Toyota Of Concord Offers Toyota Trucks Rated Best Ownership Value By Kelley Blue Book

Online, July 30, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The 2012 Toyota Tundra and 2012 Toyota Tacoma rated top in their segments in the latest annual Kelley Blue Book Cost to Own Awards. The Cost to Own evaluation goes beyond the purchase price of the car to estimate what the actual costs would be over five years of ownership.

The Cost to Own analysis includes factors such as out-of-pocket expenses like insurance, fuel, repairs, maintenance, state fee, and financing. Depreciation is also a factor, which is determined by the loss in the value of the car from its value after five years of ownership compared to the initial price of the car.

Why should buyers care about ownership costs? If a buyer is considering two similarly-priced models, the cost of ownership should be considered as well. In the long term, it could save the driver thousands of dollars.

While Toyota is often praised for its reliable, affordable compact cars, it was the trucks that were the stars in the cost of ownership study.

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma (regular cab) was awarded Best in Class in the Mid-size Pickup Truck category in the Kelley Blue Book evaluation. With estimated out-of-pocket expenses of $22,847 and depreciation of $9,481, the five-year cost to own a Toyota Tacoma is $32,328. Using a 15,000 miles-per-year driving average, the Tacoma costs $0.43 per mile to drive. This puts it above other mid-sized pickups like the Nissan Frontier and Chevrolet Colorado.

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma takes traditional features of full-sized pickup trucks and puts them on a compact frame, increasing flexibility and fuel economy. While this study highlighted the regular cab model, there is a wide range of trims, engines, cabin configurations and packages. The 2012 model includes upgrades to the grille, headlights, and other exterior styling, as well as audio systems including USB and Bluetooth capabilities.

The lowest cost-to-own Full-size Pickup Truck category was won by the 2012 Toyota Tundra (regular cab). With estimated out-of-pocket expenses of $27,482 and depreciation of $15,561, the five-year cost to own a Toyota Tundra is $43,043. This works out to a cost of $0.57 per mile, using a 15,000 miles-per-year driving average. Not faring so well in the same category were the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra.

The 2012 Toyota Tundra is a work truck that provides stiff competition for any of the domestic rivals. The potential payload exceeds one ton and the towing capacity can reach up to 10,400 pounds. The Tundra is completely customizable, with more than thirty optional dealer-installed items, including interior and exterior trim upgrades, bed accessories, and performance and handling upgrade packages.

To test drive a 2012 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, or any other Toyota model, visit Toyota Scion of Concord today. We are happy to supply the Charlotte area with new and pre-owned Toyota vehicles and many other used cars. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates on all things Toyota or Scion.