Between the Tundra and Tacoma, which is better for you depends on your needs. Let’s take a look at the differences in these trucks’ performance, capabilities, and style so you can make an informed decision at Midlands Toyota!

2021 Toyota Tundra: Power is the Name of the Game

If you regularly need to tow up to 10,200 pounds or load up to 1,730 pounds in your truck bed, and you want to look and feel good while you do, the 2021 Toyota Tundra is the truck for you. Its standard i-FORCE 5.7L V8 engine produces up to 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. of torque, which is more than enough to tow whatever you’ve got to haul.

Tundra doesn’t just do the big stuff right: several smaller accouterments work together to provide you the comfort and storage you need for long trips. Tundra’s available bucket seat option provides you a large center console with a covered storage compartment and 12V auxiliary power outlet. In the Double Cab and CrewMax Tundras, the rear seats fold up instead of flat, giving you even more room to store cargo you need to keep dry.

To keep your outside cargo secure, Tundra offers an available deck rail system for tying down up to 220 lbs. each. Once you get where you’re going, you can pull your tools out of the lockable bed storage boxes available on the Tundra Trail Special Edition.

Of course, you expect more than just a workhorse truck. The 2021 Tundra offers style and comfort in spades, from its available 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen display with Integrated Navigation to its Apple CarPlay™, Amazon Amazon Alexa, and Android Auto™ integrations, Multi-Information Display, available Smart Key, and more. No matter your style, there’s a Tundra for you, with six trims to choose from.

2021 Toyota Tacoma: A Mean Off-roading Machine

For an unrivaled mid-size off-roading experience, people have been reaching for the Toyota Tacoma for years. The 2021 Tacoma is no different, with two engine options to choose from, six trims, and an off-roading package on the Tacoma TRD Pro. If you still find yourself towing from time to time, Tacoma’s available Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V6 with direct injection perfectly blends efficiency and power, with the capability to tow up to 6,400 pounds.

Features like Hill Start Assist Control, available Multi-Terrain Select Bilstein® shocks, crawl control, and more make off-roading a breeze in every Tacoma, but for the ultimate off-roading experience, the Tacoma TRD Pro offers many extra features. These include the TRD Pro skid plate, Rigid Industries® LED fog lights, TRD-tuned FOX® Internal Bypass shocks, 16-inch wheels with Goodyear® Wrangler® All-Terrain tires, and more.

Just because you’re off the beaten path doesn’t mean you have to rough it in the 2021 Tacoma. Its tough yet refined interior features soft-touch materials, available leather-trimmed, adjustable seating, dual-zone climate control, an available power rear window, and more. It’s a comfortable and rugged ride that’s sure to leave you breathless.

Find Your Next Toyota Truck in Columbia

Whichever Toyota truck you decide is more your style, you’re sure to find it at Midlands Toyota, serving the Columbia, Lexington, St. Andrews, Dentsville, and Orangeburg areas. Our friendly sales staff will gladly help you find the new or used Toyota that’s perfect for you, and when you find it, our finance department will run the numbers to make sure you get the best deal. Come see us at our dealership, or give us a call or schedule a test drive online today!

If you’re searching for a new SUV to travel around the Columbia, South Carolina streets in, the new 2021 Toyota Venza is worth a look. The Venza rests somewhere between the RAV4 and the Highlander SUV in the Toyota lineup. The premium-looking hybrid SUV puts up a good fight in the competition among other similar models like the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Nissan Murano.

Interior of the Venza

The new Venza is a stylish vehicle that manages to look luxurious, almost making you forget that this is a Toyota, and not a higher-priced luxury SUV like a Lexus. Even the interior maintains this upscale look, especially with light wood accents on the doors and center console of the Limited.

The front seats look premium, and the backseat is roomy enough to fit a person on the taller side without issue. Additionally, there is an optional Star Gaze roof in the Venza (Limited trim only), which is a glass panel that can move between clear and opaque as you control it with the touch of a button. This cool feature is usually found only on actual luxury cars like the Mercedes-Benz SL-class. The cargo in the Venza is about 28.7-28.8 cubic feet of space, which is more than adequate for most users.

Technology & Connectivity

A standard 8.0-inch touchscreen accompanies the 2021 Venza, but a larger 12.3-inch display is optional on the XLE and standard on the Limited. For all displays, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio come included with the infotainment center. The 12.3-inch display also adds in-dash navigation and a nine-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

Safety Features

Toyota prioritizes safety in the Venza, and it includes Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.0 suite of advanced safety features as standard equipment. The following features help to make up the Venza’s safety system:

• adaptive cruise control
• lane departure warning with lane keep assist
• lane-tracing assist
• forward collision detection
• automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• daytime bicyclist detection

2021 Venza Pricing

The starting MSRP for the Venza is $32,470 for an LE. The XLE is $36,000, and the Limited starts at $39,800. These prices are for basic models without any additional features or color options.

Performance

Since the US-market Venza is offered exclusively as a hybrid but trying to compete with regular SUVs, it has to have competitive power. The 2021 Toyota Venza is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and three electric motors, which together create up to 219 horsepower. On the Venza, all-wheel drive is standard– it has to be. One of the electric motors powers the rear wheels while the gasoline engine and the other two motors are used to move the front wheels.

Overall, the Venza proves to be an intriguing addition to the hybrid SUV scene. Its luxury style paired with its efficient engines create the perfect storm for those looking to go a bit more eco-friendly. If this new 2021 Toyota SUV interests you, contact us, or stop by to take a test drive of the Venza in Columbia, South Carolina today!

Purchasing a new vehicle is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will face. Although the opportunity to buy a new car may be very exciting, there are a lot of factors to consider before making your final decision. It isn’t unusual for people to get so caught up in the excitement of car buying that they end up making decisions that they later regret. Before you purchase your next vehicle, sit down and ask yourself these five questions to help to make the process a little smoother.

1. Should I buy new or used?

This is an essential question to ask yourself before you begin your vehicle research. There are benefits to both new and used cars, but you have to decide what is best for your budget and lifestyle. If you are looking for a car with fewer miles and the latest technology features, you may want to purchase a new car. If you’re on a strict budget, or you’re only looking to drive short distances, a used car may be the best fit for your lifestyle.

2. What is my budget?

Regardless of if you plan to purchase a new or used vehicle, you will need to set a budget. Nothing is more disappointing than falling in love with a car and realizing that it’s not within your budget. When calculating your budget, be sure to take gas, insurance, and registration into consideration. If you have your heart set on a particular vehicle but the newest model is out of your price range, try looking for an older, used version. You may be able to find a used, low mileage version of the car that you will love!

3. Does this vehicle fit my lifestyle?

How you are going to use your vehicle is very important when trying to decide what type of vehicle you are going to purchase. If you’re planning to drive your vehicle in off-road rural areas, you may want to consider one of our Toyota Tundra or Tacoma trucks. If you have a long daily commute, you may want a comfortable and smooth sedan, like our Camry models. Don’t forget to consider your future plans! If you plan to expand your family in the next few years, space, comfort and safety will be some of your biggest concerns.

4. Should I finance or lease?

Do you plan to keep this vehicle for a look period of time? Or do you like switching things up every few years? If the later sounds like you, you may want to take a look into the benefits of leasing. With leasing, you won’t own your vehicle, but you may benefit with lower monthly payments, always being covered by warranty, and getting to test out the latest models every couple of years. If you want to customize your car, or plan on taking a lot of high mileage trips, you may want to stick to financing.

5. What is the warranty coverage?

To help save you money on future service and repairs, it’s important to research the warranty that comes with the car you have in mind. With the ToyotaCare no cost maintenance plan, your normal factory scheduled maintenance will be covered for 2 years or 25,000 miles – whichever comes first. ToyotaCare also features 24 hour roadside assistance for 2 years. With the benefits of a good warranty, you’ll save plenty of money in the long run.