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If you've considered switching over from your regular old car to a new hybrid model, now is a better time than ever before! Toyota has a number of hybrid models that are stylish, fuel-efficient, and easy on your wallet. In case you needed any other reasons to switch to a hybrid, here are just a few things to love about the Toyota hybrid cars. They're Sleek and Stylish From the classic Prius to the extra-large Highlander, Toyota has the sleek, sophisticated, and stylish design down in all of their models, and their hybrid models are no exception. There's the smaller Prius C, which gets an EPA-estimated 53 MPG in the city. Its small frame makes getting in and out of tight downtown parking a breeze. The newest take on the classic Prius is the Prius Plug-In, which offers a similar build to the classic model, but gets an estimated 95 MPG when running in electric mode. Toyota's beautifully designed Camry, Avalon, and Highlander also have hybrid versions. more They Get Great Gas Mileage Like we mentioned before, the Prius models get excellent gas mileage, and the addition of an electric model only ups the ante. But even the sedans offer fuel economy not found on their standard counterparts. For example, the 2016 Avalon touts an estimated 21 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway; but the Avalon Hybrid MPG estimates are 40 and 39, respectively. Similar improvements can be seen on the Camry Hybrid, which boasts estimates of 43 MPG city driving and 39 MPG on the highway (compared to 25 and 35 MPG, respectively, on the standard model). There's Room for the Family Need something a little roomier than a Prius or a sedan, but still want a hybrid? The Toyota line-up features the Highlander Hybrid, which has seating for up to eight people. This SUV gets an estimated 27 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, which is an improvement on its standard counterpart's fuel economy (the standard Highlander gets about 20 MPG city driving and 25 on the highway). The Price Tag is Competitive Investing in a hybrid vehicle will, of course, come with a higher price tag than purchasing a standard car. But probably not as high of a price tag as you think! The smallest Prius model starts at just over $19,500. The Camry Hybrid comes in at just under $27,000 starting MSRP, while the standard Camry starts at just over $23,000 MSRP--not much of a difference when you factor in things like fuel efficiency and lower emissions. With its impressive line-up of hybrid vehicles that ranges from the smaller Prius that's great for urban commutes to a new take on the classic sedans, like the Camry and the Avalon, to the family sized Highlander Hybrid, Toyota gives its customers plenty of reasons to switch to a hybrid car. If you're ready for something stylish, easy on your wallet, and better for the environment, there's never been a better time to buy a Toyota hybrid.   Image via Toyota

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The nation's capital is the epicenter of the U.S. is many ways. As the seat of government, Washington D.C. is home to many important government sites and inspiring monuments. Abundant fun can be found in Washington that doesn't cost a penny, from fascinating museums to the arts, culture, and wonders of the natural world. Myriads of Museums The city's pride and joy lies in its world-class museums, spanning every discipline and interest. Experience the sobering history of the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, or the rich culture of North America's native peoples at the National Museum of the American Indian. All of the 19 branches of the Smithsonian branches are free, containing fascinating wonders from Dorothy's ruby slippers to Kermit the Frog and the Hope Diamond. more Fun in the Great Outdoors Washington D.C.'s temperate climate makes it an ideal locale for outdoor exploration year-round, but particularly in spring. During this time the city beckons travelers from near and far to experience its blossoming cherry trees during the Cherry Blossom Festival. The famous cherry trees erupt in sprays of delicate pink, lining the Tidal Basin which empties into the nearby Potomac River. The Tidal Basin is a beautiful place to stretch your legs and enjoy the idyllic view of the Jefferson Memorial, reflecting in the waters below, which is also free to visit. If you are looking for more lush flora to enjoy, hop in the car and head to the U.S. Botanical Gardens to take advantage of its free admission and ever-evolving natural displays. Washington for Little Ones Washington sheds its serious side at the National Zoo, where visitors can observe over 400 species amidst the pleasant surroundings of the animal habitats. Be sure to visit the zoo's youngest resident, Bei Bei the baby panda, who was born in 2013. You can literally stay from sunup to sundown, as the zoo is open from 6AM to 6PM. You can also take your little ones to fly kites on the National Mall, watching them fly nearly as high as the obelisk of the Washington Memorial. Spend Time at the Mall You'll find an afternoon's worth of wonder at the Washington Mall, where a must-see array of free attractions awaits. The Vietnam War Memorial and the World War II Memorial will inspire you to contemplate the nation's legacy and future, or ascend the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and stand where Martin Luther King, Jr. once delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Catch a Free Show Fill up on free culture at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Free performances take place here daily at 6PM. The venue's eclectic lineup spans everything from classical choral and instrumental works, to rock, world fusion, jazz, soul, and gospel. The National Gallery of Art also hosts Sunday evening concerts on a first-come basis. Seating begins at 6PM, and the series runs twice monthly from May to October. You'll be sure to find something in the nation's capital to amaze you, inspire you, or teach you something new at a variety of institutions and landmarks. Photo by Thad Zajdowicz | Licensed under cc0 1.0

The available Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) in the 4Runner Trail facilitates extended wheel travel at slow speeds for greater off-road capability and stability. On pavement, KDSS provides a nimble sporty handling feel by reducing body lean when cornering. The Limited adds comfort through the standard and exclusive X-REAS suspension, which automatically adjusts the damping force of shocks when driving over bumpy surfaces or when cornering. A center control absorber cross-links the shock absorbers on opposite corners of the vehicle, substantially reducing pitch and yaw by offsetting opposing inputs.

Just as you gear up to fight off the winter chill, it's also important to make plans to protect your car against the elements. Implementing a little planning and acting on these simple steps can extend the life and looks of your vehicle, in the wintertime and beyond. Cover Up It may be convenient, but leaving your car outside to soak up the sun, wind, and rain can dull a paint job over time. If you have access to a garage or carport, don't be lazy and just leave it in the driveway. Go ahead and pull the car in the garage to park. You'll thank yourself when you don't have to shovel snow and ice to dig your car out when the weather takes a turn for the worse. more Protection Matters You can protect your car's "skin" just the same as you would your own--by applying a little balm. Car wax and paint sealants applied over the car's surface imparts a nice luster while also protecting the paint job from corrosive road salts and dirty snow melt. Don't forget about your tires. Keep wheel corrosion at bay with wheel coating and an application of tire gel will prevent tires from cracking in the cold. Scrape Carefully Use the right tools for the season, such as a snow brush with soft bristles, and be wary of scraping a windshield scraper across paint surfaces, as it may cause damage. In addition, using a windshield wiper fluid that was formulated for wintertime will help keep moisture from freezing. You can also make sure to dust snow and ice off of the hood when you exit the car so that melting run-off won't freeze on the windshield. Pull your wipers up off of the surface to keep them from freezing to the surface so your scraping isn't such a chore. Clean Up One of the best things you can do to prevent corrosion is to wash your vehicle frequently. You can do this at home, but many people prefer to take their car to a car wash or detailer in the winter months to clean even hard to reach places, like the undercarriage and behind mudflaps. Try to wash your car earlier in the day so there will be time for it to dry without water refreezing on the car. Also, beware of washing in very low temperatures, lest your doors and locks freeze shut. The Inside Counts Don't neglect the interior of your car. One surprising place that breeds corrosion is underfoot, beneath your snowy boots. Melting, dirty snow carries road salt which can soak the vehicle floor mats and sink through to the undercarriage, eventually causing rust. It's a good idea to invest in fitted plastic floor mats that will easily wipe clean with a towel. Keep your car clean inside and out in the winter months. If you are vigilant about washing your car and protecting its surfaces, you'll also protect your car's beauty and structural integrity in all seasons. You can also protect your car's "skin" just the same as you would your own, by applying a little balm. Car wax applied over the surface of the car will not only impart an attractive glow, but will also protect the paint job from corrosive road salts and dirty snow melt. Photo by John Morton | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

When people look for a car, one major consideration is if there is enough room for their family. Many people buy SUVs because they offer plenty of space. However, not all SUVs are made alike. Some focus on comfort, while others have advanced technology. Toyota's line of SUVs is designed with comfort in mind as well as upgraded navigation systems, and they are consistently ranked among the top 10 SUVs. These three below give you room for your large family while making sure you get to your destination safely and without any interruptions. 1. Highlander One of the most important parts of driving is how comfortable everyone is. The Toyota Highlander not only fits your family, but it also offers a smooth ride thanks to the six-speed automatic transmission. It provides three rows of seating so no one's squished next to each other, and the first two rows have plenty of head and leg room for eight passengers. Is anyone thirsty? The center console can hold up to 58 juice boxes, so you can be ready when the kids come from practice with their friends. The base and the V6 models get up to 25 mpg on the highway for fewer stops. Additional features include a sunroof, keyless entry, and tri-zone automatic climate control. more 2. 4Runner This SUV is for families who love an adventure. There are also three rows, enough for seven people or a family of five with extra equipment for traveling. Take out the optional third row and you get a pull-out cargo deck that holds up to 440 pounds and storage compartments for every item to fit. Since there will be lots of traveling, the 4Runner has an upgraded infotainment system including navigation integration so you're not lost. The satellite radio is useful when you're driving in the country and there are no radio stations available, or use the app suite on the infotainment to listen to songs via Pandora. 3. Highlander Hybrid This is ideal for families who love the room of the Highlander but want an environmentally friendly SUV. The Highlander Hybrid gets up to 27 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market. Its three rows seat seven people well, and the kids in the back will enjoy watching movies on the rear-seat Blu-ray player. Adding to the comfort are leather seats in the first two rows and leatherette in the third, as well as an optional heated steering wheel. The Etune infotainment system helps drivers navigate using an 8-inch touch screen. Large families need comfort in addition to security, and these three Toyota SUVs have it. They all have entertainment to keep people busy, soft seats for optimal comfort, and storage for long road trips. They also provide Bluetooth connectivity and safety features to rival any competitor, but those won't stand out. It's the little differences that make a big impact, so it depends on the needs of your family. These models will not disappoint.   Toyota's line of SUVs is designed with comfort in mind as well as upgraded navigation systems. These three below give you room for your large family.

Thank you for being a customer at Passport Toyota. We look forward to serving you in 2016. We wish you peace, happiness, and an abundance in good health this new year.

To aid the safe implementation of automated driving, Toyota is developing a high-precision map generation system that will use data from on-board cameras and GPS devices installed in production vehicles. The new system will go on display at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2016 in Las Vegas, which will run from January 6 through 9. Toyota's new system uses camera-equipped production vehicles to gather road images and vehicle positional information. This information is sent to data centers, where it is automatically pieced together, corrected and updated to generate high precision road maps that cover a wide area. more An understanding of road layouts and traffic rules (including speed limits and various road signs) is essential for the successful implementation of automated driving technologies. Additionally, high precision measurement of positional information requires the collection of information on dividing lines, curbs, and other road characteristics. Until now, map data for automated driving purposes has been generated using specially-built vehicles equipped with three-dimensional laser scanners. The vehicles are driven through urban areas and on highways, and data is collected and manually edited to incorporate information such as dividing lines and road signs. Due to the infrequent nature of data collection, maps generated in this manner are seldom updated, limiting their usefulness. Additionally, this represents a relatively cost-intensive method of gathering data, due to the need to manually input specific types of data. Toyota's newly developed system uses automated cloud-based spatial information generation technology (developed by Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc.) to generate high precision road image data from the databanks and GPS devices of designated user vehicles. While a system relying on cameras and GPS in this manner has a higher probability of error than a system using three-dimensional laser scanners, positional errors can be mitigated using image matching technologies that integrate and correct road image data collected from multiple vehicles, as well as high precision trajectory estimation technologies. This restricts the system's margin error to a maximum of 5 cm on straight roads. By utilizing production vehicles and existing infrastructure to collect information, this data can be updated in real time. Furthermore, the system can be implemented and scaled up at a relatively low cost. To support the spread of automated driving technologies, Toyota plans to include this system as a core element in automated driving vehicles that will be made available in production vehicles by around 2020. While initial use of the system is expected to be limited to expressways, future development goals include expanding functionality to cover ordinary roads and assist in hazard avoidance. Toyota will also seek to collaborate with mapmakers, with the goal of encouraging the use of high precision map data in services offered by both the public and private sectors. In October 2015, Toyota introduced the Mobility Teammate Concept, which is part of the company's approach to embracing automated driving technologies while keeping fun at the center of the driving experience. To that end, the Mobility Teammate Concept envisages a driver-car relationship based on a shared purpose?somewhat like a relationship between close friends who alternately watch over each other and help each other out. Toyota will continue to develop of technologies that aid the spread of automated driving technologies, with the aim of realizing a society where mobility is synonymous with safety, efficiency, and freedom.

Looking to have fun on the cheap in Washington, D.C.? In a city this big and diverse, you

May the holiday spirit be with you and your family today and throughout the New Year.

Living and working in Washington, D.C., can be expensive, so saving on gas is a priority for many car buyers. Plus, when you pick a fuel-efficient vehicle, you

In Washington, D.C., traffic is serious business. According to some studies, D.C. actually has the worst rush-hour congestion in the country, with commuters experiencing an average of 82 hours of traffic delays each year. With all that time spent in your vehicle, the last thing you want is to let traffic annoyances turn into full-blown road rage. D.C. drivers take note: these are the top tips for keeping your cool in even the worst traffic jams. Leave Extra Time This might seem like an obvious fix, but you Photo by Phil Roeder | Licensed under cc BY 2.0