A Tradition of Giving That Keeps Growing For seven years, Toyota South’s Secret Families has become one of the most meaningful traditions in Madison County. It began in Indiana, where our Toyota of Muncie dealership hosted this event for over 15 years, serving over 400 families. Now, we've adopted this wonderful tradition at Kentucky locations, where it has grown over the past seven years. What started as a simple idea, to help local families who need a little extra support during the holidays, has grown into a full community effort powered by volunteers, local partners, and the team at Gates Auto Family and Toyota South’s Secret Families. In 2025, Secret Families is returning once again, and this year’s goal is the biggest yet. How Secret Families Works Every season, the Madison County Schools Office of Family Resources shares a list of the families in the greatest need. Volunteers then contact each family to learn what would make their holiday a little brighter, specific wish list items for parents, kids, and teens. In the week leading up to delivery, any family that asks receives a Christmas tree, thanks to Lowe’s generosity. Then comes the big day. On one Saturday in December, volunteers gather at Meijer long before the store opens. Meijer welcomes the group inside early and helps wherever they can, from providing staff to assisting with discounts. Each family receives $550 worth of gifts, thoughtfully selected based on their individual requests. It’s a busy, joyful whirlwind of carts, lists, and teamwork. After the shopping trip wraps up, the event moves to Toyota South, where the service shop transforms into a full wrapping headquarters. Stations pop up across the space, volunteers tape and tie bows as fast as they can, and the room fills with music, laughter, and plenty of holiday excitement. Once everything is wrapped, the teams deliver the gifts directly to each home. Families are also blessed with trees donated by Silvercliff Landscaping. Last year, 73 families were served. In 2025, the goal is 100. Over the past seven years, Secret Families has supported more and more families. That’s an incredible milestone made possible by the generosity of our community and the personal contributions from Mr. Gates. Why Toyota South Hosts This Event Secret Families is something Toyota South looks forward to all year. We proudly host the event and provide the space to make it possible. Giving back to the community is at the heart of who we are, and Secret Families is one of the most meaningful ways they can make a difference during the holidays. The team sees firsthand how much joy and relief this brings to families. Parents who weren’t sure whether they’d have gifts to give now have presents wrapped and ready. Kids who expected very little wake up to items they truly wanted. Families who might have spent the day worrying instead get to celebrate together. It’s hard not to feel the impact of that. Donate or Volunteer How You Can Get Involved in 2025 This year’s goal of serving 100 families is exciting, but it also means Secret Families needs more help than ever. On average, 50–60 volunteers come out each year, but hitting this year’s goal will take more hands, more shoppers, more wrappers, and more drivers. Donations are also essential. With $550 spent per family, last year’s event required more than $40,000 in community support. The goal this year means we need to raise over $55,000 between what Mr. Gates donates and community donations. Every contribution directly impacts how many families can be added to the list. Learn how to donate or sign up to volunteer at Toyota South. Whether you want to give time, resources, or both, there’s a place for you at Secret Families.

A Legacy of Excellence Recognized Year After Year For more than three decades, Toyota South has received one of Toyota’s highest honors: the President’s Award. Earning this distinction once is a mark of excellence. Winning it over 30 times is something very few dealerships nationwide can claim. This award recognizes a dealership that consistently exceeds expectations. For Toyota South, this is much more than a plaque on the wall or another certificate. It’s a reflection of the way we choose to do business: centered on people, driven by service, and committed to improving every day. Year after year, the team at Toyota South continues to build a dealership experience rooted in trust, transparency, and a genuine dedication to our customers. From sales and service to parts and community involvement, we work to make sure every guest receives attentive care at every opportunity. That long-term consistency is what keeps us among the most respected Toyota dealers in the region. A History of Excellence Toyota South’s history with the President’s Award goes far beyond a few milestones. The dealership has earned this honor almost every year from 1990 through 2024, totaling 32 awards in 35 years! That kind of streak is almost unheard of, and it shows how consistently the team delivers the level of care Toyota looks for when selecting its top-performing stores. This newest President’s Award win marks yet another chapter in a long history of exceptional performance and reinforces what our customers have known for decades: Toyota South sets the bar high and keeps raising it. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the President’s Award for Toyota? The Toyota President’s Award is one of the top honors that Toyota Motor Sales gives to its dealers. It recognizes stores that excel in customer satisfaction, business operations, sales, and service. Only dealerships that deliver an outstanding experience across every part of our business earn this recognition. What Is the President’s Award for Car Dealerships? For car dealerships, the President’s Award serves as a benchmark for exceptional performance. It reflects a dealership’s ability to consistently provide outstanding service to customers while maintaining high standards in sales, operations, community involvement, and long-term customer care. It’s a sign that a dealership is performing at the highest level. What Does the President’s Award Mean? Winning this award means that a dealership has reached Toyota’s highest expectations for quality and customer satisfaction. It represents dedication from every department: sales, service, financing, and management. It also shows that customers can expect a trustworthy and dependable experience every time they visit. What Is the Most Awarded Toyota Dealership in Kentucky? While Toyota does not publish an official statewide ranking, Toyota South has earned the President’s Award more than 30 times. That’s an achievement that is virtually unheard of. Very few dealerships in the country can match this level of long-term recognition, which speaks to Toyota South’s consistency and commitment to its customers. How Many Times Has Toyota South Won the Toyota President’s Award? Toyota South has received this honor over 30 times. That remarkable streak places them in an elite category nationwide and reflects decades of dedicated service, strong leadership, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction. Looking Ahead Together Toyota South’s long run of President’s Awards reflects years of showing up for customers and doing things the right way. Earning this honor 32 times is rare, and it speaks to how much the team cares about the people who walk through our doors. As we move forward, our focus stays on creating experiences that feel genuine, helpful, and consistent. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning after many years, Toyota South is proud to be part of your car-buying and owning experience.

Behind the Wheel of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 The RAV4 has been one of Toyota's top sellers for years, and the new model doesn't play it safe. Every trim now runs hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, the screens got bigger, and the plug-in models pick up enough EV range to fit actual commuting. Daily drivers are who Toyota is talking to here. Every 2026 RAV4 runs hybrid or plug-in hybrid power, with no gas-only engine on the menu. A 12.3-inch digital cluster and 10.5-inch touchscreen come standard across the lineup. The PHEV models post up to 54 miles of EPA-estimated electric range with AWD included. A Hybrid-Only Lineup From the Start The 2026 Toyota RAV4 ditches the old gas-only engine for good. You get two paths now, the regular hybrid or the plug-in hybrid. The hybrid version, available in LE, SE, XLE Premium, Woodland, XSE, and Limited trims, puts out 226 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 236 with the on-demand AWD system. EPA ratings for the FWD version are 47 city and 40 highway, with 43 mpg combined. That's high for a crossover this size. Step up to the plug-in hybrid and the numbers shift in a hurry. Total system output jumps to 324 horsepower with standard AWD across all four PHEV grades, including SE, Woodland, XSE, and the new GR SPORT. That puts the 0-to-60 sprint at 5.4 seconds, quicker than many sports sedans. Cabin Feel and Cargo Room Toyota redesigned the cabin to be quieter with better materials at every trim level. Rear-seat vents are standard, you get dual-zone automatic temperature control, and the 60/40 fold-flat rear bench makes hauling longer items easy. Cargo room reaches 37.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, enough to handle a Costco run, a Friday camping load, or the back end of a hockey bag rotation. Headroom up front feels generous, and the back seat doesn't punish taller passengers on a longer drive. Materials throughout the cabin feel a step above the previous generation. Tech That Earns Its Spot All 2026 RAV4 models ship with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen running Toyota Audio Multimedia. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with 5G connectivity and an AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot with a 30-day trial. Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 rides on every trim, which means pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, a blind spot monitor, and the new Proactive Drive Assist. On the plug-in side, XSE and Woodland PHEV trims get an 11 kW onboard charger and DC fast charging, hitting 10 to 80 percent in roughly 30 minutes. 2026 Toyota RAV4 Trim Comparison Trim Powertrain Drivetrain System HP Combined MPG / MPGe EV Range Starting MSRP LE Hybrid FWD or AWD 226 / 236 43 (FWD) / 42 (AWD) N/A $31,900 SE Hybrid Hybrid FWD or AWD 226 / 236 43 (FWD) / 41 (AWD) N/A $34,700 XLE Premium Hybrid FWD or AWD 226 / 236 43 (FWD) / 41 (AWD) N/A $36,100 Woodland Hybrid Hybrid AWD 236 38 N/A $39,900 XSE Hybrid Hybrid AWD 236 41 N/A $41,300 Limited Hybrid AWD 236 41 N/A $43,300 SE PHEV Plug-in Hybrid AWD 324 40 mpg combined 54 mi $41,500 Woodland PHEV Plug-in Hybrid AWD 324 37 mpg / 94 MPGe 49 mi (mfr. est.) $45,300 XSE PHEV Plug-in Hybrid AWD 324 40 mpg / 96 MPGe 52 mi (mfr. est.) $47,200 GR SPORT PHEV Plug-in Hybrid AWD 324 36 mpg / 86 MPGe 48 mi $48,500 How It Handles Real Life Around town, the hybrid system pulls smoothly off the line, and the eCVT doesn't drone as the old setup did. Toyota's Electronic On-Demand AWD reads conditions quickly enough that you don't feel slip during a rainy interstate merge. Steering feel is light at lower speeds, which makes parking lots easy. On the highway, the cabin stays quiet enough to hear a podcast at normal volume. Woodland buyers sit a bit higher with 8.5 inches of ground clearance and get a paint and badging package that's exclusive to that trim, so it's worth a look for shoppers who actually use trails or gravel roads on the weekends. Cargo, Towing, and the Plug-In Math Tow rating sits at 3,500 pounds on most AWD hybrids and PHEVs, enough for a small camper, a personal watercraft trailer, or a pop-up. Plug-in models throw in something most rivals don't: a usable all-electric range. SE PHEV trim earns an EPA-estimated 54 miles of EV range, meaning many drivers could finish their daily commute without burning a drop of gas. Charge it overnight at home, drive to work and back on electrons, and use the gas tank for weekend trips. A Solid Pick for Kentucky Drivers This RAV4 won't impress show-car shoppers, and that's fine. It's built for people who put 12,000 to 18,000 miles a year on the clock, want lower fuel bills, and don't want to babysit anything finicky. Toyota crossovers have posted excellent hybrid reliability data for over a decade, and the new model carries that same hardware lineage. If you've been holding off on going electrified because of charging anxiety, the regular hybrid is the no-stress option, and the PHEV is there when you're ready to plug in. See the 2026 RAV4 at Toyota South At Toyota South in Richmond, we've watched the RAV4 become the go-to crossover for Kentucky families over the past two decades, and the 2026 model is the strongest one yet. As a fourth-generation, family-owned dealership, we make it easy to walk through the differences between the hybrid and plug-in setups, line them up side by side on the lot, and take both out for a proper test drive on roads you actually use. Our finance team works with shoppers of every credit background, and our factory-trained service department uses genuine Toyota parts to keep your RAV4 running smoothly mile after mile. Stop in or schedule a test drive online any day except Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=04mIbjAjvHaySqAA&v=zBuAxhUvbv0&feature=youtu.be