It’s no secret that Toyota is known for manufacturing extremely reliable automobiles. However, even the most bulletproof vehicle needs to be routinely serviced. With cooler weather ahead, now is the time to prepare your ride. This autumn and winter checklist will point you in the right direction. Battery Check Before outdoor temperatures dip towards freezing, be sure to have your car’s battery tested and inspected. More energy is required to crank the engine on cold days. If the battery has become weak, it’s only a matter of time before your vehicle fails to start. Modern car batteries are typically rated to last between three to five years. The best approach is to replace an older unit ahead of time. You’ll definitely appreciate the extra peace of mind. Heater Inspection When Old Winter Winter arrives, you’ll rely on your car’s HVAC system to keep the cabin warm and toasty. The heater needs to be performing at its best. If it begins to blow out cool air, there’s a definite problem. A low level of engine antifreeze tends to be the most common cause of trouble. You could be dealing with a slow leak, which should be repaired as soon as possible. A bad thermostat that has failed in the open position will also result in your heater not working. Tire Check Cold conditions can cause tire pressure to drop. This is why Toyota experts advise checking the pressure at least once a month. Tires not inflated to the recommended psi often wear down sooner than expected. Even worse, they provide less traction on slick road surfaces. Your vehicle’s braking distance will be longer than usual. Heavily worn tires should be replaced before winter kicks into full gear. Although high-quality tires may cost more, you will appreciate the improved handling and control. Oil Check Most Toyota owners recognize the importance of getting timely oil changes. This important maintenance item can extend the life of your vehicle by thousands of miles. However, selecting the correct type of motor oil is just as critical. Using the wrong oil can lead to several different problems, including increased engine wear and leaks. Too thick of an oil grade makes it difficult for the engine to turn over on frigid mornings. This ultimately puts extra strain on the car’s starter and battery. Your Toyota service technician may suggest switching to an oil specially formulated for winter use. Visit Us Today! If you want to learn more about your vehicle’s recommended maintenance or need to schedule a service visit, contact us at Newbold Toyota.
If you're shopping for a family-friendly vehicle near O'Fallon, IL, a minivan comparison is a great place to start. The 2026 Toyota Sienna and 2026 Honda Odyssey both offer seating for up to eight passengers, practical cargo space, and features designed to make everyday driving easier and more comfortable. Whether you're running errands, taking long road trips, or managing busy family schedules, choosing the right minivan comes down to what matters most to you. How Do the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey Compare on Performance? The 2026 Toyota Sienna and 2026 Honda Odyssey are built to handle daily family life with confidence. Each minivan seats up to eight passengers and has a 3,500-pound towing capacity, making either vehicle capable of bringing along passengers, gear, or a small trailer for weekend adventures. The Toyota Sienna features a 2.5-liter hybrid engine with Double Overhead Cam (DOHC), 16-Valve, D-4S Injection, and Dual VVT-i, producing 245 net combined horsepower. Drivers can choose between Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive, along with Normal, ECO, EV, and Sport driving modes to tailor the driving experience. It offers a distinct advantage: fuel efficiency. The hybrid powertrain is rated at an EPA-estimated 36 city and 36 highway MPG, making it a practical option for families who spend a lot of time on the road. The Honda Odyssey is powered by a 280-horsepower V-6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine offers up to 19 city and 28 highway MPG ratings. It also features Intelligent Traction Management with Snow Mode to help adapt to changing road conditions. Which Minivan Offers More Everyday Convenience? Technology plays an important role in keeping families connected, entertained, and informed. Both minivans include many of the features today's drivers expect. The Toyota Sienna comes equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ compatibility. Seven USB ports throughout the cabin make it easy for passengers to keep devices charged, while the 7-inch Multi-Information Display provides helpful driving information. Additional convenience features include a remote keyless entry system with Push Button Start and Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0. The Honda Odyssey features a 9-inch touchscreen along with wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ compatibility. Bluetooth® Streaming Audio, a wireless phone charger, front, center console, and second-row USB ports help passengers stay connected during every drive. The Odyssey also includes safety technologies such as Honda Sensing. Whether you're driving through Glen Carbon, IL or heading out for vacation, both minivans provide modern technology designed to support busy families. Which Interior Better Fits Your Family's Lifestyle? Comfort and flexibility are essential when choosing a family vehicle, and both models offer thoughtfully designed interiors. Standard features on the Toyota Sienna include dual power sliding side doors, a power liftgate, three-zone automatic climate control, manual second- and third-row sunshades, and a 60/40 One-Motion-Stow Split & Stow 3rd Row® seat that makes switching between passengers and cargo simple. The Honda Odyssey's interior includes leather-trimmed seats, Magic Slide® second-row seats, a one-touch power moonroof, heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, second-row sunshades, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power front seats with driver's memory. Both minivans offer comfortable seating for larger families, but shoppers looking for more trim choices, available all-wheel drive, and a standard hybrid powertrain may find the Toyota Sienna aligns more closely with their preferences. Is the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey the Right Choice? The 2026 Toyota Sienna and 2026 Honda Odyssey offer practical features, spacious seating, and technology designed for modern families. If your needs include hybrid efficiency, multiple trim options, and available all-wheel drive, the Toyota Sienna offers a combination of features that makes it an excellent choice for many households. Visit us at Newbold Toyota to see what the Sienna has to offer. We're here to help you find the minivan that fits your family's needs.
If the Toyota Corolla Cross is on your radar, you are probably also looking at a few other compact SUVs in the same price range. The Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, and Kia Seltos all come up regularly in the same conversation, and for good reason. They are all similar in size, close in price, and desired by the same type of buyers. What is the Performance Difference Between Each Vehicle? The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross runs on a 2.0L four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. EPA estimates come in at 31 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, which is genuinely impressive for this class. It is built for drivers who want consistent, efficient performance without any surprises. In addition to performance, the Corolla Cross can tow up to 1,500 pounds. If you have outdoor gear to haul or want more confidence in rough conditions, the Corolla Cross has the edge there. The Honda HR-V uses a 2.0L engine as well, but output is lower at 158 horsepower. Fuel economy lands around 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. It drives smoothly around town, but it is not rated for towing, which is worth knowing if you ever need to haul anything. The Subaru Crosstrek steps up with a 2.5L engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. It gets about 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, and also matches the Corolla Cross's towing capability of 1,500 pounds. The Kia Seltos uses a 2.0L engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque. It gets an estimated 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, making it a decent city commuter, though it gives up some performance to the others in this group. Which Model Gives You the Most Useful Space? Cargo room is one of those things that seems minor until you actually need it, and it varies more than you might expect across these four SUVs. The Toyota Corolla Cross offers 24 cubic feet of cargo space and up to 94.9 cubic feet of total passenger volume. It handles groceries, luggage, and everyday gear without feeling tight, and there is enough room in the back seat that passengers are not cramped either. The Honda HR-V comes in at about 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space and 98.7 cubic feet of passenger volume. The numbers are close to the Corolla Cross, but the HR-V leans a little more toward passenger comfort than storage. The Subaru Crosstrek offers 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which is the lowest of the group. It makes up for that with 100.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, so rear seat riders have more room to stretch out. The Kia Seltos leads the group with 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space. If hauling a lot of stuff is a regular part of your life, that extra room is noticeable. For drivers in Glen Carbon, IL, who want a good balance of passenger comfort and cargo space without sacrificing one for the other, the Corolla Cross sits right in the sweet spot. How Do the Technology Features Compare? All four SUVs are well-equipped for modern driving. The Corolla Cross keeps its tech setup clean and approachable. The layout is straightforward, and the features are designed to support everyday driving without making you feel like you need to read a manual to use them. For drivers who prefer a simple, functional cabin over a complicated digital interface, that is a genuine selling point. The Honda HR-V offers a touchscreen-based infotainment system that is easy to navigate, with additional upgrades available depending on the trim level you choose. It is built with everyday usability in mind and does not try to do too much. The Subaru Crosstrek brings available features like LED steering-responsive headlights across its trim levels, giving you more flexibility to build the setup you actually want. Higher trims add more tech without making the base model feel stripped. The Kia Seltos focuses on a touchscreen-forward interior with auto headlight control and available high beam assist. The layout is clean, and visibility is good, which makes it easy to use on daily drives. What Really Sets Them Apart from the Corolla Cross? Once you line them up side by side, the differences become pretty clear. The Corolla Cross offers a great balance of fuel efficiency and usable cargo space in the group. The Crosstrek brings higher torque than any of the others can match. The Seltos gives you the most cargo volume if storage is your main priority. The HR-V is the smoothest urban commuter of the four but gives up flexibility in other areas. None of these are bad choices. They serve slightly different needs, and knowing which one lines up with your actual lifestyle makes the decision a lot easier. Ready to Take a Closer Look at the Corolla Cross? The 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross is a strong pick for anyone who wants a practical, efficient compact SUV that does not ask you to compromise much. If you want to see it in person and compare trim options, stop by Newbold Toyota to check out the current inventory and find the model that works best for your daily routine. Start WebPage Schema End WebPage Schema