If you’re in the market for a low-profile vehicle that offers a wealth of amazing features, there’s virtually no better choice than a compact vehicle. Compact vehicles are a consistently popular choice thanks to their great features and sleek style, and this is particularly true if you choose one of the many excellent compacts offered by Toyota.

When you’re in the market for a new compact vehicle, you need to learn about some of Toyota’s best options and their top features. Discover a few of the best compact vehicles made by Toyota so that you can decide which model fits your wants and needs.

Prius C

Many people’s goal in purchasing a compact vehicle is buying a model that is both high-quality and offers excellent fuel efficiency. If this is what you’re looking for in a compact car, then one of your best options is the 2017 Toyota Prius C. One of the most recognizable names on the market today, the Prius C is a compact vehicle that offers both hybrid performance and irresistible features.

The main reason to drive the Prius C is its environmentally friendly performance. With the Prius C, you’ll enjoy a Hybrid Synergy Drive that flawlessly combines a gas engine and electric motor, leading to an incredible EPA-estimated 43 MPG in the city and 48 MPG on the highway. Other incredible features of the Prius C include a Toyota Safety Sense C system, a multi-information display, and Bluetooth capability.

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blog 32Lace up those dancing shoes or at least get ready to come out and support a great cause. Dancing with The Tri-Cities Stars is back for its ninth year! For those not in the know, Dancing with the Tri-Cities Stars is an annual benefit event that includes a silent auction, dinner and most importantly – a whole lot of dancing! Each year 10 local “Stars” from Northeast Tennessee spend countless hours practicing their dance routines for a great cause. All proceeds go to benefit SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services in Limestone, Tennessee a great cause that supports and cares for at-risk youth boys age 13-17.

Since 2003 SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services has provided counseling and continued treatment programs within a safe, caring environment for young boys. SteppenStone’s primary goal is to help heal and help an underserved segment of the population develop the skills they need to become successful, healthy adults. With the help of our community and all the dancer’s time and effort put into this, can provided the best for the boys in our community.

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Sometimes you just need a little comfort food to calm your grumbling stomach and make life not so bad after all. Kingsport is a Tennesee destination with numerous restaurants serving Southern comfort food you really shouldn’t miss. Keep reading to learn about some of them.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Although this is a chain restaurant, it’s a reliable place to eat, especially for breakfast. Guests particularly like the hashbrown casserole and the way that many breakfast items come with either toast or biscuits served with apple butter. Besides breakfast fare, you can get a variety of vegetables cooked Southern style, plus chicken, fish, and beef. As is typical in Cracker Barrel restaurants, this Kingsport location features old-fashioned items such as signs, photographs, and vintage home products. That means you have plenty to look at while waiting for your food.

If you need another way to occupy your time, check out what’s available in the store. Items like specialty candy, home décor items, and even audiobooks (to cater to the people who often stop at Cracker Barrel in the middle of road trips) are always available. However, the store also has a plentiful assortment of seasonal items, so if you’re looking for charming items to get your house in the holiday spirit for Halloween or Christmas, stop here to find must-have items and enjoy hearty portions of Southern food at the same time.

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Buying your first car is a major accomplishment, but it’s a milestone that can cause understandable stress if you’re trying to figure out how to finance the vehicle. Keep reading to get some tips to help you manage the financial side of things without getting too anxious.

Understand the Applicable Payments

A car is usually associated with a down payment and monthly payments. The down payment is something you have to pay on the day of sale, whereas the monthly payments are recurring amounts that you pay while working towards paying off the total cost of the vehicle. Once you understand the difference between those two types of payments, it’s a good idea to use an online loan calculator that will allow you to input different figures and determine how much you can afford to pay per month and offer as a down payment.

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Summer Festivals in Kingsport, TNThe summer is a great season to get out and enjoy one of Tennessee’s many festivals. Keep reading to learn about three of them you shouldn’t pass up.

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

Held since 2002 at  the 700-acre Great Stage Park in Manchester, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival features dozens of acts ranging from chart toppers to indie up and comers. Past guests have included Beatle Paul McCartney and Fitz and the Tantrums, a Neo Soul act known for high energy and great vocals. U2 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are two of the headliners this year. Many vendors come and sell art like dreamcatchers or paintings, and you can also get art on your body in the form of temporary tattoos.

This year, the festival takes place from June 8-11, and you can expect that music and other festivities will go from about noon each day until very early the next morning. Tickets for general admission start at $349.50 plus applicable fees. However, you can also splurge on a two-ticket Platinum package for $5,000 that includes access to premium stage viewing areas, food served in a special hospitality tent, and the chance to camp in a designated area with other people who have also paid for upscale tickets.

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If you’re considering the 2017 Toyota Highlander for your next car, you probably already know it’s a mid-sized SUV packed with features that make driving more fun. Keep reading to learn some of the things that’ll help you decide you’re ready to buy this well-made vehicle.

It Has a Bold Style You’ll Love

When you’re on the road steering through heavy traffic, why not stand out for all the right reasons when you’re behind the wheel of a stylish Toyota Highlander? The front section of the car got an upgrade for 2017, and now this SUV features a new front grille with a cool segmented look.

It also has redesigned headlights that light up dark areas and look nice at the same time. When you own a Toyota Highlander, you’ll appreciate the atention to detail that proves this car was carefully designed at every stage of the engineering process.

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Situated on the northeast tip of Tennessee and along the banks of the Holston River, Kingsport is an urban oasis in the middle of the beautiful outdoor wilderness. If you’re an avid outdoorsman, it’s also the perfect starting point for an excursion into nature. The next time you’re looking to get some exercise and a breath of fresh air, make sure to check out a few of these parks in and around Kingsport.

1. Big Ridge State Park

If you’re willing to take the two-hour drive west of Kingsport, you’re rewarded with the scenic landscapes of Big Ridge State Park. Located in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley, this 3,687-acre park is famous for its forests, fertile river valleys, and the majestic Big Ridge Lake. When you arrive, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied. Fifteen miles of hiking trails will give you more than enough exercise. If that’s not your favorite activity, biking, swimming, boating, and the annual bluegrass festival should suffice. If you plan to stay overnight, make sure to check ahead for availability and any park fees.

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Spanning nearly 35 years and eight generations, the Camry is the flagship sedan of Toyota. From 2002 to 2015, the Camry was the top-selling car in the United States, adding to its legendary status. However, few people know the storied history of the vehicle that’s become a staple of the American automotive landscape. If you’re a Camry owner or you just want to learn more about one of the best sedans ever to grace the road, here’s a crash course on the history of America’s favorite car.

The First Two Generations (1983-1991)

While the Toyota Camry first came out in Japan in 1979, it didn’t hit U.S. markets until 1983. That year, limited quantities of a sedan and hatchback arrived on the west coast. During this time, the Camry was a compact four-door, offering three engine options that were designed more for fuel economy than anything else. In 1987, the Camry entered its second generation, replacing the hatchback with a wagon and adding a V6 option to the mix. It was also the only Camry to offer all-wheel drive, and the option has yet to return to the lineup.

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Spanning 440 miles from east to west and 120 miles from north to south, Tennessee is a road trip fantasy world. Throughout the state, there are tons of things to see, ranging from the country music mecca of Nashville to the capitol building of Knoxville. However, there are many bizarre roadside attractions that are definitely worth a look. If you thrive on experiencing the strange or viewing the outlandish, make sure to add these roadside spots to your visit through the Volunteer State.

1. Titanic Replica

If you ever wondered what a tacky yet interesting resort town nestled near the Great Smoky Mountains looks like, don’t forget to head to Pigeon Forge. Located just 5 miles from the mountains, Pigeon Forge is a vacation destination for many locals in the area. While Dollywood, outlet malls, and amusement parks are the most popular attractions, don’t skip out on the Titanic replica. Built to a half-scale of the original ship, the Titanic replica is a museum with over 400 artifacts from the doomed vessel. It’s also built in a pool to simulate what the ride may have been like. Self-guided tours take two hours, but even if you don’t go, it’s well worth a drive-by.

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Since the debut of the Prius in 2000, Toyota has become the undisputed king of the hybrid market. However, they didn’t stop there. Over nearly two decades, the Japanese automaker has developed several more hybrid models that offer awesome perks, style, and unbeatable fuel economy. If you’re looking to step into the 21st century, save money at the pump, and lower your carbon footprint, make sure to check out a few of these amazing Toyota hybrids.

1. Prius c

Eleven years after the release of the Prius, Toyota aimed to expand the nameplate by offering two new versions of the legendary hybrid. One of those is the Prius c. Standing for “city,” the Prius c is the compact, urban-friendly version of the Prius that’s the perfect size to fit into tight parking spots and navigate narrow city streets. To power this pint-sized beauty, Toyota equips it with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pairs with two AC motors. The resulting 99 horsepower isn’t head-turning, but it still produces up to 48 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 43 mpg on the highway.

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