2010 Toyota Avalon Limited: Toyota's Flagship Sedan

What do glimmering geodes, an intense yoga experience, and the 2010 Toyota Avalon Limited have in common? It's their inner beauty, baby. And in particular, the Avalon's solid build, interior comfort, reassuring handling and ample power make it a comfy and reassuring companion for just about any road-bound excursion you can imagine.

Base-priced at $27,945 for the entry-level Avalon XL and $35,285 for the top-end Avalon Limited tested here, Toyota's flagship sedan is so competent, it's more than qualified to cannibalize sales of the ES 350 in the company's upscale Lexus division. The Avalon features a 111-inch wheelbase (1.7 inches longer than cousin Camry), a potent 268-horsepower 3.5-liter dual VVT-i 24-valve V6, and enough electronic advancements to satisfy premium buyers. The only place it misses true bliss is in interior quietness, which is compromised by wind noise at higher cruising speeds and by tire noise over rough surfaces.

The Avalon is impressive design-wise, especially in profile where its arched roofline and high beltline, and wheels pushed toward the corners, suggest Lexus and even Mercedes-Benz sedans. However the interior is distinctly muted in contrast to the rich-appearing finishing touches of luxury cars. Doubtlessly this is to keep the Toyota's price in check, and to keep it from challenging Lexus too strongly.

A primary benefit of the Avalon's stretched wheelbase is expanded rear legroom: At 40.9 inches, it's 2.6 inches more than the Camry and within millimeters of the $80,300 BMW 750i. The front seats are quite comfortable and feature eight-way power adjustments with power-adjustable lumbar support, a driver's seat cushion extension, and front-seat ventilation and heating. A couple of minor ergonomic beefs: The driver's knee airbag panel and the corner of the navigation-system door contacted our (admittedly lanky) knees in normal driving.

We put our bags into the Avalon's enormous 15 cubic-foot trunk and headed from Los Angeles to Monterey, Calif. for the annual summer Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and collector-car auctions. Running a bit behind schedule at first, Toyota's navigation system (a $2,000 option that also includes a JBL sound system) worked reassuringly behind the scenes to guide us along with the quickest route while providing estimated travel time. At 70 mph the Avalon's engine turns a relaxed 2100 rpm, its VVT-i system adjusting the valve timing for maximum torque and efficiency. And when booting it to skirt around a lumbering truck, the power build was so seamless as to be barely detectable, unlike on some other competitors' variable valve-timing systems. In fact, the Avalon's robust performance, low engine NVH, and passable fuel economy (we observed 25.3 mpg) make its powertrain a genuine standout.

Quietly efficient was the Avalon's six-speed automatic transmission. Operating just about as smoothly as a CVT, the transmission truly has a gear for every need, and its shift algorithms are right on target. As well, a Sequential Shift feature allows manual shifting for added control on winding roads, hills -- or just for fun.

Additional premium features include a Smart Key system that replaces the traditional ignition key with a transponder that doubles as a remote door lock/unlock fob. As a result, one never needs to physically operate the fob to unlock the car or start the engine - the driver's door unlocks when you approach it, and simply pressing the Start button on the instrument panel (while applying the brakes) gets you going. Additional useful safety and convenience functions include crisp HID headlights with auto-leveling, rain-sensing wipers, and a power rear sunshade.

While these features have been in the industry for some time, the Avalon Limited boasts one newer technology in its dynamic laser cruise control (a $600 option), which uses a laser and special computer programming to keep pace with the vehicle ahead. Say you're booking along at 75 in the fast lane on dynamic laser cruise. As you gradually close on a slower vehicle, the system automatically reduces engine output to keep a safe following distance (a very long one at that) then resumes your previous pace when the other vehicle changes lanes or speeds up. So what if someone suddenly cuts in front of you? The system goes into save-your-bacon mode, reducing engine power, applying the brakes, and sounding an attention-grabbing beeper.

Fifty years ago, American cars almost promised us interstellar adventure with their space-age tailfins, V8 power and flashy interiors. The 2010 Avalon Limited has none of these, but with features like GPS navigation and dynamic laser cruise control, it's actually a whole lot closer to delivering just that.

Top 3 Features of 2009 Toyota 4Runner – the SUV from Toyota

Toyota SUVs are well known for both quality and technology. The Land Cruiser, Venza, Sequoia and Highlander are some of the remarkable SUVs of the Toyota make. Recently, Toyota has added another stunning SUV called “4Runner” to their SUV line up. The Toyota 4Runner 2009 is said to have equipped with the latest technologies. You may be aware of the fact that Toyota concentrates more on improving the safety features of the vehicles, and this approach is reflected in the Toyota 4Runner. With the Toyota 4Runner becoming more important in the automotive world, we decided to dive in to the new SUV and test some of its features. We were able to experience 3 stunning features made available in the Toyota 4Runner.

1. The Vehicle Stability Control System

The vehicle stability control system (VSC) is used in most of the Toyota’s modern SUVs. However, this system seems to be more effective with the Toyota 4Runner. This electronic system really helps to maintain the vehicle control even while driving on the roughest terrain. This vehicle stability control system used in Toyota 4Runner will be of much use to the novice off-road enthusiasts. By driving the Toyota 4Runner, they will be able to experience the thrill of off-road adventure safely than ever before.

2. The Full time 4-wheel drive with Torsion

If you are a WRC spectator, you should have noted that the recent FIA World Rally Championships were won by the full time 4-wheel drive vehicles with the Torsion technology. The Torsion differential used in rally cars provided the vehicles with increased stability. This same technology is used in the Toyota 4Runner.

3. The Assist Controls

Two types of assist controls are used in the Toyota 4Runner. The hill start assist control (HAC) helps the driver to prevent backward rolling of the vehicle while driving in steep hill stations. The downhill assist control play a vital part in maintaining the stability of the vehicle on steep downhill descents. This feature of the Toyota 4Runner will be a boon to the off road enthusiasts. People who like to enjoy the thrill of off-road adventure should definitely can opt Toyota 4Runner even for this feature alone.

Where to buy Toyota 4Runner

Buying Toyota 4Runner from the authorized Toyota dealers has many benefits. Some of the authorized Toyota dealers in Pittsburgh provide a lifetime warranty for all the Toyota vehicles. To the added advantage, you can find all the genuine accessories for the Toyota 4Runner available with these authorized Toyota dealers. You can also easily get financial assistance for buying Toyota cars from the authorized dealers. What are you waiting for? Grab the keys of the best SUV of the year “The Toyota 4Runner” today and experience the thrill of off-road adventure safely.

Breaking The Back Of Compensation Payouts

A high court trial that is expected to reach damage payouts of over 1 pounds million is currently underway. This compensation is being sought by an injury lawyer despite the fact that the victim was found partially responsible for his ill fate.

After an evenings high jinks of drinking and clubbing and generally doing what young people do when they let their hair down, a gang of young men re-grouped to make the trip home and found that there simply wasnt enough room in the car. To this end, one of them decided he would be better off to make the short journey home in the boot of the car, to his everlasting detriment.

The group of boys had become separated during the evening and all declared they had no way of knowing how much the designated driver had consumed in the way of alcoholic drinks. When asked if he was in a fit state to drive, the driver assured all passengers that he was.

Unfortunately, the evening ended tragically when a collision occurred and the young man in the boot of the car was severely injured, resulting in tetraplegia. He suffered broken arms, leg, collar bone and ribs and sustained a serious head injury but the main problem was a dual brachial plexus injury. This is what has left him with no use of his hands and extremely limited use of his arms. Obviously, this has affected all of his life and will continue to do so.

As pointed out by the personal injury lawyer, the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was convicted of dangerous driving. However, the injured party also has to accept a degree of responsibility for voluntarily travelling in the boot of a car and so his compensation was reduced by a third to account for this fact. This is a dreadful way to pay for alcohol fuelled misjudgement and should serve as a lesson to other young people about arranging homeward bound transport before setting out for the evening.

Following another vehicle accident, injury lawyers are acting on behalf of another man who has been left tetraplegic after his girlfriend lost control of her Jeep. The difference with this case is that the British man had his accident on foreign soil. The crash occurred in Australia and under the laws of New South Wales, compensation is paid at a lesser amount.

However, this man faces a life time of having to pay for twenty four hour care and needs as much as he can get. That said, injury lawyers have secured him the right to fight for compensation through British courts and this opens up the possibility of damages reaching well over 5 pounds million.

Tetraplegia occurs when an injury either severs or severely damages the spinal cord in the neck region. There are different degrees of injury and this will affect how much movement is lost or re-gained and the overall impact on the quality of life that follows. There are seven vertebrae in the neck and the higher the damage, the more likely that total movement will be lost.

Complete severing of the spinal cord can also mean that breathing can be difficult as well as bowel and bladder control as well as losing sexual function. Sometimes, if the injury is low in the neck, then movement is possible in the lower limbs but not in the arms. It is possible to also have an incomplete injury where the spinal cord is not completely severed but damaged to the point where movement in the limbs is limited to the point of making normal life impossible.

The spinal cord and the injuries that can occur are very complex matters and this is why any compensation claims need to be pursued by a specialist injury lawyer who understands all the implications.

A high court trial that is expected to reach damage payouts of over 1 pounds meg is currently underway. This compensation is being sought by an injury lawyer despite the fact that the victim was found part responsible for his ill fate.

After an evenings high jinks of drink and clubbing and generally doing what young people do when they let their hair down, a gang of young men re-grouped to make the trip home and found that there simply wasnt enough room in the car. To this end, one of them decided he would be better off to make the short journey home in the boot of the car, to his everlasting detriment.

The group of boys had go separated during the evening and all declared they had no way of knowing how much the designated driver had consumed in the way of souse drinks. When asked if he was in a fit state to drive, the device driver assured all passengers that he was.

Unfortunately, the evening ended tragically when a collision occurred and the young man in the boot of the car was severely injured, resulting in tetraplegia. He suffered broken arms, leg, pick up bone and ribs and sustained a serious head wound but the main problem was a dual brachial plexus injury. This is what has left him with no use of his hands and extremely limited use of his arms. Obviously, this has affected all of his life and will go on to do so.

As pointed out by the personal injury lawyer, the driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was convicted of dangerous driving. However, the injured party also has to take on a degree of responsibility for voluntarily traveling in the boot of a car and so his compensation was reduced by a third to calculate for this fact. This is a dreadful way to pay for alcohol fuelled misjudgement and should serve as a example to other young people about arranging homeward bound transport before setting out for the evening.

Following another vehicle accident, accidental injury lawyers are acting on behalf of another man who has been left tetraplegic after his girlfriend lost control of her Jeep. The difference with this case is that the British man had his accident on alien soil. The crash occurred in Australia and under the laws of New South Wales, compensation is paid at a lesser amount.

However, this man faces a life time of having to pay for twenty four hour care and needs as much as he can get. That said, injury lawyers have secured him the right to fight for recompense through British courts and this opens up the possible action of damages reaching well over 5 pounds million.

Tetraplegia occurs when an injury either severs or gravely indemnity the spinal cord in the neck region. There are unlike degrees of injury and this will affect how much drive is lost or re-gained and the overall impact on the quality of life that follows. There are seven vertebrae in the neck and the higher the damage, the more likely that total movement will be lost.

Complete severing of the spinal cord can also mean that breathing can be hard as well as bowel and bladder control as well as losing intimate function. Sometimes, if the injury is low in the neck, then apparent motion is possible in the lower limbs but not in the arms. It is possible to also have an uncompleted injury where the spinal cord is not completely severed but damaged to the point where movement in the limbs is limited to the point of making normal life impossible.

The spinal anaesthesia cord and the injuries that can occur are very complex matters and this is why any compensation claims need to be chased by a specialist hurt lawyer who understands all the implications.