It’s a Great Time to Buy a 2021 Toyota Camry

by Gabrielle DeSantis

With the recent inventory and chip shortages, you could be hard-pressed to get a good deal on a new car right now. However, if you’re shopping for a mid-size sedan like a 2021 Toyota Camry, then you might be able to take advantage of some incentives this month. Ari Janessian – a broker at Boston Automotive Consulting – recently went over some pricing tips that you can follow if you plan on making a move and purchasing a new Toyota Camry.

Financing a 2021 Toyota Camry

2021 Toyota Camry XSE | Toyota

RELATED: The 2021 Toyota Camry Gives You Fuel Efficiency and All-Wheel Drive

If you plan on shopping for a Toyota Camry, then it helps to know which trim level to look for in order to get the best deal. The Camry currently comes in seven different trim levels: LE, SE,

SE Nightshade, XLE, XSE, TRD, and XSE V6. Janessian notes that there are currently 2,177 SE models at dealerships nationwide, so you could have the best odds of getting a good deal on one due to a large amount of inventory.

If you want to finance a Camry SE, then here is a breakdown of Janessian’s price structure:

2021 Toyota Camry SE FWD
MSRP: $29,185
Target selling price: $27,142
Rebate: $1,000
APR: 1.9%
Final price: $27,142
Monthly payment: $475/month + tax

As we can see, the MSRP for the Toyota Camry SE is $29,185, but Janessian urges buyers to aim for a 7% discount, bringing the selling price down to $27,142. There is also a rebate from Toyota for $1,000 as well as a special financing APR of 1.9% for up to 60 months.

Buyers can either choose the rebate or the special finance rate, but not both. However, if you chose the special rate, then you can anticipate a monthly payment of $475 per month plus tax if you just cover the car’s taxes and fees as your down payment.

Leasing a Toyota Camry will give you a lower monthly payment

2021 Toyota Camry
2021 Toyota Camry | Toyota

RELATED: Here Are 3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy the TRD Lift Kit for the Toyota Tacoma

If you’re looking for a sub-$400 per month payment, then leasing a 2021 Camry could be a more viable option for you. While certain incentives from Toyota can vary depending on which region you currently reside in, Janessian put together a lease example to show what’s possible given the current rebates.

The leasing example breakdown looks like this:

2021 Toyota Camry SE FWD
MSRP: $29,185
Target selling price: $27,142
Lease Cash: $500
Residual: 53%
Money Factor: .00018
Due at signing: $1,700
Monthly payment: $317/month + tax

Janessian used the same starting MSRP and target selling price for a lease, so be sure to start there, if possible. Toyota currently has a lease cash offer of $500 when you lease a Camry and a money factor of .00018 (equivalent to a 4.32% APR).

If you were to put down all of the taxes and fees as a down payment, which should equate to around $1,700, then you’ll be looking at a monthly payment of around $317 per month, plus tax.

Remember, your mileage may vary

While the aforementioned numbers are a great guide to landing a good deal on a Toyota Camry SE, keep in mind that your actual payment and selling price can vary. Different Toyota dealers will be able to achieve different results, so be sure to shop around between two or three in order to get the best price and the exact car that you want. Also, your taxes, fees, and discounts can vary by region as well.

The post It’s a Great Time to Buy a 2021 Toyota Camry appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

The Most Popular 2021 Toyota RAV4 Trim Isn’t Exactly the Best

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Before purchasing a new vehicle, you’ll likely check your favorite automotive review site to how the model you like stacks up. But if you’re in the market for a 2021 Toyota RAV4, it’s a good idea to research multiple sources first. Why? Well, reviewers disagree with consumers about the best new Toyota RAV4 trim you can buy.

If you rely on Edmunds for information regarding vehicles, particularly the ones you’re considering purchasing, you’re not alone. The auto review site is popular and has a reputation for providing accurate information that’s presented in an easy-to-understand way.

Though it’s still a good source for information about the 2021 Toyota RAV4, there’s one thing you should know. When you click the drop-down menu showing information about the various trim levels, Edmunds shows the RAV4 XLE is the most popular model among consumers. That means it’s the bestselling RAV4 trim. It’s interesting because it’s not the trim that’ll give you the most bang for your buck.

The best Toyota RAV4 trim, according to 2 automotive sites

MotorBiscuit and Car and Driver agree that if you’re interested in the best Toyota RAV4 trim, set your sights on the XLE Premium. This trim provides all the features and options you’ll find on the XLE, plus several other features that will improve your driving experience.

The XLE comes with 17-inch silver alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights and taillights, and color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn-signal and blind-spot warning indicators, Toyota‘s website shows. On the inside, it has fabric seats, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a six-speaker audio system. You’ll have to pay extra for a power moonroof and power liftgate.

Upping the perks, the XLE Premium has all of the above but with 19-inch chrome alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, and a better infotainment system. It also comes with a power tilt/slide moonroof and a height-adjustable power liftgate. Inside, find a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8.0-inch infotainment screen, and 11-speaker JBL sound system. You also have the option to add front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.

Driving this compact SUV

If you’re considering a 2021 RAV4, you might already know Toyota vehicles maintain a high resale value and reliability. But at this point, your main concern is whether you’ll enjoy driving the RAV4.

If you like a vehicle that’s fast but provides decent fuel economy, you’ll be happy with the Toyota RAV4. The vehicle’s acceleration impressed Consumer Reports. CR noted the traditional and hybrid versions offered a great deal of get-up-and-go.

“The RAV4 delivers swift acceleration, measured at 8.3 seconds 0-60 mph. That makes it one of the quickest models in the segment, but that figure doesn’t tell the full story. The real power is buried in the upper reaches of the rev range where the engine unleashes a gravelly wail. It doesn’t feel very lively in mild, everyday driving. The hybrid is half a second quicker in the dash to 60 mph.”

Consumer Reports

But CR’s testers’ biggest complaint was that the interior wasn’t as quiet as it could be. They noticed a great deal of engine noise, but the hybrid version was quieter. However, the RAV4 has comfortable seats, offering an enjoyable ride.

So, why do consumers choose the XLE trim over the XLE Premium if the latter is the better buy? It might be as simple as price. The XLE starts at $27,545, and the XLE Premium starts at $30,250, nearly $2,500 more. But if your budget allows, the Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium is worth the spend.

RELATED: The Latest Toyota RAV4 Generation Suffers for Beauty

The post The Most Popular 2021 Toyota RAV4 Trim Isn’t Exactly the Best appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Only One Kia SUV Got Left Out of the Consumer Reports Recommendations List

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In the past several years, we’ve gone from knowing Kia from it’s rapping hamster commercials for the Kia Soul to the prominent and headline worthy overtaker of many vehicle segments. The Kia Stinger proved that Kia could provide luxury and performance, while the Kia Telluride provided drivers with an affordable vehicle chock-full of features and options. In fact, when it comes to SUVs, Kia seems to be doing well in the rating, and according to Consumer Reports, 75% of the brand’s SUV models are recommended for purchase. But, that last 25% is only one vehicle, and it got left out of the recommendations list. It’s the 2021 Kia Seltos, and it seemed to have fallen just a bit short of the expectations the brand has set with its other SUV options.

Kia Seltos | Jyoti Kapoor, Pacific Press, LightRocket, Getty Images

Does Consumer Reports recommend the 2021 Kia Seltos?

A gold 2021 Kia Seltos SX on display
2021 Kia Seltos SX | Raymond Boyd, Getty Images

A quick browse through Consumer Reports shows recommended vehicles with the small checkmark of approval, and for three out of the four tested vehicles, that electronic badge is worn proudly. That’s unfortunately not the same for the 2021 Kia Seltos, which missed getting a recommendation review from the website by a handful of points. Its overall rating was 63 out of a possible 100, just 13 points shy of the recommended Kia Sorento.

Why isn’t the Kia Seltos as highly rated?

RELATED: The 2022 Kia Seltos Is About to Look Even Cooler

The 2021 lineup of Kia SUVs that were recommended by Consumer Reports includes the Telluride, with a score of 96, the Sportage, with a score of 80, and the Sorento, with a score of 76. It’s clear that Kia knows how to make a well-rounded SUV that’s capable of high ratings and reviews, so where exactly did the 2021 Kia Seltos fall short?

Consumer Reports dives into deep details to rate as many aspects of each vehicle as consumers could possibly take interest in, but that can also make things a bit confusing. The road test for the Seltos was on the higher side, with a score of 72 and special notes about the vehicle’s braking and emergency handling.

It also didn’t receive abysmal scores for expected owners’ satisfaction or predicted reliability, leaving us to wonder if the main difference was more so that the vehicle just wasn’t up to par with other options offered by the same brand.

The Kia Seltos is still worth buying

RELATED: Kia Dominates This List of Sportiest SUVs Under $30,000

Regardless of the lower rating, there is still a lot of things about the 2021 Kia Seltos that make it a good vehicle. It is one of the more affordable options in the Kia SUV lineup, with a starting price of around $21,990. It offers responsible fuel economy, with a reported overall average of 28 mpg, plenty of modern styling inside and out, and just enough space for buyers who want the practicality of an SUV without the sheer size.

Consumer Reports may have left the 2021 Kia Seltos out of their list of recommended vehicles, but for the price it still has a lot to offer.

The post Only One Kia SUV Got Left Out of the Consumer Reports Recommendations List appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by

Car Supplies Are So Bad Ford Will Pay You $1,000 To Wait

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car supplies are at all-time lows. The shutdown of assembly plants in 2020 over COVID-19 concerns, and the more recent microchip shortage means that cars and trucks are at a premium. And in the midst of all of this Ford has launched a number of important vehicles like the Bronco, Mustang Mach-E, new Explorer, and F-150. 

Buyers are ready to receive their shiny new Ford

The Ford F-150 Lightning | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Now with online ordering, there are customers that have put down deposits and are ready to receive their shiny new Ford. But there aren’t any to send out. What’s a company to do? Ford has decided to bribe buyers to hang in there with new car incentives. 

One thing Ford is doing is doubling existing discounts on certain vehicles to help to keep the prices at reasonable levels. That’s because with supplies so low dealers are charging more than MSRP. It is Ford’s way of keeping a lid on run-away prices.

Ford is implementing the “Retail Order Incentive Program” to entice buyers to stick with Ford

A blue 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands parked on the grass next to a hill in Area 51
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands | Ford Motor Company

But the other thing that Ford is doing is implementing the “Retail Order Incentive Program.” Since there are not a lot of vehicles to pack the dealership lots it is an incentive of $1,000 to close deals on non-existent Fords. Ford is offering it on the F-150 and Expedition. 

Surprisingly, Ford is not offering the new car incentive on Mustang Mach-E and Bronco models. Ford has been able to eke out Mustang Mach-E and Bronco Sport models. But the Bronco is still in the wings. Its launch keeps getting pushed back. 

Dealers are almost begging for used cars to have something to show at their dealerships. Prices are through the roof, with models like the Bronco Sport seeing $10,000 markups. Then there have been issues like the one in New Jersey.

Ford had to pay New Jersey Mach-E buyers $5,000

A red 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E drives down a snow-lined road.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | Ford

Ford had to pay Mustang Mach-E buyers $5,000. This happened because Ford did not include a local plug-in rebate. And with all of this swirling around it is hard to say when it will start to ease up.

In the meantime, the Ford new car incentives will run through July 6. So Ford expects this to drag on at least another month. If you ordered something between April 1 and now, the new car incentives are retroactive to then. 

Additionally, Ford is giving dealers a $250 bonus for closing orders on its 2021 models. So Ford is spreading the cabbage around to keep all factions happy. What Ford will do after July 6 is anybody’s guess. If the shortage of vehicles continues, expect it to offer similar incentives until this crunch is over.

RELATED: The 2021 Ford F-150 is Struggling to Meet Demands

The post Car Supplies Are So Bad Ford Will Pay You $1,000 To Wait appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

/by