What Car Should I Buy? Choosing the Best Toyota

Are you asking yourself “what car should I buy” and not able to come up with a clear answer? Our Toyota of Orlando team is here to help. Check out this complete guide to choosing the best Toyota – we’ll help you find the perfect car to match your life, your budget, your comfort level behind the wheel. And on top of that, we’ll give you test drive tips to cement your choice. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Outline your needs

Kick off your process by writing down how you’re going to use your new Toyota. This can help narrow our big lineup into an easy-to-digest handful of vehicles. Here are some main questions to start with:

• How many people do you carry most days, and do you need a 3rd row? (The 2026 Toyota Corolla and Camry fit 4–5, while the 2026 Toyota Highlander, Grand Highlander, and Sequoia offer 3 rows.)
• Do you prioritize fuel savings or horsepower? Hybrid Toyotas like the Camry, RAV4 Hybrid, and Prius focus on efficiency, while trucks like the Tacoma and Tundra focus on towing and hauling.
• Do you spend a lot of time on Orlando city streets only, or do you need something that can handle towing and off‑road?
  • If you’re mostly commuting around Orlando, the Camry, Corolla, Prius, and RAV4 are great options.
  • If you have a big family and like road trips, consider the RAV4, Highlander, Sienna, and Grand Highlander.
  • If you off-road or regularly tow and haul, consider the Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, Land Cruiser, or Sequoia.

• Also think about parking. If you routinely park in a tight parking garage or lot, compact models like the Corolla and Corolla Cross are perfect.

Make a short “must-have” list of all the qualities you need in your next ride, and then you can use it to cross-reference the Orlando Toyota possibilities.

Step 2: Pick your vehicle type

Now align your needs with the main Toyota categories to answer the “what car should I buy” conundrum. Here’s a quick guide to get you started from our expert team at Toyota of Orlando.

Sedans like the Corolla and Camry:

• Best for commuting, have good fuel economy, easier to park
• Both are available in hybrid
• Camry offers more space while Corolla is more compact

Compact SUVs/Crossovers like the RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Corolla Cross, and Crown Signia:

• Best for small families, road trips, and light outdoor use.
• More cargo space and higher seating than sedans, and the hybrid options save fuel.

3‑Row SUVs & Minivan like the Highlander, Grand Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna:

• Best for larger families or frequent passengers.
• The Grand Highlander and Sequoia offer more space and power, while the Sienna is hybrid-only and very family-focused.

Trucks & Off‑road like the Tacoma, Tundra, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser:

• Best for towing boats/trailers, rough roads, and camping.
• The Tacoma and Tundra emphasize towing and payload, while the 4Runner and Land Cruiser are top picks for off‑road durability.

Try to narrow your options to one or two body styles (like compact SUV or sedan).

Step 3: Shortlist 2-3 Orlando Toyota models

Next, use our site to look at our model lineup. This will let you filter our inventory by size, price, and fuel efficiency. Use your “must haves” list and pick two to three models to consider.

Here are a few solid examples of good shortlists you could bring to Toyota of Orlando with you:

• Fuel-efficient commuter Toyota: Corolla Hybrid, Prius, Camry Hybrid.
• Small family in Florida: RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Highlander.
• Trailer or boat owner: Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia.

Check basic details for each, including:

• The seating and cargo volume.
• The EPA fuel economy (MPG).
• The towing and hauling capacity.
• The starting prices and their typical trim levels (LE, XLE, Limited, etc.).

This gives you a much more focused list to bring with you when you want to explore options – our Toyota of Orlando team can easily work from a list like this to find the perfect solution.

Step 4: Understand key safety and tech

Almost all of our Orlando Toyotas – the new ones – come with a standard safety suite called Toyota Safety Sense. Getting familiar with the features before your test drive can help you ask better questions AND see if they meet your daily drivers needs. Here are the main TSS features you’ll be able to explore:

• Pre‑Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Warns you of a possible forward crash and can help you brake, including for people and bikes.
• Lane Departure Alert / Lane Tracing Assist: Warns you and gently assists you if you drift. Also helps keep you centered in your lane.
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Keeps your car a set distance from the car ahead on the highway.
• Automatic High Beams and Road Sign Assist: Helps you with nighttime visibility and recognizing certain road signs.

You should also think about entertainment and convenience tech. Explore Toyota features like:

• Smartphone integration: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are widely available on our Orlando Toyotas, so decide if they’re important to you.
• Convenience: Consider features like power seats, heated seats, power liftgates, and sunroofs.
• Driver aid tech: Look at element like a blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and advanced parking sensors.

Circle which of these features are “must-have” vs “nice to have” before going in for your test drive at Toyota of Orlando.

Step 5: Set a realistic budget

Before visiting any dealer, have a price or monthly payment range in mind as a guide. Think about things like:

• The current starting MSRPs for your shortlisted models on our site
• If you’re paying cash, financing (loan), or leasing

You can also use our online payment calculator to explore your payments with different down payments and terms.

Step 6: Prepare for the dealership visit

A little prep makes your visit to us smoother and less stressful. Here are some tips to get you rolling:

• Gather important documents: You’ll likely need your driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Call or schedule online: Ask to drive specific models and trims (for example, “RAV4 XLE and RAV4 Hybrid XLE”) when you give our Orlando Toyota sales team a ring.
• Pick the right time: Choose a daylight test drive time and, if possible, avoid rush hour so you’re not stressed.
• Make a simple checklist for when you get behind the wheel:
  • Space and comfort.
  • Visibility.
  • Ride quality and noise.
  • Controls, buttons, and tech ease of use.
  • Acceleration, braking, and steering feel.

Give our sales team a heads up that you’re comparing models and you want to test drive more than one to ensure you find the perfect fit.

 

Step 7: Inspect the Toyota before driving it

Before you pull away for your test drive, take 5–10 minutes to walk around and sit in the driver’s seat. Here’s what you should look for:

Outside the car:

• Walk around and look for obvious defects (like panel gaps, paint issues, tire condition), even on a new car. Better safe than sorry!
• Open the trunk or cargo area. Check the loading height and space for strollers, golf clubs, luggage, etc. – anything you know you’ll be loading in the back
• Open rear doors and sit in the backseat. This is your chance to check legroom, headroom, and how easy it is to get in and out.

Inside the car:

• Adjust your seat, the steering wheel, and the mirrors until you’re comfortable. make sure you can see clearly in all directions.
• Try the controls and buttons, including:
  • • The headlights, wipers, climate controls, parking brake, and shifter.
    • Test the infotainment system, pairing your phone if you can (at least do this before you leave the dealership).
• Look around for blind spots created by pillars or headrests.

If anything feels cramped or your visibility is poor, note it. This may not be the right Orlando Toyota for you!

Step 8: What to do during your test drive

Starting the car up and low‑speed driving

• Listen when you start the car: The engine should sound smooth and free of odd knocking or grinding noises.
• Check the smoothness pulling away from a stop.
• Test the brake response (not too grabby or too soft).
• Examine the steering effort at low speeds and how easy it is to park.

Orlando streets

• Drive through normal stop‑and‑go traffic, turns, and lane changes.
• Notice things like:
  • How the transmission shifts and how responsive the throttle feels.
  • How the suspension handles bumps, speed humps, and rough patches in the road.
  • Cabin noise from wind, tires, and traffic.

Also see how stable the car feels at speed and how much noise you hear.

Parking and tight maneuvering

• Practice a few parking situations, like parallel or backing into a spot.
• Evaluate the backup camera, parking sensors, and turning circle to ensure they’re easy to use.

You can also ask your Toyota of Orlando salesperson to demonstrate safety features that you’re unsure about. And finally, after your test drive sit in the driver’s seat and ask yourself “can I see myself driving this Toyota every day?” If you’re not sure, talk to your sales person about your doubts.

Schedule a test drive at Toyota of Orlando

Ready to get behind the wheel yourself? We’re ready to make it happen – schedule a test drive at Toyota of Orlando and answer the “what car should I buy” question with the most confidence possible. You can call us at (407) 298-4500 or swing by – we’re open until 10pm every night at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Mall at Millenia!

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