What Was That Weird Car in the Toyota Commercials During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

We are finally getting to watch the 2020 Tokyo Olympics here in the year of our Lord, 2021. That being said, there is no way the Tokyo Olympics weren’t destined to be strange at the very least. It seems Toyota decided to follow suit with its commercials showing the very weird and very futuristic Toyota LQ concept. And it to the list of automotive oddities that have sprung from the COVID times.

Toyota LQ concept | Toyota

What’s up with this new Toyota LQ concept from the Olympics commercial? 

Although many of us probably missed it, the Toyota LQ concept debuted in the Fall of 2019 at the Tokyo Motor Show, no less. The LQ was promised to be the car of the future and I guess that future has come.

According to Gear Patrol, Toyota said its goal with the LQ was to have the car “create an emotional bond with its driver.” 

How can the Toyota LQ conscept create a bond with its driver? 

Interior of the Toyota LQ concept
Toyota LQ Concept | Toyota

The futuristic Toyota LQ has two sides that make it the car of the future. One of which is the A.I. program, Yui, which Toyota describes as the “onboard artificial intelligence agent.” This robot is meant to allow something called a “personal mobility experience”. 

The second feature is an SAE Level 4 autonomous driving capability that allows the LQ to drive itself within a geofenced area. This driving mode is said to be able to function without any driver inputs at all.

Of course, Toyota is not very close to being able to sell customers a car even close to this yet. Like Jeep’s most recently futuristic commercial, the Toyota commercial during the Tokyo Olympics is merely a look forward to what could be. Even though Toyota is likely a good handful of years from being able to offer something like the LQ concept, Toyota just added a new infotainment interface. The new Toyota software isn’t at Yui levels, yet but it’s a step in that direction. 

It’s not Toyota’s fault the Olympics were late

Part of what makes this all so weird is that the LQ was already shown two years ago, and we are only now seeing more information about it. Well, this Toyota LQ ad was supposed to air back when the 2020 Olympics were supposed to be in 2020. What we are left with is a futuristic car that isn’t even possible to make yet but that debuted two years ago. This is doubly strange when you consider the lateness of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

In fact, Gear Patrol notes that Toyota had planned a “Toyota Yui Project Tours 2020” program of public test drives coinciding with the Olympics, which did not occur for covid-related reasons. 

Toyota is looking forward when it should be looking at the road it’s currently on

It’s pretty common for any tech-driven company to constantly be looking toward the future. However, Toyota has been catching a lot of grief over the past few years for using outdated tech and engines. While the future looks bright for Toyota, many customers would love to see, some of this effort shown to the current line. 

RELATED: LEAKED: Toyota Future Plans With Images For Next Two Years

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What Is Considered High Mileage for a Subaru?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Drivers recognize that regardless of the badge you’re loyal to, Subaru is up there with the cars that can drive the longest. Some of the highest vehicle miles ever recorded belong to Subaru models. The brand itself has long been known for producing practical, capable, long-lasting rides.

So what would be considered high mileage for a vehicle like Subaru, with a reputation for exceeding well over the 100,000-mile mark and so many older models still on the road setting mileage records? Will the newest versions prove to drive even further? 

Subaru vehicles can reach high mileage

Subaru logo | Getty Images

Most people don’t question the reputable nature of the Subaru brand. These vehicles are made to cover pavement in a way that is almost embarrassing to other brands. With countless high-mileage Subaru clubs, including some that benchmark 300,000 miles, it’s easy to see the proof in the pudding. Hitting well over 200,000 miles is a snap for these hearty rides. Subaru cites that 97% of its total vehicles sold over the last 10 years are still driving. And it likely means today’s models won’t disappoint either. 

Typical mileage markers for problems and repairs

George Lawson Gallery shares some of its data regarding Subaru models and more prominent problems. While these vehicles tend to rack up the miles with ease, there are a few common hiccups you might expect. For example, Subaru cars struggle with high oil consumption and persistent head gasket issues. Steering pumps tend to fail around the 100,000-mile mark, even if the car still intends to live another 100,000 miles.

The only real problematic engine configuration is the 2.5-liter turbocharged version. Most suggest avoiding this engine altogether. Other engines can be expected to last through 200,000 miles before needing more significant maintenance or repairs.

Cash Cars Buyer suggests a few models experience more breakdowns than others, like 1999 through 2010 model Subaru Forester or the Baja from 2003 through 2005. Gasket problems and engine repairs sometimes happen, including with the Outback from 2000 to 2011 and the Legacy between 2000 and 2009.

How Subaru vehicles compare to others in repair costs

Most Subaru models can be trusted to run, without major issue, for about 150,000 to 200,000 miles. That’s as long as owners perform routine maintenance and care of those vehicles. On average, those mileage benchmarks far exceed the likes of other older models that usually begin experiencing costly repairs closer to 100,000 miles.

Car and Driver shared data from the Bureau of Transportation and AutoTrader that suggests today’s new cars are built to last closer to the 200,000-mile mark. And being able to drive a car for 10 years can save the average consumer about $30,000. However, Subaru has been hitting those numbers for years now.

Aside from crazy mechanical anomalies, repairing and maintaining a Subaru is relatively inexpensive. This creates more value since other brands that tend to reach high miles require more expensive parts and labor. In the end, it still only boils down to specific driving habits, routine oil changes, and basic vehicle care efforts. 

Treating your Subaru well means you’ll likely see it drive beyond the 200,000-mile mark. And today’s newer models might prove to even sail beyond those already impressive digits. There’s a reason Subaru continues to be one of the most trusted brands on the market.

RELATED: Subaru Has Made Its 20 Millionth AWD Vehicle

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Toyota Kentucky Plant Produced Its 10 Millionth Camry

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Camry is one of the most popular and reliable vehicles in Toyota’s lineup. And this year, it remains the best-selling midsize sedan in America. In fact, the Toyota Camry often comes up in car sales, highlighted by Consumer Reports this past July 4.

Considering the Camry’s success, a recent press release from Toyota comes as no surprise. The automaker was proud to announce that its 10 millionth Camry rolled off the assembly line in late June. Let’s go over the events that led to this milestone and what the latest model has to offer.

A brief history of the best-selling midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry

The 10 millionth Toyota Camry rolls off the assembly line in June 2021 | Joseph Rey Au for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The Toyota Camry debuted in 1983 to replace the Corona sedan. It had a bigger interior and a comfier ride than its predecessor, which boosted its popularity from the onset. The second-generation car was even longer and came with a bigger trunk. The Camry was also introduced as a modern station wagon for this generation.

The second-gen Toyota Camry models would also benefit from a 153-hp V6 and newly optional all-wheel drive. The third-generation Camry debuted in 1992 as a midsize sedan instead of a compact. The infamous Camry Solara coupe, reportedly likelier likely to get pulled over, was also released.

The Toyota Camry really hit a boom during its fourth generation. The Ann Arbor, Michigan factory was responsible for creating half of the Camry’s total units during this time. According to Car Salesbase, the Camry sold over 400,000 units for the first time in 1998.

The car hit its all-time high in 2007, selling 473,108 units. This was at the beginning of its sixth generation, which would also see the debut of the Camry Hybrid. The Toyota Camry is now in its eighth generation, the first to offer a TRD model.

The 10 millionth Toyota Camry

This record-breaking Camry was a white SE model from the Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant. The facility is Toyota’s first wholly owned plant stateside, where it has been operating for 35 years. Since 2020, this plant has also been responsible for manufacturing RAV4 Hybrid compact SUVs.

In fact, a blue RAV4 Hybrid was the 13 millionth vehicle overall created by this plant. This model was Toyota’s best-selling hybrid last year, even beating the lauded Prius. The Camry also performed well in 2020 despite the pandemic, selling 294,348 units.

The 2022 model at a glance

The latest Toyota Camry is mostly unchanged from last year, but it will have an edgy new trim, the Nightshade Edition. It still comes standard with a four-cylinder engine that makes up to 206 hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For 2021, available AWD made its much-appreciated return after an extended absence.

Starting on the XLE trim, you can get a V6 engine that makes an elevated 301 hp. The Toyota Camry TRD comes standard with this motor, as well as a track-tuned racing suspension. While the TRD undeniably has the best performance, critics say each Camry is plenty of fun to drive.

The Toyota Camry also has one of the most upscale interiors in the segment, even on the lowest trim. It can seat up to five riders with room to spare in both rows. In addition to the 15-cubic-foot trunk, the back seats can fold down for more cargo space.

The Camry comes with excellent standard equipment, including smartphone integration and 10 active safety features. It’s slightly more expensive than the comparable Mazda6, but the Camry gets better gas mileage. Its ride quality is also more engaging than the Honda Accord, making Toyota’s midsize sedan a standout in its segment.

RELATED: Is This Really the Toyota Camry’s Answer to Crossover SUVs?

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Do Planes Pollute More Than Cars?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Some states perform emissions tests every couple of years to ensure vehicles aren’t giving off too many pollutants, like carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, or nitrogen oxide. Compared to other transportation modes, such as airplanes, are cars worse at emitting pollution? 

According to Treehugger, the answer isn’t as simple as you might think. A few factors come into play. 

Do planes pollute more than cars?

Boeing 777F cargo airplane | Boris Roessler/picture alliance via Getty Images

One misconception many people have is that planes are much bigger than cars, so they will cause more pollution than an on-road vehicle. Actually, that’s not really the case. While it is true that planes are bigger, use more fuel, and emit a lot of air pollutants, they carry many more passengers than a car does. 

So, per capita, it doesn’t emit nearly as much as several cars driving down the road would. In fact, one person driving a gas-powered car equates to an airplane flying 80 percent full of passengers. The difference is, there are 80 cars worth traveling on one big plane versus 80 cars kicking out exhaust particles into the air. 

We’re not going to say airplanes don’t affect the environment at all, because they do, but they tend to produce vapor trails and put out tropospheric ozone. While it makes a big impact on the climate, it isn’t long-lasting. Not nearly as long as a vehicle would unless the airplane is flying with only a few passengers. 

How badly do cars pollute the air?

Though vapors from an airplane will disappear after a while, the carbon dioxide from a car’s exhaust tends to stick around in the atmosphere for centuries. If you take a vehicle that gets approximately 22 mpg in fuel economy, you can expect it to produce 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide in a single year. 

It goes even deeper than that, though. If you think about it, gas has to come from somewhere before you pump it into your car at the station. Oil has to be extracted and transported to a facility that will produce gasoline from it. All of that leaves a pretty large carbon footprint as well. 

On the other hand, an electric vehicle, which also leaves a carbon footprint from the production of its batteries, doesn’t release any emissions into the atmosphere, which pretty much makes up for it. 

Reducing pollution from cars

Since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, car pollution has come down significantly. According to the EPA, passenger vehicles of today are 98 to 99 percent cleaner than they were in the 1960s. They eliminated lead and improved fuel standards to make gas much cleaner to burn in engines. 

However, gasoline-powered vehicles still emit enough carbon and other pollutants to harm the atmosphere despite all the advancements the automotive industry has seen over the years. Fiat-Chrysler seems to be the worst offender, giving off 428 g/mi of CO2. General Motors comes in second with 390 g/mi. 

To help combat pollution, you may want to use more environmentally friendly vehicles to cut back on your carbon footprint. 

The best option seems to be a diesel bus when it’s at or near full capacity. The next best option would be a high-speed train, and, like the diesel bus, it should be nearly full to make the most impact on reducing emissions. Electric vehicles or hybrids are other options because they don’t emit the pollutants that gas-powered cars do. 

Just because planes are much larger than cars doesn’t necessarily mean they emit more pollutants into the air. When you look at the whole picture, an airplane that’s nearly full puts out less carbon simply because of the number of passengers it carries. 

RELATED: Amazon Is Set to Have a Fleet of 85 Planes by 2022

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