Toyota Reviews, Coverage Indefinitely Suspended due to Company's Support of U.S. Insurrection

 Atlanta Auto Examiner officially announces an indefinite suspension of reviews and other coverage of Toyota and its products because the automaker has defended its financial support of Republican U.S. lawmakers who objected to certifying the 2020 U.S. presidential election. 

Toyota, according to news site Axios, gave $55,000 to 37 GOP lawmakers who objected to certifying the election, data from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington indicate. 

Axios reported that a Toyota spokesperson, speaking in response to an inquiry of the donations, said: "We do not believe it is appropriate to judge members of Congress solely based on their votes on the electoral certification."

AAE acknowledges Toyota's right to provide financial support to any politicians or political groups that it chooses. However, AAE also embraces its right as an automotive media outlet to decline to cover organizations or corporations that take abhorrent stances on important issues of equality and fundamental rights.

AAE hopes Toyota will see the error of its ways and reverse its decision to support insurrectionists. 

Read more about the issue here .

2021 Toyota Sequoia: Large and in Charge SUV

 

With seating for up to eight passengers, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia is a large SUV that is cavernous inside and offers a silky smooth ride. 

It is powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 engine that makes 381 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission. 

Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive being optional. The 4WD models feature a multi-mode setting that allows you to choose RWD or 4WD mode. That's convenient because it can allow you to use RWD most of the time, which is more fuel efficient. 

The Sequoia comes in six trim levels: SR5, TRD Sport, Nightshade, Limited, TRD Pro and Platinum.

Fuel economy is rated at 13 mpg city, 17 highway. 

The Sequoia starts at around $51,000 and runs to around $71,000.

For a roomy, smooth-riding SUV, it's hard to beat the Sequoia. 

Georgia’s Clean Air Force Offers Insight into Emissions Testing’s Positive Impacts

 

 May marked the 27^th year of Clean Air Month, and according to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), since the passing of the Clean Air Act in 1970, the six most common air pollutants have declined by 77%. Those pollutants include carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, particle pollution and sulfur oxides.

 

“We cannot recognize and celebrate Clean Air Month without acknowledging the air quality improvements many areas of the country have made,” said Michael Odom, Mobile & Area Sources Manager, Georgia EPD. “These significant strides in reducing common air pollutants have allowed Americans to breathe cleaner air, face lower health risks and reverse environmental damage.”

 

Georgia’s Clean Air Force, in partnership with the Georgia EPD, offers insight into the positive impacts Georgians create each year by completing their emissions testing.

 

• Reversing Climate Change. The quality of air we breathe is directly related to our planet’s overall health, and cars, trucks and other transportation methods emit pollutants that greatly affect climate change. Reducing these emissions through manufacturing transportation options such as higher fuel efficiency and implementation of CO2 testing are proven solutions to reversing climate change.

 

• Improving Health. Air pollution is viewed as a primary threat to respiratory health and can cause cardiovascular diseases, immune system disorders and more. Georgia’s motorists play a significant role in improving the state’s overall health by testing their vehicles annually to ensure they meet air quality standards.

 

• Creating a Biodiverse Environment. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the rise in global temperature is causing serious and unforeseen impacts on species. Georgia’s emissions testing program is essential for reducing CO2’s effects on plant and animal life, prioritizing nature conservation and enhancing species survival.

 

To learn more, visit Georgia’s Clean Air Force’s website at http://www.cleanairforce.com.

 

2021 Nissan Rogue: Compact SUV with Attractive New Styling

 

The popular compact SUV segment has a number of worthy competitors, one of which is the 2021 Nissan Rogue. 

It has taken on a redesigned look this model year, featuring a bigger front fascia and quad-style headlights. 

It comes in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. 

The Rogue's power plant is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower and is linked to a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available.

The Rogue is rated at 27 mpg city, 35 highway by the EPA with the front-wheel model, and 25 and 32 with the all-wheel model. 

The inside of the Rogue is surprisingly roomy for a compact vehicle, with a maximum cargo capacity of 74.1 cubic feet when the rear seat folded down. 

Pricing for the Rogue starts at around $26,000 and runs to about $38,000.

If you're in the market for a compact SUV, the Rogue is certainly worth a look. 

2021 Toyota 4Runner: The King of SUVs Still Reigns

 

The vehicle that we like to call the king of SUVs, the Toyota 4Runner, continues its reign by producing an attractive, comfortable, smooth-riding vehicle that has stood the test of time. 

The 2021 version has seating for five passengers, with maximum cargo capacity of 89.7 cubic feet when the rear seat is folded down.

The 4Runner comes in a dizzying array of nine trim levels: SR5, Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, Venture, Limited, Nightshade and TRD Pro.

Under the hood, you'll find a standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine that makes 270 horsepower and is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard drive train is rear-wheel, with four-wheel drive optional.

The 4Runner is rated at 16 mpg city, 19 highway, according to EPA estimates. 

Pricing starts at around $37,000 and ranges to around $52,000.

For an attractive SUV that is sporty but still practical enough to be a family vehicle, it's hard to beat the 4Runner. 

Knoxville, Tenn.: Sweet City in the Smokies

 

AAE recently visited Knoxville, Tenn., a city in the Smoky Mountains that is home to the University of Tennessee. The downtown area offered plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy, as well as the beautiful UT campus. On the outskirts of town, there was abundant natural beauty with the mountains, the Tennessee River and wooded areas and fields that provide great settings for outdoor activities. 

Pictured above is the tower that served as the main identifying structure for the 1982 World's Fair, held in Knoxville. It is surrounded by a pleasant park and a convention center that add to the charm of the city. 

The above picture is a glimpse of the Knoxville skyline, with the Smoky Mountains serving as a backdrop. The city combines cool urban attractions with natural beauty to form a distinct setting. 

The Tennessee River wends its way about the Knoxville area and provides residents and visitors a beautiful location for recreation and relaxation. We witnessed a rowing regatta that drew competitors from across the country. We also enjoyed a riverside picnic that gave a us great view to enjoy with our tasty lunch from a local restaurant.