly developed with Bilstein New 35" all-terrain tires and high, punched-out wheel arches - these bigger tires make the truck more capable of tackling tough terrain and maintaining high speeds while doing it (and it makes it more comfortable for passengers, too). More height - this truck will be 2.5" taller than its predecessor and have approach and departure angles of 38 and 29 degrees (these angles were increased by nine and three degrees) A 2.8L four-cylinder turbodiesel engine (which is actually standard in the regular model) that allows for 204 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque Re-geared front and rear differentials for added torque when necessary A six-speed automatic transmission A payload capacity of 2.321 lbs and a towing capacity of 7,716 lbs Plus, you can add options like mud-terrain tires, an air compressor for filling up low tires, skid plates, and more. And the best news? This Toyota truck will actually be FOR SALE. You can buy it in England starting this year and it starts at about $25,800 before taxes. It also comes with a five-year/100,000 mile warranty as it's a factory-authorized vehicle, not just a concept car. Want to get your hands on it? You'll need to head overseas but trust us - if you want a new Toyota truck that can handle almost anything - including intense Arctic terrain - this is the ride for you. However, if you'd rather shop stateside, check out our new Toyota trucks at Toyota of Orlando. Both the Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma are capable of taking on some pretty tough terrain if you like to get off the pavement. Come see what your options are and get behind the wheel to see if you like how they handle! Call us today to schedule your test drive - we're open and waiting at (407) 298-4500. Toyota of Orlando is conveniently located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.

Here at Toyota of Orlando, we like to stay on top of all the rumors in the automotive world (even if there's really nothing substantial backing them), and there's one rumor floating around right now that we're living for. Toyota recently trademarked the name "Grand Highlander", and people are speculating that a larger and more decked-out version of the much-loved Orlando Toyota Highlander may be making its way to the market in the future. We're digging into this interesting rumor further! What will Toyota do with their new trademark? First things first: Toyota did, in fact, trademark the name "Grand Highlander" which makes it theirs to use exclusively. To us, this signals that they'll be making moves to introduce a new vehicle into their lineup, and going off of the name itself, it'll be a larger version of the Toyota Highlander. But why? If you remember, we recently (sadly) announced that the Toyota Land Cruiser is going to be retired after the 2021 model year. We'll get one more year of production out of it and to mix things up a bit before it's put out to pasture, Toyota is removing the V8 engine from under the hood and integrated a new V6 engine into the works. Additionally, the limited Heritage Edition will still be available and this go around, will offer three rows of seating. However, when all is said and done, this iconic Toyota SUV will be removed from the lineup after 2021, leaving an empty slot. Will the Grand Highlander make its way to Toyota of Orlando? That's why we're all about the Grand Highlander being introduced as a larger sibling to the original Toyota Highlander. Don't get us wrong - we're huge fans of the current model of this popular SUV. It's sleek, stylish, and family-friendly (and additionally comes in a hybrid model, too). However, if you're in the market for a large SUV, the Toyota Highlander may not tick all your boxes. Sure, it has three rows of seats... but the third row can be a bit cramped and if you utilize it, you lose a good chunk of storage space in the cargo area. So what would the Grand Highlander have to offer? If we had to wager a guess, we'd say it'll be a larger and more spacious version of the current model. It'll likely rest on the same TNGA-K platform and have a V6 or turbocharged V6 engine under the hood and offer three rows of seating for passengers. It'll also probably have a larger cargo area, which means the back end of the vehicle would need to be redesigned and updated. We're conjecturing that it'll be similar to the Lexus LX, which is Lexus' solution to the large SUV. We'll keep you posted, but if you want a large SUV in the meantime, come down to Toyota of Orlando! The Toyota Land Cruiser is still hanging around and the Toyota Highlander isn't going anywhere anytime soon. You can get behind the wheel of both at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. Call us at (407) 298-4500 to schedule your test drive!

Well, it's official - the Orlando Toyota Land Cruiser is officially headed for retirement. Rumors have been swirling for a few months now that this classic SUV was about to be put out to pasture but many were holding out hope that they were just that: rumors. However, Toyota just confirmed that this off-roading icon will be put into retirement after the 2021 model year. Toyota of Orlando has the details. Say goodbye to this iconic Toyota SUV The current model of the Toyota Land Cruiser - the 200 Series - has been on the market since 2008. This luxury SUV is renowned throughout the world for its off-roading capabilities but as it is a luxury vehicle, it doesn't sell in high numbers and is the sort of SUV a niche buyer would be looking for. Thus, Toyota's decision to retire it for the foreseeable future. The 200 Series model will be retired after 2021 in the United States but there's good news if you live overseas; the 300 Series will be introduced to markets in other countries. And while you may not be able to take it home with you here in the states, Toyota has stated that they're going to remain committed to the large SUV segment of the market. Whether this means introducing a new SUV to the lineup, we're not sure, but they did say they were going to explore future options that continue to honor the Toyota Land Cruiser's heritage and history. There's more good news to soften the blow, too. For 2021, the new Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition will offer three rows of seats for the first time (all previous iterations only had two rows). Additionally, it'll likely lose the V8 engine and you can put the pedal to the metal with a new turbocharged V6 option instead. On top of that, if you're interested in a similar product, you can always check out the Lexus LX. This luxury SUV won't be retiring anytime soon and will also be getting the aforementioned turbocharged V6 engine under the hood. Get off the pavement in an Orlando Toyota We're sad to see the Orlando Toyota Land Cruiser go, but we're also eager to see what's coming down the road to replace it. In the meantime, we've still got plenty of off-road options ready and waiting for you at our dealership PLUS a large selection of quality used Toyotas that will likely include a Toyota Land Cruiser or two in the future. If you're looking to take things off the pavement now, consider options like: Current Toyota Land Cruiser: This iconic Toyota SUV is well known for both its off-road capabilities and its luxurious interior. Recline in leather seats, access the latest and greatest tech, and take on any terrain thrown at you with features like CRAWL Conrol and Multi-terrain Select. Toyota 4Runner: The Orlando Toyota 4Runner is a bit smaller than its larger sibling, but still packs a punch when it comes to off-road abilities thanks to features like limited-slip differential and active traction control. Toyota Tacoma: Skip the SUV and head straight for the trucks - the Toyota Tacoma is well-adapted for off-roading adventures with features like four-wheel drive, CRAWL Control, and TRD sport-tuned suspension. See them all - shop Toyota of Orlando today and take home the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser before it's gone!

SEMA is always an exciting time for both automakers and auto enthusiasts. This one-of-a-kind car show not only introduces new models and vehicles to the various lineups but also brings exciting new concept vehicles to the table for drivers to ponder. 2020 was no exception and Toyota has followed their initial wave of four new SEMA builds with an additional two models to send out the year with a bang. Today we're taking a closer look at the 2021 Toyota GR Supra Sport Top and the TRD-Sport Trailer for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The unique 2021 GR Supra Sport Top lets the outside in The Toyota GR Supra is a blast from the past that's gained some serious traction since its initial release. This incredible sports car offers aggressive and sporty aesthetics both inside and out as well as an exciting performance, but the new Sport Top model adds a whole new element - an open-air top. Yup, you heard right! This concept car is a tribute to the older Supra models (now retired) that had a removable top to make the car a convertible. However, it wasn't quite as simple as merely taking the top off - structural integrity and engineering had to be taken into account to ensure that even as an open-top concept, the vehicle remained safe. Toyota is never one to shirk from a challenge (especially when it comes to safety), so they dove right in. They ended up reinforcing large sections of the vehicle's frame to ensure structural rigidity and integrity; in doing so, they were able to do away with the customary "t-shaped" roof so there's no center bar blocking your view. This cool new concept car is also showcasing a sleek wing in the back, rounded taillights, and a canopy with a piano-black finish. The TRD-Sport Trailer can get you off the grid Overlanding enthusiasts, this one's for you! In the first wave of new SEMA concept cars, Toyota introduced an overlanding-ready Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. This unique trailer is designed to go along with it, serving as a sort of home-away-from-home for people who like to get off the grid. It showcases a remote-operated scissor lift that actually boosts a platform out of the bed of the trailer for additional space. It can be pulled by a Toyota truck or SUV and offers incredibly cool features like a Yakima four-person tent, a toilet, a hot water heater, a refrigerator, a slide-out sink and stove, a trash can, tanks for both fresh and gray water, and even lighting for the campsite. On top of that, the tent offers an awning for cover and fishing pole holders. Talk about being ready for anything! We don't know when - if ever - that we'll see these two new cool concepts at Toyota of Orlando... but if we do, you can bet on us letting you know. In the interim, come check out the 2021 Toyota GR Supra and Toyota Tacoma in person! Both of these new Toyotas are ready and waiting for you to take them home in time for the holidays at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.

Have you heard of the Million Mile Tundra? This incredible truck is a 2007 Toyota Tundra owned by Victor Sheppard and believe it or not, nearly five years ago it passed one million miles on the odometer. It sounds impossible - after all, cars with over 100k miles are usually considered to be "high mileage". However, this Toyota just kept on trucking right past one million and given the opportunity, would likely still be out on the road today. Instead, it's been officially retired and after an extensive tour of company facilities, it's being stripped down to see just what's going on under the hood. Toyota of Orlando has the details! What is the Million Mile Tundra? The Million Mile Tundra was put through its paces during its lifetime. Sheppard used it to transport heavy loads long distances, even cross-country, so it was towing, hauling, and driving on the highway for much of its existence. That's a lot of wear and tear on any vehicle, so you'll understand why Toyota was so eager to get it back and see how the engine fared. Here's what happened when they started to take this iconic Toyota truck apart piece by piece. First, the team took the engine out. It's a 4.7L V8 2UZ-FE engine and was one of the first Toyota V8 engines to be produced in America. Toyota put the engine on a dynamometer to test its abilities and see if all those miles had any negative effect on its capability to perform. To their surprise... they didn't. The engine performed almost as well as a brand-new engine in everything from idling to pushing the redline at 5,700 rpm. The engine itself was in incredible physical condition. The engine block fared exceptionally well and there was very little carbon buildup on the valve stems. There were no visible wear marks on the crankshaft journals, and you could still see cross-hatching on the cylinder walls. There was only one small blemish on a bearing but otherwise, they were all clean. The engine scored 99/100 on a quality test, which is more than enough to pass. The truck bed held its weight (literally) considerably well. The only dents that it sustained during its lifetime were NOT from engineering shortfalls; rather, wear and tear from towing and hauling for such a long time. The only major damage was on the wheel wells and Sheppard himself admitted that the damage ensued after he hauled a load of pallets that were too large for the bed. The tailgate still worked perfectly, and there was no rust on the frame despite Sheppard driving the truck through wind, snow, and rain. The frame and leaf springs were in excellent condition, which was surprising to Toyota execs because of all the heavy weight put in the bed on a regular basis. The interior also fared incredibly well - parts you'd expect to wear out like the driver's side door latch, the glovebox latch, the center console, and the seat were all still in great working condition. Test drive the Orlando Toyota Tundra today! Think you'd like to try to put a million miles on your truck? Come test drive the Orlando Toyota Tundra! You can reach us seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 to schedule your appointment!

With gas prices rising and a daily commute becoming more common again, chances are that getting some sort of alternative fuel vehicle has crossed your mind. We get it - paying for gas is annoying (especially right now) and electric cars also have the benefit of being extremely eco-friendly. However, what is an electric car and how will it benefit your drive time? Toyota of Orlando is here to explain exactly what electric vehicles are and how they work. What you need to know about electric cars First, let's talk about what electric cars are. Essentially, they're exactly what they sound like. All-electric cars run solely on electricity that's stored in a battery; to keep them up and running, you have to plug the car into a special electrical outlet and let it charge. Here are a few more points to keep in mind: These cars don't use gasoline at all. They run solely on an electric charge, which makes them different from Orlando Toyota hybrids and hybrid plug-ins. Hybrid and hybrid plug-in cars can both run on electric charge, but not for long periods of time or at high speeds. In those scenarios, they rely on a gasoline engine to power them. Electric cars never "swap off" and rely solely on their battery charge to keep them moving. Electric cars also require a lot less maintenance than traditional gasoline-powered cars or even hybrids. This is because they don't use oil, so you won't ever need oil changes. They also don't require transmission fluid or power steering fluid. Things stay a lot cleaner under the hood so maintenance is simpler. All you'll really need to do is get routine tire rotations and keep an eye on things like your brakes, battery, and coolant here at our Orlando auto service center. Electric cars may seem like a new fad, but trust us - they're not a fad and they've been around a lot longer than you think. These eco-friendly cars have actually existed since 1881 but didn't gain popularity or reputation until the 1990s. This is when - believe it or not - Toyota actually put out a Toyota RAV4 EV, which was completely powered by electricity. (And it was a collaboration with Tesla!) However, this rookie EV topped out at a speed of 78 mph and could only travel around 100 miles on a charge, making it impractical for everyday drivers. Since then, however, electric cars have come a LONG way. We're all familiar with Tesla, of course, as they've been a frontrunner in the EV movement. However, Toyota has had electric options in the works since the Toyota RAV4 EV and one is arriving this summer - the all-new Toyota bz4X. And there are tons of benefits to driving an electric car. Here are a few to consider: Less car maintenance - remember, no oil changes or fluids except for the coolant, so you won't be coming into Toyota of Orlando as often for car care. NO GAS. We repeat - NO GAS. You won't have to stop and fill up at the pump; you just need to charge your car according to the range you have left, either at home or at a charging station. Electricity isn't free, of course, but it's far cheaper than filling your car up with gas. Top technology. Not only will you have the best tech possible under the hood, but you'll also have it in the cabin. The new bz4X, for example, features highlights like cloud-based navigation, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, and a digital key with remote start. Rebates. You might also be eligible for state and local rebates for driving such a clean car. This means money in your pocket. Instant torque. Electric cars can be FAST - you have instant torque at your fingertips, which means serious get-up-and-go. Toyota of Orlando has answers to your electric car questions Have questions about electric cars, hybrids, or anything in between? Toyota of Orlando has answers. Call us today! Our Orlando Toyota dealership is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also follow us on social media for more updates about the upcoming arrival of the all-new Toyota bz4X!