Happy FriYAY and happy weekend to Orlando. It’s supposed to be warm and sunny all weekend long, and there’s plenty going on in Central Florida to keep you, your friends, and your family busy. Check out Toyota of Orlando’s top picks for weekend activities in the City Beautiful!

Seven things to do in Orlando this weekend

87th Annual Bach Festival: The Annual Bach Festival was founded in 1935 and since then has offered classical music lovers a way to enjoy their favorite music genre with the Bach Festival Choir, Orchestra, and other guest artists. Head over to Winter Park this Friday and Saturday to enjoy choral, chamber, and orchestral music at Rollins College with other Bach enthusiasts. Times and ticket prices vary, so be sure to plan ahead.

Orlando Taco Festival: Taco lovers, unite – Drive Shack Orlando in Lake Nona is hosting the annual Orlando Taco Festival! More than 25 taco and food vendors will be there, and you’ll also be able to enjoy a margarita bar, tequila tasting, Lucha Libre Wrestling, chili pepper and taco eating contests, an interactive mariachi experience, and more. There’s also a Kid’s Fun Zone and free shuttle buses to make parking easy. Don’t miss out – it’s this Saturday and Sunday from 2-8 pm!

Mardi Gras 2022 at Universal Studios: Mardis Gras has officially arrived at Universal Studios Orlando so if you can’t hop a flight to New Orleans, this is the next best thing. Enjoy a Mardis Gras parade and music, authentic New Orleans food, beads, drinks, and more. All you need is a day ticket to Universal Studios – the event is included in the ticket price – so hit the coasters before you start the party.

2022 Sam Flax Wall Project: The 2022 Sam Flax Wall Project will take place on Saturday, 2/26 from 10 am until 6pm at Sam Flax Orlando. This one-day mural event will celebrate 14 of the community’s best artists, and there will be a food and beer garden at the free event as well as a live DJ for music. Don’t miss out!

Orlando City SC vs. CF Montreal: Orlando City Soccer Club is taking on CF Montreal this Sunday, 2/27 at 1 pm! Be sure to pre-purchase your tickets (and your OCSC gear) before you get to Exploria Stadium in downtown Orlando.

Dragons and Fairies: The Memoir Agency and Creative City Project are hosting Dragons and Fairies, an immersive theatrical experience about a young fairy and her dragon friend told by live actors who lead guests through the gardens filled with large-scale lighting installations and nine animatronic dragons. The performance takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at various times – buy your tickets ahead of time!

Sea World Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival: All weekend long you can eat and drink around the world at Sea World Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival! You’ll also get to experience live music in addition to the already incredible shows and performances, and the experience is included with park admission. Be sure to buy tickets before you go!

From our Orlando Toyota family to yours, happy weekend – make the most of it! And don’t forget to stop by Toyota of Orlando to see all of our new Toyotas. We’ve got them arriving daily and we’re conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road!

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Thinking about a new SUV to kick off spring? Toyota of Orlando is here to help you wade through the many, many options and find the one that’s perfect for your drive time needs all year long. Today we’re pitting the 2022 Toyota RAV4 against one of its biggest competitors – the 2022 Honda CR-V. See how they compare to better decide which one to put in the driveway.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 vs the 2022 Honda CR-V

SAFETY: Safety is a top priority for many SUV shoppers as they know they’re going to have precious cargo in the backseat. Here’s why we think the 2022 Toyota RAV4 is a better bet:

• This Orlando Toyota has pretensioners in the front AND rear shoulder seatbelts to eliminate dangerous slack in the case of a collision – the Honda CR-V does not have this feature available.
• The 2022 Toyota RAV4 also has a standard driver’s side knee airbag to prevent injury or the driver sliding out from under the seatbelt.
• It also includes a standard secondary collision brake to apply brake pressure during an accident and avoid a second collision (something not offered on the Honda competitor).
• Further, this Orlando Toyota offers Parking Assist with Automatic Braking to prevent a rear collision (another feature not found on the Honda).
• The Toyota RAV4 Limited and TRD Off-Road trims offer a Bird’s Eve View Camera, as well as Safety Connect services with a GPS response system (features not offered on the CR-V).
• The Toyota RAV4 also performed better in NHTSA Crash Tests for 2021. It beat the Honda CR-V in frontal crash and side-impact crash tests.
• It also outperformed the Honda competition in IIHS side barrier tests.

PERFORMANCE: When it comes to performance, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 has significant advantages over the 2022 Honda CR-V. Here are some of the highlights:

• It gets more horsepower (203 hp vs 190 hp) and more torque (184 lbs-ft vs 179 lbs-ft) as well as more speed.
• It beat the CR-V in speed tests including 0-30 mph, 0-60 mph, 0-80 mph, passing 45-65 mph, and quarter-mile speed.
• This Orlando Toyota also has better braking power and the ability to stop shorter, as well as a smoother ride and more stable handling than the Honda competition with a wheelbase that’s longer by 1.2 inches.
• The 2022 Toyota RAV4 is quieter inside the cabin by 1-3 dB at all speeds and also has:
  • a greater minimum ground clearance
  • a turning circle that’s 1.3 ft tighter
  • more rear headroom and shoulder room
  • a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs – the Honda CR-V maxes out at 1,500 lbs

FEATURES: Here are some of the features you’ll find on the Orlando Toyota RAV4 that you won’t find on the 2022 Honda CR-V:

• Power one-touch up/down switches on all windows
• Heated rear seats
• Standard air-conditioned seats
• A 115-volt A/C outlet in the cargo area that can power a laptop or a small household appliance
• Window locks that allow the driver only to still operate all windows even when the windows are locked

RELIABILITY: According to J.D. Power and Associates, Toyotas rank better in initial quality as well as long-term dependability. Consumer Reports also ranked Toyotas more reliable than Hondas, placing them second while Honda ranked fifth.

Finally, Toyota pays for all scheduled routine car maintenance for the first 2 years or 25,000 miles and there are 16% more Toyota dealerships than Honda dealerships, making it easier to find an auto service center.

And the Orlando Toyota RAV4 outsold the Honda CR-V by 14% in the 2021 model year.

Toyota of Orlando wants to get you in the driver’s seat

See for yourself – test drive the 2022 Toyota RAV4 today at Toyota of Orlando! We’re open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. Call us at (407) 298-4500 to get behind the wheel!

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Here we go again… reminding you for the umpteenth time that yes, you do need to get your car on an oil change schedule. We know we’ve said it (multiple times) before, but scheduling routine oil changes in Orlando will help keep your engine cool, keep your car running reliably, and stave off a number of expensive repairs. It’s worth it, trust us.

However, we still get drivers every once in a while who think that sticking to a routine oil change schedule is tedious and expensive and want to take shortcuts. Our auto service techs recommend against this route when it comes to car care, and we’re here to explain why.

Can I top off my engine oil instead of changing it?

One of the big questions we get when it comes to oil and car care is whether or not it’s OK to just top the engine oil off instead of scheduling an Orlando oil change. Our answer? NO. Here’s why.

• When you simply add more oil to your engine, yes, you are keeping it at the proper level so you won’t have to worry about your engine running out. However, remember that as oil is circulated through your car’s engine, it picks up dirt and debris. It’s also exposed to high heat levels, which can change the consistency. Basically, if you were to never change your oil, you’d end up with black sludge in the engine. So when you just top things off, you’re adding clean oil to the existing dirty oil and you’re not really doing your engine any favors.
• As you circulate dirty motor oil through the engine, you can damage the engine itself, damage the piston rings and cylinder head valve guides, or get an oil leak. Not to mention, it can cause your engine to overheat and seize up. Overall, you’re costing yourself more money because you’ll undoubtedly end up having to do repairs on your vehicle. In short, you’ll save money in the short term but not in the long run.

On the other hand, when you get a full Orlando oil change on a routine schedule, you’re providing your engine with the proper levels of clean oil so it can keep the system cool and lubricated. This results in better engine health, better vehicle health overall, and fewer issues with performance. Here are a few other perks of sticking to a routine schedule for this type of car care:

• A greener performance
• Better fuel efficiency
• Longer life for your engine and all associated parts and accessories
• Improved engine efficiency
• A worry-free emissions test

Overall, it’s worth it to stick to a schedule and not just “top things off” when the oil level gets low.

Schedule an oil change in Orlando at our Toyota service center

Need an oil change in Orlando to get things back to normal under the hood? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week with the longest service hours in Central Florida. You can reach us at (407) 298-0001, schedule online, or simply stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.

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Sometimes shopping for a car can be a daunting process. Not only do you want to find the perfect new Toyota for your driving needs, but you also want to get it at the right price and on the right terms. At Toyota of Orlando, we want to make it as easy as possible for you. Check out these tips straight from the experts on getting the BEST new Toyota financing deals on your next ride.

However, before we get started, let’s talk about what financing is.

• Basically, it’s when you buy a car with a loan and have to pay it back over a certain time period; once it’s paid off, you own it in full.
• If you buy a car with cash and pay for it in full right off the bat, you don’t have to finance it.
• And financing is different from leasing a car; when you lease, you pay a monthly payment to use the car over a certain time period, but when the time is up, you turn the car back in and start over with a new vehicle.

Whether you look for a Toyota financing deal in Orlando or lease a car is up to you – both have perks, and it really just depends on your individual situation and preferences.

So how do you find the best Toyota financing deals? Here are some Orlando Toyota tips:

Know your credit score before you shop. It’s always a good idea to know your credit score before you make any big purchase, including an Orlando Toyota. You’ll be able to spot any errors when you’re going through the financing process, and you’ll also be able to determine which Toyota financing deals apply to you based on your credit score.

Look for deals on “older” cars. If you’re amenable to it, you may be able to get a better financing deal on an older vehicle. For example, if 2022 models are coming in hot, it’s likely that the dealership will want to get 2021 models out of the way to make room for new inventory. Shopping back a model year can save you in the long run!

Focus on the price, not the monthly payment. You don’t want to totally discredit the payment, but you should look at the price of the car as an important factor, too. Make sure you’re getting the price you want on the vehicle before you start calculating the monthly payment. It’s also easier to negotiate on price than it is financing, so keep that in mind before you shop.

 But don’t forget other expenses. However, you can’t totally forget about the monthly payment. Not only will you have to pay for the financing of the car, but you’ll also want to factor in fuel costs, insurance costs, and any maintenance costs you’ll have to handle. That’s why it’s important to get the best possible Toyota financing deal – you can factor in the other associated costs to ensure you’re good to go.

Don’t shop high-demand models. High-demand models usually don’t have as many financing deal options available since they’re popular and coveted. However, don’t forget – you’re shopping at Toyota of Orlando and anything is possible. Ask our sales associated which Toyota financing deals are available to you for the vehicle you want and they’ll work their hardest to get you what you need!

Have questions or ready to start shopping? Call Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-4500 or stop by and see our sales associates at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. You can also shop online and customize your deal with our online shopper tool!

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If you’re shopping for a new 2022 Toyota RAV4, you’re in luck – since its redesign, it’s boasting tons of new technology, greener hybrid options, and even a TRD model that lets you get off the pavement. All in all, there are 12 models to choose from (and you can test drive all of them at Toyota of Orlando). However, which is the best for you? If you’re trying to be economical, we’ve got your back. Check out the top three 2022 Toyota RAV4 models for your money, according to Motor Biscuit.

Which of these new Toyota RAV4s should you take home?

2022 Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road: 

When you think of off-roading, chances are you think of Toyotas like the Tacoma and the 4Runner. The Toyota RAV4 likely wouldn’t be the first model to come to mind, but that all changed this year with the introduction of the TRD Off-Road option to the family. It has 8.6″ of ground clearance, a front skid plate, Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive, TRD tuned suspension, and Falken All-Terrain Tires. It’s ready for anything and even throws in extras like LED projector headlights, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, and a power moonroof to let the outside in. Its starting MSRP? $36,465.

2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE: 

If you’ve been meaning to go green for a while or want an SUV without the high fuel costs (or both), then this model of the Orlando Toyota RAV4 is perfect for you. It gets an incredible 41/38 mpg to save you big bucks on fuel, and it also lets you feel better about your time behind the wheel with its low emissions. On top of all of that, you’ll also benefit from features like the Smart Key System, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Safety Connect Services, and on-demand All-Wheel Drive. The starting MSRP is $30,545, and the cost of ownership is low thanks to the hybrid tech under the hood.

2022 Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium: 

Want to add some luxury to your daily drive without breaking the bank? This model of the Orlando Toyota RAV4 is for you. The XLE Premium trim sports high-end features like 19″ Super Chrome alloy wheels, a sleek Softex-Trimmed interior, a 7″ touchscreen multimedia system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, LED projector headlights with chrome bezels, low profile black roof rails, and sporty underbody panels that don’t just look cool – they also help enhance fuel efficiency. It has a starting MSRP of just $32,285.

However, if none of those sounds like a fit, here are all of the 2022 Toyota RAV4 options waiting for you at Toyota of Orlando:

• LE
• Hybrid LE
• XLE
• Hybrid XLE
• XLE Premium
• Hybrid XLE Premium
• Adventure
• TRD Off-Road
• Hybrid SE
• Hybrid XSE
• Limited
• Hybrid Limited

Schedule your test drive at Toyota of Orlando

Unsure as to which one you should put in your driveway? Call Toyota of Orlando today to chat with one of our sales specialists! We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500. You can also swing by in person for a test drive – we’re just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

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If you’re a social media user, chances are that over the past few years you’ve seen videos of people getting snakes in their car (even right here in Florida *screams*). While these videos and pictures are definitely nightmare fuel, are they anything to worry about in real life on a day-to-day basis? Toyota of Orlando is breaking down the chances of getting snakes in your car and how to deal with the situation should it occur.

Can you actually get snakes in your car, or is it a myth?

So bad news – it IS possible to get snakes in your car, especially in a place like Florida where they seem to be hanging out all over the place. Here’s why:

• Snakes like dark, warm places (especially in the winter, since they’re cold-blooded and need an external heat source to get warm). Your engine is both, and it’s a great place for them to hide from predators, too. Not only is it safe, but it also gives them the advantage to strike first before they can get nabbed by something.
• Your engine bay is an easy port. All snakes have to do is look up – your engine is open to the ground and easy to access for a snake slithering under your car.

But here’s the good news. While it’s easy for a snake to get into your engine bay, it’s NOT easy to get snakes in your car when it comes to the cabin of the vehicle. Your Orlando Toyota is pretty much sealed to the outside – there really aren’t any places where a snake can access it except for doors and windows. So as long as you keep them closed when you’re not using them, you should be good to go. And yes, we’re serious about the windows – snakes are excellent climbers (more nightmare fuel for you) and could easily climb up the side of your car and drop in an open window.

And remember that video of the Florida woman who had a snake come out of her A/C vent inside the cabin of her car? That’s extremely uncommon. Your HVAC system is sealed off to the outside, so it’s more likely that the snake found its way into the cabin of her car and went in the A/C vent from there. Credit to her for not crashing her ride.

Orlando Toyota tips for dealing with a snake in your vehicle

So what should you do if you discover snakes in your car? Here are a few quick tips from Toyota of Orlando:

• Don’t try to grab the snake with your hands – remember, they’re at an advantage in their hiding spot and could likely strike at you before you got them. If you have a pole or some other instrument to get them out, use that.
• Otherwise, contact animal control to come and assist you in removing snakes from your car.
• Don’t just “let them be” inside the engine compartment. Snakes can become wrapped up in moving belts and also cause electrical fires.

Want more tips on car care (even snakes in your car)? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001 or stop by and see us. We’re just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road!

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Spring is in the air (minus this weird cold front we’re supposed to get hit with this weekend). What better way to celebrate the incoming season than to check out Florida’s natural wonders? You could absolutely head to the beaches or try hiking in one of our beautiful parks or preserves… but you could also head to the springs (no pun intended). Here are Toyota of Orlando’s top picks for the best springs in Central Florida to visit this season – pack up the car and take a daylong road trip!

De Leon Springs State Park: Head to De Leon Springs to swim – the water is 72 degrees year-round and it’s one of Florida’s TOP recreation spots. You can rent canoes or paddleboats and make your way through the park to explore lakes, creeks, and marshes. With 22,000 acres to trek through, you can definitely make a day of it. And when you’re done and have worked up an appetite, head to the Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant nearby to make your own pancakes on a tableside griddle.

Rock Springs Run: Drive over to Apopka to visit Rock Springs Run if you’re in the mood for crystal clear water and a relaxing ride down the river. You can launch a canoe, kayak, or even a tube from King’s Landing and enjoy 8 miles of nature as you make your way downstream at a steady rate of 3-4 miles per hour.

Three Sisters Springs: Crystal River is famous for its beautiful springs and with good reason. The water is pretty much pristine and at Three Sisters Springs, you can swim with West Indian manatees. There are five natural springs, Lake Crystal, and a vibrant wetland to explore in the vicinity. If you’re not in the mood to swim, you can board a trolley that will take you to a boardwalk that’s a prime viewing spot for the famed manatees, and you can also take a guided water tour.

Weeki Wachee Springs: Who hasn’t heard of the famed mermaids at Weeki Wachi? This neighboring state park is world-famous and has 538 acres for you to explore in a variety of ways, including kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and river cruises. There’s also a water park called Buccaneer Bay complete with water slides.

Blue Springs State Park: Blue Spring State Park is the largest spring on the St. John’s River in Florida and spans 2,600 acres. Swimming is not allowed during manatee season (November to March), but the springs stay a comfortable 73 degrees all year long. You can kayak and paddle, as well as take a narrated boat tour while you’re there.

Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area: Head into Salt Springs in the Ocala National Forest. You can swim, snorkel, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, and more in the beautiful blue-green waters as well as see a mix of saltwater and freshwater fish. This area additionally boasts incredible archaeological landmarks – there are middens. or large mounds that are designated sacred spots in the Native American culture.

From our Orlando Toyota family to yours, have the best weekend AND the best spring!

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When you’re choosing the next set of car tires for your vehicle, it helps to take into consideration the climate that you live in. If you live in an area that sees heavy winter weather like snow and ice, you’ll definitely want to consider tires that can handle that. Areas with temperate weather usually call for all-season tires. But what about areas that see a lot of rain? How do you choose car tires for that type of weather?

If you live in an area where you see large amounts of rain, you may want to consider getting car tires that are best suited for it. Toyota of Orlando’s auto service techs are here to explain how.

Six tips for shopping rain-ready car tires

Tip #1: Think about how often you’ll be driving in the rain. Before you purchase new car tires, consider how often you’ll actually be driving in the rain. Is it going to be daily waterlogged drive time, or will you just encounter rain here and there throughout the year? If you only see rain every so often, all-season tires might be a better fit for you than something specialized.

Tip #2: Consider what type of car you have. Did you know that the type of car you drive can actually determine your need for special tires? A sports car naturally performs better in the rain, and front-wheel drive vehicles are easier to drive in the rain than rear-wheel drive vehicles. Ask your tech which type of car tires is best for your vehicle in the rain.

Tip #3: Know your driving style. OK, fess up – what type of driver are you? If you drive a lot and have a long commute or a lot of stops on a daily basis, then you’re more likely to encounter bad weather and more rain. Let our Orlando auto service techs help you choose the right car tires.

Tip #4: Check the type of rubber. Car tires can be made from multiple types of rubber, and that will affect how your car rides, especially in inclement weather. Choose the right one that your car calls for.

Tip #5: Look at the tread. You’ll also want to inspect the tread that you’re going to have on your new tires. There’s special tread available that will push the water away from the tires when you’re driving in the rain, giving you better traction.

Tip #6: Don’t forget about budget. Don’t forget to factor in your budget when you’re shopping for new car tires. They’re an investment, but you don’t want to break the bank to get something you don’t need.

Shop today at Toyota of Orlando’s service center

Be sure to ask our Orlando Toyota service techs about all of the above and discuss both your needs and budget with them to find the perfect car tires for your rainy day needs. Toyota of Orlando’s service center is open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall. You can also call with questions or to make an appointment at (407) 298-0001!

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It’s definitely spring break season, so you – and many other people – might be hitting the roads for a spring break road trip. Whether you’re traveling a few hours to the beach or headed out of state entirely, it pays to have road safety tips in your pocket when you leave. Spring break means a lot more cars on the road, and there’s also a higher chance of reckless or intoxicated drivers. Check out these Toyota of Orlando spring break road safety tips for the best vacation possible.

Six tips for spring break road safety

Tip #1: Know where you’re going and check the traffic. Before you head out of Orlando to your spring break destination, check traffic on your route to see how bad it is. If you see a lot of delays and accidents, you may want to consider taking an alternate route to avoid the congestion that will likely result and also (hopefully) avoid accidents yourself.

Tip #2: Everyone should be buckled up. Everyone – including you – should be buckled up before you even leave your driveway or parking spot for a spring break road trip. Make sure that every passenger has a seatbelt; no one should be riding in the bed of a pickup truck or the cargo area of an SUV. Also, ensure that all children are in the appropriate car seat or booster seat for their age and size and that they’re properly buckled before you leave.

Tip #3: Follow road rules. Follow the basic rules of the road when you’re on a spring break trip. Abide by speed limits, come to full stops at red lights and stop signs, use your turn signals, etc. You’ll also want to avoid distracted driving (i.e. put your phone away) and pay full attention to the road, and don’t forget to be extra careful of pedestrians, especially while driving in urban and suburban areas as there will likely be more tourists and pedestrians on foot and on bicycles this time of year.

Tip #4: Keep distance between your car and the car in front of you. Make sure to leave plenty of distance in between your car and the car in front of you, regardless of whether you’re in suburban traffic or out on the highway. This will give you plenty of time to come to a quick stop if you need to and will help you avoid getting into a rear-end collision.

Tip #5: Never drive after drinking, and look out for drunk drivers. Don’t drink and drive. Period. It doesn’t matter if it’s one drink or ten drinks – don’t get behind the wheel of a car if you’ve been drinking. That being said, spring break is a popular time for partying, so you should be on high alert looking for drunk drivers, too. If you notice one, don’t try to follow them yourself. Instead, call the police and give them as much info as you can, including where the driver is and where they’re headed (the direction) as well as the make, model, and color of the car.

Tip #6: Make sure your car is up for it. Before you hit the road for spring break, make sure your car is up for it. You’ll want to check tires, battery, brakes, oil, wiper fluid, coolant, and your A/C system before you leave to ensure you have a safe trip there and back.

Schedule auto service for your road trip at Toyota of Orlando

Have questions? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-0001. We can get you on the books for spring break auto service to ensure your car is ready to hit the open road.

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Trying to find the next compact SUV in your life? We’ve got options at Toyota of Orlando, but we know we’re not the only options out there. There are plenty of choices in this popular vehicle segment, and we’re here to help you whittle them down. Today we’re comparing the 2022 Toyota RAV4 to the 2022 Kia Sportage.

How does the 2022 Toyota RAV4 compare to the Kia Sportage?

Performance: One of the major selling points of a compact SUV like the Orlando Toyota RAV4 is its versatile and efficient performance. Here’s how things shake out against the competition:

• The 2022 Toyota RAV4 has a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine under the hood and gets more horsepower than the Kia Sportage – 22 more horsepower, to be exact.
• It’s also faster. The 2022 Toyota RAV4 has faster times in the 0-30, 0-60, 45-65, and quarter mile tests.
• This Orlando Toyota also pulls ahead in terms of fuel efficiency. It gets 27/35 mpg in contrast to the Kia’s 23/30 mpg in the FWD model, and 27/34 mpg versus the Sportage’s 22/26 in the AWD model. It also offers an automatic engine start-stop system (where the engine turns off at stoplights) to help reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency further.
• The 2022 Toyota RAV4 has an 8-speed automatic transmission standard for better acceleration, while the Sportage has a 6-speed automatic.
• This new Toyota has a shorter stopping distance (161 feet to come to a complete stop from 70 mph, while the Kia needs 174 feet).
• The Toyota RAV4 can tow up to 3,500 lbs while the Kia Sportage maxes out at 2,000 lbs. It also has a greater ground clearance for better handling on off-road surfaces.

Comfort: You’ll find that this Orlando Toyota has advantages in this area, too. Here are some of the highlights we noticed when comparing it to the Kia Sportage:

• The Toyota RAV4 offers options like memory seats (not available on the Kia competition), a power parking brake with one-touch release AND automatic release (unlike the Sportage’s, which is solely manual), and one-touch power front and rear windows.
• This new Toyota also offers a unique feature that allows you to roll up the car windows using the outside door handle, as well as a keyless remote feature to roll them down on hot days.
• Some trim-levels of this Toyota offer automatic windshield wipers (they adjust themselves) in contrast to the Kia’s wipers, which have to be manually adjusted.
• The 2022 Toyota RAV4 has more front headroom, front shoulder room, rear headroom, and rear shoulder room than the 2022 Kia Sportage.
• It also has a larger cargo space in the rear – 37.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up versus the Sportage’s 30.7 cubic feet. Same story goes for the rear seats down – 698 cubic feet versus 60.1 cubic feet.

Safety: What about safety? It’s a concern for every driver, no matter what you’re commandeering. Here are the advantages that the Orlando Toyota RAV4 offers over the Kia Sportage:

• Pretensioners on front AND rear shoulder belts to eliminate dangerous slack in an accident
• A standard driver’s side knee airbag
• A standard secondary collision break to prevent further collisions in the case of a car accident
• Optional parking assist with automatic braking
• An optional Bird’s Eye View Camera
• Standard Safety Connect Services with GPS tracking

It also performed better in NHTSA tests including the 35 mpg front crash tests, side-impact tests, and newly refined side-impact tests.

Value: You want the most bang for your buck, period. Here are the facts when it comes to the new Toyota RAV4 and the Kia Sportage:

• This Orlando Toyota has better resale value than the Kia Sportage.
• The 2022 Toyota RAV4 has a 5-year corrosion warranty with no mileage limitations; the Kia Sportage’s runs out at 100,000 miles
• It also offers no-cost scheduled maintenance for the first 2 years or 25,000 miles, a benefit not available from Kia.
• Consumer Reports reported that Toyota is more reliable than Kia, ranking the brand second (Kia came in 15th).
• The Toyota RAV4 is cheaper to operate with cheaper repairs, as well as more affordable insurance, fuel, fees, repairs, maintenance, financing, and depreciation (according to The Car Book and IntelliChoice).

Test drive this Orlando Toyota today

Ready to take your test drive? Come down to Toyota of Orlando at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall. We’re open seven days a week!

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