Toyota launching Subscribe + Drive program
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!
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.
A quick guide to car insurance
Have you ever sat down and tried to navigate your car insurance policy? It can be confusing, to say the least – there are so many options and lots of unfamiliar technical language. And on top of that, it’s a must-have when you get behind the wheel. Driving without car insurance is illegal and can also land you in big financial trouble. Toyota of Orlando is here to help, as always – check out our quick guide to car insurance to help you better understand and choose a policy best suited for your drive time needs.

Why do you need car insurance?
Like we said, driving without car insurance is illegal. This is because insurance has two purposes – to cover your expenses, but also to cover the other driver’s expenses if you get into a car accident and it’s your fault. Basically, your car insurance will help cover the bills (after your deductible) when it comes to your medical expenses and car repair bills when you get into a car accident. If you didn’t have insurance, you’d have to foot the bill yourself (and those costs add up really, really quickly). Similarly, if the car accident is determined to be your fault, you’re responsible for the other driver’s bills, so your insurance will cover those, too.
So what should you be looking at when you choose a car insurance policy? Here’s a breakdown of the main categories:
- Collision: This segment of your insurance covers the costs to repair your car. If your car is deemed totaled, then this part of your policy will cut you a check that you can use as a down payment on a new ride.
- Personal Injury Protection: PIP coverage will cover your medical bills if you’re injured in an accident or collision.
- Bodily Injury and Personal Property Liability: This segment of your car insurance policy cover’s the other driver’s medical bills and auto repair costs. But remember, this only kicks in if YOU were legally determined to be at fault.
- Comprehensive: This segment is for things like hit-and-run car accidents (where there’s no other driver to help foot the bill), natural disasters, and in the state of Florida, windshield repair and replacement.
You should check to ensure that your Orlando Toyota’s policy includes each of these segments for the fullest coverage.
How much will it cost to insure your Orlando Toyota?
The cost of car insurance varies from driver to driver as the premium (the amount you pay each month) is determined based on a variety of factors, including:
- Your age and gender
- Your marital status
- Your address
- Your insurance, driving, and accident histories
- The type of car you’re going to drive and what you’re using it for
- The number of miles you’re going to drive annually
Another thing to consider when signing up for car insurance is how frequently you have to make the payments. Most drivers pay monthly, but your provider may offer annual or biannual payment options. The amount you pay on that schedule is larger, but you’ll often get a discount doing it that way, so be sure to ask.
Have questions about which policy is best for your Orlando Toyota? Call us! Toyota of Orlando is open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500.
More car hacks to make your drive time easy
Here at Toyota of Orlando, we’re all about car hacks. If there’s an easy or creative way to make your drive time more enjoyable, we’re going to share it with you. Today we’re giving you a few more car hacks that can make your experience behind the wheel more efficient and less stressful. Check it out!

Hack #1: Unlock your door manually. Did your key fob stop working? Don’t worry – even if you can’t remotely unlock your car, you can still get the door open. Your key fob has a small mechanical key hidden inside. On the door handle, you’ll notice a small piece of plastic that can be popped off – there’s a mechanical lock under there. Voila!
Hack #2: Prevent your wipers from freezing. We know, we know – you won’t really have this issue here in Orlando. However, if you head north, you can stick a pair of socks over your windshield wipers when you park your car. This will prevent them from freezing to the glass when it snows.
Hack #3: Go the speed limit. Not only will going the speed limit prevent you from getting pulled over and ticketed, but it’ll also help you get where you’re going faster. Did you know that green lights are timed so that if you’re going the speed limit, you SHOULD be able to hit all of them as you make your way down the street? It’s a much safer way to get somewhere fast.
Hack #4: Make your car easy to find. Are you guilty of ALWAYS forgetting where you’ve parked? Make it easier to find your car – stick something on your radio antenna, put a sticker on the back of the car, or stick something brightly colored in one of the windows that makes your Orlando Toyota easier to spot.
Hack #5: Cool off your car quickly. Your car can become a literal oven in the summer, especially here in Orlando. A lot of people think that they should open all four windows to let the hot air out, but this actually doesn’t get the job done. You should open the two front windows when you hit the road to let the hot air out, then roll them up and blast the A/C.
Hack #6: Touch up scratches on the cheap. Do you have small scratches and dings in your paint, but don’t feel like shelling out for professional car paint repairs? We get it. Your best bet for a temporary fix is nail polish, believe it or not. With all of the shades available, it isn’t hard to find one that comes pretty dang close to your car’s paint.
Hack #7: Stop hitting your car door on the garage wall. Sick of hitting your car door on the wall of the garage when you get out? Here’s a quick and easy car hack to deal with it. Cut a pool noodle in half and stick it on the wall where your door hits – this will protect both the wall and your car door from dings.
Hack #8: Put your kids’ slime to use. Ah, slime. Kids love it, parents hate it… unless it comes to car detailing. Believe it or not, slime is a great way to get dirt and debris out of the cracks and crevices in your car. Use a ball of slime to pick up dirt from cupholders, the dash, etc. – debris will stick right to it. Just make sure to throw the slime out afterward.
Want more car hacks? Call Toyota of Orlando. We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and located conveniently just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.
Celebrate Easter Weekend 2021 in Orlando
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!
Meet the all-new 2022 Toyota GR 86
It’s finally here – the 2022 Toyota GR 86 has officially been unveiled. It’s set to arrive at dealerships across the nation late this year, but our Orlando Toyota dealership has the scoop NOW on what it’s going to offer when you can finally slide into the driver’s seat.

If you noticed, the name is slightly different. Toyota added “GR” to this sports car’s moniker, which stands for Gazoo Racing (and it’s obvious that this car will be track-ready). However, that’s not all that’s changed. This Orlando Toyota was completely redesigned for its second generation. Much like the first gen, it was co-designed and developed with Subaru (check out the BRZ – twinsies) and the two automotive powerhouses didn’t disappoint when it comes to design, performance, and technology. Here are the basics of what the all-new Toyota GR 86 will offer.
- A larger engine – the original has been replaced with a 2.4L flat-four. This means increased horsepower (232 hp) and torque (184 lb-ft) for a more exciting performance. (The old model got 205 hp and 156 lb-ft).
- It’s still rear-wheel drive for quick acceleration and is available in both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions.
- It gets from 0-62 mph in 6.3 seconds, an improvement from the 7.4 seconds that the prior generation boasted.
- Dimensions will stay generally the same; the new 2022 Toyota GR 86 will showcase the same low stance that it achieves through its flat-four engine. The wheelbase is slightly longer and the center of gravity is a little lower.
- The roof and fender panels are now made of aluminum for lower overall weight (and more speed).
- Torsion rigidity has been increased by about 50%, according to Toyota – this means enhanced handling as well as a more comfortable experience for the driver and passengers.
- The interior will showcase a 7″ digital display in the instrument cluster, as well as an 8″ touchscreen interface for the entertainment system.
- Some models of the new Toyota GR 86 will showcase the new Subaru EyeSight driver-assist technology. (Likely the automatic models.)
We can’t wait for it to arrive at Toyota of Orlando. For more information about the 2022 Toyota GR 86, call us! We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.
The best five features to have for your road trips
Spring and summer are the prime times to hit the open road in your new Toyota, especially if plane travel just isn’t your thing. However, even though road trips are a great way to get out and explore the U.S., they can get tedious if you don’t have the right tech and tools at your disposal. Check out the top five features you’ll want to have in your next Orlando Toyota to make your road trips easy, efficient, and stress-free!

Don’t take that summer road trip without these five features
1. Adaptive cruise control: Cruise control is a great feature for any road trip; it allows you to stretch out and relax a little bit while you’re on the open road. Adaptive cruise control, however, is an upgrade from this convenient feature. With adaptive cruise control, your Orlando Toyota will actually slow and accelerate your vehicle according to the car in front of you. If they brake or slow, this ingenious feature will slow your vehicle and then return you to your cruising speed when it’s safe. It takes highway travel to an all-new level.
2. Bluetooth wireless streaming: It’s all about the hands-free, cords-free life when you’re out on the highway, especially if you’re solo. Bluetooth allows you to stream phone calls and music in your vehicle without an adaptor cord, and it’s usually paired with hands-free controls so you don’t even have to pick up your phone – you can use the controls mounted on the steering wheel so your focus is on the road ahead at all times.
3. Rear-seat entertainment system: There’s nothing worse than the constant chorus of “are we there yet?” ringing out from the backseat. Allay your backseat riders’ boredom with a rear-seat entertainment system. Vehicles like the Orlando Toyota Sienna offer this life-saving feature along with wireless headphones so you can still listen to your favorite podcast in the front while the kids stay entertained with their favorite Disney + show in the backseat.
4. Apple CarPlay: Apple CarPlay is newer tech that basically allows you to view and operate your phone’s home screen right in the touchscreen panel of your vehicle. It makes accessing and using apps easier than ever; you can view your navigation, operate your Apple Music, and even view and respond to text messages with ease. It also works with all of your car’s control buttons for major convenience.
5. Wireless charging: Again, it’s all about going cords-free when you’re on a road trip. Many of our Orlando Toyotas have Qi wireless charging in them, meaning you can simply lay your device on the pad, and voila – it charges up while you navigate the open road.
Find a road-trip-ready ride today at Toyota of Orlando!
And the best part of all of this is that you can see and test every single one of these features right here at Toyota of Orlando when you shop for your next road-trip-ready ride. We’re conveniently located just off the I-4 – stop by and see us at 3575 Vineland Road, near the Millenia Mall. You can also call ahead of time at (407) 298-4500 to schedule a test drive or get more info on the cars and features available.
Tips for driving a stick shift Toyota
Do you own – or are you planning to buy – a stick shift car? Otherwise known as a manual transmission, this type of Orlando Toyota comes with a clutch pedal, a shifter, and a need for know-how. Driving a stick shift car isn’t difficult, but it does require a certain amount of finesse if you want to avoid doing damage to your ride. Toyota of Orlando is here to give you some quick tips on owning and operating a manual transmission vehicle.

A lot of people choose automatic transmissions nowadays; they’re a lot more common than they used to be and they offer a degree of convenience that’s hard to beat. You just sit back and let the car do all the work for you. Manual transmissions, on the other hand, require that you manually shift the vehicle’s gears as you accelerate and decelerate. And while that can seem like it would get tedious after a while, it actually has its perks. Stick shift cars tend to be more fuel-efficient, cheaper to buy, and believe it or not, more exciting to operate as you have major control over your acceleration, speed, and RPMs.
Five tips for driving a stick shift
However, as noted, manual transmission cars do have more parts and more parts mean more potential for repairs. Check out these quick Orlando Toyota tips for driving a stick shift as efficiently as possible.
Tip #1: Don’t forget about the clutch. When driving a stick shift, you HAVE to use your foot to engage the clutch before you try to shift gears. If you don’t, you could do serious damage to your car’s gears and engine over time, resulting in expensive repairs. Always remember to push the clutch in, then shift. Same goes for braking – as you slow down, your car will lower its RPMs and if you don’t push the clutch in, you’ll stall out.
Tip #2: Put it in neutral when you stop. When you’re sitting at a light it’s tempting to leave your Orlando Toyota in first gear so you’re ready to move the instant the light turns green. Some drivers even rock back and forth, using the clutch to go forward and backward… but don’t. Leaving your car in gear and rocking and rolling can damage the gears and engine over time, so put your ride in neutral and sit tight until it’s time to hit the gas again.
Tip #3: Don’t forget to pull the parking brake. When you park your car, you’ll shift it into neutral before you turn it off. This means, however, that if you’re not on a flat surface (or even if you are in some instances), your car can easily roll away. Be sure to pull the parking brake every time you park before you exit your car.
Tip #4: Take your hand off the shifter when you’re not shifting. Some stick shift drivers rest their hand on the shifter when they’re in between shifts or sitting at lights. This actually puts unnecessary weight and stress on the shifter and can do damage over time.
Tip #5: Make sure you’re always in the right gear. For example, you should never floor the gas pedal to get acceleration when you’re in a high gear – this can cause the engine to overheat. Instead, shift to a lower gear and you’ll get instant get-up-and-go.
Get answers to your questions about manual transmissions at Toyota of Orlando
Have questions about stick shift cars or want to check out the ones we have in person? Call Toyota of Orlando at (407) 298-4500. We’re open seven days a week and you can visit us at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.
Ok, ok – before you get all excited about our headline, we want to clarify. The Orlando Toyota Land Cruiser is still discontinued after the 2021 model year… in America. In other parts of the world, the new 300 Series model will be introduced to the market. And rumor has it that with this new 300 Series Land Cruiser comes a special edition model – a Gazoo Racing model that’s tuned and outfitted with everything you need to get off the pavement.

What could this new Toyota SUV have to offer?
But wait – isn’t the Orlando Toyota Land Cruiser already off-road-ready? It is, very much so, but this new GR model will up the ante when it comes to tackling tough terrain and exploring the unknown. We’ve got the details – check it out.
- Supposedly, the new Toyota Land Cruiser will drop its V8 engine (which it’s had for years and years) and replace it with a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 engine. It’s estimated that this new engine could churn out an impressive 420 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque (it’s the same engine that’s in the current Lexus LS500).
- However, the engine could also be a diesel 3.3L turbo V6 that offers 309 horsepower and 507 lb-ft of torque. It’s rumored that both options will be available in the Gazoo Racing model, but the diesel engine will only offer room for five passengers while the twin-turbo will offer room for seven.
- This off-road-ready model will also include front and rear locking differential as well as a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, so you have automatic adjustment and deactivation of the sway bars. This allows for more precise handling when you’re off the pavement, but less body roll when you’re on the road.
- The wheels will also be smaller – 18″ versus the prior 20″ size.
That’s all we know for right now and like we said, this off-road-ready Toyota Land Cruiser won’t be up for grabs here in America. However, we’ve got good news – you can get your hands on the Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition right here at Toyota of Orlando NOW. Here are some of the highlights of this capable SUV:
- Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System
- Yakima MegaWarrior roof rack
- A 5.7L V8 engine that offers 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque
- An 8-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with sequential shift mode and uphill/downhill shift logic
- A full-time four-wheel-drive system with Active Traction Control, and Torsen limited-slip differential with locking feature
- A towing capacity of 8,100 lbs
- Mud and snow rated steel belted radial tires
And so much more. And best of all, it’s available right now in the U.S.
Shop Toyota Land Cruisers at Toyota of Orlando
Want to get your hands on the Toyota Land Cruiser or any of our other off-road-ready Toyota SUVs? Call Toyota of Orlando today. We’re open seven days a week at (407) 298-4500 and located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.
New electric Toyota concept unveiled
Big news in the world of green cars – Toyota has officially introduced an all-new electric car concept and it’s slated to begin production in Japan and China in the coming year, and *fingers crossed* be up for sale on a worldwide scale by the middle to end of 2022. Meet the all-new Toyota bz4X SUV; Toyota of Orlando has the details!

See what the new Toyota bz4X SUV has to offer
Toyota has always been committed to clean, green performance. After all, they were the frontrunners for hybrid cars with the introduction of the Toyota Prius back in the early 2000s; they also have introduced numerous other green options to the market, including electric and fuel cell vehicles. Their goal is to expand their lineup to include more than 70 electrified vehicle options (on a global basis) by the end of 2025 and have carbon neutrality by 2050. (This basically means that the amount of carbon emitted in vehicle emissions is balanced with the absorption of carbon from the atmosphere.)
Introducing the Toyota bz4X SUV. This new Toyota was developed in a joint endeavor with Subaru (much like the Toyota GR 86) and will be produced under the new Toyota bZ umbrella – bZ stands for beyond zero, as this lineup will include a series of battery-electric vehicles. Even more exciting news has been announced, too – Toyota will be adding trucks to the new lineup of electrified vehicles with both hybrid and BEV options up for grabs.
The Toyota bz4X SUV was built on the e-TNGA BEV-dedicated platform. It has a long wheelbase with short overhangs and has a style that’s pretty distinctive; it reminds us of an Orlando Toyota RAV4 mixed with a Toyota C-HR with its sharp, diamond-inspired styling. It’s featuring a spacious interior with a comfortable, open-concept design; for example, the instrument panel is set low over the steering wheel for better visibility and handling.
The touchscreen is large and extends up from the center console, and the steering wheel features a hub for all of your hands-free buttons. All-wheel drive (courtesy of Subaru) will be standard, and it’s been speculated that there could be dual motors to power said feature.

Shop all of our green cars today at Toyota of Orlando
We can’t wait for it to arrive, but if you really can’t wait – like, you need to get behind the wheel of a green car now – call us. After all, 40% of all alternatively powered vehicles in the U.S. are Toyotas, so you’ve got plenty of options. At our dealership, you’ll find green cars like the:
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
- Toyota RAV4 Prime
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid
- Toyota Prius Prime
We’ve got solutions for your drive time needs, so what are you waiting for? Shop Toyota of Orlando today. We’re conveniently located just off I-4 across from Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road. You can visit us OR call ahead of time to learn more about your options, our deals, and schedule a test drive – reach us seven days a week at (407) 298-4500.

