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2025 Toyota Prius

2025 Toyota Prius Trim Comparison

2025 Toyota Prius For Sale in Madison The 2025 Toyota Prius has a superb combination of style, performance, reliability, and advanced technology. Getting this sedan for yourself is a no-brainer, so the next step is determining which of the different 2025 Prius trim levels is right for you. Fortunately, our Toyota dealership in Madison is fully prepared to take you through each of your options. Explore The 2025 Toyota Prius Trim Levels in Madison, WI Prius LE The base trim provides the necessary amenities for providing engaging infotainment on the road, alongside improved driver awareness features: Top-mount Multi-Information Display (MID) with indicators and seven-inch LCD display Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) Eight-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia display Prius XLE This model takes the framework of the previous trim, adding in additional components for convenience and comfort: 19-inch alloy wheels and 195/50R19 tires Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with charge indicator light SofTex-trimmed front seats with eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat Prius Limited This trim level creates a luxurious atmosphere through high-quality entertainment facets, while still boasting plenty of style: Fixed glass roof 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen display Eight-speaker JBL Premium Audio including amplifier Prius Nightshade Edition This model houses many of the same amenities as the Limited, but with unique design details to grant it an appearance all its own: 19-inch alloy wheels with black finish and 195/50R19 tires Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with charge indicator light Black with gray stitching SofTex-trimmed front seats with eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat Which Toyota Prius Trim Level I Should Get in Madison, WI? If you want a closer look at any of these trims, schedule a test drive and visit our Toyota dealership in Madison, WI. If you have any other questions about this model or anything else in our new inventory, feel free to contact us online at Smart Motors Toyota. 2025 Toyota Prius For Sale in Madison

Responding to Recent Rash of Catalytic Converter Thefts

Cross section of a catalytic converter It may sound odd, but there is a strange crime wave happening across the country. Catalytic converters, which help reduce an automobile’s emission pollution, are being stolen out from under our very noses…and cars. Catalytic Converter Theft Nationwide, police are reporting a surge in cases. In St. Louis, catalytic converter thefts jumped more than eightfold, from 50 in 2019 to 420 last year. In Lexington, S.C., sheriffs’ deputies responded to 144 catalytic converter thefts between July and December, triple the number of cases over the year-earlier period. In Wisconsin, West Allis police finally nabbed one thief just last month, while statewide hundreds of the converters were reported stolen in 2020 and the trend isn’t slowing down. Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen? So why is this specific car part being targeted? Because each catalytic converter contains metals that are more precious than gold. And it only takes a saw and three minutes to poach one. Catalytic converters are made with palladium and rhodium. The price of palladium hit a record of $2,875 an ounce last year Rhodium prices have skyrocketed to a record $21,900 an ounce this year, roughly 12 times the price of gold. After the thief cuts away a converter, he/she takes it to a recycler and earns roughly $120 per unit. The victim of the theft is left paying an estimated $1,200 for a replacement. Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter Theft “ Priuses are often targeted,” says Jake Schafer, service director at Smart Motors in Madison. "It’s probably due to the fact a Prius' converter contains more precious metals than what is installed in most vehicles. When all is said and done, though, it can cost the victim upwards $2,500 to have a Prius converter replaced.” Schafer says the dealership is currently replacing dozens of catalytic converters each month due to theft, but Smart Motors is being proactive by working with a manufacturer that supplies anti-theft protection. Cat Shield How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft: Anti-Theft Shield “We’ve invested in a catalytic converter protection system with Cat Security,” he says. “We will professionally install their ‘Cat Shield,’ which is a sturdy aluminum plate that provides a barrier against theft.” According to the Cat Security, there are four main reasons to have an anti-theft plate installed: Save on the potential loss of time and money. Put your mind at ease knowing your car is protected. Help put thieves out of business. Improve your vehicle’s underbody aerodynamics (the plate may actually help improve fuel mileage). Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Shield Cost “The plate usually costs a few hundred dollars with installation,” says Schafer, “but it’s a small price to pay for protecting yourself from inconvenience and perhaps thousands of dollars if you fall victim to this very prevalent crime.”

Gas Prices on the Rise

Rising Gas Prices. Time to Upgrade Your Vehicle?

Safety and fuel efficiency make owning a new vehicle very attractive. If you currently own a gas-powered vehicle you know fuel prices change as often as Wisconsin’s weather. You also know there seems to be a consistent “coincidence” between heavy travel times like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving and a surge of prices at the pump. The Covid-19 pandemic has fueled a steady rise in gas prices due to logjams created in the global supply chain. The pandemic has also made travel by car the healthiest way to get from point A to point B. And as more Americans become vaccinated, many more people will undoubtedly embark on road trips to destinations far away from the home they’ve holed up in for months. What vacationers and commuters alike should know, though, is that purchasing a new vehicle may be worth the money. "With the steady increase in gas prices we are seeing an uptick in sedans and hybrid sales," says Justin Jackson, sales director at Smart Toyota. "We are typically a big hybrid dealer, but we are seeing a bigger increase and we can only believe has prices have a lot to do with it." New cars, trucks and SUVs are more fuel-efficient than vehicles manufactured just a few years ago, and they come with many more safety features. “A new vehicle can save a driver an average of $1,502 ($2249-$747) per year in gas,” says Jackson. “That means, on average, $125 saved per month that could be used toward the vehicle’s monthly payment.” BREAKING IT DOWN: (Based on the average American who drives 15,000 miles per year) New Hybrid Vehicle at 54 mpg                  vs.                           Older Vehicle at 18 mpg 15,000 divided by 54 = 277                                                                 15,000 divided by 18 = 833 Uses 277 gallons of gas per year                                                         Uses 833 gallons of gas per year 277 x $2.70 = $747 per yr. in gas                                                       833 x $2.70 = $2249 per yr. in gas “The savings are even greater if you move into a hybrid electric vehicle,” says Jackson. Jackson says the dealership has seen first-hand how hybrids have grown in popularity. More recently, with the release of the Prius Prime, which has an estimated 54MPG, and 133MPGe, rebirth of the Toyota Venza hybrid and now including the Toyota Sienna (mini-van) hybrid, local consumers are showing a renewed interest in hybrid vehicles. Today, Smart Motors is one of the top Toyota hybrid dealers in the United States. “Saving money on fuel makes a new car worth it, but there are a number of other good reasons like safety features that make upgrading beneficial,” says Jackson. He lists Toyota’s offering of Pre-Collision Systems with Pedestrian Detection Dynamic Radar Cruise Control Lane Departure Alert, and Road Sign Assist as a few examples of technologically advanced features that go beyond anti-lock brakes and air bags. Easy Tips to Save Money on Gas: Download apps like GetUpside that partner with gas stations nationwide to offer discounts to users. Use a gas station credit card and/or enlist in their rewards program. Don’t use premium if your car calls for regular. Wholesale clubs offer discounted fuel to members. Refuel before your gauge gets too low. Downsize the fuel bill by driving a smaller or more fuel-efficient vehicle. Driving faster than the posted speed limit burns more fuel and increases trips to the pump. Take some time to empty the trunk, clean out the back seat and remove the luggage rack. The lighter the vehicle, the better the fuel efficiency and the more money you save on gas. "Jack-rabbit" starts and hard braking increase fuel usage by as much as 40 percent. Check your tires regularly; under-inflated tires increase resistance and fuel consumption by up to six percent. Consolidate trips and errands to cut down on driving time can eliminate hundreds of miles – and dozens of gallons of gas.

The interior of the 2020 Toyota Prius.

Is the 2020 Prius a Good Choice for Your Teen Driver?

"What is a safe car for my teen driver?" With so many choices out there, parents can become a bit overwhelmed when it comes time to choose a vehicle for their teenager. Whether you're buying new or used, critical factors when making a decision of such magnitude are price, efficiency, and safety. This is where the 2020 Toyota Prius comes into play, as it is affordable, the epitome of efficiency, and one of the safest sedans on the road today. Let's take a closer look at what makes the Prius a good car, and suitable for your teen driver. more Affordability The 2020 Toyota Prius isn't the most expensive vehicle on the market, but it's not the cheapest either with a starting MSRP of $24,325. Though you may not want to spend this much on a car for your teen driver, you will be getting more bang for your buck with the Prius than any other sedan available. It's worth every penny you spend and returns it to you in the form of safety and fuel efficiency. Efficiency When you hear the word hybrid, the first vehicle you think of is most likely the Prius. With the 2020 year model in play, Toyota's beloved hybrid now has four generations under its belt. Toyota must have known that it was starting a revolution of highly efficient cars when it first introduced it, and it still stands as one of the most economical automobiles to ever be created. The 2020 Prius can get up to 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway, so you don't have to line your teen driver's pockets with gas money every week. Toyota Prius Safety Features The safety of your teen driver is of the utmost importance and Toyota does its best to set your mind at ease when they're behind the wheel of the Prius. It can help reduce the anxiety that's inherent with having teen drivers in the family. Federal and independent safety testers alike have ranked it high in regards to its overall safety and its available safety features. The 2020 Prius protects your teen driver with available safety features that include a color head-up display, intelligent clearance sonar with intelligent parking assist, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, an integrated backup camera, eight air bags, enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, an adaptive front-lighting system, and auto-leveling headlights. This list of safety features makes for a great start when it comes to keeping your teen safe on the road. Have you added this car to your list of possible vehicles for your teen? If not, keep in mind that it also comes with ToyotaCare at no extra cost. This covers all factory scheduled service for 25,000 miles or up to two years, depending on which comes first. ToyotaCare also gives you three years of 24-hour roadside assistance with the Prius, ensuring that your teen driver is covered no matter the time of day or night. Shop the Toyota Prius in Madison, WI Today Ultimately, it will be up to you to teach your teen the ins and outs of safe driving, but the 2020 Toyota Prius gives them an advantage with all of its available safety features. Stop by Smart Toyota today in Madison, WI and let your teen test drive one. We proudly serve drivers throughout the greater Madison area, including Sun Prairie, Middleton, and beyond. Image used with permission via toyota.com / cropped from original

A pair of 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid's.

Everything You Need to Know About Toyota's Hybrid Sedan Lineup

Choosing the perfect hybrid vehicle can be tricky when there's so many options and styles available. To make it easier, here is everything you need to know about Toyota's hybrid sedan lineup for 2020. Toyota Avalon Hybrid The 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is available in three trim levels: XLE, XSE, and Limited. The sedan is powered by a 2.5-liter dynamic force four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine that gets 176 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. It gets an EPA-estimated 43 miles per gallon in the city and 44 miles per gallon on the highway and combined driving. The Avalon Hybrid has a super ultra-low emission vehicle rating and the dual zone automatic climate control with an air filter keeps the air inside clean, too. SofTex-trimmed heated front seats wrap make for a comfortable ride. A customizable 7-inch multi-information display has an energy monitor and keeps you in the know about your fuel economy and other important hybrid system information. more Toyota Prius L Eco The 2020 Toyota Prius L Eco is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder aluminum DOHC 16-valve engine. The hybrid system has a net power of 121 horsepower and gets 105 pound-feet of net torque. It has a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor and lithium-ion battery under the hood as standard equipment. You'll get 58 miles per gallon in the city and 53 miles per gallon on the highway. The Prius L Eco is front-wheel drive and has electric power steering. Inside, you'll find fabric trimmed seats and chrome accents on the upper door trim. The armrest area features soft touch materials with chrome accents as well. Toyota Camry Hybrid The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid is available in three trim levels: LE, SE, and XLE. The Camry Hybrid gets a high level of efficiency by combining a dynamic force engine with an electric motor and electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT). The Hybrid Synergy Drive uses a sophisticated battery and lightweight materials to help reduce the overall weight and lend to the sedan's efficiency. The LE trim gets an EPA-estimated 51 miles per gallon in the city, 53 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined 52 miles per gallon. The SE and LXE get 44 miles per gallon in the city, 47 miles per gallon on the highway, and a combined 46 miles per gallon. The Camry has an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and multilink rear suspension. Toyota Corolla Hybrid The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder aluminum DOHC 16-valve engine that gets 121 horsepower. The engine is paired with an ECVT and gets an EPA-estimated 52 miles per gallon combined driving. The Corolla Hybrid has a California LEV 3 emissions rating. There are three driving modes to select from depending on your driving conditions and needs. Choose from EV, ECO, and Power. To increase the throttle, simply press the Power Mode button to enjoy an exciting ride. The front-wheel drive sedan has an independent MacPherson strut front suspension with a stabilizer bar, giving you a smooth ride, even around sharp curves.   With Toyota's lineup of hybrid sedans for the 2020 model year, there are a number of great options to choose from selecting your next ride. Image used with permission via toyota.com / cropped from original

A black Prius C parked by the edge of a lake in the Tennessee mountains.

The 2019 Prius c Entry-Level is a Smart Buy

If you are in the market for an economical car that is environmentally friendly, Toyota's Prius c is one you should consider. Toyota has been manufacturing the Prius since 1997, and it was the world's first mass-market hybrid vehicle. Originally a four-door sedan, the Prius morphed into a hatch-back in 2003. As of January 2017, the Prius hit the 4 million units sold mark, making it the world's best selling hybrid. In 2011 Toyota introduced the Prius v, an extended hatchback, and the Prius c, a subcompact hatchback. The Prius c was created for urban drivers seeking to leave as small a footprint as possible, both literally and figuratively, on the world around them. It succeeded and here's a look at why the Prius c is a great entry-level hybrid economy car. more Performance When you shop for a subcompact hybrid, you aren't planning on hitting the track. You're probably more interested in getting around safely in a congested urban area. The Prius c does that and it does it well. This hybrid has plenty of pep for zipping around the city. Its 4-cylinder engine is paired with an electric motor and uses a continuously variable automatic transmission to propel the subcompact to a whopping 48 Mpg city rating. For a subcompact, it handles well. Its firm suspension is suited for city driving as it easily maneuvers through tight corners and cramped metropolitan streets and parking lots. The Prius c also uses a regenerative braking system. For those unfamiliar, a regenerative braking system uses the engine to slow the vehicle while at the same time transferring that braking energy into charging the battery. Interior When you hear the word subcompact you don't think about space, however, the Prius c offers plenty of it. With seating for five, you and your coworkers can carpool comfortably, or you and your friends can hit the town for a night out. The Prius c has plenty of cargo space too, with over 17 cubic feet in the hatchback. You can pick up your parents at the airport and stow their bags, or you can hit the grocery store and load up your weekly groceries; no problem. The Prius c also comes standard with a 6.1-inch touch screen for the infotainment system. Automatic climate control, USB port, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and Siri Eyes Free systems are all standard. Safety The Prius c comes equipped with driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, and front and rear head airbags. It's 4-Wheel Automatic Braking System is paired with Toyota's Brake Assist system that will detect when a collision is imminent and apply brake pressure to help avoid a collision or reduce the impact. Electronic Stability Control helps keep the vehicle under control when it detects extreme sway. Its Traction Control system provides additional power to select wheels when detecting slippage and a Lane Departure Warning system alerts you when the vehicle detects a drift outside your lane. The amount of power packed into its small frame combines with its unparalleled economy and class-leading cargo room to make the Toyota Prius c a natural choice for anyone looking for a great entry-level hybrid.   “ Prius c Tennessee” via Flickr by petridish38. Used with permission via CC0 1.0 / cropped from original

A red Toyota Prius Prime.

Get Excited for the Toyota Prius Prime

Like Optimus Prime was to the Transformers, the 2020 Prius Prime is the leader of its kind. The new Prius Prime now comes in three trim levels: LE, XLE, and Limited, more closely aligning with other vehicles in the Toyota fleet. The new Prius Prime goes on sale the summer of 2019 and there are some great upgrades to one of the most popular hybrid vehicles on the market. Power The 2020 Prius Prime isn't making any major changes to its powertrain. This year's model is similar to its predecessor with its electric motor powered by an 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack pairing with the 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder motor. This configuration produces a combined output of 121 horsepower. While only moderately improving horsepower, the 2020 Prius Prime greatly improves efficiency. Landing ratings of 53 miles per gallon city, 55 miles per gallon highway, and 54 miles per gallon combined, the new Prius Prime will go the distance. It even has a 25-mile range for electric-only operation. more Technology The new Prius Prime now comes with Apple CarPlay, a feature many felt was long overdue. No more paying extra for plug-ins. The Prius Prime also comes with Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio standard. The 11.6-inch multi-media display is loaded with intuitive design features that make it feel like your smartphone, but it's the size of your computer. Toyota's Smart Key System is available on all three doors. Qi compatible smartphone charging is available along with front and rear 12-volt outlets and USB ports. Interior One of the biggest upgrades to the 2020 Prius Prime is the addition of a rear bench seat which will now allow Prime owners to carry four passengers. The old captain's chair style bucket seats with drink holders and a center console configuration offered superior room for two rear passengers but there was no way a third adult would fit comfortably. You can still get the captain's chair rear seat, but it's good to know you can upgrade for that fifth person. More upgrades include black interior accents replacing the old white accents, which adds to the premium look. SofTex trimmed seats and armrests, a new extended sun visor, and relocated seat heater buttons for better front-seat passenger convenience are among other tweaks Toyota has made to the interior. Safety The 2020 Prius Prime comes with Toyota's suite of safety features including Pre-collision warning with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Intelligent Clearance Sonar with Intelligent Parking Assist, Vehicle Proximity Notification System, Hill Start Assist Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems. It also includes a safety connection suite including Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Locator, Roadside Assistance, and Automatic Collision Notification systems. There are so many great features on the 2020 Prius Prime. Come out to Smart Motors Toyota and test drive one today and see for yourself what the new Prius Prime is all about.   “ Prius Prime” via Flickr by chumlee 10. Used with permission via CC BY-SA 2.0 / cropped from original

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